PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE

(CE-310)

LAB#4
STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY & WATER
ABSORPTION OF COARSE AGGREGATE

Prepared By: Engr. Aiman Afridi

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CITY UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY & WATER ABSORPTION OF COARSE AGGREGATE

ASTM C 127
 CONTENT
 Scope
 Definition
 Apparatus
 Procedure
 Observation And Calculations
 SCOPE

SCOPE
This test method covers the determination of the average density of the quality of coarse aggregate
particles (not including the volume of voids between the particles), the relative density (specific
gravity), and the absorption of the coarse aggregate.
 DEFINITIONS

SSD (SATURATED-SURFACE-DRY):
The condition in which the permeable pores of aggregate particles
are filled with water to the extent achieved by submerging in water
for the prescribed period of time, but without free water on the
surface of the particles.
 DENSITY
DENSITY (OD):
The mass of oven-dry aggregate particles per unit volume of aggregate particles including the volume of
permeable and impermeable pores within particles, but not including the voids between the particles

DENSITY (SSD):
The mass of saturated-surface-dry aggregate per unit volume of the aggregate particles, including the
volume of impermeable pores and permeable, water-filled pores within the particles, but not including the
voids between the particles

APPARENT DENSITY:
The mass per unit volume of the impermeable portion of the aggregate particles.
 ABSORPTION AND BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY

ABSORPTION:
The increase in mass of a porous solid body resulting from the penetration of a liquid into its permeable
pores.
BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
Oven-dry mass divided by the mass of a volume of water equal to the OD aggregate volume; while SSD
bulk specific gravity is the saturated surface-dry mass divided by the mass of a volume of water equal to
the SSD aggregate volume. Most normal weight aggregates have a bulk specific gravity SSD between 2.4
and 2.9
 APPARATUS
 Specific gravity apparatus
 Sieves
 Sample of aggregate
 Water tank
 Weighing balance
 PROCEDURE

SAMPLING EXPERIMENTAL
PROCEDURE
 SAMPLING

 Mix a sample
 Reject all material passing through
sieve No. 4 (4.75mm)
 Wash to remove dust
 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Dry the test sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110 + 5 °C , cool it at room temperature for
1 to 3 hr.
2. Subsequently immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of 15 to 19 hrs.
3. Remove the test sample from the water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of
water are removed. Wipe the larger particles individually.
4. Weigh the test sample in the saturated surface–dry condition.
5. After this place the sample in water tank and determine the saturated mass of the sample.
6. Take care to remove all entrapped air before weighing by shaking the container while immersed
7. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110 ± 5º C. cool in air at room temperature 1 to
3 hrs and measure its dry mass
 OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION

BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (OVEN-DRY BASIS), Sd:

Bulk sp. gravity (OD) = A/(B-C)

BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (SATURATED SURFACE-DRY BASIS), Ss:

Bulk sp. gravity (SSD) = B/(B-C)

APPARENT SPECIFIC GRAVITY, Sa:

Apparent sp. gravity = A/(A-C)
ABSORPTION,A:
Absorption (%) = ((B-A) /A)x100
Where,
A= weight of oven-dry specimen in air, gm,
B = weight of the saturated surface-dry specimen in air, gm
C = weight of saturated specimen in water, gm.
 OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION
SAMPLE A B C B-C A-C B-A
1.
2.
3.

SAMPLE Gsb Gsb SSD Gsa Absorption

1.
2.
3.

Density (OD) kg/m^3 = 997.5×A / (B – C)

Density (SSD) kg/m^3 = 997.5×B / (B – C)