Standard Method of Test for

Specific Gravity and Absorption

of Coarse Aggregate

AASHTO Designation: T 85-221

Technically Revised: 2022

Technical Subcommittee: 1c, Aggregates

ASTM Designation: C127-12

AASHID
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
555 12th Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004

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Standard Method of Test for

Specific Gravity and Absorption

of Coarse Aggregate

AASHTO Designation: T 85-221 AASHID

Technically Revised: 2022

Technical Subcommittee: 1c, Aggregates

ASTM Designation: C127-12

1' SCOPE

1.1. This method covers the determination of specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate.
The pecific gravity may be expre sed a bulk pecific gravity, bulk pecific gravity ( aturated
surface-dry (SSD ) ) , or apparent specific gravity. The bulk specific gravity (SSD ) and ab orption
are ba ed on aggregate after 15-19 h of oaking in water. This method is not intended to be used
with lightweight aggregates.

1.2. The values stated in SI unit are to be regarded a the standard.

1.3. This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does
not purport to address all of the safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of
the user of this procedure to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and to
determine the applicability of regulatO!)IIimitations prior to its use.

1.4. The quality of the results produced by this standard are dependent on the competence of the
personnel petforming the procedure and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the
equipment used. Agencies that meet the criteria of R 18 are generally con idered capable of
competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that
compliance with R 18 alone does not completely assure reliable results. Reliable re ults depend
on many factors; following the suggestions of R 18 or some similar acceptable guideline provides
a means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

2.1. AASHTO Standards:

• M 43, Size of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction
• M 80, Coarse Aggregate for Hydraulic Cement Concrete
• M 231, Weighing D evices Used in the Testing of Materials
• M 339M/M 339, Thennometers U ed in the Te ting of Construction Material
• R 18, Establishing and Implementing a Quality Management System for Construction
Materials Testing Laboratories
• R 76, Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
• R 90, Sampling Aggregate Products
• T 19M/T 19, Bulk D ensity ("Unit Weight") and Voids in Aggregate

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 • T 27, Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
• T 84, Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
• T 255, Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by D rying

2.2. ASTM Standards:

• C670, Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for
Con truction Materials
• E l , Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
• El l , Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• E230/E230M, Standard Specification for Temperature-Electromotive Force (emf) Tables for
Standardized Thermocouples
• E2877, Standard Guide for D igital Contact Thermometers

2.3. International Electrotechnical Commission Standard:

• IEC 60584-1: 2013, Thermocouples - Part 1: EMF Specifications and Tolerances

3. TERMINOLOGY

3.1. Definitions:

3.1.1. absorpt ion- the increase in the mass of aggregate due to water in the pores of the material, but not
including water adhering to the outside surface of the particles, expressed as a percentage of the
dry mass. The aggregate is considered "dry" when it has been maintained at a temperature of
II 0 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F) for sufficient time to remove all uncombined water by reaching a constant
mass.

3.1.2. specific grav ity-- the ratio of the mass (or weight in air) of a unit volume of a material to the rna s
of the arne volume of gas-free distilled water at stated temperatures. Value are dimensionle

3.1.2.1. apparent specific gravity--the ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of the impenneable
portion of aggregate at a stated temperature to the weight in air of an equal volume of ga -free
distilled water at a stated temperature.

3.1.2.2. bulk specific gravity--the ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of aggregate (including
the permeable and impermeable voids in the particles, but not including the voids between
particles) at a stated temperature to the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-free di tilled water
at a stated temperature.

3.1.2.3. bulk specific gravity (SSD)- the ratio of the mass in air of a unit volume of aggregate,
including the mass of water within the voids filled to the extent achieved by submerging in
water for 15-19 h (but not including the void between particle ) at a tated temperature,
compared to the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated
temperature.

4. SUMMARY OF METHOD

4.1. A sample of aggregate is inunersed in water to essentially fill the pores. 1t is then removed from
the water, the water dried from the surface of the particles, and weighed. ub equently the sample
i weighed while ubmerged in water. Finally, the sample i oven-dried and weighed a third time.
Using the mass and weight measurements thus obtained and formulas in the method, it is possible
to calculate three types of specific gravity and ab orption.

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5. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

5 .1 . Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculation of the volume occupied by
the aggregate in various mixture s 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!f 19.
Bulk specific gravity (SSD) is used if the aggregate is wet, that is, if its absorption has be e n
satisfied. Conversely, the bulk specific gravity (oven-dry) i s used for computations when the
aggre gate is dry or assumed to be dry.

5.2. Apparent specific gravity pertains to the relative density of the solid material mak ing up the
constituent particles, not including the pore space within the particles that is accessible to water.

5.3. Ab orption values are u ed to calculate the change in the mass of an aggregate due to water
absorbed in the pore space within the con tituent particles, compared to the dty condition, when it
is deemed that the aggregate has been in contact with water long enough to satisfy most of the
ab orption potential. The laboratory standard for ab orption is that obtained after oaking dry
aggregate in water. Aggregate mined from below the water table may have a higher ab orption,
when used, if not allowed to dry. Conversely, some aggregates when used may contain an amount
of absorbed moisture less than the required amount of time to achieve the soaked condition. For an
aggregate that has been in contact with water and that has free moisture on the particle surfaces,
the percentage of free moisture can be determined by deducting the absorption fi·om the total
moisture content determined by T 255.

5.4. The general procedures described in this method are uitable for detennining the absorption of
aggregates that have bad conditioning other than the required soak, such a boiling water or
vacuum saturation. The values obtained for absorption by other methods will be different than the
values obtained by the required oak , as will the bulk pecific gravity (SSD ) .

5.5. The pores i n lightweight aggregates may or may not become essentially filled with water after the
required soaking period. ln fact, many such aggregates can remain immersed in water for several
days without satisfying most of the aggregates' ab orption potential. Therefore, this method is not
intended for use with lightweight aggregate.

6. APPARATUS

6.1. Balance-Conforming to the re quirements of M 231, Class G 5. The balance shall be equipped
with suitable apparatus for suspending the sample container in water from the center of the
weighing platform or pan of the balance.

6 .2 . Sample Container-A wire bask e t of 3. 35 mrn o. 6) or finer mesh, or a buck e t of approximately

equal breadth and height, with a capacity of 4 to 7 L for 37. 5-mrn ( l1/2-in. ) nominal maximum size
aggregate or smaller, and a larger container as needed for testing larger maximum size aggregate.
The containe r hall be constructed so as to preve nt trapping air whe n the container is submerged.

6 .3 . Water Tank-A watertight tank into which the sample and containe r are place d for complete
immer ion while suspended below the balance, equipped with an overflow outlet for maintaining a
constant water level.

6.4. Suspended App aratus-Wire suspending the container hall be of the smalle t practical size to
minimize any possible effect of a variable immersed length.

6 .5 . Sieve ·-A 4.75-mm (No.4) sieve or other sizes as needed (Section 7. 2, 7. 3, and 7. 4) , conforming
to ASTM E l l .

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6.6. Oven-An oven of appropriate size capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 ± soc
(230 ± 9 °F) . Oven(s) for heating and drying shall be capable of operation at the temperatures
required, between 100 to l 20°C (212 to 248°F), within ±S°C (±9°F), a corrected, if nece sary, by
standardization. More than one oven may be used, provided each is used within its proper
operating temperature range. The t hennomet er for measuring the temperature, regardless of drying
apparatus used, shall meet the requirements of M 339MIM 339 with a temperature range of at least
9 0 to l 30°C (19 4 to 266°F) , and an accuracy of ±1. 2S°C (±2.2S°F) (see ote 1) .
Note 1-Thermometer type uitable for use include ASTM E1 mercury thermometer ; ASTM
E2877 digital metal stem them1ometer; ASTM E230/E230M thermocouple thermometer, Type J
or K, Special Class, Type T any Class; IEC 60584 them1ocouple them1ometer, Type J or K,
Clas 1, Type T any Cia ; or dial gauge metal tern (bi-metal) thermometer.

6.7. Thermometer-A thermometer for measuring the temperature of water and materials in solution
shall meet t he requirements of M 339M/M 339 with a temperature range of at least 16 to 27°C (60
to 80°F), with an accuracy of ±O . S°C (±0. 9 °F) (see ote 2) .
Note 2- Thermometer type uit able for use include ASTM E1 mercury thermometers; ASTM
E2877 digital metal stem thennometer; ASTM E230/E230M thermocouple thermometer, Type T
Special; or IEC 60S84 them1ocouple them1omcter, Type T, Class I .

7. SAMPLING

7 .1 . Sample the aggregate in accordance with R 9 0.

7.2. Thoroughly mix the sample of aggregate and reduce it to the approximate quantity needed using
the applicable procedures in R 76. Reject all material passing a 4. 7S-mm (No. 4) sieve by dry­
sieving and thoroughly washing to remove dust or other coatings from the surface. If the coarse
aggregate contain a ub tantial quantity of material fmer than the 4.7S-mm ( o. 4) sieve ( uch a
for Size No. 8 and 9 aggregates in M 43), use the 2. 36-mm (No. 8) sieve in place of the 4.7S-mm
(No. 4) sieve. Alternatively, separate the material ftner than the 4.7S-mm (No. 4) sieve and te t the
finer material according to T 84.

7.3. The minimum mass of test sample to be used is given below. In many instance , it may be
desirable to test a coarse aggregate in several eparate size fractions; and if the sample contains
more than 1S percent retained on the 37. S-mm (11h-in. ) sieve, test the material larger than
37. S mm in one or more size fractions separately from the smaller ize fractions. When an
aggregate is tested in eparate size fractions, the minimum mass of test sample for each fraction
shall be the difference between the masses prescribed for the maximum and minimum sizes of
the fraction.

ominal Maximum Minimum Mass of

Size, mm (in.) Test Sample, kg (Ib)
12.5 ('h) or less 2 (4.4)
19.0 {'1.) 3 (6.6)
25.0 (I) 4 (8.8)
37.5 ( 1112) 5 ( 1 1)
50 (2) 8 (18)
63 (2112) 12 (26)
75 (3) 1 8 (40)
90 (3112) 25 (55)
I 00 (4) 40 (88)
112 (41h) 50 ( 1 10)
125 (5) 75 ( 165)
150 (6) 125 (276)

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7.4. If the sample is tested in two or more size fractions, determine the grading of the sample in
accordance with T 27, including the sieves used for separating the size fractions for the
determination in this method. In calculating the percentage of material in each ize fraction,
ignore the quantity of material finer than the 4. 7S-mm ( o. 4) sieve or 2. 36-mm ( o. 8) sieve
when that sieve is used in accordance with Section 7.2.

8. PROCEDURE

8 .1 . Dry the test sample to constant mass according to T 2SS at II 0 ± S°C (230 ± 9 °F ) , cool in air at
room temperature for I to 3 h for test samples of 37. S-nun (!1/2-in.) nominal maximum size, or
longer for larger sizes, until the aggregate has cooled to a temperature that is comfortable to
handle (approximately S0 °C (122°F ) ) . Subsequently immerse the aggregate in water at room
temperature for a period of IS to 19 h.
Note 3-When testing coarse aggregate of large nominal maximum size requiring large test
samples, it may be more convenient to perform the test on two or more sub amples, and the values
obtained combined for the computation described in Section 9 .

8.2. Where the absorption and pecific gravity values are to be used in proportioning concrete mixtures
in which the aggregates will be in their naturally moist condition, the requirement for initial drying
to constant mass may be eliminated, and, if the urfaces of the particles in the sample have been
kept continuously wet until test, the required oak ing may al o be eliminated.
Note 4--Values for absorption and bulk specific gravity (SSD) may be significantly higher for
aggregate not oven dried before soaking than for the same aggregate treated in accordance with
Section 8. 1. This is especially true of particles larger than 7S nun (3 in. ) becau e the water may
not be able to penetrate the pores to the center of the particle in the required soaking period.

8.3. Remove the test ample from the water and roll it in a large ab orbent cloth until all vi ible film
of water are removed. Wipe the larger particles individually. A moving stream of air may be u ed
to assist in the drying operation. Tak e care to avoid evaporation of water from aggregate pores
during the operation of surface-drying. If the test sample dries past the SSD condition, immerse in
water for 30 min, then resume the process of surface-drying. D etermine the mass of the test
sample in the SSD condition. Record thjs and all subsequent masses to the nearest 1. 0 g or
0 . 1 percent of the ample mass, whichever is greater.

8.4. After determining the mass, immediately place the SSD test sample in the sample container and
determine its ma in water at 23. 0 ± 1.7°C (73. 4 ± 3°F ) , having a den ity of 9 97 ± 2 k g/m3. Tak e
care to remove all entrapped ai.r before determjning the mas by shaking the container while
inuner ed. Maintain the water level in the bath at the overflow depth to obtain a con tant water
level throughout the test.
Note 5 -The container should be inunersed to a depth sufficient to cover it and the test sample
during mass determination. Wire u pending the container hould be of the malle t practical size
to minimize any possible effects of a variable immersed length.

8.5. Dry the test sample to constant mass according to T 2SS at 110 ± soc (230 ± 9 °F ) , cool in air at
room temperature I to 3 h, or until the aggregate has cooled to a temperature that is comfortable to
handle (approxjmately S0°C) , and determine the ma . U e this weight for A in the calculations in
Section 9 .

9. CALCULATIONS

9.1. Specific Gravity:

9.1.1. Bulk Specific Gravity- alculate the bulk pecific gravity, 23/23° (73. 4173. 4°F), as follows:

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 bulk sp gr = AI(B-C) (1 )
where:
A mass of oven-dry test sample in air, g;
8 mass of SSD test sample in air, g; and
C mass of saturated test sample in water, g.

9.1.2. Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) alculate the bulk specific gravity, 23/23°C (73. 4/73. 4°F ) , on the
basis of mass of SSD aggregate as follows:
bulk p gr ( aturated urface-dry) = B I (B- C) (2)

9.1.3. Apparent Specific Gravity-Calculate the apparent specific gravity, 23/23°C (73. 4/73. 4°F) ,
as follows:
apparent sp gr = A I (A- C) (3)

9.2. Average Specific Gravity Values-When the sample is tested in separate size fractions, the
average value for bulk pecific gravity, bulk specific gravity (SSD ) , or apparent specific gravity
can be computed as the weight ed average of the values as computed in accordance with
Section 9 . 1 using the following equation:

G -=------=
:------=-
- (4)
� P,,
=

Pz +···
I OOG2
+
IOOG1 IOOG,

where:
G average pecific gravit y (All form of expres ion of specific gravity can be
averaged in this manner. ) ;
P1,P2···P, mass percentages of each size fraction present in the original sample; and
G,, G2 ... G, = appropriate specific gravity values for each size fraction depending on the type
of specific gravity being averaged.
Note 6-Some users of this method may wish to express the results in terms of den ity. D ensity
may be determined by multiplying the bulk specific gravity, bulk specific gravity (SSD ) , or
apparent specific gravity by the den ity of water (997. 5 k g/m3 or 0. 9 975 Mglm3 or 62. 27 lb/ft3
at 23°C) . Some authorities recommend using the density of water at 4°C (1000 k g/m3 or
1. 000 Mg/ m3 or 62. 43 lb/ft3) a being sufficiently accurate. The den ity terminology
corresponding to bulk specific gravity, bulk specific gravity (SSD ) , and apparent specific
gravity has not been standardized.

9.3. Absorption alculate the percentage of absorption, as follows:

absorption, percent = [ ( B- A) I AJ x I00 (5)

9.4. Average Absorption Value-When the sample is tested in separate size fraction , the average
absorption value is the average of the values as computed in Section 9 . 3, weighted in proportion to
the mass percentages of t he size fractions in t he original sample as follows:
A ( P,A, II 00) + ( � � II 00) +
= · · · (;:,A, II 00) {6)
where:
A average absorption, percent;
PI,P2···P, rna percentages of each size fraction present in the original sample; and
AI,A2···AII absorption percentages for each size fraction.

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10. REPORT

10.1. Report specific gravity results to the nearest 0. 00I (Coarse Aggregate meeting M 80 requirements
may be reported to the nearest 0. 01), and indicate the type of specific gravity, whether bulk , bulk
(SSD) , or apparent.

10.2. Report the absorption result to the nearest 0. 1 percent.

10.3. lf the specific gravity and absorption values were determined without first drying the aggregate, as
permitted in Section 8. 2, it hall be noted in the report.

11. PRECISION AND BIAS

11.1. The estimates of precision of this test method listed in Table I arc based on results from the
AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory Reference Sample Program with testing conducted
by this test method and ASTM C l 27. The significant difference between the methods is that
ASTM C l 27 requires a saturation period of 24 ± 4 h, while T 85 requires a saturation period of
15 to 19 h. This difference has been found to have insignificant effect on the precision indice .
The data are based on the analyses of more than I 00 paired test results from 40 to I 00
laboratories.

Table 1-Precision
Acceptable
Standard Range of
Deviation Two Re ults
(I s)a (d2s)a
Single-operator precision:
Bulk specific gravity ( dry) 0.009 0.025
Bulk specific gravity ( SSD) 0.007 0.020
Apparent specific gnwity 0.007 0.020
Ab orption,b percent 0.088 0.25

Multilaboratory precision:
Bulk specific gravity (dry) 0.013 0.038
Bulk specific gravity (SSD) 0.011 0.032
Apparent pecific gravity 0.011 0.032
Absorption: percent 0.145 0.41
These numbers represent, respecti\•ely, the ( I s) and (d2s) limits as de cribed in ASTM C670. The
precision estimates were obtained from the analysis of combined AASHTO Materials Reference
Lab orat ory reference ample data rrom laboratorie using 15-h minimum aturation time and
other laboratories using 24 ± 4-h saturation time. Testing was perfonned on aggregates of nom1al
specific gravities and staned with aggregates in the oven-dry condition.
Precision estimates arc based on aggregates with absorptions of less than 2 percent.

11.2. Bias-Because there is no accepted reference material for determining the bias for the procedure
in this test method, no statement on bias is being made.

12. KEYWORDS

12.1. Absorption; coarse aggregate· saturated surface-dry (SSD ) · specific gravity.

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APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DEVELOPMENT OF EQUATIONS

X1.1. The derivation of the equation is apparent from the following implified cases using two olid .
Solid I has a mass W1 in grams and a volume V1 in milliliters; its specific gravity (G1) is therefore
WdV1. olid 2 has a mass W2 and volume V2, and G 2 W2/V2. If the two solids are considered
=

together the specific gravity of the combination is the total mas in grams divided by the total
volume in milliliter :
G = (� + W,)!(V, +V2) (Xl.l)
Manipulation of this equation yields the following:
I
G= (Xl.2)
� +V2
w;+W2 1
G= � [v,) (X/.3)
w,
[v')
+
w;+w2 w; w;+w2 w2
However, the mass fractions of the two solids are:
w; I:: (X/.4)
(w; +�) 100
...,.
----'-
...- ----,.- = -

and:

w2 1 P.,
-;------''-
7-- (XJ.5)
( rt; + W2 ) oo
= --

and:

_..!._ _!j_ and 1 _!j_ (X/.6)

Gl wl w2
= -- =

c2
therefore:

(Xl.7)

An example of the computation i given in Table X 1.1.

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Table X1.1-Example Calculation of Average Values of Specific Gravity and Absorption for a Coarse
Aggregate Tested in Separate Sizes
Size Fraction, Percent in Bulk pccific Sample Mass Absorption,
mm (in.) Original Sample Gravity (SSDY sed in Test, g %
4.75 to 12.5 44 2.72 2213.0 0.4
(No.4 to 1/2)
12.5 to 37.5 35 2.56 5462.5 2.5
(1h to l1/2)
37.5 to63 21 2.54 12593.0 3.0
(l1/2 to 21/2)
Average specific gravity (SSD)

GSSD = .44 0.31 5 0.21 2•62

0--+--+-- =
(Xl.8)

2.72 2.56 2.54

Average absorption:
A =(0.44 )(0.4)+(0.35)(2.5)+(0.21)(3.0)=1.7% (Xl.9)

X2. INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPECIFIC GRAVITIES AND

ABSORPTION AS DEFINED IN METHODS T 85 AND T 84

X2.1. Let:
sd bulk pecific gravity (dry ba is),
Ss bulk specific gravity (SSD basis),
Sa apparent specific gravity, and
A absorption in percent.

Then:

s, =(t+ 1�0)s" (X2.1)

I
s. = -1,.--- --A,.-
- ASd (X2.2)
___

sd 100 100 1
I
s. =I +A/100 A (X2.3)

s, 100

A=(:: - } oo (X2.4)

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 A= ( s.-S, ) I 00 (X2.5)
s.( s,-1)

1 This method i technically equivalent to A TM C127-12.

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