AS 1141.

5—2000 (Reconfirmed) 2016-07-15

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

RECONFIRMATION
OF
AS 1141.5—2000
Methods for sampling and testing aggregates
Method 5: Particle density and water absorption of fine aggregate

RECONFIRMATION NOTICE

Technical Committee CE-012 has reviewed the content of this publication and in
accordance with Standards Australia procedures for reconfirmation, it has been
determined that the publication is still valid and does not require change.

Certain documents referenced in the publication may have been amended since the
original date of publication. Users are advised to ensure that they are using the latest
versions of such documents as appropriate, unless advised otherwise in this
Reconfirmation Notice.

Approved for reconfirmation in accordance with Standards Australia procedures for

reconfirmation on 29 March 2016.

The following are represented on Technical Committee CE-012:

ARRB Group Ltd - Australian Road Research Board
Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association
Australasian Procurement and Construction Council
Australian Asphalt Pavement Association
Australian Geomechanics Society
AUSTROADS
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia – Aggregates
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia – Cement
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia – Concrete
Engineering & Construction Laboratories Association
National Association of Testing Authorities Australia
Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board
The Institute of Quarrying Australia
NOTES
 1 AS 1141.5—2000
Reconfirmed 2016

Australian Standard
TM
AS 1141.5

Method for sampling and testing aggregates

Method 5: Particle density and water absorption
of fine aggregate

1 SCOPE
This Standard sets out the method for determining the particle density, the apparent particle
density and the water absorption of fine aggregates or the fine fraction of an aggregate.
Difficulty may be experienced using this method when the test portion is substantially
retained on the 1.18 mm sieve. Such a test portion is unlikely to retain its shape in the
compaction cone making the determination of the saturated surface-dry condition difficult
to judge. Under these circumstances the saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition is
determined visually as that point where the surface of the aggregate still appears damp but
there are no visible films of moisture present. The fact that the SSD condition was
determined visually is noted on the test report.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
The following documents are referred to in this Standard:
AS
1141 Methods for sampling and testing aggregates
1141.1 Method 1: Definitions
1141.2 Method 2: Basic testing equipment
1141.6.1 Method 6.1: Particle density and water absorption of coarse aggregate—
Weighing-in-water method
1141.6.2 Method 6.2: Particle density and water absorption of coarse aggregate—
Pycnometer method
1152 Specification for test sieves

3 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Standard the definitions in AS 1141.1 and those below apply.
3.1 Apparent particle density
The dry mass per unit volume of particles, the volume including only impermeable voids
inherent in the particles.
3.2 Particle density on a dry basis
The dry mass per unit volume of particles, the volume including both the permeable and
impermeable voids inherent in the particles.
NOTE: Impermeable voids are those inaccessible to water by 24 h soaking. Permeable voids are
those accessible to water by 24 h soaking.

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AS 1141.5—2000 2

3.3 Particle density on a saturated surface-dry basis

The saturated surface-dry mass per unit volume of particles, the volume including both the
permeable and impermeable voids inherent in the particles.
3.4 Water absorption
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass of water held in the permeable voids of
the particles brought to the saturated surface-dry condition following soaking under water
for 24 h, to the oven dry mass of the material.

4 APPARATUS
The following apparatus is required:
(a) Balance— of sufficient capacity with a limit of performance not exceeding ±0.5 g.
(b) Flask— a 500 mL volumetric flask or pycnometer with lid or stopper which has a
known or calibrated volume at the temperature of test (see Note to Clause 6(h)).
(c) A rigid conical metal mould— of height 73 ±3 mm. The internal diameter of the
mould at its base shall be 90 ±3 mm and the internal diameter at the top of the mould
shall be 38 ±3 mm.
(d) A straight metal tamping rod— of a mass of 350 ±5 g and with a flat circular tamping
face of approximately 25 mm diameter, square to the axis of the rod.
(e) Drying oven— complying with the requirements of AS 1141.2 and capable of
operating at 105 to 110°C.
(f) Container or dish — for soaking and drying the sample.
(g) Sieve — 4.75 mm in accordance with AS 1152.
(h) Heater or blower — capable of supplying a gentle flow of warm air.
(i) Potable, distilled or demineralized water — as appropriate.
NOTE: Water used for the test should not contain minerals or other contaminants that react
with the aggregate or substantially change the density of water.
(j) Thermometer— covering the range 0°C to 40°C, graduated to 1°C or less, with an
uncertainty not exceeding 0.5°C.

5 PREPARATION OF TEST PORTION

The test portion shall be prepared as follows:
(a) Obtain a sample of fine aggregate or the fine fraction of an aggregate to permit the
testing of a portion of at least 500 g.
(b) Sieve the sample, if necessary, through a 4.75 mm sieve. If the amount of material
retained on the sieve exceeds 10% of the total, this fraction shall be tested separately,
in accordance with AS 1141.6.1 or AS 1141.6.2. If the amount of material retained on
the sieve is less than 10% of the total, reject this material.
(c) Obtain a test portion of the sample of at least 500 g by riffling the sample sieved in
Step (b).

6 PROCEDURE
The procedure shall be as follows:
(a) Immerse the test portion in water at room temperature for a period of not less than
24 h. Remove the air entrapped in the aggregate by gentle agitation with a rod until
no air bubbles rise to the surface.

© Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

 3 AS 1141.5—2000

(b) Drain the water off the test portion and spread the aggregate on a flat impervious
surface.
(c) Surface dry the aggregate by exposing it to a gently moving current of warm air and
stirring it frequently to achieve uniform drying.
(d) When the aggregate appears to be free flowing, fill the conical mould by loosely
placing part of the test portion in it. Tamp the surface of the aggregate with the
tamping tool 25 times, allowing the tamping tool to fall from about 10 mm above the
surface of the aggregate.
(e) Lift the conical mould vertically. If free moisture is present, the cone of fine
aggregate will retain its shape. If the cone slumps on removal of the mould the first
time, the aggregate is too dry and additional water will need to be added and the test
portion allowed to stand for 30 min.
(f) Continue drying with constant stirring and retest at frequent intervals using the
procedure in Steps (d) and (e) until the cone of aggregate slumps on removal of the
mould. Slumping of the aggregate cone indicates that it has reached a saturated
surface-dry condition.
(g) Immediately after the saturated surface-dry condition has been achieved, determine
the mass (m2 ) of the total test portion.
(h) Place the test portion into the volumetric flask or pycnometer, as appropriate. Fill the
flask to the 500 mL mark, or in such a manner that the same procedure used for
determining the volume of the pycnometer has been followed (see Note). Determine
the mass (m3 ) of the flask and its contents.
NOTE: A pycnometer with a stopper that has a constant volume mark included in the tube or
pycnometer with a flat ground top and lid has been found suitable.
(i) Top up the pycnometer with water and slide the lid on, or insert the stopper, making
sure that no air bubbles are trapped. Dry the outside of the pycnometer and lid.
Determine the mass of the pycnometer plus lid, or stopper, plus aggregate plus water
(m 3).
NOTE: The mass of the pycnometer filled with water may be calibrated at regular intervals at
the temperatures expected for the test or it may be determined immediately after the volume
of aggregate has been determined.
(j) Remove the aggregate from the flask and place it in a dish, taking care not to lose any
particles.
(k) Dry the aggregate in an oven at 105°C to 110°C to constant mass. Determine the mass
(m 1) of dry aggregate.
(l) Fill the flask with water at the same temperature as that measured in Step (j) and
determine the mass (m 4) of the filled flask.

7 CALCULATIONS
The following shall be calculated:
(a) The apparent particle density (
a) from the following equation:
m1 ×
w

a = ...1
m4 + m1 − m3

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AS 1141.5—2000 4

where

a = the apparent particle density of the test portion, in tonnes per cubic
metre
m1 = the dry mass of the test portion, in grams

w = the density of water at the test temperature, in grams per cubic
centimetre (see Table 1)
m4 = the mass of the flask filled with water, in grams
m3 = the mass of the flask filled with water and the test portion, in grams

TABLE 1
WATER DENSITY

Density of water (
w)

Temperature Density Temperature Density Temperature Density Temperature Density
Deg C g/cm3 Deg C g/cm3 Deg C g/cm3 Deg C g/cm3

— — 8 0.999 849 16 0.998 943 24 0.997 296

— — 9 0.999 781 17 0.998 774 25 0.997 044

— — 10 0.999 700 18 0.998 595 26 0.996 783

— — 11 0.999 605 19 0.998 405 27 0.996 512

— — 12 0.999 498 20 0.998 203 28 0.996 232

5 0.999 965 13 0.999 377 21 0.997 992 29 0.995 944

6 0.999 941 14 0.999 244 22 0.997 770 30 0.995 646

7 0.999 902 15 0.999 099 23 0.997 538 — —

(b) The particle density on a dry basis (
bd ) from the following equation:
m1 ×
w

bd = ...2
m 4 + m 2 − m3

where

bd = the particle density on a dry basis of the test portion, in tonnes per
cubic metre
m1 = the dry mass of the test portion, in grams

w = the density of water at the test temperature, in grams per cubic
centimetre (see Table 1)
m4 = the mass of the flask filled with water, in grams
m2 = the mass of the saturated surface-dry test portion, in grams
m3 = the mass of the flask filled with water and the test portion, in grams
(c) The particle density on a saturated surface-dry basis (
bs) from the following
equation:
m2 ×
w

bs = ...3
m 4 + m2 − m3

© Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

 5 AS 1141.5—2000

where

bs = the particle density on a saturated surface-dry basis of the test portion,
in tonnes per cubic metre
m2 = the mass of the saturated surface-dry test portion, in grams

w = the density of water at the test temperature, in grams per cubic
centimetre (see Table 1)
m4 = the mass of the flask filled with water, in grams
m3 = the mass of the flask filled with water and the test portion, in grams
(d) The water absorption (W a) of the aggregate from the following equation:
(m2 − m1 ) × 100
Wa = ...4
m1

where
Wa = the water absorption of the test portion, in percent
m2 = the mass of the saturated surf-dry test portion, in grams
m1 = the dry mass of the test portion, in grams

8 REPORT
The following shall be reported, as applicable:
(a) The apparent particle density to the nearest 0.01 t/m3.
(b) The particle density on a dry basis to the nearest 0.01 t/m3.
(c) The particle density on a saturated surface-dry basis to the nearest 0.01 t/m3.
(d) The water absorption to the nearest 0.1%.
(e) If the saturated surface dry condition was determined visually, give the reason why
this was done.
(f) The number of this Australian Standard, i.e. AS 1141.5.

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This Australian Standard was prepared by Technical Committee CE/12, Aggregates and Rock for Engineering Purposes. It was approved
on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 21 May 2000 and published on 19 June 2000.

The following interests are represented on Committee CE/12:

Australasian Railway Association

Australasian Slag Association
Australian Asphalt Pavement Association
Australian Geomechanics Society
Australian Premixed Concrete Association
Australian Stone Industry Association
AUSTROADS
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Cement and Concrete Association of Australia
CSIRO—Division of Building, Construction and Engineering
Crushed Stone Association of Australia
Crushed Stone Association (Qld)
Institute of Municipal Engineering Australia, New South Wales Division
Monash University
National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia
National Public Works Council
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association of New South Wales
Quarry Masters Association of New South Wales

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Originated as part of AS A77—1957 and AS A130—1963.

Previous edition AS 1141.5—1996
Second edition 2000.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 00002.

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