Development of New Test Procedures for Determining the Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

The objective of the research is to develop and evaluate new test methods at determining the specific gravity and absorption of both fine and coarse aggregates. Current methods at determining the specific gravity and absorption of fine and coarse aggregates are the AASHTO T84-00 (ASTM C-128), Standard Method of Test for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate. In addition to the time consuming 15-19 hours for AASHTO T84-00 (24 for ASTM C-128), experience has shown that the test methods are operator skill dependent, has less repeatability and problematic with angular and rough textured fine aggregates. The new automated SSDetect – equipment utilizes the phenomenon of reflection and scattering of light rays – is evaluated as a potential to replace the existing method. For the coarse aggregates, the Vacuum Saturation method was explored as a replacement for the conventional AASHTO T85-04 (ASTM C-127). The rationale behind the development of this approach is to reduce the 15-19 hours for AASHTO T85-04 (24 hours for ASTM C-127). The Vacuum Saturation aims at substituting the 15-19 hours (24+4 hours) unagitated soaking time using a 30 mm Hg vacuum saturation process to force water into the permeable voids on the coarse aggregate surface. Statistical analysis on the test results indicated that the specific gravity (Gsb), Gsb (SSD) and Gsa of the SSDetect had no significant difference compared with the AASHTO 84-00. The SSDetect, however, underestimated the water absorption potential than the AASHTO 84-00. The Vacuum Saturation method had no statistical differences for the Gsb (dry), Gsb (SSD), Gsa and Wa % as compared with the AASHTO T85-04 (ASTM C-127)

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/18337
• Corporate Authors:

  Michigan Technological University, Houghton

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  1400 Townsend Drive
  Houghton, MI  United States  49931-1295

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  State Transportation Building, 425 West Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909
• Authors:
  • You, Zhanping
  • Mills-Beale, Julian
  • Williams, R Chris
  • Dai, Qingli
• Publication Date: 2009-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 91p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Coarse aggregates; Fine aggregates; Materials; Specific gravity; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Vacuum saturation
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I36: Aggregates;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01322435
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: RC-1535
• Contract Numbers: 2006-0414/8
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 15 2010 8:52AM