“Standard test method for density, relative density

(specific gravity),

Purpose: -
1. Determining the density of a quantity of fine aggregate particles (not
including the volume of voids between the particles).
2. The relative density (specific gravity) of the fine aggregate.
3. The absorption of the fine aggregate.

Instruments: -
1. Apparatus and tools:
a) Sensitive balance.
b) Pycnometer.
c) Molds and tamper for surface moisture test. (40 3 mm inside
diameter at the top, 90 3 mm inside diameter at the bottom, 75 3
in height and the meatal having a minimum thickness of 0.8 mm),
(the metal tamper shall have a mass of 340 15 g and a flat circular
tamping face 25 3 mm in diameter)
d) Oven.
2. Material used:
Aggregate (Sand)
• oven dry (OD)
• Saturated surface dry (SSD)
Aggregate Tests 2 nd Stage A

Procedure: -
1. Dry test sample to constant mass at temperature of (110∓5)℃, after that
allow it to cool comfortable handing temperature (approximately 50 ℃) 2.
Immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of
(24∓4)hr.
3. Remove the test sample from the water and roll it in a large absorbent
cloth.
4. To specifying the situation of the fine aggregate place, apportion of
partially dried fine aggregate loosely in the mold by filling it to over
flowing and heaping additional material above the top of the mold by
holding it with the cupped fingers of the hand holding the mold.
5. Lightly tamp the fine aggregate in to the mold with 25 light drops of the
tamper by free fall of tamper under gravitational attraction.
6. Remove loose sand from the base and lift the mold vertically. If surface
moisture still present, the fine aggregate will retain the molded shape.
Slight slumping of the molded fine aggregate indicates that it has reached
a surface-dry condition.
7. Gravimetric (pycnometer) procedure:
a. Take 1000 g fine aggregate (SSD).
b. Fill the pycnometer with 500 g of fine aggregate (SSD) after that
continue filling it with water to the calibrated capacity. Agitate the
pycnometer (15-20) minute to eliminate visible air bubble after that
bring water level in the pycnometer to its calibrated capacity.
Determine the mass of pycnometer filled with water and sand to
the calibrated capacity level and symbolize it C.

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Aggregate Tests 2 nd Stage A

c. Remove the fine aggregate from the pycnometer, dry in the oven to
constant mass at a temperature 110∓5℃, cool in air at room
temperature (1∓0.5) hours. Determine the mass of it and symbolize
it A.
d. Determine the mass of the pycnometer filled to its calibrated
capacity with water at 23∓2℃ and symbolize it B.

Results: -
• This experiment depends on American Standard ASTM C 128.
• There is no comparison.
• Relative density (specific gravity):
A
Relative Density (specific gravity)(OD) =
B+S−C
S
Relative Density (specific gravity)(SSD) =
B+S−C
A
Apparent Relative Density (specific gravity)(SSD) =
B+A−C
• Density (Kg/m ) where:
3

Density of water= (997.5 Kg/m3) at 23℃

Density (OD) = 𝜌𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 × specific gravity = 997.5 × specific gravity(OD)
Density (SSD) = 𝜌𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 × specific gravity = 997.5 × specific gravity𝑆𝑆𝐷
Apparent Density = 𝜌𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 × specific gravity = 997.5 × specific gravity •
𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 % = 𝑆 −𝐴
× 100
𝐴
• Finding bulk density (SSD) in unit weight test.
𝐴
𝑀𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 𝑀 × (1 + ( ))

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Aggregate Tests 2 nd Stage A

100
𝑀𝑆𝑆𝐷: Bulk density in SSD, kg/m^3 A:
Absorption
• Finding voids contents in unit weight test
((𝑆 × 𝑊) − 𝑀)
𝑉𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑠% = × 100
𝑆×𝑊
M: Bulk density in SSD, Kg/m^3
S: Bulk specific gravity (dry basis)
W: Density of water (998 Kg/m^3)
Group WA (g) WB (g) WC (g) WS (g)
G1 420 655 950 500

• All the results are shown in next page.

Results & Calculation

A 420
S. g (OD) = == 2.04
B+S−C 655 + 500 − 950
S 3855
S. g (SSD) = == 2.43
B + S − C 655 + 500 − 950
A 420
S. g (Apparent)(SSD) = == 3.36
B + A − C 655 + 420 − 950
Density (OD) = 997.5 × S. g (OD) = 997.5 × 2.04 = 2034.9 Kg/m3

Density (SSD) = 997.5 × S. g (SSD) = 997.5 × 2.43 = 2423.925 Kg/m3

Density (Apparent)(SSD) = 997.5 × S. g (Apparent)(SSD)

⟹ 997.5 × 3.36 = 3351.6 Kg/m3

S−A 500 − 420

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Aggregate Tests 2 nd Stage A

Absorption % = × 100 = × 100

A 500
Absorption % = 19.04%
Loosing Compacting

M=1700, A=19.04%, S=2.04, W=998 M=1800, A=19.04%, S=2.04,

W=998

A
MSSD = M × (1 + (100 A )) MSSD = M × (1 + (100 ))

MSSD = 1700 × ( ) MSSD = 1800 × ( )

MSSD = 2023.68 Kg/m3 MSSD = 2142.72 Kgm3

((S×W)−M)
((S×W)−M)
Voids% = × 100 Voids% = × 100
S×WS×W

Voids% = × 100 Voids% = × 100

⟹ Voids% = 0.16% ⟹ Voids% = 0.11%

Loosing Voids > Compacting Voids

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