Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

Introduction:
The coarse aggregate specific gravity test is used to calculate the specific gravity of
a coarse aggregate sample by determining the ratio of the weight of a given
volume of aggregate to the weight of an equal volume of water. It is similar
in nature to the fine aggregate specific gravity test,The coarse aggregate specific gravity
test measures coarse aggregate weight under three different sample conditions:

Oven-dry (no water in sample).

Saturated surface-dry (SSD, water fills the aggregate pores).

Submerged in water (underwater).

Scope:

Specific Gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of

aggregate to the weight of an equal volume of water. Water, at a temperature of
73.4F (23C) has a specific gravity of 1. Specific Gravity is important for several
reasons. Some deleterious particles are lighter than the good aggregates. Tracking
specific gravity can sometimes indicate a change of material or possible
contamination. Differences in specific gravity may be used during production to
separate the deleterious particles from the good using a heavy media liquid.

Apparatus:
Sample container, wire basket of No. 6 (3.35 mm) or less mesh wire cloth, with a
capacity of 1 to 1 3/4 gal. (4 to 7 L) to contain aggregate with a nominal maximum
size of 1 1/2 in. (37.5 mm) or smaller; larger basket for larger aggregates. 5 Water
tank, watertight and large enough to completely immerse aggregate and basket,
equipped with an overflow valve to keep water at a constant level. Suspended
Apparatus, wire used to suspend apparatus with the smallest practical diameter. A
hitest fishing leader or other thin wire with utility hook can be used with a small
hook attached to the handle of the basket or sample container. Sieves, No. 4 (4.75
mm) or other size as needed

Aggergate Absorption Use

Aggregate absorption is the increase in mass due to water in the pores of the material.
Aggregate absorption is a useful quality because:
High values can indicate non-durable aggregate.
Absorption can indicate the amount of asphalt binder the aggregate will absorb.

It is generally desirable to avoid highly absorptive aggregate in HMA. This is because

asphalt binder that is absorbed by the aggregate is not available to coat the aggregate
particle surface and is therefore not available for bonding. Therefore, highly absorptive
aggregates (often specified as over 5 percent absorption) require more asphalt binder to
develop the same film thickness as less absorptive aggregates making the resulting
HMA more expensive.

Test Procedure:
Gravity and Absorption

Test Procedure
1. Dry the test sample to a constant weight at a
temperature of 230 9 F, cool in air at room
temperature for 1 to 3h. Immerse the
aggregate in water at room temperature for a
period of 24 hours (+/ 4 hours).
2. Remove the test specimen from water and
roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all
visible films of water are removed. Wipe the
larger particles individually.
Specific Gravity and Absorption
Test Procedure
3. Weigh the test sample in saturatedsurface
dry (SSD) condition and record it as B. Record
the weight and all subsequent weights to the
nearest 0.5 grams or 0.05% of the sample
weight, whichever is greater.
12
Specific Gravity and Absorption
Test Procedure
4. Place the specimen in the wire basket and
determine its weight while it is submerged in
water at a temperature of 73.4 3F and record
it as C. Take care to remove all entrapped air
before weighing it by agitating the container
while it is immersed.
5. Dry the test sample to a constant mass at a
temperature of 230 9 F, cool in air at room

temperature 1 to 3h, and weigh it and record

this weight as A.

Calculations:

A= 462g, B= 500g, C= 298g.

A = mass of oven-dry sample in air (g)
B = mass of SSD sample in air (g)
C = mass of SSD sample in water (g)

1.

2.
3.

sb=

sa=

A
(B C)

bulk SSD=

A
( A C )

B
(BC)

462
( 500298 )

= 2.287

500
( 500298 )

462
( 462298 )

= 2.475

= 2.817

Absorption (%)

( B A)
A

*(100) =

8.23%
Discussion:
Certainly, the accuracy of all measurements is important. However, of specific concern is the mass of
the SSD sample. The determination of SSD conditions can be difficult. If the sample is actually still
wet on the surface then the mass of the SSD sample will be higher than it ought to be, which will
cause a lower calculated bulk specific gravity. Conversely, if the sample is beyond SSD and some of
the pore water has evaporated (which is more likely), the mass of the SSD sample will be lower than
it ought to be, which will cause a higher calculated bulk specific gravity.

Common Errors

Improper identification of SSD(over or underdrying)

Air entrapped in suspended sample or sample
immersion container
Suspension apparatus in contact with another
object, resulting in false reading
Loss of material during transfer to the drying
pans
Weighing errors (improper tare weights or loss of
material
Apparent Specific Gravity (Gsa) the ratio of the
mass, in air, of a volume of the impermeable
portion of aggregate to the mass of an equal volume
of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.
Bulk Specific Gravity (Gsb ) the ratio of the mass,
in air, of a volume of aggregate (including the
permeable and impermeable voids in the particles,
but not including the voids between particles) to the
mass of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water
at a stated temperature.
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) (Gsb SSD) the ratio
of the mass, in air, of a volume of aggregate,

including the mass of water within the voids filled

to the extent achieved by submerging in water for
approximately 15 hours (but not including the voids
between particles), to the mass of an equal volume
of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.