This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: C127 − 15

Standard Test Method for

Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse
Aggregate1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C127; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-

1.1 This test method covers the determination of relative gregates
density (specific gravity) and the absorption of coarse aggre- C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
gates. The relative density (specific gravity), a dimensionless and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
quantity, is expressed as oven-dry (OD), saturated-surface-dry C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
(SSD), or as apparent relative density (apparent specific Aggregates
gravity). The OD relative density is determined after drying the C330 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Struc-
aggregate. The SSD relative density and absorption are deter- tural Concrete
mined after soaking the aggregate in water for a prescribed C332 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Insulat-
duration. ing Concrete
C566 Test Method for Total Evaporable Moisture Content of
iTeh Standards
1.2 This test method is not intended to be used with
lightweight aggregates that comply with Specification C332
Aggregate by Drying
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
Group I aggregates.
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1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing
Size
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. Document Preview
1.4 The text of this test method references notes and
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
D448 Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and Bridge Construction
ASTM
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not beC127-15
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves
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considered as requirements of this test method.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 2.2 AASHTO Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the AASHTO T 85 Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Aggregate3
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3. Terminology
3.1 For definition of terms used in this standard, refer to
2. Referenced Documents Terminology C125.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) 4. Summary of Test Method
and Voids in Aggregate 4.1 A sample of aggregate is immersed in water for 24 6 4
h to essentially fill the pores. It is then removed from the water,
the water dried from the surface of the particles, and the mass
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on determined. Subsequently, the volume of the sample is deter-
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.20 on Normal Weight Aggregates. mined by the displacement of water method. Finally, the
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015. Published March 2015. Originally sample is oven-dried and the mass determined. Using the mass
approved in 1936. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as C127–12. DOI:
10.1520/C0127-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
the ASTM website. http://www.transportation.org.

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1
 C127 − 15
values thus obtained and formulas in this test method, it is at any point within the range used for this test, or 0.5 g,
possible to calculate relative density (specific gravity) and whichever is greater. The balance shall be equipped with
absorption. suitable apparatus for suspending the sample container in water
from the center of the platform or pan of the balance.
5. Significance and Use
6.2 Sample Container—A wire basket of 3.35 mm (No. 6) or
5.1 Relative density (specific gravity) is the ratio of mass of finer mesh, or a bucket of approximately equal breadth and
an aggregate to the mass of a volume of water equal to the height, with a capacity of 4 to 7 L for 37.5-mm (11⁄2-in.)
volume of the aggregate particles – also referred to as the nominal maximum size aggregate or smaller, and a larger
absolute volume of the aggregate. It is also expressed as the container as needed for testing larger maximum size aggregate.
ratio of the density of the aggregate particles to the density of The container shall be constructed so as to prevent trapping air
water. Distinction is made between the density of aggregate when the container is submerged.
particles and the bulk density of aggregates as determined by
6.3 Water Tank—A watertight tank into which the sample
Test Method C29/C29M, which includes the volume of voids
container is placed while suspended below the balance.
between the particles of aggregates.
6.4 Sieves—A 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve or other sizes as
5.2 Relative density is used to calculate the volume occu-
needed (see 7.2 – 7.4), conforming to Specification E11.
pied by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate,
including hydraulic cement concrete, bituminous concrete, and 6.5 Oven—An oven of sufficient size, capable of maintain-
other mixtures that are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute ing a uniform temperature of 110 6 5 °C (230 6 9 °F).
volume basis. Relative density (specific gravity) is also used in
the computation of voids in aggregate in Test Method C29/ 7. Sampling
C29M. Relative density (specific gravity) (SSD) is used if the 7.1 Sample the aggregate in accordance with Practice D75.
aggregate is in a saturated-surface-dry condition, that is, if its 7.2 Thoroughly mix the sample of aggregate and reduce it to
absorption has been satisfied. Alternatively, the relative density the approximate quantity needed using the applicable proce-
(specific gravity) (OD) is used for computations when the dures in Practice C702. Reject all material passing a 4.75-mm
iTeh Standards
aggregate is dry or assumed to be dry. (No. 4) sieve by dry sieving and thoroughly washing to remove
5.3 Apparent relative density (specific gravity) pertain to the dust or other coatings from the surface. If the coarse aggregate

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solid material making up the constituent particles not including contains a substantial quantity of material finer than the
the pore space within the particles that is accessible to water. 4.75-mm sieve (such as for Size No. 8 and 9 aggregates in
Classification D448), use the 2.36-mm (No. 8) sieve in place of
Documentin the pore spaces Preview
5.4 Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the
mass of an aggregate due to water absorbed the 4.75-mm sieve. Alternatively, separate the material finer
within the constituent particles, compared to the dry condition, than the 4.75-mm sieve and test the finer material according to
when it is deemed that the aggregate has been in contact with Test Method C128.
water long enough to satisfy most of the absorptionASTM C127-15
potential. NOTE 1—If aggregates smaller than 4.75 mm (No. 4) are used in the
The laboratory standard for absorption is that obtained after sample, check to ensure that the size of the openings in the sample
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submerging dry aggregate for a prescribed period of time. container is smaller than the minimum size aggregate.
Aggregates mined from below the water table commonly have 7.3 The minimum mass of test sample to be used is given as
a moisture content greater than the absorption determined by follows. Testing the coarse aggregate in several size fractions is
this test method, if used without opportunity to dry prior to use. permitted. If the sample contains more than 15 % retained on
Conversely, some aggregates that have not been continuously the 37.5-mm (11⁄2-in.) sieve, test the material larger than 37.5
maintained in a moist condition until used are likely to contain mm in one or more size fractions separately from the smaller
an amount of absorbed moisture less than the 24-h soaked size fractions. When an aggregate is tested in separate size
condition. For an aggregate that has been in contact with water fractions, the minimum mass of test sample for each fraction
and that has free moisture on the particle surfaces, the shall be the difference between the masses prescribed for the
percentage of free moisture is determined by deducting the maximum and minimum sizes of the fraction.
absorption from the total moisture content determined by Test Nominal Maximum Size, Minimum Mass of Test
Method C566. mm (in.) Sample, kg (lb)
12.5 (1⁄2 ) or less 2 (4.4)
5.5 The general procedures described in this test method are 19.0 (3⁄4 ) 3 (6.6)
suitable for determining the absorption of aggregates that have 25.0 (1) 4 (8.8)
37.5 (11⁄2 ) 5 (11)
had conditioning other than the 24-h soak, such as boiling 50 (2) 8 (18)
water or vacuum saturation. The values obtained for absorption 63 (21⁄2 ) 12 (26)
by other test methods will be different than the values obtained 75 (3) 18 (40)
90 (31⁄2 ) 25 (55)
by the prescribed soaking, as will the relative density (specific 100 (4) 40 (88)
gravity) (SSD). 125 (5) 75 (165)
7.4 If the sample is tested in two or more size fractions,
6. Apparatus determine the grading of the sample in accordance with Test
6.1 Balance—A device for determining mass that is Method C136, including the sieves used for separating the size
sensitive, readable, and accurate to 0.05 % of the sample mass fractions for the determinations in this method. In calculating