ASTM D7370/D7370M-14

Standard Test Method for Determination of Relative Density and Absorption of Fine, Coarse and Blended Aggregate Using Combined Vacuum Saturation and Rapid Submersion

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Relative density (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. Relative density (specific gravity) is also used in the computation of voids in aggregate in Test Method C29/C29M. Relative density (specific gravity) saturated surface dry (SSD) is used if the aggregate is at SSD, that is, if its absorption has been satisfied. Conversely, the relative density (specific gravity) oven-dry (OD) is used for computations when the aggregate is dry or assumed to be dry.  
4.2 Apparent density and apparent relative density (apparent specific gravity) pertain to the solid material making up the constituent particles not including the pore space within the particles which is accessible to water.  
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, when it is deemed that the aggregate has been in contact with water long enough to satisfy the absorption potential. The laboratory standard for absorption is that obtained after submerging dry aggregate for a prescribed period of time.
Note 1: There are other test methods that have been used and continue to be used to determine these aggregate properties: C127 and C128. This test method may result in values for these properties that are close to or divergent from values from other test methods.
Note 2: The quality of the results produced by this standard are dependent upon the competence of the personnel performing the procedure and the capability, calibration, and the maintenance of the equipment used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3666 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautione...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of relative density and absorption of fine aggregates by Method A and coarse and blended aggregates by Method B.  
1.2 A multi-laboratory precision and bias statement for coarse and combined aggregate tests in this standard has not been developed at this time. Therefore, this standard should not be used for acceptance or rejection of coarse and combined aggregate materials for purchasing purposes.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Some values have only SI units because inch-pound equivalents are not used in practice.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2014
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.51 - Aggregate Tests

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7370/D7370M − 14
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Relative Density and Absorption of Fine,
Coarse and Blended Aggregate Using Combined Vacuum
1
Saturation and Rapid Submersion
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7370/D7370M; 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.
1. Scope C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
Aggregates
1.1 This test method covers the determination of relative
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
density and absorption of fine aggregates by Method A and
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
coarse and blended aggregates by Method B.
C702 PracticeforReducingSamplesofAggregatetoTesting
1.2 A multi-laboratory precision and bias statement for
Size
coarse and combined aggregate tests in this standard has not
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
beendevelopedatthistime.Therefore,thisstandardshouldnot
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
be used for acceptance or rejection of coarse and combined
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
aggregate materials for purchasing purposes.
Construction Materials Testing
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
3. Summary of Test Method
with the standard. Some values have only SI units because
3.1 Sufficient aggregate sample is dried to constant mass.
inch-pound equivalents are not used in practice.
For each test two representative dry aggregate samples of the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
same material are selected for testing. One sample is evacuated
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in a vacuum chamber inside a plastic bag and opened under
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
water for rapid saturation of the aggregate. The dry mass and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
submerged mass of the sample is used for calculation of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
apparent relative density. The second sample of the same
aggregate is tested in a known volume metal pycnometer. The
2. Referenced Documents
known mass of the pycnometer with water, mass of the dry
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
aggregate and mass of the aggregate and pycnometer filled
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”)
with water is used for calculation of unsaturated density. The
and Voids in Aggregate
results from the two samples tested are then used to calculate
C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
absorption, and relative density (OD).
Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
3.2 This test can be completed in less than 30 min and can
C128 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
be used for rapid determination of aggregate properties in
Gravity), and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
construction testing laboratories.
3.3 This test can be performed on fine, coarse and blended
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
(combined) aggregates by using appropriate plastic bag and
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.51 on
pycnometer sizes.
Aggregate Tests.
Current edition approved June 1, 2014. Published February 2015. Originally
4. Significance and Use
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D7370 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/D7370_D7370M-14.
4.1 Relative density (specific gravity) is the characteristic
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
generally used for calculation of the volume occupied by the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate, including
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Portland cement concrete, bituminous concrete, and other
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7370/D7370M − 14
mixtures that are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute controlled ma
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7370 − 09 D7370/D7370M − 14
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Relative Density and Absorption of Fine,
Coarse and Blended Aggregate Using Combined Vacuum
1
Saturation and Rapid Submersion
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7370;D7370/D7370M; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of relative density and absorption of fine aggregates by Method A and coarse and
blended aggregates by Method B.
1.2 The values are stated in SI units and are regarded as the standard units.
1.2 A multi-laboratory precision and bias statement for coarse and combined aggregate tests in this standard has not been
developed at this time. Therefore, this standard should not be used for acceptance or rejection of coarse and combined aggregate
materials for purchasing purposes.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Some values have only SI units because inch-pound equivalents
are not used in practice.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
C128 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction
Materials Testing
D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Sufficient aggregate sample is dried to constant mass. For each test two representative dry aggregate samples of the same
material are selected for testing. One sample is evacuated in a vacuum chamber inside a plastic bag and opened under water for
rapid saturation of the aggregate. The dry mass and submerged mass of the sample is used for calculation of apparent relative
density. The second sample of the same aggregate is tested in a known volume metal pycnometer. The known mass of the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.51 on Aggregate
Tests.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009June 1, 2014. Published July 2009February 2015. Originally approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 20082009 as
D7370 – 08.D7370 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/D7370-09.10.1520/D7370_D7370M-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7370/D7370M − 14
pycnometer with water, mass of the dry aggregate and mass of the aggregate and pycnometer filled with water is used for
calculation of unsaturated density. The results from the two samples tested are then used to calculate absorption, and relative
density (OD).
3.2 This test can be completed in less than 30 minutesmin and can be used for rapid determination of aggregate properties in
construction testing laboratories.
3.3 This test can be perform
...