AASHTO T 84:2013 Standard Method of Test for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate.
4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1. Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculation of the volume occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures 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/T 19. Bulk specific gravity determined on the saturated surface-dry basis is used if the aggregate is wet; that is, if its absorption has been satisfied. Conversely, the bulk specific gravity determined on the oven-dry basis is used for computations when the aggregate is dry or assumed to be dry.
4.2. Apparent specific gravity pertains to the relative density of the solid material making up the constituent particles not including the pore space within the particles that is accessible to water. This value is not widely used in construction aggregate technology.
4.3. Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the mass of an aggregate due to water absorbed in the pore spaces within the constituent particles, compared to the dry condition, when it is deemed that the aggregate has been in contact with water long enough to satisfy most of the absorption potential. The laboratory standard for absorption is that obtained after soaking dry aggregate in water. Aggregates mined from below the water table may have a higher absorption when used, if not allowed to dry. Conversely, some aggregates when used may contain an amount of absorbed moisture less than that achieved by the required amount of soaking time: 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 from the total moisture content determined by T 255 by drying.
5 APPARATUS
5.1 Balance, conforming to the requirements of M 231, Class G 2.
5.2. Pycnometer—A flask or other suitable container into which the fine aggregate test sample can be readily introduced and in which the volume content can be reproduced with ±100 mm3. The volume of the container filled to mark shall be at least 50 percent greater than the space required to accommodate the test sample. A volumetric flask of 500-mL capacity or a fruit jar tilled with a pycnomeler top is satisfactory for a 500-g test sample of most fine aggregates. A Le Chatelier flask as described in T 133 is satisfactory for an approximately 55-g test sample.
5.3. Mold—A metal mold in the form of a frustum of a cone with dimensions as follows: 40 ± 3 mm inside diameter at the top. 90 ± 3 mm inside diameter at the bottom, and 75 ± 3 mm in height, with the metal having a minimum thickness of 0.8 mm.
5.4. Tamper—A metal tamper having a mass of 340 ± 15 g and having a flat circular tamping face 25 ± 3 mm in diameter.AASHTO T 84 pdf download.