EXPERIMENT NO.

Determination of Specific Gravity and water Absorption of coarse Aggregates

Significance:
In this test method we will determine the relative density (i.e. specific gravity) and the water absorption of
the coarse aggregates.
The knowledge of the specific gravity is important for the concrete technologist to determine the
properties of concrete made from such aggregates.
The pores at the surface of the particles affect the bond between the aggregate and the cement
paste thus influences the concrete strength. Smaller the number of pores, higher will be the
specific gravity hence more will be the bond strength and more concrete strength.
Though higher specific gravity of aggregate is considered as an indication of its high strength; it
is not possible to judge the suitability on this basis alone without finding other mechanical
properties like aggregate abrasion value etc.
Water absorption is a measure of porosity of aggregates
Higher water absorption means more pores hence aggregate will be the considered as weak.
Water absorption value ranges from 0.1 2.0% for aggregate normally used in roads surfaces.
Aggregates with water absorption up to 4.0% are acceptable in base coarse.

Apparatus:
Balance 5 Kg capacity readable to 0.5g.
Sample container in the form of a wire mesh bucket of capacity 4000 7000 cm 3 and not more
than 6.3mm mesh.
Suitable arrangement for suspending the container in water from center of the balance.
A container for filling water and suspending the wire mesh bucket.
Shallow tray and absorbent cloth.
Thermostatically controlled oven.
RELATED THEORY
Specific Gravity
It is defined as ratio of weight of solid to the weight of an equal volume of gas free distilled water (no
dissolved air/impurities) at a stated temperature.
Water Absorption
It is the ratio of weight of water absorbed to the weight of dry sample expressed as a percentage.
Coarse Aggregates
Any material which is retained on BS sieve #4 (ASTM sieve 4.75mm) is known as coarse aggregate.
Fine Aggregates
Any material which is passing BS sieve #4 (ASTM sieve 4.75mm) is known as fine aggregate.
Saturated Surface Dry (s.s.d.) Condition
It is the condition related with the aggregate particles in which the permeable pores of the aggregate
particles are filled with water but without free water on the surface of the particles.
Oven Dried bulk Specific Gravity
It is the ratio of the oven dried density of the aggregate to the density of the gas free distilled water at a
standard temperature (i.e. 4oC).
Saturated Surface Dry bulk Specific Gravity
It is the ratio of the saturated surface dry density of the aggregate to the density of the gas free distilled
water at a standard temperature (i.e. 4 oC).
Apparent Specific Gravity
It is the ratio of the apparent density of the aggregate to the density of the gas free distilled water at a
standard temperature (i.e. 4oC).
Types of Crush Available in Pakistan

1- SARGODHA CRUSH
Sargodha crush possess the following properties;
greenish/dark gray in color
High strength
 2- MARGALLA CRUSH
Margalla crush possess the following properties;
Light Gray in color
Low in strength

3- SAKHI SARWAR CRUSH

Sakhi Sarwar crush possess the following properties;
Whitish in color

Procedure:
Thoroughly wash the aggregates to remove any dust. Oven dry and cool the aggregates for 1 to 3
hours and then immerse in water for 24 hours.
Remove the specimen from water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of
water are removed.
Weight the specimen in saturated surface dry conditions.
Place the saturated surface dry specimen in wire mesh bucket and weight it in water. Shake the
bucket to remove all entrapped air before weighing.
Dry the sample to constant weight in oven, cool and weigh.

Sample:
Take representative sample. Reject all material passing #4, weight of sample to be used for the
test would depend upon the nominal maximum size as given in table below.
Nominal (mm) 12.5 19 25 37.5 50 63 75 90
Maximum
(in.) 1 1 2 2 3 3
Size
Maximum Sample
Wt. 2 3 4 5 8 12 18 25
(Kg)
 Observations and Calculations
Quantity Symbol Sample#1 Sample#2
Weight of Oven Dried Aggregate in Air A
Weight of Saturated Surface Dried Aggregate in Air B
Weight of Saturated Aggregate And Bucket in Water W1
Weight of Bucket in Water W2
Weight of Saturated Aggregate in Water C = (W1-W2)

Sd =
Oven Dried Bulk Specific Gravity

Ss
Saturated Surface Dry Bulk Specific Gravity

Sa
Apparent Specific Gravity

WA
Water Absorption

Comments:
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