Experiment No.

4
Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates

Group Members:

CAPRICHO, Julie Monton

SY, Jeretza Mae Cutanda

TAMBIS, Gene Arthur Jayme

TANGCAWAN, Sharmine Rose Roble

Introduction

Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass (weight in air) of a unit volume of a
material to the mass of the same volume of water. In this test, the specific gravity
of coarse aggregate is evaluated using the principle of buoyancy. Specific
gravity is a quick indicator of the sustainability of an aggregate.Low specific
gravity frequently indicates porous, weak and absorptive material, while high
specific gravity often indicates high quality. The data contained from this test
can be used in designing and controlling the weight of concrete.

At the end of the test, the percentage of water absorption of the coarse
aggregates will be evaluated. The term absorption is defined as the capacity of
the coarse aggregate to absorb water into its permeable pores. Absorption
values are used to adjust the proportioning of materials in a concrete mix.

Objectives

● Determine the specific gravity of coarse aggregates.

● Measure the saturated surface dry (SSD) weight, submerged weight, and
oven-dried weight of the coarse aggregates.
● Making use of these observations to calculate the specific gravity of coarse
aggregates and compare the results against standard values.
Materials and Equipment

● Balance
● Sample Container
● Absorbent cloth
● Sieve #4
● Wire basket
● Water bath

Experimental Procedure

1. Thoroughly mix the sample and reduce it to 5 kg.

2. Sieve the sample through a No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve and discard any material
that passes the sieve.

3. Wash the aggregate retained on the No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve.

4. Immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature for 15 to 19 hours.

5. Drain the excess water.

6. Roll the aggregates in an absorbent cloth until the sample is in saturated

surface dry (SSD) condition.

7. Weigh the SSD sample.

8. Submerge the wire basket in the water bath and determine its weight
underwater.

9. Place the entire SSD sample in the wire basket. Submerge the basket with the
sample into the water bath. Be sure to shake the container to release any
entrapped air. Determine the weight of the sample underwater.

10. Remove the sample from the basket and drain excess water.

11. Dry test sample in an oven regulated at 110 +- 5° C.

12. Weigh the oven-dried sample.

Data Collection and Analysis

Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight ot

the SSD Wire the wire SSD the wire oven-drie the wire
Sample basket in basket + Sample in basket + d gravel basket
the water SSD water SSD
sample Sample in
water

4.5 kg 1.22 kg 6.25 kg 4.25 kg 4451.51 g 1.25 kg

Convert kg to g:

Weight of the SSD Sample

4.5 kg × 1000 g / 1 kg = 4500 g

Weight of Wire basket in the water

1.22 kg × 1000 g / 1 kg = 1220 g

Weight of the wire basket + SSD sample

6.25 × 1000 g / 1 kg = 6250 g

Weight of the wire basket + SSD Sample in water

4.25 kg × 1000 g / 1 kg = 4250 g

Weight ot the wire basket

1.25 kg × 1000 g / 1 kg = 1250 g

Weight of SSD Sample in water:

(Weight of the wire basket + SSD Sample in water) - Weight ot the wire basket

4250 g - 1250 g = 3000 g

Compute the following

a. Apparent Specific Gravity

𝑮𝒔𝒂 = A / A - C

Where:

A = Oven Dry weight

C = Weight in water

𝑮𝒔𝒂 = 4451.51 g / 4451.51 g - 3000 g

𝑮𝒔𝒂 = 4451.51 g / 1451.51 g

𝑮𝒔𝒂 = 3.07

b. Bulk Dry Specific Gravity

𝑮𝒔𝒃 = A / B - C

Where:

A = Oven Dry weight

B = SSD Weight

C = Weight in water

𝑮𝒔𝒃 = 4451.51 g / 4500 g - 3000 g

𝑮𝒔𝒃 = 4451.51 g / 1500 g

𝑮𝒔𝒃 = 2.97
c. Bulk SSD Specific Gravity

𝑮𝒔𝒃 𝑺𝑺𝑫 = B / B - C

Where:

B = SSD Weight

C = Weight in water

𝑮𝒔𝒃 𝑺𝑺𝑫 = 4500 g / 4500 g - 3000 g

𝑮𝒔𝒃 𝑺𝑺𝑫 = 4500 g / 1500 g

𝑮𝒔𝒃 𝑺𝑺𝑫 = 3

d. Absorption

%𝑨𝒃𝒔 = (B - A / A) × 100

Where:

A = Oven Dry weight

B = SSD Weight

%𝑨𝒃𝒔 = (4500 g - 4451.51 g / 4451.51 g) × 100

%𝑨𝒃𝒔 = (48.49 g / 4451.51 g) × 100

%𝑨𝒃𝒔 = 1.09%
Results

Weight of the SSD Sample 4500 g

Weight of Wire basket in the water 1220 g

Weight of the wire basket + SSD sample 6250 g

Weight of SSD Sample in water 3000 g

Weight of the wire basket + SSD Sample 4250 g

in water

Weight of oven-dried gravel 4451.51 g

Weight ot the wire basket 1250 g

ABSORPTION & SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Apparent Specific Gravity 3.07

Bulk Dry Specific Gravity 2.97

Bulk SSD Specific Gravity 3

Absorption 1.09%
Discussion

The specific gravity of coarse aggregates, typically ranging from 2.5 to 3.0, is a
fundamental property in construction. It serves as an indirect indicator of
porosity, influencing the material's strength and durability. Specific gravity is
crucial for various applications, including asphalt mix design, concrete
production, and water filtration systems. By determining the specific gravity of
aggregates, engineers can optimize material proportions, assess absorption
rates, and ensure the quality and performance of construction materials.

Conclusion

The experiment successfully determined the specific gravity of coarse

aggregates by following a series of steps involving sieving, washing, soaking, and
drying the sample. The findings revealed the aggregates' SSD, submerged, and
oven-dried weights, which were used to compute the specific gravity and
absorption capacity. These aspects are essential in assessing the quality and
suitability of aggregates for construction projects, as they impact the durability,
strength, and stability of structures.

The results of this experiment have relevance in civil engineering as they help
engineers design more efficient and reliable structures, ensuring materials meet
standards and perform well under various conditions. The findings are particularly
important for concrete structures, as specific gravity affects mix proportions and
strength, while water absorption capacity helps predict aggregate behavior in
different environmental conditions, ensuring the longevity and integrity of
concrete structures.

A future study may suggest exploring the specific gravity of a wider variety of
aggregate sources to establish a more comprehensive database. Testing
aggregates from diverse sources can help compare their specific gravities and
absorption capacities. Additionally, investigating the impact of different
environmental conditions on the specific gravity and absorption capacity of
aggregates can provide deeper knowledge into their performance in real-world
scenarios.
Recommendations

1. Ensure thorough mixing of the sample to achieve homogeneity before reducing

it to 5 kg.
2. Use a No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve to sieve the sample and discard any material that
passes through. Make sure the sieving process is conducted carefully to prevent
loss of representative particles.
3. Wash the aggregate retained on the sieve thoroughly to remove any
contaminants or fine particles.
4. Immerse the washed aggregate in water for the specified duration to achieve
saturation. Ensure that the immersion period is consistent for all samples to
maintain uniformity in testing conditions.
5. Roll the saturated surface dry (SSD) sample in an absorbent cloth with care to
avoid altering its moisture content.
6. Shake the container containing the submerged sample to release any
entrapped air bubbles.
7. Dry the test sample in an oven regulated at 110 ± 5°C to ensure consistent drying
conditions for all samples.

References

buildpro.store: "Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates [Size & Density]"

in.gov: "SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF COARSE AGGREGATE AASHTO T 85"

scribd.com: "Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates PDF Buoyancy Mass"

slideshare.net: "Specific Gravity & Absorption of Aggregate (Coarse & Fine) Jameel
Academy"

buildpro.store: "Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates [Size & Density]”

Appendices: