ASTM C128

Standard Test Method for Relative Density

(Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine
Aggregate
Significance and Use
 Relative density is used to calculate the volume occupied by the aggregate
in various mixtures containing aggregate, including hydraulic cement
concrete, bituminous concrete, and other mixtures that are proportioned or
analyzed on an absolute volume basis.
 Absorption values are used to calculate the change of an aggregate due to
water absorbed in the pore spaces within the constituent particles,
compared to the dry condition, when it is deemed that the aggregate has
been in contact with water long enough to satisfy most of the absorption
potential.
 The general procedures of this test method are suitable for determining
the absorption of aggregates that have had conditioning other than the 24
hour soak, such as boiling water or vacuum saturation. The values obtained
for absorption by the other methods will be different than the values
obtained by the prescribed soaking , as will the relative density.
Scope
 This test method covers the determination of relative density (SG) and
the absorption of coarse aggregates.
 The relative density is expressed as oven-dry (OD), saturated-surface-dry
(SSD), or as apparent relative density (apparent SG). The OD relative
density is determined after soaking the aggregate in water for a
prescribed duration.
 This test method is not intended to be used with lightweight aggregates
that comply with specification C332 group I aggregates.
 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if
any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Terminologies

 Specific Gravity

– the ratio of material’s mass (or weight in air) at a stated

temperature to an equal volume of Gas-Free distilled waiter at a staed
temperature.
Terminologies
3 Distinct Conditions for Fine Aggregate:
 Specific Gravity in the Oven Dry Condition
- considers the pore space, when the pore space is Filled with Air.

 Specific Gravity in the Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) Condition

- considers the pore space, when the pore space is Filled with Water.

 Apparent Specific Gravity

- considers only the impermeable portion of the aggregate.
- DOES NOT CONSIDER THE PORE SPACE.
Terminologies

 Density
- Per Unit Volume of a material expressed in kg/M^3 or lbs/ft^3

 Absorption
- the increase in mass of an aggregate due to the water in the pores of that
aggregate.
(note: aggregates mined below the water table may have HIGHER absorption
values, if they have not permitted to dry.)
Preparation
Materials to be Use
a.) BALANCE
- for ASTM, the balance must be accurate to 0.1 grams or -.1 percent of the
test sample
- shall be capable of holding at least 1 kg of material and a suitable
container.
Preparation
Materials to be Use
b.) Mold
- inside diameter at the top 40 +/- 3mm - inside diameter at the bottom
90 +/- 3mm
- Height of 75 +/- 3mm - must be made of metal with
minimum thickness of 0.8mm
Preparation
Materials to be Use
c.) Tamper
- weight of 340 +/- 15g
- circular tamping face of 25 +/- 3mm

d.) Pycnometer (or suitable container)

Preparation
Thing to Consider
 The sample must be Dried and Cooled

 and Immersed in water for 15-19 hours.

Preparation
 Once the sample is properly prepared, we must determine if it is in the
saturated surface dry condition by performing the Surface Moisture test.
Performance
I.) Surface Moisture Test
a.) HOLD THE MOLD ON A
FIRM NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE

b.) PLACE PORTION OF THE SAMPLE

IN THE MOLD UNTIL OVERFLOWING

c.) LIGHTLY TAP THE

SAMPLE INTO THE MOLD
WITH 25 LIGHT TAPS OF THE TAMPER
Procedure

d.) LIFT THE MOLD VERTICALLY

Procedure

 If the sample retains to its molded position then then it can be assumed that
surface moisture is still present, therefore tumbling or providing warm air is
permissible to speed-up the drying process. Then REAPEAT PROCEDURE ‘d’.
Procedure

When the aggregate was slump

Slightly then the aggregate is
considered in the
Saturated Surface dry condition.
Procedure
 Once our sample is in the saturated surface dry condition, we can proceed with
the specific gravity test.

a.) PARTIALLY FILL PYCNOMETER WITH WATER

b.) INTRODUCE 500 +/- 10g OF SSD AGGREGATE

INTO THE PYCNOMETER AND FILL WITH
ADDITIONAL WATER TO 90% OF CAPACITY
Procedure
c.) MANUALLY ROLL, INVERT
AND AGITATE THE PYCOMETER
TO ELIMINATE ALL AIR BUBBLES

d.) DETERMINE THE TOTAL MASS

OF THE PYCOMETER,
SPECIMEN AND WATER
Procedure

e.) REMOVE THE FINE AGGREGATE FROM PYCOMETER AND PLACE IN OVEN UNTIL
SAMPLE IS DRIED TO A CONSTANT MASS.
Procedure

f.) PLACE THE SAMPLE IN THE OVEN

AND DRY TO THE CONSTANT MASS

e.) DETERMINE THE MASS OF THE

PYCNOMETER FILLED WITH
JUST WATER TO THE CALIBRATION
MARK
Calculation for SG of Fine Aggregates

Example:

Given: SSD weight 500g

Oven-dry weight 492.60g
flask + water weight 537.60g
flask + water + fine aggregate weight 846.2g

Req’d:
a.) Bulk SG
b.) Apparent SG
c.) Percentage of Absorption
Calculation for SG of Fine Aggregates

Solution:
a.) Bulk SG

Bulk SG = OD weight
[(flask+water)+(SSDwt.)] – [flask+fine agg.+water]

Bulk SG = 492.60
[537.60+500] -846.2
Bulk SG = 2.57
Calculation for SG of Fine Aggregates

Solution:
b.) Apparent SG

Apparent SG = OD weight
[(flask+water)+(OD wt.)] – [flask+fine agg.+water]

Apparent SG = 492.60
[537.60+492.6] -846.2
Apparent SG = 2.68
Calculation for SG of Fine Aggregates

Solution:
c.) Percentage of Absorption

% Absorption = SSD weight – OD weight x 100

OD weight

% Absorption = 500 – 492.6 x 100

492.6
% Absorption =1.5 %