Experiment No.

4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF AGGREGATES
I. Short discussion:

II. Resources:
 Gravel, Sand
 Potable water  Pycnometer
 Sieving pan  Oven
 Absorbent cloth, dry, soft  Sieve, 3/8 “
 Digital weighing scale  Tamping rod
 Container  Density basket, 0.25”
 Cylindrical metal measure (min cap of  Mesh (max, 6.5 mm)
0.0142 m3)  Sand cone apparatus

III. Procedure:
For fine aggregate:
1. Weigh about 500 grams test sample of fine aggregate, W1.
2. Immerse the test sample into a container with water for 24 hours and cover it.
3. Pour excess water carefully to avoid loss of fines. Spread the sample on a flat non-absorbent surface and stir
frequently to secure homogeneous drying.
4. Fill the sand cone apparatus with this sample and tamp 25 times.
5. Fill the measure two-thirds full, level and tamp 25 times again.
6. Fill the measure overflowing and tamp 25 times. Then level the top surface.
7. Remove the slump cone. The sand cone should approach a free-flowing condition.
The specimen is called saturated surface dry (SSD) when it has reached a surface dry condition.
8. Weigh the SSD sample, W2.
9. Fill the pycnometer with water to the top and weigh, W3.
10. Remove part of the water from the pycnometer, and put the SSD sample into it.
11. Fill with additional water to approximately 90 percent of its capacity.
12. Agitate the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles.
13. Bring the water level in the pycnometer to its calibrated capacity.
14. Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, speciment, and water, W4.
15. Remove the sample from the pycnometer, and dry to constant weight at a temperature of 110°C, cool, and
weight, W5.
 16. Calculate the specific gravity and absorption.

W1 W2
Bulk specific gravity, dry = Bulk specific gravity, SSD =
W3  W2  W4 W3  W2  W4
W5
Apparent specific gravity =
W3  W5  W4
For coarse aggregate:
1. Weigh about 4000 grams test sample of course aggregate, W1, with a maximum 25 mm nominal size and should
not have particles of size less than 4.75 mm.
2. Soak the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of 24 hours.
3. Remove the sample from the water. Roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of water are removed.
The sample is now in saturated surface dry (SSD) condition.
4. Weigh the SSD sample, W2.
5. Place the SSD sample in the wire basket and determine weight in water, W 3. Note that the wire basket should be
immersed to a depth sufficient to cover it and the test sample during weighing.
6. Remove the sample from the wire basket.
7. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110°C (approximately 3 hours), and weigh, W 4.
8. Calculate specific gravity and absorption.
W1 W2
Bulk specific gravity, dry = Bulk specific gravity, SSD =
W2  W3 W2  W3
W4 W  W4
Apparent specific gravity = Absorption = 2 x100
W4  W3 W4

IV. Data analysis:

FINE AGGREGATE: SAND COARSE AGGREGATE: GRAVEL

SAMPLE WEIGHT (kg) SAMPLE WEIGHT (kg)

W1 W1
W2 W2
W3 W3
W4 W4

Bulk specific gravity, dry Bulk specific gravity, dry

Bulk specific gravity, SSD Bulk specific gravity, SSD
Apparent specific gravity Apparent specific gravity
Absorption Absorption
V. Conclusion:

VI. Recommendation:
VII. Documentation:
 Experiment No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF AGGREGATES
I. Short discussion:

II. Resources:
 Gravel, Sand
 Potable water  Pycnometer
 Sieving pan  Oven
 Absorbent cloth, dry, soft  Sieve, 3/8 “
 Digital weighing scale  Tamping rod
 Container  Density basket, 0.25”
 Cylindrical metal measure (min cap of  Mesh (max, 6.5 mm)
0.0142 m3)  Sand cone apparatus

III. Procedure:
For fine aggregate:
17. Weigh about 500 grams test sample of fine aggregate, W1.
18. Immerse the test sample into a container with water for 24 hours and cover it.
19. Pour excess water carefully to avoid loss of fines. Spread the sample on a flat non-absorbent surface and stir
frequently to secure homogeneous drying.
20. Fill the sand cone apparatus with this sample and tamp 25 times.
21. Fill the measure two-thirds full, level and tamp 25 times again.
22. Fill the measure overflowing and tamp 25 times. Then level the top surface.
23. Remove the slump cone. The sand cone should approach a free-flowing condition.
The specimen is called saturated surface dry (SSD) when it has reached a surface dry condition.
24. Weigh the SSD sample, W2.
25. Fill the pycnometer with water to the top and weigh, W3.
26. Remove part of the water from the pycnometer, and put the SSD sample into it.
27. Fill with additional water to approximately 90 percent of its capacity.
28. Agitate the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles.
29. Bring the water level in the pycnometer to its calibrated capacity.
30. Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, speciment, and water, W4.
31. Remove the sample from the pycnometer, and dry to constant weight at a temperature of 110°C, cool, and
weight, W5.
 32. Calculate the specific gravity and absorption.

W1 W2
Bulk specific gravity, dry = Bulk specific gravity, SSD =
W3  W2  W4 W3  W2  W4
W5
Apparent specific gravity =
W3  W5  W4
For coarse aggregate:
9. Weigh about 4000 grams test sample of course aggregate, W1, with a maximum 25 mm nominal size and should
not have particles of size less than 4.75 mm.
10. Soak the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of 24 hours.
11. Remove the sample from the water. Roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of water are removed.
The sample is now in saturated surface dry (SSD) condition.
12. Weigh the SSD sample, W2.
13. Place the SSD sample in the wire basket and determine weight in water, W3. Note that the wire basket should be
immersed to a depth sufficient to cover it and the test sample during weighing.
14. Remove the sample from the wire basket.
15. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110°C (approximately 3 hours), and weigh, W4.
16. Calculate specific gravity and absorption.
W1 W2
Bulk specific gravity, dry = Bulk specific gravity, SSD =
W2  W3 W2  W3
W4 W  W4
Apparent specific gravity = Absorption = 2 x100
W4  W3 W4

IV. Data analysis:

FINE AGGREGATE: SAND COARSE AGGREGATE: GRAVEL

SAMPLE WEIGHT (kg) SAMPLE WEIGHT (kg)

W1 W1
W2 W2
W3 W3
W4 W4

Bulk specific gravity, dry Bulk specific gravity, dry

Bulk specific gravity, SSD Bulk specific gravity, SSD
Apparent specific gravity Apparent specific gravity
Absorption Absorption
V. Conclusion:

VI. Recommendation:
VII. Documentation:
 Experiment No. 4
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF AGGREGATES
I. Short discussion:

II. Resources:
 Gravel, Sand
 Potable water  Pycnometer
 Sieving pan  Oven
 Absorbent cloth, dry, soft  Sieve, 3/8 “
 Digital weighing scale  Tamping rod
 Container  Density basket, 0.25”
 Cylindrical metal measure (min cap of  Mesh (max, 6.5 mm)
0.0142 m3)  Sand cone apparatus

III. Procedure:
For fine aggregate:
33. Weigh about 500 grams test sample of fine aggregate, W1.
34. Immerse the test sample into a container with water for 24 hours and cover it.
35. Pour excess water carefully to avoid loss of fines. Spread the sample on a flat non-absorbent surface and stir
frequently to secure homogeneous drying.
36. Fill the sand cone apparatus with this sample and tamp 25 times.
37. Fill the measure two-thirds full, level and tamp 25 times again.
38. Fill the measure overflowing and tamp 25 times. Then level the top surface.
39. Remove the slump cone. The sand cone should approach a free-flowing condition.
The specimen is called saturated surface dry (SSD) when it has reached a surface dry condition.
40. Weigh the SSD sample, W2.
41. Fill the pycnometer with water to the top and weigh, W3.
42. Remove part of the water from the pycnometer, and put the SSD sample into it.
43. Fill with additional water to approximately 90 percent of its capacity.
44. Agitate the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles.
45. Bring the water level in the pycnometer to its calibrated capacity.
46. Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, speciment, and water, W4.
 47. Remove the sample from the pycnometer, and dry to constant weight at a temperature of 110°C, cool, and
weight, W5.

48. Calculate the specific gravity and absorption.

W1 W2
Bulk specific gravity, dry = Bulk specific gravity, SSD =
W3  W2  W4 W3  W2  W4
W5
Apparent specific gravity =
W3  W5  W4
For coarse aggregate:
17. Weigh about 4000 grams test sample of course aggregate, W1, with a maximum 25 mm nominal size and should
not have particles of size less than 4.75 mm.
18. Soak the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of 24 hours.
19. Remove the sample from the water. Roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of water are removed.
The sample is now in saturated surface dry (SSD) condition.
20. Weigh the SSD sample, W2.
21. Place the SSD sample in the wire basket and determine weight in water, W3. Note that the wire basket should be
immersed to a depth sufficient to cover it and the test sample during weighing.
22. Remove the sample from the wire basket.
23. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110°C (approximately 3 hours), and weigh, W4.
24. Calculate specific gravity and absorption.
W1 W2
Bulk specific gravity, dry = Bulk specific gravity, SSD =
W2  W3 W2  W3
W4 W  W4
Apparent specific gravity = Absorption = 2 x100
W4  W3 W4

IV. Data analysis:

FINE AGGREGATE: SAND COARSE AGGREGATE: GRAVEL

SAMPLE WEIGHT (kg) SAMPLE WEIGHT (kg)

W1 W1
W2 W2
W3 W3
W4 W4

Bulk specific gravity, dry Bulk specific gravity, dry

Bulk specific gravity, SSD Bulk specific gravity, SSD
Apparent specific gravity Apparent specific gravity
Absorption Absorption
V. Conclusion:

VI. Recommendation:
VII. Documentation:
 MATERIAL VOLUME

Cement

Sand

Gravel

Cement weight –
Amount of water –
 TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA CAMPUS

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS AND TESTING
CE 405
CE41FA3

“DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER

ABSORPTION OF AGGREGATES”
EXPERIMENT NO. 4
FINAL REPORT

SUBMITTED BY:

________________________________
De Guzman, Jonniel P.
1311881

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. ARIEL B. MORALES

DATE SUBMITTED:
January 25, 2018
 TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA CAMPUS

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS AND TESTING
CE 405
CE41FA3

“DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER

ABSORPTION OF AGGREGATES”
EXPERIMENT NO. 4
FINAL REPORT

SUBMITTED BY:

________________________________
Alvarez, Monica R.
1610385

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. ARIEL B. MORALES

DATE SUBMITTED:
January 25, 2018
 TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA CAMPUS

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS AND TESTING
CE 405
CE41FA3

“DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER

ABSORPTION OF AGGREGATES”
EXPERIMENT NO. 4
FINAL REPORT

SUBMITTED BY:

________________________________
Astillo, Jana Patrisha J.
1310084

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. ARIEL B. MORALES

DATE SUBMITTED:
January 25, 2018
 TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA CAMPUS

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS AND TESTING
CE 405
CE41FA3

“MAKING AND CURING OF CONCRETE TEST

SPECIMEN”
EXPERIMENT NO.6
PRELIMINARY REPORT
SUBMITTED BY:
Leader: CUADERA, JAMESCHAR ___ _____

Members:
ABUAN, ANGELO JOHN ____ ____
ALVAREZ, MONICA ____ ___ _
ASTILLO, JANA PATRISHA ____ ____ _
DE GUZMAN, JONNIEL ____ _____

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. ARIEL B. MORALES

DATE SUBMITTED:
January 25, 2018