Plain & Reinforced Concrete-I

Lab Manual

Job No. 5: Standard Test Method for the Determination of Relative Density (i.e. Specific Gravity) And Water Absorption of the Coarse Aggregates. Code: ASTM C127-04 Scope & Significance: In this test method we determine the relative density (i.e. Specific Gravity) and the water absorption of the coarse aggregates. The information obtained from specific gravity is helpful in the following ways: The knowledge of the specific gravity is important for the concrete technologist to determine the properties of concrete made from such aggregates. It is used for the calculation of the volume occupied by the aggregates in various mixtures. The pores at the surface of the particles affect the bond between the aggregate and the cement paste and thus influence the concrete strength. Normally it is assumed that at the time of setting of concrete, the aggregate is in the saturated and surface dry condition, If the aggregate is to be batched in the dry condition, then it is assumed that sufficient amount of water will be absorbed from the mix to bring the aggregate in the saturated condition. If an additional amount of water is not added as a cover for the absorbed water, the loss of workability is resulted. Water absorption is a measure of porosity of aggregates. Higher water absorption means more pores hence aggregates will be consider as weak. Water absorption value ranges from 0.1% - 2% for aggregates which are used in road surfaces. Aggregates with water absorption up to 4% are acceptable in base course. Limitation: The limitation of the test is that, it cannot be used for the light weight aggregates. 4.1 Related Theory: Aggregates: Aggregates may be classified as: Coarse Aggregates Fine Aggregates

Coarse Aggregates: Any material which is retained on BS sieve #4 (ASTM sieve 4.75mm) is known as coarse aggregate. Fine Aggregates: Any material which is passing BS sieve #4 (ASTM sieve 4.75mm) is known as fine aggregate.

Plain & Reinforced Concrete-I

Lab Manual

Types of Crush Available In Pakistan: 1. Sargodha Crush: Sargodha crush possess the following properties: Greenish in color High strength Usually elongated particle. 2. Marghalla Crush: Marghalla crush possess the following Properties: Grayish in color Low in strength. 3. SakhiSarwar Crush: SakhiSarwar crush possess the following: Whitish in color. Absorption: It is the increase in the mass of the aggregate due to the penetration of water into the pores of the particles during a prescribed period of time. The term absorption does not include the amount of water adhering to the surface of the particles. Water absorption is expressed as percentage of the dry mass. SaturatedSurface Dry (S.S.D.) Condition: It is the condition related with the aggregate particles in which the permeable pores of the aggregate particles are filled with water but without free water on the surface of the particles. Oven Dry Density: It is the mass of the oven dried aggregate per unit volume of the aggregate particles. The term volume includes the volume of the permeable and the impermeable pores and does not include the volume of the voids between the particles. Saturated Surface Dry (S.S.D) Density: It is the mass of the saturated surface dry aggregate per unit volume of the aggregate particles. The term volume includes the volume of the permeable and the impermeable pores which are filled with water and does not include the volume of the voids between the particles. Apparent Density: It is the mass per unit volume of the impermeable portion of the aggregate particles. OR It is the mass per unit volume of the solid portion of the particles excluding the voids. Specific Gravity / Relative Density: It is the ratio of the density of the aggregate material to the density of the gas free distilled water at a standard temperature (i.e. 4 C).

Plain & Reinforced Concrete-I

Lab Manual

The relative density is a dimensionless quantity and is expressed as oven dried, saturated surface dry and apparent. Oven Dried Specific Gravity: It is the ratio of the oven dried density of the aggregate to the density of the gas free distilled water at a standard temperature (i.e. 4 C). Saturated Surface Dry Specific Gravity: It is the ratio of the saturated surface dry density of the aggregate to the density of the gas free distilled water at a standard temperature (i.e. 4 C). Apparent Specific Gravity: It is the ratio of the apparent density of the aggregate to the density of the gas free distilled water at a standard temperature (i.e. 4 C). 4.2 Apparatus: Balance Sample container Water tank Sieves Oven

4.3 Procedure: The sample of the aggregate is immersed in water for 24hrs to essentially fill all the pores.Remove the test sample from the water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of water are removed.Wipe the larger particles individually. A moving stream of air is permitted to assist in the drying operation. Take care to avoid evaporation of water from aggregate pores during the surface-drying operation. Determine the mass of the test sample in the saturated surface-dry condition. Record this and all subsequent masses to the nearest 0.5 g or 0.05 % of the sample mass, whichever is greater. In order to calculate the volume of the aggregate, immediately place the saturatedsurface-dry test sample in the sample container and determine its apparent mass in water at 23 2C. Take care to remove all entrapped air before determining its mass by shaking the container while immersed. The difference between the mass in air and the mass when the sample is immersed in water equals the mass of water displaced by the sample. This mass of water equals the volume of water displaced because: water = mwater /Vwater mwater = Vwater water = 1gm/cm3 Vwater= Vaggregate Dry the test sample in the oven to constant mass at a temperature of 110 C, cool in air at room temperature 1 to 3h, or until the aggregate has cooled to a temperature that is comfortable to handle (approximately 50 C), and determine the mass in order to calculate the oven dried specific gravity of the specimen.

Plain & Reinforced Concrete-I

Lab Manual

4.4 Calculations: Coarse Aggregate Weight of Oven Dry Sample in Air (gms) = A = Weight of Saturated Surface Dry Sample in Air (gms) = B = Weight of Saturated Sample in Water (gms) = C =

Bulk Specific Gravity (Oven Dry) = A/(B-C) Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) = B/(B-C) Apparent Specific Gravity = A/(A-C) Water Absorption (%) = (B-A)*100/B 4.4 Observations & Calculations: Calculation of Specific Gravity:(for fine aggregates) Volume of Aggregate (Vagg.) gm 180 Specific Gravity = 2.78

Sr. No. 1

Type of Crush

Weight of Agg. (Wagg.) gm 500

Volume of Water mL 500

Volume of Water + Agg. mL 680

Lawrance-pur sand

Lawrance-pur sand

500

500

680

180

2.78

Lawrance-pur sand

500

500

680

180

2.78

Plain & Reinforced Concrete-I

Lab Manual

Calculation of Specific Gravity:(for coarse aggregates) Volume of Aggregate (Vagg.) gm Specific Gravity = -

Sr. No.

Type of Crush

Weight of Agg. (Wagg.) gm

Volume of Water mL

Volume of Water + Agg. mL

Calculation of Water Absorption: Wt. of Absorbed Water gm Water Absorption = -

Sr. No.

Type of Crush

SSD Weight Gm

OD Weight gm

Plain & Reinforced Concrete-I

Lab Manual

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