University of Sulaimani

Faculty of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department
Concrete Technology (CE205)
Concrete Technology Laboratory Report
Academic Year (2021-2022)

Student Details
Name Rahand kawa hamasalih
Stage and Lab Group 2nd stage -A1
Test Details
Test Name Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
Test Number 7
Date of Laboratory 12/12/2021
Feedback from Marker

Marker’s Signature
Marker’s Name
Report Mark
Submission Deadline
Submitted Date
Deduction for Late Submission

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Contents
1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Materials and Instruments .................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Materials .................................................................................................................................. 2
2.2 Instruments.............................................................................................................................. 2
3 Test Procedure ..................................................................................................................................... 3
4 Data and Results ................................................................................................................................... 4
4.1 Calculations .............................................................................................................................. 5
4.2 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 6
5 Discussions ...................................................................................................................................... 7
6 Conclusions...................................................................................................................................... 8
7 References ....................................................................................................................................... 8

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2021-2022)

1 Introduction

In concrete technology, specific gravity of aggregates is made use of in design

calculations of concrete mixes. With the specific gravity of each constituent known, its weight
can be converted into solid volume and hence a theoretical yield of concrete per unit volume
can be calculated. Specific gravity of aggregate is also required in calculating the compacting
factor in connection with the workability measurements. Similarly, specific gravity of aggregate
is required to be considered when we deal with light weight and heavy weight concrete.
Average specific gravity of the rocks vary from 2.6 to 2.8.

1.1 Aim

This test method covers the determination of bulk and apparent specific gravity, 23/23°C
(73.4/73.4°F), and absorption of fine aggregate using saturated surface dry sample and
pycnometer.

1.2 Test Standards

Standard Test Methods

ASTM C128 – 97 Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

ASTM C 127 – 88

Standard Specifications

1.3 Importance of Test

Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculation of the volume occupied
by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate including Portland cement concrete,
bituminous concrete, and other mixtures that are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute volume
basis. Bulk specific gravity is also used in the computation of voids in aggregate in T 19M/T 19.

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 Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2021-2022)

Bulk specific gravity determined on the saturated surface-dry basis is used if the aggregate is
wet, that is, if its absorption has been satisfied. Conversely, the bulk specific gravity determined
on the oven-dry basis is used for computations when the aggregate is dry or assumed to be dry.

2 Materials and Instruments

2.1 Materials

1. A 500g saturated surface dry sample of fine aggregate (sand) .

2. Water.

2.2 Instruments

1. Balance—having a capacity of 1 kg or more, sensitive to 0.1 g or less.

2. Pycnometer—A flask or other suitable container into which the fine aggregate test sample
can be readily introduced and in which the volume content can be reproduced within ±0.1
cm3. The volume of the container filled to mark shall be at least 50 % greater than the space
required to accommodate the test sample. A volumetric flask of 500 cm3 capacity or a fruit
jar fitted with a pycnometer top is satisfactory for a 500-g test sample of most fine
aggregates.
3. Mold—A metal mold in the form of a frustum of a cone with dimensions as follows: 40 ± 3
mm inside diameter at the top, 90 ± 3 mm inside diameter at the bottom, and 75±3 mm in
height, with the metal having a minimum thickness of 0.8 mm.
4. Tamper—A metal tamper weighing 340±15 g and having a flat circular tamping face 25 ±
3 mm in diameter.
5. Blow Dryer.
6. Pan.
7. Oven dry.

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2021-2022)

3 Test Procedure

1. Bring Fine Aggregate (<No.4 sieve Sand) is soaked for 24 hour.

2. Obtain approximately 1 kg of the water-soaked material by the following process. Decant
excess water from the pan in which the fine aggregate has been soaking, being careful to
avoid loss of fines.
3. Spread sample on a flat nonabsorbent surface exposed to a gently moving current of warm
air, stirring frequently to ensure uniform drying.
4. Follow the cone test for surface moisture, subsequently described; this cone test
determines whether or not surface moisture is present on the fine aggregate particles. The
first trial of the cone test must be made with some surface water present in the sample.
Continue drying with constant stirring of the sample and cone tests at frequent intervals
until the cone test indicates that the fine aggregate has reached a saturated-surface-dry
condition.
5. Cone Test - Place mold, large side down, on a dry nonabsorbent surface. Place a portion
of the partially dried sample loosely in the mold by filling it to overflowing. Lightly tamp
the sample into the mold with 25 light drops of the tamper (each drop should start about 5
mm (0.2 in.) above the top surface of the aggregate). The tamper should free fall under
gravity during each drop. Distribute the 25 drops over the surface of the sample. Remove
loose sand from around the outside base and lift the mold vertically. If surface moisture is
still present, the sand cone will retain its molded shape. When the molded shape slightly
slumps, a saturated-surface-dry condition has been reached.
6. Partially fill the pycnometer with water. Immediately introduce 500 g of saturated-surface-
dry fine aggregate prepared as above. Record the weight of this SSD fine aggregate placed
in the pycnometer (S). Fill the pycnometer to 90% of capacity. Roll, invert, and agitate the
pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles (this can take 15 to 20 min). Bring the pycnometer
to its calibrated capacity. Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, specimen, and
water (C). Note: Use distilled gas-free water in the pycnometer.
7. Remove the fine aggregate from the pycnometer and dry to constant weight in an oven at
110 C, then cool to room temperature, and weigh, (A).
8. Determine the weight of the pycnometer filled to its calibration capacity with water. (B)

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2021-2022)

4.1 Calculations

1. Calculate the bulk specific gravity, Dry,

𝐴
Bulk specific gravity, Dry = ……… (1)
(𝐵+𝑆−𝐶)

Where:

A = weight of oven-dry specimen in air, g,

B = weight of pycnometer filled with water, g,
S = weight of the saturated surface-dry specimen(g), and
C = weight of pycnometer with specimen and water to calibration mark, g.

491
Bulk specific gravity, Dry = = 2.531
(1782+500−2088)

2. Calculate the bulk specific gravity, SSD,

𝑆
Bulk specific gravity, SSD=
(𝐵+𝑆−𝐶)

500
Bulk specific gravity, SSD= =2.577
(1782+500−2088)

3. Calculate the Apparent specific gravity,

𝐴
Aparent specific gravity =
(𝐵+𝐴−𝐶)

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2021-2022)

491
Aparent specific gravity= = 2.654
(1782+491−2088)

4. Calculate percentage of water absorption,

𝑆−𝐴
water absorption, % =
𝐴
100

500−491
water absorption, % =
491
100= 1.84%

4.2 Results

1. Bulk specific gravity, Dry = (2.531)

2. Bulk specific gravity, SSD = (2.577)
3. Aparent specific gravity = (2.654)
4. water absorption, % = (1.84%)

Bulk Specific Gravity (2.531)  Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) (2.577)  Apparent Specific Gravity (2.654)

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 Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2021-2022)

5 Discussions

In our last test we found about Specific Gravity and Water Absorption of Fine Aggregate and
achieved (Bulk specific gravity’Dry, Bulk specific gravity, SSD, Aparent specific gravity, Water
Absorption) of fine aggregate and our result in normal range and we assume that’s logical result
but I noticed while drying our material we lost some of fine of it that maybe cause error in our
test and when filling the pycnometer with water we were Shaked little while maybe not bubbles
escaped from water perfectly and causes more weight on the balance, we tamped the specimen
three times because of moisture of the Sand in third try we were able to take the specimen or the
material to the test.

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2021-2022)

6 Conclusions

We measured (Bulk Specific gravity, Dry, Bulk specific gravity, SSD, Aparent specific gravity,
And Water absorption) of fine aggregate successfully and little errors occurred in the test
because of harrying for trying the test.

7 References
• {Concrete Technology} (Theory and Practice)
By M.S. SHETTY
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257292100_Measuring_the_Specific
_Gravities_of_Fine_Aggregates_An_Automated_Procedure