Construction Materials & Testing

Laboratory Exercise 4

SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND

ABSORPTION

Submitted by:

Group 6
Amistad, Joseph Alex
De Los Angeles, Gagie Salm
Oracoy, Jovelyn
Regalado, Shania Mikaella

Date Performed:
May 19, 2022

Date Submitted:
May 22, 2022

Submitted to:
Engr. Evaline L. Longos
 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

Table of Contents

Cover Page ............................................................................................................................. i

Table of Contents .....................................................................................................................ii

Introduction/Objective ............................................................................................ 3

Definition of Terms ................................................................................................. 3

Methods and Procedures…………………………………………………………………………………….4-5

Calculation and Results……………………………………………………………………………………….5-6

Figures and Diagrams .............................................................................................7

Discussion of Results/Analysis ................................................................................ 7

Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 8

Documentation………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Reference ............................................................................................................. 9

Rating .................................................................................................................. 9

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 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

INTRODUCTION
Discussion
Basically, specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of given volume of material to the
weight of an equal volume of water. However, there are several variations on this definition
depending upon the material and the purposes for which the value of specific gravity are to be
used. In concrete work, the term specific gravity customary refers to the density of the individual
particles, not to the aggregated mass as a whole. The most common definition of specific gravity
in concrete aggregate is based upon the bulk volume of the individual aggregate in saturated
surface-dry condition (SSD). The bulk (oven-dry) specific gravity and the apparent specific
gravity are to a lesser degree. Solid unit weight in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) of an aggregate is
customarily defined as the specific gravity times 62.4pcf The absorption capacity is determined
by finding the weight of an aggregate under SSD condition and oven-dry condition. The
difference of weights expressed as a percentage of the oven-dry sample weight is the absorption
capacity. Coarse aggregate are considered to be aggregates have been soaked in a water for a
long period of time (over 24 hours). The saturated-dry condition of fine aggregate is usually
taken as that at which a previously wet sample just became free-flowing.

Objective:
To determine the specific gravity and the absorption of coarse aggregates.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
• Absorption: The increase in mass due to water in the pores of the material.
• Bulk Specific Gravity (also known as Bulk Dry Specific Gravity): The ratio of
the weight in air of a unit volume of aggregate at a stated temperature to the weight
in air of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at the stated temperature.
• Bulk SSD Specific Gravity: The ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of
aggregate, including the weight of water within the voids filled to the extent
achieved by submerging in water for approximately 15 hours, to the weight in air of
an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at the stated temperature.
• Apparent Specific Gravity: The ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of the
impermeable portion of aggregate (does not include the permeable pores in
aggregate) to the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at the
stated temperature.

CE 2S2 – Construction of Materials and Testing 3

 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Apparatus:
• Balance, sensitive to 0.01lb or gram 3/8” sieve
• Wire mesh basket water tank
• Drying oven pan

Procedure:
1. Dry the test sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110 ± 5˚C.
2. Cool in air at room temperature 1 to 3 hours, or until the aggregate has cooled
to a temperature that is comfortable to handle (approximately 50˚C) and weigh.
3. Soak aggregate under water for 24 ± 4 hours.
4. Obtain approximately 5 kg of saturated coarse aggregate (retained on 3/8”
sieve preferably).
5. Towel the aggregate to a saturated surface-dry condition (SSD). Take care to
avoid evaporation of water from aggregate pores during the surface-drying
operation.
6. Measure SSD weight (B) of aggregate in air to the nearest 1g. Do this quickly
to prevent evaporation.
7. Place the sample in the wire mesh basket, and determine its weight in water
(C) at 23 ± 1.7 ˚C. Take care to remove all entrapped air before air weighing by
shaking the container while immersed. Be sure to subtract the submerged
weight of the basket from the total.
8. Place wet aggregate in oven, and dry to constant weight at temperature of 110
± 5˚C. Cool the aggregate in air at room temperature 1 to 3 hours, or until the
aggregate has cooled to a temperature that is comfortable to handle and weigh
(A).
9. From the above data (i.e. A, B, C) calculate the three types of specific gravity
and absorption as defined below.

𝐴
Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) =
𝐵−𝐶

𝐵
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) =
𝐵−𝐶

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 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

𝐴
Apparent Specific Gravity =
𝐴−𝐶

Absorption = B−A
A
× 100

A = weight of oven-dry test sample, g

B = weight of saturated surface -dry sample in air, g
C = weight of test sample in water, g

CALCULATION AND RESULTS

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING LABORATORY

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION

DATA SHEET

Name: Regalado, Shania Mikaella Lab. Exercise No.: 4

Group No.: 6 Date: May 19, 2022

Aggregate : Gravel

Maximum Size: 38 mm

Nominal Gradation: aggregate passes 20 mm

Source : from the construction site

ITEM WEIGHT
SSD Weight in Air (B) 5 kg
Weight in Water (C) 5 .2 kg
Oven-Dry Weight (A) 5.1 kg

ITEM RESULTS
Apparent Specific Gravity -51
Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) -25.5
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) -25
Absorption 0.01961%

CE 2S2 – Construction of Materials and Testing 5

 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

Computation:

𝐀
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝐷𝑟𝑦) =
𝐁−𝐂
5.1 kg
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝐷𝑟𝑦) = (5−5.2) 𝑘𝑔 = −25.5

𝐁
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝑆𝑆𝐷) =
𝑩−𝑪
5 kg
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝑆𝑆𝐷) = (5−5.2) 𝑘𝑔 = −25

𝐀
𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝐀−𝐂
5.1 kg
𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (5.1−5.2)𝑘𝑔 = −51

𝐁−𝐀
𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐀
(5−5.1)kg
𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100 = 0.01961%
5.1 𝑘𝑔

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 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

FIGURES AND DIAGRAMS

Wire Mesh Basket Gravel

Balance

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS / ANALYSIS

The data shows that the given sample that we used had a little difference when
compared to the dry bulk specific gravity and the (SSD) bulk specific gravity. The
aggregate in SSD resulted to a -25.5 amount of bulk specific gravity while the aggregate
that was oven dried shows -25 result in its bulk specific gravity. But when compared to
the apparent specific gravity, that yields -51 amounts in its bulk specific gravity, shows a
great amount of increase. Also, the sample that we used had a small percentage of
absorption meaning that it absorbs less water even if it was submerged underwater of a
day. We also noticed that when we weigh the sample it only weighs a small amount than
its original weight and when dried it also weigh bit more than the original and less than
submerged under water (B<A<C).

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 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

CONCLUSION
The bulk specific gravity is considered to be the ratio of weight of a given volume
of aggregate. This experiment was conducted using a gravel mostly 38 mm in size.
Based on the results of the experiment, it shows there that there is a minor difference of
bulk specific gravity of the aggregate depending on the process of how the aggregate is
being dried. The aggregate that was subjected to saturated-surface dry condition (SSD)
obtains lower bulk specific gravity result compared to the result of the aggregate that is
being oven dried. In addition, the bulk specific gravity of aggregate in water shows the
highest amount among the three, this simply means that the existence of water in
aggregate can create a bigger change. Thus, the dryness of the aggregate is really a huge
factor in determining the bulk specific gravity of aggregate and it is very much important
to understand this concept for this is useful in construction and without the proper
knowledge of this can cause a bug difference and worst can create failure in
accomplishing a construction project.

DOCUMENTATION:

Video link:
https://youtube.com/shorts/ubD4QEsxnTg?feature=share

CE 2S2 – Construction of Materials and Testing 8

 Experiment 4: Specific Gravity and Absorption

REFERENCE
Aashto. In.gov. 2022. Retrieve 22 May 2022. Available at:
https://www.in.gov/indot/div/mt/aashto/testmethods/aashto_t84.pdf

RATING:

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTION RATING

Amistad, Joseph ALex Laboratory Report Parts 100%
Performing the Experiment
De Los, Angeles, Gagie Salm 100%
Laboratory Report Parts
Performing the Experiment
Oracoy, Jovelyn Oracoy 100%
Laboratory Report Parts
Performing the Experiment
Regalado, Shania Mikaella 100%
Laboratory Report Parts

CE 2S2 – Construction of Materials and Testing 9