Experiment No.

4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

Discussion
Basically, specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of material to
the weight of an equal volume of water. However, there are several variations on this
definition depending upon the material and the purposes for which the value of specific
gravity are to be use. In concrete work, the term specific gravity customary refers to the
density of the individual particles, not to the aggregated mass as a whole. The most
common definition of specific gravity in concrete aggregate is based upon the bulk volume
of the individual aggregate in saturated surface-dry condition (SSD). The bulk (oven-dry)
specific gravity and the apparent specific gravity are use to a lesser degree. Solid unit
weight in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) of an aggregate is customarily defined as the specific
gravity times 62.4 pcf.
The absorption capacity is determined by finding the weight of an aggregate under
SSD condition and oven-dry condition. The difference of weights expressed as a percentage
of the oven-dry sample weight is the absorption capacity. Coarse aggregate are considered
to be saturated surface-dry when they have wiped free of visible moisture films with cloth
after the aggregates have been soaked in a water for a long period of time (over 24 hours).
The saturated-dry condition of fine aggregate is usually taken as that at which a previously
wet sample just became free-flowing.
Objective:

Test method covers the determination of the specific gravity and absorption of
coarse and fine aggregate.

Referenced Documents:

ASTM (C 127, C 136, C 70, C 702)

AASHTO T 85

Apparatus:
For Coarse Aggregate:
Balance, sensitive to 0.01 lb or gram
Wire mesh basket
Drying oven
3/6 sieve
Water tank
For Fine Aggregate:
Balance, sensitive to 0.01 lb or gram
500 ml Chapman Flask
Dryer
Drying Oven
Preparation of Sample (for Coarse Aggregate)
1. Thoroughly mixed the sample aggregate and reduce it to the approximate quantity
needed using quartering or mechanical shaker method
2. Reject all materials passing at 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve sieving and thoroughly washing
to remove dust or other coatings from the surface.

3. The minimum weight of test sample to be used is given below:

Nominal Maximum Size
Mm (in.)
12.5 (1/2) or less
19.0 (3/4)
25.0 (1)
37.5 (1)
50 (2)
63 (2)
75 (3)
90 (3)
100 (4)
112 (4)
125 (5)
150 (6)

Maximum Weight of Test Sample

Kg (lb.)
2 (4.4)
3 (6.6)
4 (8.8)
5(11)
8 (18)
12 (26)
18 (40)
25 (55)
40 (22)
50 (110)
75 (165)
125 (276)

Procedure:
For Coarse Aggregate
1. Dry the test sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110 5C (230

9F).
2. Cool in air at room temperature 1 to 3 hours, or until the aggregate has cooled to a
temperature that is comfortable to handle (approximately 50C) and weigh.
3. Soak aggregate under water for 24 4 hours.
4. Obtain approximately 5 kg of saturated coarse aggregate (retained on 3/8 sieve
preferably.
5. Towel the aggregate to a saturated surface-dry condition (SSD). A moving steam may
be used to assist drying operation. Take care to avoid evaporation of water from
aggregate pores during the surface-drying operation.
6. Measure SSD weight (B) of aggregate in air to the nearest 1 gm. Do this quickly to
prevent evaporation.
7. Place the sample in the wire mesh basket, and determine its weight in water (C) at
23 1.7C (73.4 3F). Take care to remove all entrapped air before weighing by
shaking the container while immersed. Be sure to subtract the submerged weight of
the basket from the total.
8. Place wet aggregate in oven, and dry to constant weight at temperature of 110 5C
(230 9F) (leave the aggregate in oven overnight). Cool the aggregate in air at

room temperature 1 to 3 hours, or until the aggregate has cooled to a temperature

that is comfortable to handle (approximately 50C) and weigh (A).

9. From the above data (i.e., A, B, and C) calculate the three types of specific gravity
and absorption as defined below:

(1) Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) = ___A___

BC
(2) Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) =

(3) Apparent Specific Gravity =

(a) Absorption =

B___
BC
A___
AC

B A___ x 100
A

A = weight of oven-dry test sample, gm

B = weight of saturated surface-dry sample in air, gm
C = weight of test sample in water, gm
Procedure: For Fine Aggregate
1. Obtain approximately 4 kg air-dry fine aggregate (all groups working together).
2. Bring fine aggregate to SSD condition as explained by the instructor.
3. Each group takes approximately 500 gm of the SSD aggregate. Record exact
weight of SSD sample (D).
4. Fill Chapman Flask to 450 ml marks and record weight of water and flask in grams
(B). the water temperature should be about 23 1.5C (73 3C).
5. Empty water in flask to about 200 ml marks and adds SSD aggregate to flask. Fill
flask to almost 450-ml mark with additional water.
6. Roll flask on top surface to eliminate air bubbles. Then fill the flask with water
up to 450-ml. record total weight (in gm) of flask plus the water plus aggregate
(C).
7. Pour entire contents of flask into pan and place in oven. Additional tap water may
be used as necessary to wash all aggregate out of the flask. Return after 24 hours
or as long as it takes for the aggregate to dry and record weight of oven-dry
aggregates (A).

8. From the date above, calculate specific gravities and absorption defined below:

(1) Apparent Specific Gravity =

A____
B+AC

(2) Bulk Specific Gravity =

A____
B+DC

(3) Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) =

(4) Absorption =

D____
B+DC

D A____ x 100%
A

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY
SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION
DATA SHEET

FINE AGGREGATE
ITEM

WEIGHT

SSD Weight in Air (D)

Weight of Pyc. + Water (B)
Weight of Pyc. + Water + Sample (C)
Oven Dry Weight (A)

COARSE AGGREGATE
ITEM

WEIGHT

SSD Weight in Air (B)

Weight in Water (C)
Oven Dry Weight (A)

RESULTS
COARSE
Apparent Specific Gravity
Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry)
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD)
Absorption

FINE