University of Misan

Engineering college
Civil engineering

Highway Engineering Laboratory

Test No.1
Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and
Absorption of fine aggregate

Standard Test Method: ASTM C128-15

Name: Sara Mohammad shmal

1-Introduction :
1.1Fine aggregates:
The aggregate which is passing ASTM sieve #4 (4.75mm).
1.2Absorption:
it is the increase of the mass of aggregate due to the addition of
the water into the aggregate is called absorption) 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.
1.3Saturated surface dry density:
it is the mass of the saturated surface dry aggregate per unit vol
ume 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 particle.
1.4Apparent density:
it is the mass of the oven dry aggregate per unit volume of
the solid portion of the aggregate.
2-Scope:
This test method covers the determination of relative density
(specific gravity) and the absorption of fine aggregate . the
relative density (specific gravity ) , a dimensionless quality , is
expressed as oven-dry (OD) , saturated –surface dry (SSD) ,or
as apparent relative density (specific gravity ) . the OD relative
density is determined after drying the aggregate . the SSD
relative density and absorption are determined after soaking the
aggregate in water for a prescribed duration.
 3-Sampling :
Sample the aggregate in accordance with practice D75 . thoroughly
mix the sample and reduce it to obtain a test specimen of
approximately 1 Kg using the applicable procedures described in
practice C702 .

4-Preparation of test specimen:

4-1Dry the test specimen in a suitable pan or vessel to constant
mass at a temperature of 110 + 5°C. Allow it to cool to comfortable
handling temperature, cover with water, either by immersion or by
the addition of at least 6 % moisture to the fine aggregate, and permit
to stand for 24+ 4 h.
4-2 Where the absorption and relative density (specific gravity)
values are to be used in proportioning concrete mixtures in which the
aggregates will be in their naturally moist condition, the requirement
in (1) for initial drying is optional, and, if the surfaces of the
particles in the sample have been kept continuously wet until tested,
the requirement in 8.1 for 24+ 4 h soaking is also optional.
5-Test condition :
Temperature:
1. Maintain the temperature of the room and of the mixing water at
23+1.7°C (73.4+3°F).
2. The drying temperature of aggregate at oven should be 110 5C
(230 9F).
6-APPARATUS:
1-Balance : A balance or scale having a capacity of 1kg or more,
sensitive to 0.1g or less , and accurate within 0.1% of the test load
at any point within the range of use for this test method. Within
any 100g range test load, a difference between reading shall be
accurate within 0.1g.
2-pycnometer : A flask or other suitable container into which the
fine aggregate test sample can be readily introduced and in which
the volume content can be reproduced within + 0.1 cm3 .The
volume of the container filled to mark shall be at least 50%
greater than the space required to accommodate the test sample.
A volumetric flask of 500cm3 capacity or fruit jar fitted with a
pycnometer top is satisfactory for a 500g test sample of most fine
aggregates.
3-Mold and Temper for surface moisture test: the metal mold
shall be in the form of a frustum of a cone with dimensions as
follows (40+ 3 mm) inside diameter at the top. (90+3mm) inside
diameter at the bottom ,and (75+3mm) in height .with the metal
having a minimum thickness of 0.8mm.The metal temper shall
have a mass of 340+15g and a flat circular tamping face 25+3mm
in diameter .
4-Oven : an oven of sufficient size ,capable of maintaining a
uniform temperature of 110+5oC .
7-Procedure :
1-partially fill the pycnometer with water. Introduce into the
pycnometer 500+10 g of saturated surface-dry fine aggregate
,and fill with additional water to approximately 90% of
capacity.
2- Manually roll , invert , or agitate the pycnometer (or use a
combination of these actions) to eliminate visible air bubbles.
NOTE: About 15-20 min are normally required to eliminate the
air bubbles by manual method. Dipping the tip of a paper towel
into the pycnometer has been found to be useful in dispersing the
foam that sometimes builds up when eliminating the air bubbles.
Optionally , a small amount of isopropyl alcohol may be used to
disperse the foam.
3- Mechanically agitate the pycnometer by external vibration in a
manner that will not degrade the sample. A level of agitation
adjusted to just set individual particles in motion is sufficient to
promote de-airing without degradation
4- After eliminating all air bubbles , adjust the temperature of the
pycnometer and its contents to 23+2.0 oC if necessary by partial
immersion in circulating water , and bring the water level in the
pycnometer to its calibrated capacity .Determine the total mass
of the pycnometer ,specimen and water .
5-Remove the fine aggregate from the pycometer .dry in the oven
to constant mass at a temperature of 110+5 oC, cool in air at room
temperature for 1+0.5 h ,and determined the mass
6-Determine the mass of the pycnometer filled to its calibrated
capacity with water .
1-Wet sample spread out 2- Drying the sample with a
blow dryer.

3- Tamping the aggregate 4- No slump indicates surface

into the mold moisture presence.

5-Aggregate is beyond SSD 6- Pouring the SSD

sample into the pycnometer
8-calculation and result
A = Weight of Oven Dry Specimen in Air
B = Weight of Pycnometer filled with water
C = Weight of Pycnometer with specimen and water to calibration mark
S = SSD Weight
𝐴
Specific Gravity (O.D.)=
𝐵+𝑆−𝐶
𝑆
Specific Gravity (SSD)=
𝐵+𝑆−𝐶
𝐴
Apparent Specific Gravity =
𝐵+𝐴−𝐶
𝑆−𝐴
Percent Absorption = ∗ 100
𝐴

GROUP S (g) A (g) B (g) C (g) B+S-C B+A-C

A-1 510 490 1556.5 1916.5 150 130
A-2 500 472.5 1588 1874 214 186.5
B-1 502.5 482.3 1586.5 1897.5 191.5 171.3
B-2 500.5 460 1556 1863 193.5 153

Group SSD= OD= APPARENT= ABSO.%=

S/(B+S-C) A/(B+S-C) A/(B+A-C) [(S-A)/A]

A-1 3.40 3.27 3.77 3.9

A-2 2.34 2.21 2.53 5.8
B-1 2.62 2.52 2.82 4.2
B-2 2.59 2.38 3.01 8.8
Average 2.74 2.60 3.03 5.7%
9-Discussion:
 The specific gravity and water absorption of aggregates are
important properties that are required for the design of concrete
and bituminous mixes. Because the aggregates may contain
water-permeable voids, so two measures of specific gravity of
aggregates are used: apparent specific gravity and bulk
specific gravity.
 The specific gravity of an aggregate is considered to be a
measure of strength or quality of the material. The specific
gravity test helps in the identification of stone. Water absorption
gives an idea of strength of aggregate. Aggregates having more
water absorption are more porous in nature and are generally
considered unsuitable unless they are found to be acceptable
based on strength, impact and hardness tests.
 Specific gravity of aggregates normally used in road
construction ranges from about 2.5 to 3.0 with an average value
of 2.68. Water absorption value ranges from 0.1 to 2.0 % for
aggregates normally used in road surfacing IRC has specified
the maximum water absorption valves as 10 percent for
aggregate used in bituminous surface dressing and built up spray
grow.
 Factors affecting value of specific gravity and water absorption of fine
aggregate :- (1) Temperature (2) Entrapped air in fine aggregate (3)
humidity (4) size of aggregate (5) accuracy of apparatus

 Common error in the test :-

1-improper identification of SSD (over or under drying).
2- Air entrapped in suspended sample or sample immersion
container.
3- loss of material during transfer to the drying pans.
4-weight errors (improper tare or loss material).