Specific Weight (Unit Weight/Bulk Density)

The specific weight (also known as the unit weight) is the weight per unit volume of a material. The
symbol of specific weight is (the Greek letter Gamma).

=
Where:
is the specific weight of the material (weight per unit volume, typically N/m3 units)
is the density of the material (mass per unit volume, typically kg/m3)
is acceleration due to gravity (rate of change of velocity, given in m/s2, and on Earth usually
given as 9.81 m/s2)

Basically, weight of aggregate is measured by filling a container of known volume with a material and
weighing it. The degree of moisture and compaction will affect the unit weight measurement.

Volume is occupied by both the aggregates and the voids between the aggregate particles.
Depends on size distribution and shape of particles and how densely the aggregate is packed
Loose bulk density
Rodded or compact bulk density
Normal-weight concrete bulk density of aggregate is approximately 75-110 pcf.

Absorption and Surface Moisture

The moisture conditions of

aggregates are designated as:
1. Ovendryfully absorbent
2. Air drydry at the particle surface
but containing some interior moisture, thus
still somewhat absorbent
3. Saturated surface dry (SSD)
neither absorbing water from nor
contributing water to the concrete mixture
4. Damp or wetcontaining an
excess of moisture on the surface (free
water)

If the water content of the concrete mixture is not kept constant, the water-cement ratio will vary
from batch to batch causing other properties, such as the compressive strength and workability to vary
from batch to batch.
 1. Absorption capacity (AC) -- maximum amount of water the aggregate will absorb. The range for
most normal-weight aggregates is 1 - 2%.

2. Effective Absorption (EA) -- amount of water required to bring an aggregate from the AD state
to the SSD state.

The weight of water absorbed by the aggregate Wabs is calculated from the weight of the
aggregate Wagg in a concrete mix using effective absorption (EA).

3. Surface Moisture (SM) -- amount of water in excess of SSD

It is used to calculate the additional water Wadd of the concrete mix

The moisture content (MC) of aggregate is given by:

= 100%

If the moisture content (MC) is positive, there is surface moisture. If the MC is negative, it has the
potential for absorption.
Abrasion Value
Aggregates undergo substantial wear and tear
throughout their life. In general, they should be hard and tough
enough to resist crushing, degradation and disintegration from
any associated activities including manufacturing, stockpiling,
production, placing and compaction.

The aggregate LA abrasion test gives a relative measure of

resistance of an aggregate to wear when it is rotated in a
cylinder along with some abrasive charge.

Test Concept
A sample of aggregate retained on the No. 12 (1.70 mm) sieve is
placed inside a rotating steel drum containing a specified number of
steel spheres or charge. As the drum rotates, a shelf inside the drum
picks up the aggregate and steel spheres. The shelf carries them around
until they drop on the opposite side of the drum, subjecting the
aggregate to impact and crushing. Then, the aggregate is subjected to
abrasion and grinding as the drum continues to rotate until the shelf
picks up the contents, and the process is repeated. The drum is rotated for a specified number of
revolutions. Afterward, the aggregate is removed from the drum and sieved on a No. 12 (1.70 mm)
sieve. The aggregate retained on the sieve is weighed and the difference between this weight and the
original weight is expressed as a percentage and reported as the L.A. abrasion loss value. Lower L.A.
abrasion loss values indicate aggregate that is tougher and more resistant to abrasion.