EXPERIMENT #3

Number of Hours required for Completion: . Date Due:

Date Started: Date Completed:

TITLE: Relative Density and Water Absorption of Aggregates

Submitted by: Section:

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OBJECTIVE:
To determine the relative density (dry density, saturated density, and apparent

density) of the coarse aggregates and the fine aggregates. Also, to find out the water

absorption of the coarse aggregates and the fine aggregates.

REFERENCE:

ASTM Standard C127 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)

and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate

ASTM Standard C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)

and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

ASTM Standard D2216 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of

Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass.

EQUIPMENT:

1 Set Drying Oven

1 Triple Beam Balance

4 Rectangular Tin Can

2 Newsprint

5 Pairs Rubber Gloves

2 Containers

PROCEDURE:

1. Clean and dry 4 rectangular tin cans, label it as Container A, Container B,

Container C, and Container D, weigh each of the tin cans to be used, and record

its mass.

2. Using rubber gloves, obtain samples of gravel which was immersed for only 1

hour (Container C) and sand which was immersed in water also in 1 hour

(Container D) and place each samples on its respective rectangular tin cans.

3. Afterwards, weigh the 2 sample aggregates individually with its containers,

record its mass (Mass B).

4. Remove the aggregate samples from its respective containers and leave it

exposed to air away from direct sunlight for about 5-10 minutes using

newsprints.

5. While letting the aggregate samples dry to air, fill the other two rectangular tin

cans (Containers A and B) with water, weigh it, and record it mass (Mass C).

6. After that, empty the containers with water and return the air dried aggregate

samples on its particular containers, weigh the samples, and record its mass

(Mass A).

7. Put the aggregate samples in the oven and let it dry for 24 hours.

8. After 24 hours in the oven, take the aggregate sample out, let it cool, weigh it,

and record its mass (Mass D).

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION:

Table 1: Moisture Content of Aggregates

Specimen Gravel, ( g) Sand, (g)

Mass (can)

Mass A (can + aggregate

after air dried)
Mass B (can + moist
aggregate)
Mass C (can + water)
Mass D (can + aggregate
after oven dried)
Dry Relative Density (RDo)
Saturated Relative Density
(RDs)
Apparent Relative Density
(RDA)
Water Absorption (WABS)

Calculations:

For Specimen 1: Coarse Aggregate (Gravel)

For Specimen 2: Fine Aggregate (Sand)

DOCUMENTATION: