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Concrete 08

This document discusses the procedure for determining the specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregates. It notes that fine aggregates can hold water both within particles and in spaces between particles, making determination of the saturated surface-dry condition more complicated than for coarse aggregates. The cone test procedure was developed to assess when fine aggregates reach this condition. The document then outlines the apparatus, preparation, cone test, test procedure, calculations for specific gravity and absorption.

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Jersey Mae Perlas
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40 views

Concrete 08

This document discusses the procedure for determining the specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregates. It notes that fine aggregates can hold water both within particles and in spaces between particles, making determination of the saturated surface-dry condition more complicated than for coarse aggregates. The cone test procedure was developed to assess when fine aggregates reach this condition. The document then outlines the apparatus, preparation, cone test, test procedure, calculations for specific gravity and absorption.

Uploaded by

Jersey Mae Perlas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF FINE AGGREGATES

(ASTM C 128-79 Specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregates)


(JIS A 1110-79 Method of test for specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregates)

Discussion:
Although, the concept of determination of specific gravity and absorption of fine
aggregates is essentially similar to that of the coarse aggregate there are some differences
that should be stated. One is fine aggregate can hold water not only in the permeable pores
of a particle but also in spaces between particles. This somehow complicated the
determination of the saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition of fine aggregate. However,
laboratory experiments led to the development of the cone test procedure by which the
attainment of SSD condition can be determined.

Apparatus Needed:
Chapman flask (500 ml)
Sand cone test apparatus
Balance (0.05 g sensitivity)
Spoon

Preparation:
1. Soak the test sample in water for 24 ± 4 hours.
2. Decant excess water with care to avoid loss of fines.
3. Expose the sample to a gently moving current of warm air. Stir frequently to secure
homogeneous drying.
4. Perform the cone test to determine if the sample has attained the saturated surface-
dry (SSD) condition.

Cone Test:
1. Hold the cone firmly on a smooth non-absorbent surface.
2. Place the fine aggregate loosely into the cone by filling it to overflowing.
3. Lightly tamp the fine aggregate with 25 drops of the tamper. Determine the drops all
over the entire area.
4. Remove the loose sand from the base and lift the mold vertically.
5. If the fine aggregates slumps slightly it indicates that the sample has reached the
saturated surface-dry condition.

Test Procedure:
1. Weight the Chapman flask. (Wf)
2. Pour water into the flask to about 50% capacity.
3. Weight approximately 500 g of saturated surface-dry aggregate. (Ws)
4. Pour the sample into the flask. Add water to about 90% of the flask’s capacity
5. Roll, invert, and agitate the flask eliminate all air bubbles.
6. Bring the water level in the flask to its calibrated capacity.
7. Immerse the flask in a water bath at a temperature of 20 degrees. Centigrade for 3
hours.
8. Weigh the flask with the sample and water. (Wt)

Calculation Specific Gravity:


Ws
SG=
500−Wt + Wf + Ws

where SG = specific gravity of aggregate at SSD condition


Ws = weight of sample in air at SSD condition (g)
Wf = weight of the flask (g)
Wt = weight of the flask + sample + water (g)
Determination of Water Absorption:
1. After obtaining the necessary data for determining the specific gravity, pour out the
sample into a pan.
2. Dry to constant weight at a temperature of 100 ± 5 degrees. Centigrade for 24 hours.
3. Weigh the oven-dried sample. (Wd)

Calculation of Absorption:
Ws−Wd
Absorption (%)=100x
Wd

where Ws = weight of sample in air at SSD condition (g)


Wd = weight of oven-dried sample (g)

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