SPECIFIC WEIGHT, WATER ABSORPTION,

ABRASION, DENSITY AND UNIFORMITY OF

AGGREGATES

SPECIFIC WEIGHT

- defined as the weight per unit volume of a

material or sample

γ= W/V (N/m^3 or lbf/ft^3 )

- also known as the “Unit weight” commonly Shape of aggregate particles

represented by the Greek letter Gamma (γ)
relates the density to the gravitational
acceleration
𝛄 = 𝛒𝐠
Unit weight of aggregates depends upon
the following 3 factors:
1. Degree of compaction
- Compaction is a process that brings about
an increase in soil density or unit weight,
accompanied by a decrease in air volume.
The degree of compaction is measured by
dry unit weight and depends on the water
content and compactive effort (weight of
hammer, number of impacts, weight of
roller, number of passes).
2. Grading of aggregates
- Grading of aggregates is determining the
average grain size of the aggregates before
they are used in constructon.
Grading of aggregates
In pure coarse aggregates packing may leave
30-40 percent voids, which can be removed only by
filling with finer particles.
Rounded Aggregate
Rounded aggregates result the minimum
percentage of voids (32 – 33%) hence gives more
workability. They require lesser amount of water-
cement ratio.
Irregular Aggregates
Irregular aggregates may result 35- 37% of
voids. These will give lesser workability when
compared to rounded aggregates.
Angular Aggregtes
Angular aggregates result maximum
percentage of voids (38-45%) hence gives less
workability. They give 10-20% more compressive
strength due to development of stronger aggregate-
mortar bond
Flaky Aggregates
When the aggregate thickness is small when
compared with width and length of that aggregate it
is said to be flaky aggregate. Or in the other, when
the least dimension of aggregate is less than the 60%
of its mean dimension then it is said to be flaky
aggregate.

Similarly, in fine aggregates also, voids are

left that have to be filled with still finer particles
(of cement).

This is essential to obtain concrete of compact and

void-free character.
1. Water Absorption

Aggregate can contain water, both internal,

based on porosity, and external, surface moisture.
This gives aggregate the ability to absorb water

Absorption capacity (AC )

maximum amount of water the aggregate

will absorb. The range for most normal-weight
aggregates is 1 - 2%.
2.

Oven-dry (OD): All moisture is removed from the

aggregate by heating in an oven at 105*C to constant
weight (overnight heating usually is sufficient). All
pores are empty.

Air-dry (AD): All moisture removed from surface,

but internal pores partially full.
3. Saturated-surface-dry (SSD): All pores filled with
water, but no film of water on the surface.

Wet: All pores completely filled with water with a

film on the surface.

4.
 ABRASION

Abrasion and impact resistance of an

aggregate is the capability to resist being worn away
by rubbing and friction, or shattering upon impact.

It is a general amount of aggregate quality

and resistance to degradation due to handling,
stockpiling, or mixing.

Dorry Abrasion Test

Los Angeles Abrasion Test

Los Angeles abrasion test on aggregates is

the measure of aggregate toughness and abrasion
resistance such as crushing, degradation and
disintegration. This test is carried out by AASHTO T
96 or ASTM C 131: Resistance to Degradation of
Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and
Impact in the Los Angeles Machine.

In this test, a specified quantity of aggregate

To measure the resistance to wear of aggregates is placed in a steel drum containing steel balls, the
and stones different apparatus are utilized drum is rotated, and the percentage of material worn
away is measured.

Uniformity of the Aggregates

Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregates

Fineness modulus of coarse aggregates

represents the average size of the particles in the
coarse aggregate by an index number. It is calculated
by performing sieve analysis with standard sieves.

Fineness modulus is the number at which

the average size of particle is known when we
Los Angeles Abrasion Test
counted from lower order sieve size to higher order
sieve.

Test Procedure for Fineness Modulus of Coarse

Aggregates

Arrange the sieves in descending order and

put the arrangement on mechanical shaker. It is
suggested that, to know the exact value of fineness
modulus for coarse aggregate, mechanical shaker will
give better value than hand shaking because of more
no. of sieves and heavy size particles.
Deval Abrasion Test
After proper sieving, record the sample
weights retained on each sieve and find out the
cumulative weight of retained particles as well as
cumulative % retained on each sieve. Finally add all
cumulative percentage values and divide the result
with 100. Then we get the value of fineness modulus.

Example for Fineness Modulus Calculation

Let’s say dry weight of coarse aggregate = 5000g

Values after sieve analysis are

 Los Angeles Abrasion Test
Apparatus
Inside diameter = 700mm
Inside length = 500mm
Steel shelf = 88mm
Distance of steel shelf to other side =
1250mm
Rotation = 30 – 33 rpm
Revolution for ABCD grade aggregates =
500
Revolution for EFG grade aggregates =
1000
Iron Sphere
Diameter = 48mm
Weight = 390 – 445g
Calculations
𝑾𝟏 − 𝑾𝟐
𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑾𝟏
W1 = Original weight of aggregates

W2 = Weight retained on 1.7mm sieve after testing

 Lab Experiments (4 and 5)
Where:
Calculate the bulk unit weight and void
E = Time in minutes of last
percentage as follows.
penetration greater than 25mm.

𝐺−𝑇 H = Time in minutes of first

𝑀= penetration less than 25mm.
𝑉
(𝑆𝑊)−𝑀
% 𝑉𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑠 = x 100 C = Penetration reading at time E,
𝑆𝑊
D = Penetration reading at time H,
Where:
2.) Calculate the vicat final time of setting by
M = Bulk Unit Weight of determining the elapsed time between the time of
𝑘𝑔 the initial contact between cement and water and
Aggregates (𝑚3 )
the time when the needle does not sink visibly into
the paste.
G = Weight of the measure plus
aggregates (kg)

T = Weight of the measure (g)

V = Volume of the measure (𝑚3 )

S = Bulk Specific Gravity (dry basis)

𝑘𝑔
W = Unit weight of water, 998 (𝑚3 )

1.) Calculate the vicat time of setting to

the nearest 1 min. as follows:

𝐻−𝐸
{(𝐶−𝐷 ) 𝑥 (𝐶 − 25)} + 𝐸