Experiment No.

3: Specific Gravity and Water Absorption

of Coarse Aggregate
Objective:
To pursue further the Objective of Part A, particularly on the process of determining
the bulk and apparent specific gravity (saturated surface-dry, SSD) and water
absorption of coarse aggregate.

Theory:
Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass or weight in the air of a unit volume of a
material to the mass of the same volume of the water at a given temperature. It is a
dimensionless value and, as such, can be expressed as bulk specific gravity, bulk
specific gravity (SSD) or apparent specific gravity (SSD) and water absorption.
These are all based on aggregate that has been soaked in water for 15 hours.
Bulk specific gravity is the ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of aggregate. It
includes the permeable and impermeable voids in the particles but excluding the
voids between the particles, at a stated temperature to the weight in air of an equal
volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature. This value is used for
calculation of the volume occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures. It is also
used if the aggregate is wet, provided that the absorption has been satisfied.
Conversely, the specific gravity (oven-dry) is used for the computation when the
aggregate is dry or assumed to be dy. Bulk Specific gravity (SSD) is the ratio of the
weight in air of a unit volume of the aggregate, including the weight in air of a unit
volume of the aggregate, including the weight of water within the voids filled to the
extent achieved by submerging in water for approximately 15 hours at a stated
temperature, compared to the weight in air of equal gas-free distilled water at a
stated temperature.
Apparent specific gravity is the ratio of a unit volume of the impermeable portion of
the aggregate at a stated temperature to the weight in air of an equal volume of
gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature. It is the relative density of the solid
material making up the constituent particles, excluding the pore space within the
particles which is accessible to water.
Absorption is the increase in the weight of the aggregate due to the water in the
pores of the material. This excludes water adhering to the outside surface of the
particles; hence, this is expressed as a percentage of the dry weight. The aggregate
is considered dry when it has maintained at a temperature of 110C5C for
sufficient time to remove all unconfined water. Absorption values are used to
calculate the change in weight of an aggregate due to water absorbed in the pure
spaces within the constituent particles compared to the dry condition, when it is
deemed that the aggregate has been in contact with water long enough to satisfy
most of the absorption potential. The laboratory standard for absorption is obtained

after submerging the dry aggregate for approximately 15 hours in water. An

aggregate mined from below the water table may have a higher absorption when
used. Conversely, some aggregates when used may contain an amount of absorbed
moisture less than the 15 hours soaked condition for an aggregate that has been in
contact with water and that has free moisture on the particle surfaces, the
percentage of free moisture can be determined by deducting the absorption from
the total moisture content determination.

Apparatus:
Balance (sensitivity of 1g)
Wire basket (3.35mm (No.6) or finer mesh)
Watertight tank
Sieve #4 (4.75mm)

Preparation of Sample Specimen:

1. Thoroughly mix and reduce to the approximate quantity of the needed
sample aggregate.
2. Thoroughly apply dry sieving and washing to reject all materials passing
through the No.4 sieve(4.75mm)
3. Refer to the following table for the minimum weight of the test sample to be
used.

Max size of sieve (in.)

1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
6

Min. weight of test sample (kg)

2
3
4
5
8
12
16
25
40
50
75
125

Procedure:
1. Dry the test sample at a temperature of 110C 5C until a constant weight
is achieved.

2. At room temperature, cool the aggregate in air for 1 to 3 hours, subsequently

immersing it in water.
3. Remove the test sample from the water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth
to remove all visible films of water. Individually wipe the larger particles. This
drying operation may be conducted with the aid of a moving stream of air,
although care should be taken to avoid evaporation of water from the
aggregate pores.
4. Weight the test sample in a saturated surface-dry condition. As with all the
subsequent weights to be obtained, record the values to the nearest 1.0g.
5. After the weighing, immediately place the saturated surface-dry test sample
in the basket-wire and determine its weight in water. Care should be taken to
ensure that all entrapped air is removed.
6. Take care to remove all entrapped air before weighing by shaking the
container while immersed.
7. Dry the test sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110C 5C.
Cool in air at room temperature 1 to 3 hours or until the aggregate has cooled
to a temperature that is comfortable to hand and weigh.

Formulas:
1. Bulk sp. Gr. =

A
BC
B

2. Bulk sp. Gr. (SSD) = BC

3. Apparent sp. Gr. =

4. Absorption. % =

A
AC
BA
x 100
A

Where:
A = weight of the dry test sample in air, g.
B = weight of the saturated surface dry test sample in air, g.
C= weight of the saturated test sample in water, g.

Experiment No. 3: Worksheet Report

Specific Gravity and Water Absorption of Coarse
Aggregate

Project Name:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Tested By:
_____________________________________________________________________
Date:
___________________

No. of Trials
Wt. of sample (SSD), B,
g.
Wt. of bucket + sample
in water, C, g.
Wt. of dry aggregate, A,
g.
Bulk sp. Gr =

A
BC

Bulk sp. Gr (SSD) =

B
BC

Apparent

sp.

Gr.

A
AC
Absorption,

BA
x 100
A

Average
Bulk
Specific
_____________________________________________________
Average
Bulk
Specific
________________________________________________

Gravity
Gravity

(SSD)

Average
Apparent
Specific
_________________________________________________
Average
Absorption,
__________________________________________________________

Gravity
%

=
=
=
=