PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS EXPERIMENTAL REPORT

EXAMINATION OF SUBSTANCES AND QUALITY OF CONCRETE

MODULE C.2
SPECIFIC GRAVITY ANALYSIS AND ABSORPTION OF COARSE AGGREGATE

GROUP 29
Fajar Surya Muhammad
Muhammad Alif Maggalatta
Raihan Alisha Nabila
R.A Tamara R F Iskandar
Zain Zahran Azzaino
Date of Experimental
Experimental Assistant
Date of Approval
Score
Assistants Signature

1306437170
1306388906
1306437126
1306388894
1306437044

: September 28th 2013

: Putri Marastuti
:
:
:

LABORATORY OF STRUCTURE AND MATERIAL

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTEMENT
ENGINEERING FACULTY
UNIVERSITY OF INDONESIA
DEPOK 2013
I.

OBJECTIVES
This experimental work is intended to determine the bulk and apparent specific gravity and
absorption of coarse aggregate based on ASTM C 127, to find the volume of aggregate in
concrete

II.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

1.
2.
3.
4.

Scale balance with 0,5 grams of sensitivity and 5 kg of maximum capacity

Metal rod 8 inch of length and 2.5 inch of height
Basket hanger
Suitable oven that can keep the temperature constantly (110 5) C

5. Towel
III.

MATERIALS
10000 grams (2 x 5000 grams) of coarse aggregate in Saturated Surface Dry (SSD)
condition, obtained from sample splitter or cara perempat. Neglect the specimen that passed
Sieve no. 4.

IV.

PROCEDURE
1. Soak the specimen for 24 hours
2. Dry the aggregate using towel until the SSD condition attained (specimen has dried
surface but it looks humid). Measure the weight.
3. Put the sample in a basket and soak again in water. The temperature of the water should
be (73,4 3)F and measure the weight in the water. Before measuring the weight, the
basket should be shacked therefore no air trapped occurs.
4. Dry the aggregate in the oven (keep the temperature constantly 212 230 F). Exit from
the oven and measure the weight.

V.

CALCULATION
Some formulations for this experimental work:
Bulk Specific gravity =
Saturated Surface Dry Weight =
Apparent Specific gravity =
Percentage of Absorption =

Where:
A

: Weight (gram) of oven-dried specimen

= 4908 grams

: Weight (gram) of specimen in SSD condition

= 5000 grams

: Weight (gram) of specimen in saturated condition

= 3334 grams

VI.

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

Bulk Specific gravity

=
= 4908 : (5000 3334)
= 2.94

Saturated Surface Dry Weight=

= 5000 : (5000 3334)
=3
Apparent Specific gravity

=
= 4908 : (4908 3334)
= 3.12

Percentage of Absorption

=
= [(5000 4908) : 4908] x 100%
= [92 : 4908] x 100%
= 1.87%

1. Analysis of the experiment :

First we soaked 10000 grams of coarse aggregate in a bucket full of water for 24 hours,
after we previously measured the weight on a scale. The next day, we drained the water and dried
the aggregates by using a few sheets of towels until it reaches a SSD condition. A SSD condition
is a condition where the surface is already dry but still humid and the inside matter of the
material is still wet. After that, we divided the aggregates into two separate baskets, each
contains 5000 grams of coarse aggregates. We then soaked the aggregates and had to shake the
bucket so there will be no air trapped between the aggregates. We measured the weight again and
placed the aggregates inside the oven to dry and then measure the weight once more.
2. Analyze results :
To calculate the weight of the bulk specific gravity, we must first divide the weight
of the oven dried specimen (4908 grams) with the ratio difference between the weight of the
specimen in a SSD condition (5000 grams) and the weight of the specimen in a saturated
condition (3334 grams). Therefore, by calculating these three conditions, we then come to a
conclusion that the weight of the bulk specific gravity is 2.94 grams.
To calculate the saturated surface dry weight, we divide the weight of the specimen in a
SSD condition with the ratio weight between the weight of the specimen in a SSD condition with
the weight of the specimen in a saturated condition. Therefore, we come to a conclusion that the
saturated surface dry weight is 3 grams.
To calculate the weight of the apparent specific gravity, we divide the weight of the oven
dried specimen with the ratio weight between the oven dried specimen weight with the weight of

the specimen in a saturated condition. Therefore, we come to a conclusion that the weight of the
apparent specific gravity is 3.12 grams.
To calculate the percentage of absorption, we must first determine the ratio weight
between the weight of the specimen in a SSD condition with the weight of the specimen in a
saturated condition and then divide it by the weight of the specimen in a saturated condition.
After that, we multiply the result by 100%. Therefore, we come to a conclusion that the
percentage of absorption is 1.87%.
3. Error Analysis :
1. Error of the Apparatus
2. Parallax error
3. Error from the students itself
VII. CONCLUSION
The conclusion that I could take from the experiment of specific gravity analysis and
absorption of coarse aggregate is that, the weight between the aggregate which is in a SSD
condition with the coarse aggregate which is in a very much wet state is very different in weight.
This is because the SSD condition does not contain water in between the aggregates, therefore
resulting a less heavier weight.
VIII. REFERENCES
American Society for Testing and Materials. Standard Test Method for Density, Relative
Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate, No. ASTM C 127 04.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 04.02.
Badan Standarisasi Nasional. Metode Pengujian Berat Jenis dan Penyerapan Air
Aggregate Kasar, SNI 03-1970-1990.
IX.

APPENDIX

X.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

This Experimental uses some chemical materials (liquid and powder).Pay attention in
pouring the materials into the bottle. Use safety glasses during the experiment if necessary. Clean
hands properly after finished doing the experiment!
Oven and other dryer machine use electricity and produce heat that is potentially
dangerous for any one. Pay attention during taking in and out the specimen into oven, use
appropriate gloves!