EXPERIMENT NO:

DATE:

AIM: To determine specific gravity and water absorption of given aggregate.

THEORY: Information regarding specific gravity of aggregate is necessary for design of

concrete mixes. If the specific gravity is above or below the normal for a particular type of
aggregate, it is an indication of change and grading. The specific gravity of most aggregates
is between 2.6 to 2.9 and is useful for calculating the void content in the aggregate.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: It is the ratio of dry weight of aggregate maintained at 100⁰C to

110⁰C and dried for 24 hrs to the weight of equal volume of water displaced by saturated
surface dry aggregates. In this case volume of water displaced will be equal to solid matter of
aggregate including pores, permeable and impermeable.

APPARENT SPECIFIC GRAVITY: It is the ratio of dry weight of aggregate maintained at

100⁰C to 110⁰C and dried for 24hrs to the weight of equal volume of water displaced by bone
dry aggregates. In this case volume of water displaced will be equal to water displaced by
solid matter and impermeable pores.

WATER ABSORPTION: The water absorption value is the difference between the
saturated surface dry aggregate and very dry sample expressed as percentage of dry weight of
aggregate. It is of importance to know water absorption values of aggregates for calculating
the total water to be added to the mixes.

AGGREGATE OF 40MM-10MM SIZE

APPARATUS: Sample of aggregates 40mm-10mm size, balance of capacity 5 kg and

accuracy 0.5 gms, weight box, oven, wide mouthed glass vessel or a jar of 1.5 litre capacity
with flat ground lip and a plane ground disc of plate glass to cover it, dry soft cloth 75×45
cm, shallow tray, air tight container, wire basket of not more than 6.3 mm mesh.

PROCEDURE:-

1) Take about 2 kg of aggregate rejecting all material passing through 10 mm sieve.

2) Wash the sample thoroughly in wire basket to remove dust.
3) Immerse the sample in distilled water in a glass vessel for 24 hours at a temperature of
22⁰C to 32⁰C. Rotate the vessel gently clockwise and anti-clockwise to remove
entrapped air/bubbles on the surface of aggregates.
4) Overfill the vessel with distilled water.
 5) Slide the glass disk over the mouth of the vessel ensuring that no air is entrapped.
6) Dry the vessel from outside and weigh it. Let it be W1 kg.
7) Empty the vessel of its content and weigh it after filling it with distilled water with
glass disk placed over its mouth, let the weight be W2 kg.
8) Place the aggregate on dry cloth and gently dry it and leave it exposed to the
atmosphere for not less than 10 minutes or more, till it appears dry.
9) Weigh the aggregates now, let the weight be W3 kg.
10) Now place the aggregates in the oven in a shallow tray for 24 hours at a temperature
of 100⁰C to 110⁰C.
11) After 24 hours, place the aggregates in air tight container and allow cooling it.
12) Weigh the cooled aggregates and let the weight be W4 kg.

OBSERVATION TABLE:

Coarse
Sr. No Description
Aggregates

1 Weight of vessel + sample + water (W1 kg).

2 Weight of vessel + water (W2 kg).

3 Weight of saturated surface dry sample (W3 kg).

4 Weight of oven dry sample (W4 kg).

CALCULATION:
Specific gravity of coarse aggregates = W4/[W3-(W1-W2)]=

Apparent specific gravity of coarse aggregates = W4/[W4-(W1-W2)]=

% water absorption of coarse aggregates = [(W3-W4)/W4]*100=

RESULT:-

Average specific gravity =

Apparent specific gravity =

% water absorption =

AGGREGATE SMALLER THAN 10mm SIZE:

The specific gravity of the aggregate is generally required for calculation of moisture content
and calculation of volume yield of concrete. It also impels information regarding quality and
properties of aggregate.

APPARATUS:

Pycnometer , balance, oven, air drier tray, air tight container, clean cloth duster, sample of
aggregate 10mm taken by method of quartering oven dried and then cooled in air tight
container.

PROCEDURE:

1. Calibrate the pycnometer

2. Note the weight of the pycnometer when water in it overflows and runs free of air voids
with the cap fixed tightly

3. Take 500 gm of dry sand

4. Immerse the sample in water for 24hrs

5. Now keep the sample in air such that its surface dry and saturated

6. Fill the pycnometer jar to 1/3rd of its depth with water and add the sample.

7. Replace the cap and wipe the outer part of pycnometer and weigh it.

9. Remove the water from the sample carefully and dry it in oven at 100 oC to 110oC for 24hrs
and cool it and weigh.

OBSERVATION:

w=weight of oven dried aggregate in air=

W=weight of surface dried in aggregate in air=

P1=weight of pycnometer filled with water=

P2=weight of pycnometer filled with sample and water=

CALCULATION:

Specific gravity on an oven dried basis w/[W-(P2-P1)]=

Specific gravity on surface dried basis w/[W-(P2-P1)]=

Apparent specific gravity =(W-w)/[w-(P2-P1)]=

Water absorption % of dry weight =[(W-w)/w]*100=

RESULT:

Specific gravity of fine aggregates=

Apparent specific gravity of fine aggregates =

% water absorption of fine aggregates =

NOTE: Take observation for three samples and take average.

PRECAUTIONS:

1. The sample should be weighed to nearest of 0.5gm and thoroughly washed.

2. The temperature of distilled water used for soaking should remain with 220C to 320C.

3. Vessel should be completely dried from outside before weighing.

4. Direct sun or heat should be avoided when it’s getting dried.