Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate ASTM Designation ASTM C127—Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate Purpose To determine the specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate. The specific gravity may be expressed as bulk specific gravity, bulk specific gravity SSD (saturated-surface dry), or apparent specific gravity. Significance and Use Bulk specific gravity is generally used for the calculation of the volume occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregates, including portland cement concrete, bituminous concrete, and other mixtures that are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute volume basis. Bulk specific gravity SSD is used if the aggregate is wet. Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the weight of aggregate due to water absorbed in the pore spaces within the constituent particles, compared with the dry condition. Apparatus Balance accurate to 0.05% of the sample weight or 0.5 g, whichever is greater Wire basket 3.35 mm (No. 6) or finer mesh (Figure A.26) Water tank 75-mm (No. 4) sieve or other sizes as neededTest Specimens Thoroughly mix the aggregate sample and reduce it to the approximate quantity needed, using an aggregate sample splitter or by quartering. FIGURE A.26 Wire basket and water tank used to determine bulk specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate.e x 2 ~ v Reject all materials passing 4.74 mm sieve by dry sieving and thoroughly washing to remove dust or other coatings from the surface. The minimum weight of test specimen to be used depends on the nominal maximum size as follows: Nominal Maximum Size, mm Minimum Mass, kg 12.5 2 19.0 3 25.0 4 37.5 2 Test Procedure Immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of 24 + 4 hours. Remove the test specimen from water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all vis- ible films of water are removed. Wipe the larger particles individually. Weigh the test sample in saturated surface-dry condition, and record it as B. Record this weight and all subsequent weights to the nearest 0.5 g or 0.05% of the sample weight, whichever is greater. Place the specimen in the wire basket and determine its weight while it is submerged in water at a temperature of 23 + 1.7°C, and record it as C. Take care to remove all entrapped air before weighing it by shaking the container while it is immersed. Dry the test sample to a constant weight at a temperature of 110 + 5°C, and weigh it and record this weight as A.Analysis and Results . Bulk specific gravity = A/(B — C) where A = mass of oven-dry sample in air, grams B = mass of saturated surface—dry sample in air, grams C = mass of saturated sample in water, grams . Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = B/(B — C) . Apparent specific gravity = A/(A — C) 4, Absorption, % = [(B — A)/A] x 100 Report Bulk specific gravity Bulk specific gravity SSD Apparent specific gravity Absorption