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Lab. Rep. 3

The laboratory exercise focuses on determining the specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregates through various methods. Key findings include bulk specific gravity (dry) of 3 kg, bulk specific gravity (SSD) of 3.33 kg, apparent specific gravity of 4.5 kg, and an absorption rate of 11.11%. The experiment emphasizes the importance of proper sample preparation and the influence of moisture conditions on aggregate weight.

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7 views

Lab. Rep. 3

The laboratory exercise focuses on determining the specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregates through various methods. Key findings include bulk specific gravity (dry) of 3 kg, bulk specific gravity (SSD) of 3.33 kg, apparent specific gravity of 4.5 kg, and an absorption rate of 11.11%. The experiment emphasizes the importance of proper sample preparation and the influence of moisture conditions on aggregate weight.

Uploaded by

franklynmendez26
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Laboratory Exercise No.

3
Specific Gravity and Absorption

Name: Franklyn A. Mendez


Course & Section: BSCE-2D
Date: March 1, 2025 Instructor’s Initial: ___________

Discussion:
Basically, specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a 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 use. 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 used to a
lesser degree. solid unit weight in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) of an aggregate is customarily defined
as the specific gravity times 62.4 pcf.
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 aggregates are considered to be saturated surface-dry when
they have been wiped free of visible moisture films with cloth after the aggregates have been soaked
in 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.

Referenced Documents: ASTM (C 127, C 136, C 70, C 702) AASHTO T 85


Apparatus:
For Coarse Aggregate:
1. Representative sample of aggregates
2. Container (Pail/bucket)
3. spring balance
4. Mesh basket
5. Towel (or cloth to pat-dry aggregates)
6. Drying cookware (pan, kalan (clay stove), charcoal)
7. 3/6” sieve

Preparation of Sample (for Coarse Aggregate)

8. 1. Thoroughly mixed the sample aggregate and reduce it to the approximate quantity needed
using quartering or mechanical shaker method
9. 2. Reject all materials passing at 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve sieving and thoroughly washing to
remove dust or other coatings from the surface.
10. 3. The minimum weight of test sample to be used is given below:

Nominal Maximum Size Maximum Weight of Test Sample


Mm (in.) Kg (lb.)
12.5 (1/2) or less 2 (4.4)
19.0 (3/4) 3 (6.6)
25.0 (1) 4 (8.8)
37.5 (1½) 5(11)
50 (2) 8 (18)
63 (2½) 12 (26)
75 (3) 18 (40)
90 (3½) 25 (55)
100 (4) 40 (22)
112 (4½) 50 (110)
125 (5) 75 (165)
150 (6) 125 (276)

Procedure:

For Coarse Aggregate


1. Dry the test sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110 ± 5ºC (230 9ºF).
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 50ºC) 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). A moving steam may be used to
assist drying operation. 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 1 gm. Do this quickly to prevent
evaporation.
7. Place the sample in the wire mesh basket, and determine its weight in water (C) at 23 ± 1.7ºC
(73.4 ± 3ºF). Take care to remove all entrapped air before 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 ± 5ºC (230 ± 9ºF)
(leave the aggregate in oven overnight). 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
(approximately 50ºC) and weigh (A).
9. From the above data (i.e., A, B, and C) calculate the three types of specific gravity and
absorption as defined below:
A
( 1 ) Bulk Specific Gravity ( Dry )=
B−C

B
(2)Bulk SpecificGravity ( SSD)=
B−C

A
(3) Apparent Specific Gravity=
A−C

B− A
(a) Absorption= × 100
A

A = weight of oven-dry test sample, gm


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

Procedures

Figure 1. Washing off coarse Figure 2. Pat-drying the samples


aggregates to remove dirt then after being soaked to get SSD
soaking it in water for 24 ± 4 hours condition

Figure 3. Weighing SSD condition Figure 4. Submerging sample in water


(B) and getting its weight (C)
DATA SHEET

A (4.5)
(1) Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) = =3 kg
B−C ( 5 )−(3.5)

(2) Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) = B (5)


=3.33 kg
B−C ( 5 )−(3.5)

(3) Apparent Specific Gravity = A (4.5)


=4.5 kg
A−C ( 4.5 ) −(3.5)

(a) Absorption = B−A ( 5 )−(4.5)


x 100 x 100=11.11 %
A (4.5)

A = 4.5 kg (weight of oven-dry test sample)


B = 5 kg (weight of saturated surface-dry sample in air)
C = 3.5 kg (weight of test sample in water)

Observation
To start, the coarse aggregate was cleansed to remove any silt and clay. We observed that the
dirt caused the water to turn dark, highlighting the significance of this stage in obtaining clean
material. After cleaning, we spread the aggregate onto the mixing pan and completely dry it with a
new cloth.
We soaked the aggregates for a whole day after washing them. Following soaking, we removed any
fluid that was visible from the aggregates and weighed them to determine the SSD, which came out
to be 5 kg. We weighed the SSD and then dipped it in water to weigh the aggregates. The sample
aggregate was then put on the wok and cooked for four hours. After letting it cool to room
temperature until it can be handled, we weigh it with a spring balance to make sure it weighs less
than 5 kg. We computed the findings after obtaining all of the data.
Conclusion
From the experiment, the results are as follows:
 Bulk specific gravity (Dry) = 3kg
 Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = 3.33kg
 Apparent specific gravity = 4.5kg
 Absorption = 11.11%

When the weights were originally collected, it was evident that the SSD condition weight was
the greatest at 5 kg, followed by the weight after oven-drying at roughly 4.5 kg, and finally, the
weight after submersion in water at 3.5 kg.
Based on the data, it can be concluded that coarse aggregates in saturated surface dry
conditions or surface wetness may weigh more than those in oven-dry conditions or when submerged
in water.

Additionally, the goal of this test is to learn how to use the three methods—bulk specific gravity
(dry), bulk specific gravity (ssd), and apparent specific gravity—provided by this lab exercise to
measure the specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate.
After calculating the findings, we finally concluded that the apparent specific gravity, which is 4.5
kg, is at the top of the descending order of equivalents, followed by the bulk specific gravity (SSD),
which is 3.33 kg, and the one with the lowest weight, which is the bulk specific gravity (dry), which
is 3 kg. The absorption result of 11.11% indicates that there may have been a mistake in the heating
procedure or that the material did not dry for the necessary amount of time, which prevented it from
falling below the 1-2% limit.

Appendices

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