551 M.F. JHOCSON ST.

, SAMPALOC, MANILA
CIVIL ENGINEERING

ACTIVITY No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY and
ABSORPTION of FINE AGGREGATES

1. DATE PERFORMED
2.
3.
NAME /
4.
ROLE
5.
6. Venzuela, Carla Rosanne A. -
Computation
SECTION GROUP No.

ASTM Designation
ASTM C128 – Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
OBJECTIVE
This activity aims to introduce students in determining the specific gravity and absorption of
aggregates by using the standard method of tests.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

LEARNING OUTCOMES (LOs) (CLOs)
At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:
1 2 3 4
1. Compute the bulk specific gravity of a given ● ● ●
sample of aggregate.
2. Compute the percentage absorption of a given ● ● ●
sample of aggregate,

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs)

1. Conduct experiments for determining the properties and the behavior of construction
materials for the use in Civil Engineering Projects.
2. Apply appropriate measuring and testing procedure based on local and international
standards.
3. Analyze and interpret the data obtained through standard laboratory procedures.
4. Prepare written reports describing the test procedure, discuss results, and make
conclusions of a Laboratory Experiment.
APPARATUS
Weighing scale
Source of Heat (Oven / Stove)
Pycnometer
Mixing bowl
Mold and Tamper
Scoop / Spatula
Gloves
 551 M.F. JHOCSON ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA
CIVIL ENGINEERING

ACTIVITY No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY and
ABSORPTION of FINE AGGREGATES

1. DATE PERFORMED
2.
3.
NAME /
4.
ROLE
5.
6. Venzuela, Carla Rosanne A. -
Computation
SECTION GROUP No.

Heat gun / Blower

PROCEDURE
1. Obtain approximately 1kg of the fine aggregate (preferably fine aggregates used in the
previous experiment, Sieve Analysis of Coarse and Fine Aggregates) using sample
splitter.
2. Dry it in a suitable pan or vessel to constant weight at 110°C. Allow it to cool to a
comfortable handling temperature, cover with water by immersion and permit to stand for
24 hours.
3. Decant excess water with care to avoid loss of fines, spread the sample on a flat
nonabsorbent surface exposed to a gently moving current of warm air.
4. Stir frequently to get homogeneous drying until achieving the saturated surface dry
condition. Use cone test for surface moisture.
5. Hold the mold firmly on a smooth nonabsorbent surface with the large diameter down.
Place a portion of partially dried fine aggregate loosely in the mold by filling it to over
following and heaping additional materials above the top of the mold.
6. Lightly tamp the sand into the mold with 25 light drops of the tamper. Each drop should
start about 5mm above the top surface of the sand. Permit the tamper to fall freely under
gravitational attraction on each drop.
7. Adjust the surface, remove loose sand from the base and lift the mold vertically. If surface
moisture is still present, the sand will retain the molded shape. When the sand slumps
slightly, it indicates that it has reached S.S.D condition.

TEST
1. Weigh 500 grams of the SSD sample.
2. Partially fill the pycnometer with water. Immediately put into the
pycnometer 500 grams saturated surface dry aggregate.
3. Then fill with additional water to approximately 90% of capacity.
4. Roll; invert the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles.
5. Adjust its temperature to 23±1.7 °C by putting the pycnometer in a water
bath for an hour.
 551 M.F. JHOCSON ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA
CIVIL ENGINEERING

ACTIVITY No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY and
ABSORPTION of FINE AGGREGATES

1. DATE PERFORMED
2.
3.
NAME /
4.
ROLE
5.
6. Venzuela, Carla Rosanne A. -
Computation
SECTION GROUP No.

6. Bring the water level in the pycnometer to its calibrated capacity.

7. Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, specimen and water.
8. Remove the fine aggregate from the pycnometer, dry to constant weight
at temp. 110±5 C, cool in air at room temperature for one hour, and
weight.
9. Determine the weight of the pycnometer filled to its capacity with water at
23C

LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8YMIgW-3UY&t=390s

CALCULATIONS

a. Bulk Specific Gravity

A
Bulk Specific Gravity=
B+ S−C

where:
A = mass (weight) of oven dried sample in air
B = mass (weight) of pycnometer with water
S = mass (weight) of saturated surface dry specimen
C = mass (weight) of pycnometer with specimen & water to calibration mark

b. Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD)

S
SSD Bulk Specific Gravity=
B+ S−C

c. Apparent Specific Gravity

A
Apparent Specific Gravity=
B+ A−C
 551 M.F. JHOCSON ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA
CIVIL ENGINEERING

ACTIVITY No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY and
ABSORPTION of FINE AGGREGATES

1. DATE PERFORMED
2.
3.
NAME /
4.
ROLE
5.
6. Venzuela, Carla Rosanne A. -
Computation
SECTION GROUP No.

Absorption:

S− A
Absorption= x 100
A

DATA SHEET

A = mass (weight) of oven dried sample in air = 119.10 g

B = mass (weight) of pycnometer with water = 760.00 g
S = mass (weight) of saturated surface dry specimen = 120.40 g
C = mass (weight) of pycnometer with specimen & water to calibration mark = 835.40 g

RESULTS

FINE
Bulk Specific Gravity 2.647
Bulk Specific Gravity
2.676
(SSD)
Apparent Specific Gravity 2.725
Absorption (%) 1.092 %
 551 M.F. JHOCSON ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA
CIVIL ENGINEERING

ACTIVITY No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY and
ABSORPTION of FINE AGGREGATES

1. DATE PERFORMED
2.
3.
NAME /
4.
ROLE
5.
6. Venzuela, Carla Rosanne A. -
Computation
SECTION GROUP No.

COMPUTATIONS
Bulk Specific Gravity

A
Bulk Specific Gravity=
B+ S−C

119.1
Bulk Specific Gravity=
7 6 0.00+120.4−835.4

Bulk Specific Gravity=2.647

Bulk Specific Gravity SSD

S
SSD Bulk Specific Gravity=
B+ S−C

120.4
SSD Bulk Specific Gravity=
7 6 0.00+120.4−835.4

SSD Bulk Specific Gravity=2.676

Apparent Specific Gravity

A
Apparent Specific Gravity=
B+ A−C
 551 M.F. JHOCSON ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA
CIVIL ENGINEERING

ACTIVITY No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY and
ABSORPTION of FINE AGGREGATES

1. DATE PERFORMED
2.
3.
NAME /
4.
ROLE
5.
6. Venzuela, Carla Rosanne A. -
Computation
SECTION GROUP No.

119.1
Apparent Specific Gravity=
7 6 0.00+119.1−835.4

Apparent Specific Gravity=2.725

Absorption (%)

S− A
Absorption= x 100
A

120.4−119.1
Absorption= x 100
119.1

Absorption=1.092 %

DISCUSSION
 551 M.F. JHOCSON ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA
CIVIL ENGINEERING

ACTIVITY No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY and
ABSORPTION of FINE AGGREGATES

1. DATE PERFORMED
2.
3.
NAME /
4.
ROLE
5.
6. Venzuela, Carla Rosanne A. -
Computation
SECTION GROUP No.

Signature of Instructor: ____________________________________