Experiment-3 Using the weighing in water method to

determine particle density and water absorption of coarse

aggregate

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[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
Experiment-3 Using the weighing in water method to determine particle density and
water absorption of coarse aggregate

Figure 1 Wire mesh basket suspended on the specific gravity frame

Objective:
The aim of this experiment is to determine the absorption of water as well
as the density of coarse aggregate particles of size 10mm by using the
method of weighing in water. A sample of aggregate is tested and the
results from the experiment are used to calculate the apparent particle
density and water absorption. All procedures and formulas used in
conducting the experiment and retrieving results were obtained using the
Australian Standards AS1141.6.1-2000.

Concepts and significance

Particle density and water absorption are two very important properties of
soil that possess high significance in transportation engineering to transport
engineers. These properties help the engineers in deciding what other
materials to use in order to minimize movement, erosion, general wear and
tear as well as the need for constant repairs. Therefore the following
experiment is always carried out before constructing a road.

Apparatus and accessories

 Scale to weigh aggregate and hook to hang the water mesh basket
underneath it for purposes of weighing it
 Wire-mesh basket with mesh size small enough to contain all
aggregate and a handle to hang from the scale
 Water bath big enough to contain the wire mesh basket and allow for
a least 50mm of water covering on top of the basket and contents
 10mm single size coarse aggregate
 Timer or clock
 Dry towels to dry the aggregate after it has been retrieved from the
water bath
 Container to weigh the aggregate in
 Specific gravity frame

Procedure
(a)Tare the scale, put the empty container on it, tare it again then
measure two kilograms of aggregate in a container (m1).
(b)Attach the wire mesh basket to the hook underneath the scales using
the handle on the basket and note the weight (w2).
(c) Put the weighted two kg of aggregate in the wire mesh basket then
wind up platform of the specific gravity frame containing the water
bath until the wire mesh basket is completely covered by the water to
a depth of at least 50mm below the surface. Note the reading on the
scale (w2).
(d)Allow for water absorption and again note the reading on the scale.
(e)Wind down the platform and allow water to drip from the mesh basket
then tip the aggregate onto dry towels and rub the aggregate dry.
Allow for a small amount of moisture covering on the aggregate.
Weigh the damp aggregate (m2).
Figure 2 Wire mesh basket being weighed

Calculation and test reports:

Apparent particle density formula

m 1∗Ꝿ W
ꝾA= m1−(w 1−w 2)

Where

ꝾA = apparent particle density, in t/m3

m1 = mass of dry material, in grams

w1 = weight of basket and material under water, in grams

w2 = weight of basket under water, in grams

Ꝿw = density of water at test temperature (21°C) (g/cm 3) (from Table 1 in
AS1141.6.1-2000)

Apparent particle density calculation:

2000∗0.997992
ꝾA= 2000−(1963−738.9)

ꝾA=2.57 t/m3

Water absorption formula

( m2−m1 )∗100
WA=
m1

Where

WA = water absorption, in percent

m2= mass of saturated-surface-dry material, in grams

m1= mass of dry material, in grams

Water absorption calculation

( 2000−1990 )∗100
WA=
1990

WA =0.5%
Figure 3 Lab 3 results

Precautions:
 Tare the container so as not to include its weight in that of the
aggregate.

 Ensure all aggregate is dislodged from the wire mesh basket.

 The aggregate sample has to thoroughly wash before conducting the

experiment so that dust and other contaminants can be removed.
Discussion:
A higher mass is noted when weighing the saturated-surface-dry material.
This follows logic as it clearly evidences that the aggregate particles have
absorbed some water during their immersion in the water bath. The low
calculated value of 0.5% is also to be expected since the aggregate sample
that was used was that of granite which possesses very little porosity and
permeability and therefore very little water was retained. This could also be
due to the fact that the sample was only immersed for an hour as opposed
to at least twenty-four hours which the experiment called for but could not
be carried out due to the time restraints of the lab sessions. This low
percentage can be accounted to the moisture that was retained on the
sample’s surface.

Soaking the sample in a water bath allowed for the filling of pores within the
rock while weighing it in water enabled the elimination of air spaces from
the sample’s weight and provided a moist covering around the particles.
This immersion provided a clearer comparison between the water density
itself and the submerged sample density. A higher density result is
obtained from the experiment due to filling of some pores and the moisture
present on the aggregate surfaces as opposed to a lower value for dry
density when all pores are full of air and no moisture is present.

Conclusion:
The soil sample absorbed some water into it at a very low percentage of
0.5%. This could have been due to the fact that the sample was of granite
rock or because it was simply not immersed for a long enough period to be
able to absorb a more significant amount of water. In a larger sample
however, this 0.5% could prove to be a huge amount of water absorbed.
The higher particle density obtained from the experiment was also to be
expected since all pores and surfaces are filled with water when immersed
in a water bath.
Overall Conclusion:
The aggregate impact value obtained from the experiment was 21.67%
which lies between (10-30) % and from this we came to know that impact
value is satisfactory for road surfacing.

From Los Angeles experiment our los angles value is 48.4%, but American
association of state highway and transportation organization(AASHTO)
states that los angles value should not be greater than 40%.but in our case
it is 48.4%,hence the aggregate is not suitable for pavement design.

The water absorption and particle density determine various properties

such as ability to bond with cement, strength etc. our calculated value is
0.5%.The experiment results can be improved if we let the aggregates to
soak in water for more time.

Reference:
Standard AS 1141.23 – 2009: Determination of Aggregate Value. – Method
23: Los Angeles Value.

AS 1141.6.1-2000: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates-

Method6.1: Particle density and water absorption of coarse aggregate-
Weighing-in-water method.

Standard IS: 2386(Part IV)-1963:Determination of Aggregate Impact Value.