RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City

College of Engineering and Architecture

SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION OF

FINE AGGREGATES
(ASTM C128)

Submitted by:
Group 9
Cenido, Rhaeniel John P.
Rillorta, Angela L.
Roa, Maria Angelica R.
Velasquez, Izhy Angela B.

Date:
March 16, 2023

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RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction

II. Purpose of the Experiment

III. Equipment and Materials

IV. Schematic Diagram of Equipment used

V. Experimental Procedure

VI. Data and Results

VII. Conclusion

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

I. INTRODUCTION

The most often used aggregates in the production of concrete are coarse
aggregate and fine aggregate. From this experiment, we are determining the
fine aggregate’s specific gravity and absorption. To ensure that the experiment
can be well performed, some appropriate instruments are used. The following
concepts are defined in relation to this experiment:

 Specific Gravity - Specific gravity is the ratio of weight in air of a unit volume
of a material to the weight of an equal volume of water.

 Bulk Specific Gravity - is the ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of
aggregate (including the permeable and impermeable voids in the particles,
but not including the voids between the particles) to the weight of an equal
amount of water.

 Apparent specific gravity - is the ratio of the weight in air of a unit of volume
of the impermeable portion of aggregate to the weight of an equal volume
of water.

 Absorption - is the increase in weight of aggregate due to the water in pores,

but not including water adhering to the outside surface of the particles,
expressed as a percentage of the dry weight

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

II. PURPOSE OF THE EXPERIMENT

The purpose of conducting the experiment is to determine the specific gravity in

different conditions of the fine aggregates – oven dry, saturated surface dry or
apparent), as well as the percentage of absorption of the fine aggregates.
By measuring the specific gravity and absorption of the fine aggregate,
engineers and construction professionals can determine if the material meets the
required standards for the intended use and make informed decisions about the
appropriate mix design and proportions of other materials to use in the construction
project. Ultimately, this helps to ensure the safety, durability, and quality of the
finished structure

III. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

The equipment and materials used in determining the specific gravity and absorption
of fine aggregates include:

o Digital Balance – A balance is used to weigh the fine aggregate samples

accurately. The balance or scale must have a capacity of 1 kg or more,
sensitive to 0.1 g or less and accurate within 0.1% of the test load at any
point within the range of use for the test method.
o Pycnometer – A pycnometer is a glass container with a known volume and
is used to measure the specific gravity of the fine aggregate. It is used for
the Gravimetric Procedure. A flask or other appropriate container where the
fine aggregate test sample can be easily inserted and the volume capacity
can be reproduced within ± 0.1 cm3. At least 50% more space must be
available for the test sample than the volume of the container must be filled
to mark.
o Funnel – to transfer easily the fine aggregate samples into pycnometer.
o Sieve – A sieve is used to separate the fine aggregate particles into
different sizes.

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

o Oven - An oven is used to dry the fine aggregate sample to a constant

weight before testing.

IV. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF EQUIPMENT USED

V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The test sample is weighed A (g) and then, covers the test sample with water,
either by immersion or by the addition of at least 6% moisture to the sample, and
permits it to stand for 24 +/- 4h. With caution, decant extra water to prevent losing
fines. Spread the sample on a flat, non–absorbent surface exposed to a warm air
stream moving slowly, and frequently stir to ensure uniform drying. Continue until the
samples get close to being in a free-flowing state. Once the sample has reached a

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

surface dry condition, it is known as saturated surface dry (SSD). Weigh the SSD
sample: B (g). Weigh the following after fully filling the pycnometer with water: C (g).
Remove part of the water and introduce the SSD sample into the pycnometer. Fill the
pycnometer to about 90% of its capacity with additional water. Roll, invert, and agitate
the pycnometer to get rid of any air bubbles. Raise the pycnometer’s water level to the
calibrated level. Calculate the combined weight of the pycnometer, the sample, and
the water: D (g). Then, Taking the sample out of the pycnometer and weigh it at a for
constant weight roughly 24 hours at a temperature of 110 +/- 5 oC, cool, and weigh:
E(g).

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

With Aggregate particles, two different types of specific gravity are used. Bulk
Specific Gravity is based on oven dry weight and saturated, surface dry volume of the
aggregate particles. Particle pores are regarded as a component of the volume. The
volume of the particles that are oven dry and solid determines the apparent specific
gravity.

TABLE 1. MEASURED MASSES

Measured Masses Mass (g)
A Mass of Sample 839
B Mass of SSD Sample 740
C Mass of Pycnometer full with Water 660
D Mass of Pycnometer full with 1105.5
Sample and Water
E Mass of Oven Dried Sample 715

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

TABLE 2. COMPUTED SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION VALUE

Bulk Specific Gravity, Dry 2.85

Bulk Specific Gravity, SSD 2.51
Apparent Specific Gravity 2.65
Absorption 3.5%

The following formulas are used to evaluate the gathered data:

Bulk Specific Gravity, Dry = A / (C+B – D)

= 839 / (660 + 740 – 1105.5)
= 2.848896435
= 2.85

Bulk of Specific Gravity, SSD = B / (C+B-D)

= 740 / (660 + 740 – 1105.5)
= 2.512733447
= 2.51

Apparent Specific Gravity = E / (C + E - D)

= 715 / (660 + 715 – 1105.5)
= 2.653061224
= 2.65

Absorption = 100 x ( B – E) / E
= 100 x (740 – 715) / 715
= 3.496503497
= 3.5%

The specific gravity of an aggregate is used to determine the material's strength

or quality. Low specific gravity aggregates are often weaker than those with a high
specific gravity. Commonly used aggregates have specific gravities ranging from 2.5
to 3.0, with an average value of about 2.68. Based on the calculations, the dry specific
gravity of the fine aggregate was 2.85, while the SSD specific gravity was 2.51. This
indicates that the sample falls within the acceptable range for aggregate specific

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

gravity. This means that we have sufficient density and will be suitable for an
absorption capacity of 1 to 2%.

The apparent specific gravity measures the specific gravity of the solid volume.
In the calculation, the apparent specific gravity was 2.65. The absorption was 3.5%,
which is higher than the acceptable range of 1-2%. High values of absorption can
indicate non-durable aggregate therefore; the sample has a poor ability for water
absorption.

VII. CONCLUSION
The concepts "specific gravity" and "water absorption" are used frequently to
describe aggregate properties. These variables are useful for measuring surface
moisture, calculating the change in mass of the aggregate material caused by water
in the pore spaces, calculating aggregate voids, determining the volume occupied by
aggregates in different mixes, and determining the material strength. In accordance
with certain ASTM standards (C127 and C128), it is possible to calculate the densities,
relative densities (specific gravities), and absorption of both fine and coarse
aggregates.

Considering all the previous data evaluations and discussions, we can conclude
that knowing fine aggregates' specific gravity crucial since it is used to separate the
deleterious particles and beneficial aggregates. This property helps in the general
identification of aggregates. Low-specific aggregates are often weaker than those with
high specific gravity. The interior structure of the aggregate is exposed to water
absorption. More porous materials are those aggregates that absorb more water.

Possible Source of Errors: In this test, it is impossible to tell whether there have
been any mistakes or inaccuracies in the analysis of the data that was gathered.
Nonetheless, For additional experimentation and development, the following potential
sources of error are listed:

o Possibility that all of the samples aren’t completely on the SSD condition.

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
M. Eusebio Avenue, Pasig City
College of Engineering and Architecture

o Possibility that the sample still contains some voids or water bubbles after being
submerged in the water.
o Possible that even after being submerged in water, the sample still contains
voids or tiny air bubbles. The sample might not be sufficiently stirred.
o As stated in the ASTM standards, it might not be necessary to oven-dry the
samples (for 24–4 hours) before immersing them in water. This can lead to a
significant rise in the relative density numbers (specific gravity). Typically, the
water might not be able to get through.
o It could be difficult to determine SSD conditions. If the sample is actually still
wet on the surface, the mass of the SSD sample will be greater than it should
be, resulting in a lower computed bulk specific gravity. If the sample is outside
of SSD and some pore water has evaporated, however, the mass of the SSD
sample will be lower than it should be, resulting in a higher computed bulk
specific gravity (which is more likely). The volumetric factors in either form of
impact will be felt by additional tests that require precise gravity as an input to
be inaccurate.

Overall, it appears that the testing procedure was carried out well, and the results
are acceptable. Nonetheless, when preparing samples, attention to detail is
necessary, choosing and maintaining a sieve, gathering and analyzing data, and
ensuring improved accuracy.

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