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Job#01
Standard Test Method for the Determination of SPECIFIC
GRAVITY OF COARSE AGGREGATE
Standard:
AASHTO TE-85

Scope:
This procedure covers the determination of specific gravity and absorption of
coarse aggregate in accordance with AASHTO T 85-10. Specific gravity may be
expressed as bulk specific gravity (Gsb), bulk specific gravity, saturated surface dry
(Gsb SSD), or apparent specific gravity (Gsa). Gsb and absorption are based on
aggregate after soaking in water. This procedure is not intended to be used with
lightweight aggregates.

Absorption: The increase in the mass of aggregate due to water being

absorbed into the pores of the material, but not including water adhering to the
outside surface of the particles, expressed as a percentage of the dry mass.
% Abs. = [ (B - A) / A ] x 10
A = Oven dry weight.
Where:
B = SSD weight.
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Specific Gravity – the ratio of the mass, in air, of a volume of a material to the
mass of the same volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.
Apparent Specific Gravity (Gsa)– the ratio of the mass, in air, of a volume of the
impermeable portion of aggregate to the mass of an equal volume of gas-free
distilled water at a stated temperature.
Gsa = A / (A - C)
A = Oven dry weight.
Where:
C = Weight in water

(Gsb Bulk Specific Gravity)– The ratio of the mass, in air, of a volume of aggregate
(including the permeable and impermeable voids in the particles, but not
including the voids between particles) to the mass of an equal volume of gas-free
distilled water at a stated temperature.
Gsb SSD = B / (B - C)
B = SSD weight.
Where:
C = Weight in water.
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Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) (Gsb SSD) – the ratio of the mass, in air, of a volume of
aggregate, including the mass of water within the voids filled to the extent
achieved by
submerging in water for 15 to 19 hours (but not including the voids between
particles), to the mass of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated
temperature.

Apparatus:
 Balance
 Sample Container
 Water Tank
 Suspension Apparatus
 Sieves
 Large Absorbent Towel

Procedure:
 First I, took the sample from bottom, middle and top passing from 4 No sieve
 Then I weight the empty mold..
 Then I, weight the sampel.
 Then I, Place entire sample in a container and weigh in water maintained at
73.4 ± 3°F (23 ± 1.7°C). Shake container to release any entrapped air and weigh
on minimum diameter wire suspended below scale apparatus. Ensure that the
water overflow outlet is working properly to compensate for the water
displaced by the sample (Figure 7). Record to the nearest 1.0 g or 0.1% of total
weight, whichever is greater, as the weight in Water (C).
 Then I again weighed the mold with sample.
 Then I, Remove the sample from the container and drain any excess water from
the aggregate. Using an absorbent cloth (an absorbent towel usually works
best), roll the aggregate until the surface water has been removed (Figure 8).
Rolling up the
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aggregate into the towel and then shaking and rolling the aggregate from side
to side is also an effective procedure in reducing the sample to an SSD
(saturated, surface-dry) condition
 Then I, Weigh SSD sample to nearest 1.0 g or 0.1% of the total weight,
whichever is greater and record this as SSD weight.
 Then I, the sample in a pan to a constant weight in an oven set at 230 ± 9°F
(110 ± 5°C). Cool in air at room temperature for 1 to 3 hr, or until the
aggregate can be comfortably handled. Record weight to nearest 1.0 g or
0.1%, whichever is greater, as oven dry weight.

Observation and Calculation:

Dry Weight A= 1504.1 g
Determine calculations based on appropriate formula.
Saturated B= 1525.3 g
Bulk Specific Gravity (Gsb) Gsb = A / (B-C) Weight
Submerged C= 872.4 g
Bulk SSD Specific Gravity (Gsb SSD) Gsb SSD = B / (B-C) Weight

Apparent Specific Gravity (Gsa) Gsa = A / (A-C) Gsb= A/B-C= 2.3

Gsb SSD= B/B-C= 2.33
Absorption (% Abs) % Abs. = [(B-A) / A] x 100
Gsa= A/A-C= 2.38
% [(B-A) /
Absorption= A] x 100 1.41%
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Recommendation or result:
Specific gravities can vary widely depending upon aggregate type. Some
lightweight shales (not used in HMA production) can have specific gravities near
1.050, while other aggregate can have specific gravities above 3.000. Typically,
aggregate used in HMA production will have a bulk specific gravity between about
2.400 and 3.000 with 2.700 being fairly typical of limestone. Bulk SSD specific
gravities can be on the order of 0.050 to 0.100 higher than bulk oven dry specific
gravities, while apparent specific gravities can be 0.050 to 0.100 higher still.

Typically, aggregate used in HMA production will have an absorption between just
above zero and 5 percent. Absorptions above about 5 percent tend to make HMA
mixtures uneconomical because extra asphalt binder is required to account for the
high aggregate absorption.