CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS AND TESTING

LABORATORY WORKS
(DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND
ABSORPTION OF FINE AND COARSE AGGREGATES)

SUBMITTED BY GROUP 7:

Aquino, Christian Reybien

Caingcoy, Mark Jayson
Poblete, Keano Prince
Rodriguez, Jeffrey
Tizon, Kingsley
INTRODUCTION

Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculation of the volume
occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate including Portland cement
concrete, bituminous concrete, and other mixtures that are proportioned or analyzed on an
absolute volume basis.

Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the weight of an aggregate due to
water absorbed in the pore spaces within the constituent particles, compacted to the dry
condition, when it is deemed that the aggregate has been in contact with water long enough to
satisfy most of the absorption potential.

METHODOLOGY

Apparatus:

1. Pcynometer or calibrated volumetric flask

2. Conical mold, 40 ± 3mm inside top dia. 90 ± 3 mm inside bottom dia, 75 ± 3mm high
3. Tamping rod, weighing 340 ± 15 g with a flat circular tamping face 25 ± 3 mm dia.
4. Wire basket of 4.75 mm mesh
5. Water bucket
6. Balance and weights
7. Water tank
8. Suspended apparatus
9. Sample container
10. Sieves, M92 (4.75mm, No. 4)

Procedure:

For Fine Aggregate

1. Preparation of Test Specimen

1. Obtain approximately 1kg of the fine aggregate from the sample using the
applicable procedures described in reducing field samples of aggregates to
testing size.
2. Decant excess eater with care to avoid loss of fines, spread the sample on a flat
nonabsorbent surface expose to a gently homogenous drying. If desired,
 mechanical aids such as tumbling or stirring may be employed to assist in
achieving until the test specimen approaches a free-flowing condition
2. Procedure
1. Partially fill the pycnometer with water. Immediately introduce into the
pycnometer approximately 500 ± 10g of saturated surface-dry fine aggregate
as prepared and fill with additional water to approximately 90 percent of
capacity. Roll, invert, and agitate the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles.
Adjust its temperature to 23 ± 1.7 °C (73.4 ± 3 °F), if necessary by immersion
in circulating water, and bring the water level in the pycnometer to its
calibrated capacity. Determine total weights of the pycnometer, specimen, and
water. Record this all other weights to the nearest 0.1 g.
2. Remove the fine aggregate from the pycnometer, dry to constant weight at a
temperature of 110 ± 5 °C (230 ± 9 °F), cool in air at room temperature for 1
½ h, and weight to the nearest 0.1.
3. Determine the weight of the pycnometer filled to its calibration capacity with
water at 23 ± 1.7 °C (73.4 ± 3 °F)

For Coarse Aggregate

3. Sampling
1. Sample the aggregate in accordance with T2 (Sampling Aggregates).
2. Thoroughly mix the sample of aggregate and reduce it to the approximate
quantity needed using the applicable procedures in Reducing Field Samples to
Testing Size. Reject all material passing a 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve by dry
sieving and thoroughly washing to remove dust or other coatings from the
surface. If the coarse aggregate contains a substantial quantity of material finer
than the 4.75 mm sieve such as for size no. 8 and 9 aggregates in M 43, use the
2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve in place of the 4.75 mm sieve. Alternatively, separate
the material finer than the 4.75 mm sieve and test the finer material according
to Determination of Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate.
3. The minimum weight of test, sample to be used is given below. In many
instances it may be desirable to test a coarse aggregate in several separate size
fractions; and if the sample contains more than 15% retained on the 37.5 mm
in one or more size fractions separately from the smaller size functions. When
 an aggregate is tested in separate size functions, the minimum weight of test
sample for each fraction shall be the difference between weights prescribed for
the maximum and minimum sizes of the fraction.
 Procedure
1. Dry the test sample to constant weight at temperature of 110 ± 5 °C (230 ± 9
°F), cool in air at room temperature for 1 to 3 h for test samples of 37.5 mm (1
½ -in) nominal maximum size, or longer for larger sizes until the aggregate
has cooled to a temperature that is comfortable to handle (approximately 50
°C). Subsequently immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature for a
period of 15 to 18 hours.
2. Where the absorption and specific gravity values are to be used in
proportioning concrete mixtures in which the aggregates will be in their
naturally moist condition, the requirement for initial drying to constant weight
may be eliminated, and if the surfaces of the particles in the sample have been
kept continuously wet until test, the 15-h soaking may also be eliminated.
3. Remove the test sample from the water and rill it in a large absorbent cloth
until all visible films of water are removed. Wipe the larger particles
individually. A moving stream of air may be used to assist in the drying
operation. Take care to avoid evaporation of water from aggregate pores
during the operation of surface-drying. Weight the test sample in the saturated-
dry condition. Record this all subsequent weights to the nearest 1.0 g or 0.1%
of the sample weight, whichever is greater.
4. After weighing, immediately place the saturated-surface-dry test sample in the
sample container and determine its weight in water at 23 ± 1.7 °C (73.4 ± 3
°F), having a density of 997 ± 2 kg/m3. Take care to remove all entrapped air
before weighing by shaking the container while immersed.
5. Dry the test sample top constant weight at a temperature of 110 ± 5 °C (230 ±
9 °F), cool in air at room temperature 1 to 3 h, or until the aggregate has
cooled to a temperature that is comfortable to handle (approximately 50 C),
and weigh.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This section presents the data gathered, results and discussion in the test method of
determining the specific gravity and absorption of fine and coarse aggregates

Observed data:

Weight of Pcynometer, Water and 944 g

Specimen (Fine Aggregates)
Weight of Pcynometer and Water 632 g
Weight of Fine Aggregates after 476 g
removing from Pcynometer and
drying
Weight of oven-dried Coarse 2.946
Aggregates
Weight of saturated-surface-dry 3.025
Coarse Aggregates in air
Weight of saturated Coarse 1.817
Aggregates in water

Computations:
For Coarse Aggregate
Bulk Specific Gravity = B / (B – C)
Absorption, % = [ B – A) / A ] x 100
3.025
Bulk SG =
3.025−1.817
= 2.504
3.025−2.946
Absorption =
2.946
= 2.68 %
For Fine Aggregate
Bulk Specific Gravity = S / (B + S – C)
Absorption, % = [ S – A) / A ] x 100
500
Bulk SG =
632+500−944
= 2.66
500−476
Absorption =
476
= 5.04 %
CONCLUSION:
Base on the results of computation, the specific gravity of the fine and coarse aggregate
samples passed the recommended value. The specific gravity of aggregates normally used in
road construction ranges from about 2.5-3.0 with an average of about 2.68. For the results in
absorption test, the fine aggregate failed as the recommended absorption value must not exceed
3%. According to BS 8007, aggregates should comply with either BS 882 or BS 1047 and have
an absorption, as measured in accordance with BS 812-2, generally not greater than 3%.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
The students recommend that the experiment must be done continously as it may affect
the condition of the samples. It is also recommended that equipment and apparatus to be used
in testing are in good condition and properly calibrated. For the next people to do this
experiment, they must properly follow the instructions and procedure to avoid human errors.
DOCUMENTATION: