ASTM C127-88(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 127 – 88 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 127; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth and Sieves for Testing
Purposes
1.1 This test method covers the determination of specific
E 12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity
gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate. The specific
of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
gravity may be expressed as bulk specific gravity, bulk specific
2.2 AASHTO Standard:
gravity (SSD) (saturated-surface-dry), or apparent specific
AASHTO No. T 85 Specific Gravity and Absorption of
gravity. The bulk specific gravity (SSD) and absorption are
Coarse Aggregate
based on aggregate after 24 h soaking in water. This test
method is not intended to be used with lightweight aggregates.
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1 Definitions:
standard.
3.1.1 absorption—the increase in the weight of aggregate
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
due to water in the pores of the material, but not including
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
water adhering to the outside surface of the particles, expressed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
as a percentage of the dry weight. The aggregate is considered
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
“dry” when it has been maintained at a temperature of 110 6
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5°C for sufficient time to remove all uncombined water.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.2 specific gravity—the ratio of the mass (or weight in
air) of a unit volume of a material to the mass of the same
2.1 ASTM Standards:
volume of water at stated temperatures. Values are dimension-
C 29/C 29M Test Method for Unit Weight and Voids in
less.
Aggregate
3.1.2.1 apparent specific gravity—the ratio of the weight in
C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete
air of a unit volume of the impermeable portion of aggregate at
Aggregates
a stated temperature to the weight in air of an equal volume of
C 128 Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of
gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.
Fine Aggregate
3.1.2.2 bulk specific gravity—the ratio of the weight in air
C 136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
of a unit volume of aggregate (including the permeable and
Aggregates
impermeable voids in the particles, but not including the voids
C 566 Test Method for Total Moisture Content of Aggregate
between particles) at a stated temperature to the weight in air
by Drying
of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
temperature.
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
3.1.2.3 bulk specific gravity (SSD)—the ratio of the weight
C 702 Practice for Reducing Field Samples of Aggregate to
in air of a unit volume of aggregate, including the weight of
Testing Size
3 water within the voids filled to the extent achieved by
D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
submerging in water for approximately 24 h (but not including
D 448 Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and
3 the voids between particles) at a stated temperature, compared
Bridge Construction
to the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-free distilled
water at a stated temperature.
NOTE 1—The terminology for specific gravity is based on terms in
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Terminology E 12, and that for absorption is based on that term in
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
Terminology C 125.
C09.20 on Normal Weight Aggregates.
Current edition approved Oct. 31, 1988. Published December 1988. Originally
published as C 127 – 36 T. Last previous edition C 127 – 84.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.
Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials, 444 North Capitol St. N.W., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20001.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C 127
4. Summary of Test Method the range used for this test, or 0.5 g, whichever is greater. The
balance shall be equipped with suitable apparatus for suspend-
4.1 A sample of aggregate is immersed in water for approxi-
ing the sample container in water from the center of the
mately 24 h to essentially fill the pores. It is then removed from
weighing platform or pan of the weighing device.
the water, the water dried from the surface of the particles, and
6.2 Sample Container—A wire basket of 3.35 mm (No. 6)
weighed. Subsequently the sample is weighed while sub-
or finer mesh, or a bucket of approximately equal breadth and
merged in water. Finally the sample is oven-dried and weighed
height, with a capacity of 4 to 7 L for 37.5-mm (1 ⁄2-in.)
a third time. Using the weights thus obtained and formulas in
nominal maximum size aggregate or smaller, and a larger
this test method, it is possible to calculate three types of
container as needed for testing larger maximum size aggregate.
specific gravity and absorption.
The container shall be constructed so as to prevent trapping air
5. Significance and Use
when the container is submerged.
5.1 Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used
6.3 Water Tank—A watertight tank into which the sample
for calculation of the volume occupied by the aggregate in
container may be placed while suspended below the balance.
various mixtures containing aggregate, including portland
6.4 Sieves—A 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve or other sizes as
cement concrete, bituminous concrete, and other mixtures that
needed (see 7.2-7.4), conforming to Specification E 11.
are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute volume basis.
Bulk specific gravity is also used in the computation of voids
7. Sampling
in aggregate in Test Method C 29. Bulk specific gravity (SSD)
7.1 Sample the aggregate in accordance with Practice D 75.
is used if the aggregate is wet, that is, if its absorption has been
7.2 Thoroughly mix the sample of aggregate and reduce it to
satisfied. Conversely, the bulk specific gravity (oven-dry) is
the approximate quantity needed using the applicable proce-
used for computations when the aggregate is dry or assumed to
dures in Methods C 702. Reject all material passing a 4.75-mm
be dry.
(No. 4) sieve by dry sieving and thoroughly washing to remove
5.2 Apparent specific gravity pertains to the relative density
dust or other coatings from the surface. If the coarse aggregate
of the solid material making up the constituent particles not
contains a substantial quantity of material finer than the
including the pore space within the particles which is acces-
4.75-mm sieve (such as for Size No. 8 and 9 aggregates in
sible to water.
Classification D 448), use the 2.36-mm (No. 8) sieve in place
5.3 Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the
of the 4.75-mm sieve. Alternatively, separate the material finer
weight of an aggregate due to water absorbed in the pore
than the 4.75-mm sieve and test the finer material according to
spaces within the constituent particles, compared to the dry
Test Method C 128.
condition, when it is deemed that the aggregate has been in
7.3 The minimum weight of test sample to be used is given
contact with water long enough to satisfy most of the absorp-
below. In many instances it may be desirable to test a coarse
tion potential. The laboratory standard for absorption is that
aggregate in several separate size fractions; and if the sample
obtained after submerging dry aggregate for approximately 24
contains more than 15 % retained on the 37.5-mm (1 ⁄2-in.)
h in water. Aggregates mined from below the water table may
sieve, test the material larger than 37.5 mm in one or more size
have a higher absorption, when used, if not allowed to dry.
fractions separately from the smaller size fractions. When an
Conversely, some aggregates when used may contain an
aggregate is tested in separate size fractions, the minimum
amount of absorbed moisture less than the 24-h soaked
weight of test sample for each fraction shall be the difference
condition. For an aggregate that has been in contact with water
between the weights prescribed for the maximum and mini-
and that has free moisture on the particle surfaces, the
mum sizes of the fraction.
percentage of free moisture can be determined by deducting the
Nominal Maximum Size, Minimum Weight of Test
absorption from the total moisture content determined by Test
mm (in.) Sample, kg (lb)
Method C 566. 1
12.5 ( ⁄2) or less 2 (4.4)
19.0 ( ⁄4) 3 (6.6)
5.4 The general procedures described in this test method are
25.0 (1) 4 (8.8)
suitable for determining the absorption of aggregates that have
37.5 (1 ⁄2) 5 (11)
had conditioning other than the 24-h soak, such as boiling
50 (2) 8 (18)
63 (2 ⁄2) 12 (26)
water or vacuum saturation. The values obtained for absorption
75 (3) 18 (40)
by other test methods will be different than the values obtained
90 (3 ⁄2) 25 (55)
by the prescribed 24-h soak, as will the bulk specific gravity
100 (4) 40 (88)
112 (4 ⁄2) 50 (110)
(SSD).
125 (5) 75 (165)
5.5 The pores in lightweight aggregates may or may not
150 (6) 125 (276)
become essentially filled with water after immersion for 24 h.
7.4 If the sample is tested in two or more size fractions,
In fact, many such aggregates can remain immersed in water
determine the grading of the sample in accordance with Test
for several days without satisfying most of the aggregates’
Method C 136, including the sieves used for separating the size
absorption potential. Therefore, this test method is not intended
fractions for the determinations in this method. In calculating
for use with lightweight aggregate.
the percentage of material in each size fraction, ignore the
6. Apparatus
quantity of material finer than the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve (or
6.1 Balance—A weighing device that is sensitive, readable, 2.36-mm (No. 8) sieve when that sieve is used in accordance
and accurate to 0.05 % of the sample weight at any point within with 7.2).
C 127
8. Procedure
B = weight of saturated-surface-dry test sample in air, g,
and
8.1 Dry the test sa
...