Group No.

: 1
Name: Ting, Genesis Ardhee V.
Course, Year & Section: BSCE-4C

Group Leader: Acosta, Von Sebastian V.

Date Performed: August 27, 2015
Date Submitted: September 03. 2015

LABORATORY TEST
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF COARSE AGGREGATES
OBJECTIVE
This test method covers the determination of specific gravity and absorption of coarse
aggregate. The specific gravity may be expressed as bulk specific gravity or apparent
specific gravity. The bulk specific gravity and absorption are based on aggregate after
24 hour soaking in water.
REFERENCE
ASTM C 17-81 Specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate
JIS A 1101110-70 Method of test for specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate
MAIN PRINCIPLES
Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass (or weight in the 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 suitability of an aggregate. Low specific gravity frequently indicates
porous, weak and absorptive materials, while high specific gravity often indicates high
quality. The data obtained 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
also 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 a concrete mix.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

specific gravity apparatus for aggregate

sieve (10 mm opening)
sample pan
oven

TEST PROCEDURE
A. Preparation
1. Sieve the sample using a 10-mm sieve.
2. Take the 5 kg of aggregate from the sample retained in the 10-mm sieve.
3. Soak the aggregate in water for a period of 244 hours.
4. Remove the aggregate from water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible
films of water are removed. This is the saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition.
B. Test Procedure
1. Take the weight in air of the saturated surface-dry aggregate (W a).
2. Assemble the specific gravity test apparatus. Fill the water container to its capacity.
3. Determine the weight of the wire basket while submerge in water (W b).
4. Take the weight of aggregate in water (W w). Shake the aggregate while it is being
placed into the wire basket. Shake the wire basket before weighing.
C. Determination of Water Absorption
1. Remove the coarse aggregate from the wire basket and oven dry it at 1005 degrees
centigrade for 24 hours.
CALCULATION
Specific gravity
SG =

where

Wa
W aW w +W b
SG is the specific gravity of aggregate at SSD condition
Wa is the weight of SSD aggregate in air (kg)
Ww is the weight of aggregate in water (kg)
Wb is the weight of wire basket in water (kg)

Water Absorption
Absorption=

where

W aW d
Wd

Wa is the weight of SSD aggregate in air (kg)

Wd is the oven-dried weight of aggregate (kg)

DATA SHEET
Weight of SSD aggregate in air, Wa
5.680 kg
Weight of aggregate in water, Ww
4.425 kg
Specific gravity of coarse aggregate, SG
2.798
SAMPLE CALCULATION

Weight of wire basket in water, Wb

0.775 kg
Weight of oven-dried aggregate, Wd
Absorption, %

Specific gravity
SG =

Wa
W aW w +W b

SG=

5.680 kg
5.680 kg4.425 kg+0.775 kg

SG=2.798
Water Absorption
Absorption=

W aW d
Wd

DISCUSSION
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a
reference substance. Being a ratio of densities, specific gravity is a dimensionless
quantity. Specific gravity varies with temperature and pressure. Reference and sample
must be compared at the same temperature and pressure or be corrected to a standard
reference temperature and pressure. Specific gravity is commonly used in industry as a
simple means of obtaining information about the concentration of solutions of various
materials.
In this lab test, the students were instructed to calculate the specific gravity of
course aggregates by using specific gravity apparatus of aggregates.

OBSERVATION
While doing the laboratory test, the students have observed that it was difficult to
determine the specific gravity of the aggregates using the device because of some
certain factors such as the age of the apparatus, it gives less accurate results.

ANALYSIS
Inaccuracy in the laboratory test may be because of the factors that has affected
the test like what was stated earlier the age issue. But the result of this laboratory are
reliable. Another analysis about this test is that the most effective condition of the
aggregate for this test is the SSD or the Saturated Surface Dry condition which can no
longer absorb fluid because in this laboratory test, it was required that the aggregates
must be submerged in water.

CONCLUSION
Specific gravity of aggregates can be determined by using certain apparatus or
computer aided devices. Specific gravity of aggregates is one important property of
aggregates because it is being compared to standards for a better foundation material
and to have a more stable and durable building.