Complete SG Reference 2026 — Specific Gravity Data for All Concrete Materials: Cement, Aggregates, SCMs, Admixtures, Water & Steel. SSD vs OD vs Apparent Explained. Test Methods per IS 2386, IS 4031, ASTM C127/C128/C188. How SG Drives Absolute Volume Mix Design.
Specific gravity (SG), also called relative density, is the ratio of the mass of a material to the mass of an equal volume of water at 4°C (or at the test temperature, corrected to 4°C). It is dimensionless — a pure number with no units. For concrete mix design, specific gravity is the single most important physical property after strength — every component's volume in the 1 m³ absolute volume calculation depends on its specific gravity.
A 0.05 error in the specific gravity of coarse aggregate (entering 2.65 instead of 2.70) changes the calculated CA mass by approximately 28 kg/m³ — equivalent to misproportioning the mix by 2.4% of total concrete mass. At scale — 500 m³ of concrete — this represents 14 tonnes of misplaced aggregate. This is why IS 10262:2019 Clause 5.5 requires site-tested specific gravity values, not assumed defaults, for production mix design.
The following visual shows where all major concrete materials sit on the specific gravity scale, from the lightest (air-entrained voids = 0) to the heaviest (heavyweight aggregate = 4.5+).
Aggregate specific gravity is not a single value — it depends on whether pore water is included in the mass and/or volume calculation. The distinction is critical for concrete mix design: using the wrong SG definition causes systematic errors in absolute volume calculations. IS 10262:2019 and ACI 211.1 both use SSD specific gravity for aggregate in mix design.
All pore water removed by drying at 105°C until constant mass. Mass measured = dry aggregate only. Pore volume included in aggregate volume but pore water not included in mass.
Formula: SG_OD = M_dry / V_surface_dry
Use: Determining total porosity and void ratio of aggregate. Lowest of the three SG values for porous aggregates.
Aggregate dried at ambient conditions — surface dry but some internal pore water retained. Intermediate between OD and SSD conditions. AD condition is the typical state of stockpiled aggregates that have not been recently wetted.
Use: Intermediate reference; rarely used in mix design calculations directly. Most aggregate moisture tests measure surface moisture above AD condition.
All pores saturated with water, surface dry (no free water on surface). Mass = dry mass + absorbed water. Volume = total particle volume including pores.
Formula: SG_SSD = M_SSD / V_SSD
Why used: At SSD condition, the aggregate neither absorbs water from nor contributes water to the concrete paste — making the mix design water calculation clean and accurate. IS 10262:2019 Cl. 5.5 explicitly requires SSD SG.
Mass of dry aggregate divided by the impermeable solid volume only (excluding all pore volume — open and closed). Highest SG value of the three.
Formula: SG_App = M_dry / V_solid_only
Use: Research and detailed durability modelling where true solid density of the rock mineral is needed. Not used in routine mix design. For low-porosity aggregates (granite, basalt), SG_App ≈ SG_SSD ± 0.02.
When a quarry lab reports aggregate specific gravity without specifying the moisture condition, it may be reporting the OD (oven-dry) SG — which is typically 0.02–0.06 lower than SSD SG for normal aggregates. Using OD SG in the absolute volume calculation will underestimate the aggregate volume per unit mass, resulting in a mix that has more aggregate by volume than designed — and consequently less paste volume, lower workability, and potentially lower strength. Always confirm which SG condition is being reported and convert if necessary using the absorption value: SG_SSD = SG_OD × (1 + Absorption/100).
Complete SG data for every material used in concrete mix design. All values at 4°C reference temperature. Colour coding: Teal = Low SG (<2.0) Blue = Mid SG (2.0–3.0) Purple = High SG (3.0–4.0) Pink = Very High SG (>4.0)
| Material | SG Type | Typical SG Range | Standard Value Used in MixDesignCalc | Test Method | Standard | Key Notes & Variability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS | ||||||
| OPC 53 Grade (IS 12269) | True / Absolute | 3.12–3.16 | 3.15 | Le Chatelier Flask / Pycnometer | IS 4031 Pt.11 / ASTM C188 | Varies ±0.02 with clinker composition and grinding fineness. Use manufacturer TDS value if available. |
| OPC 43 Grade (IS 8112) | True | 3.10–3.16 | 3.14 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | Slightly lower than OPC 53 due to coarser grinding; same mineral composition |
| PPC — Portland Pozzolana Cement (IS 1489 Pt.1) | True | 2.85–2.92 | 2.89 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | Lower than OPC due to fly ash content (15–35%). Blending ratio affects SG — check manufacturer TDS. Critical difference from OPC 3.15 — entering 3.15 for PPC overstates cement volume by 8–9%. |
| PSC — Portland Slag Cement (IS 455) | True | 2.88–2.93 | 2.90 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | GGBS component (25–65%) lowers SG. Similar to PPC range. Verify with specific product TDS. |
| SRC — Sulfate Resisting Cement (IS 12330) | True | 3.12–3.16 | 3.14 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | Low C₃A formulation — SG similar to OPC due to same basic clinker minerals, modified proportions |
| Rapid Hardening Cement (IS 8041) | True | 3.12–3.18 | 3.15 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | IS 4031 Pt.11 | Finer grinding, higher C₃S — SG essentially same as OPC 53 |
| SUPPLEMENTARY CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS (SCMs) | ||||||
| Class F Fly Ash (IS 3812 / ASTM C618) | True | 1.90–2.55 | 2.20 | Pycnometer / IS 4031 Pt.11 method | IS 3812 / ASTM C188 | Wide range — low-calcium fly ash (Class F): 1.9–2.4; high-calcium (Class C): 2.4–2.8. Use tested value — entering OPC SG (3.15) for fly ash causes 43% underestimate of fly ash volume per m³. |
| Class C Fly Ash (ASTM C618) | True | 2.40–2.80 | 2.65 | ASTM C188 | ASTM C618 | Higher calcium content → higher SG than Class F. Not classified in IS — use ASTM C618 for import material. |
| GGBS — Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (IS 16714 / ASTM C989) | True | 2.85–2.95 | 2.90 | IS 4031 Pt.11 / ASTM C188 | IS 16714 / ASTM C989 | CaO-rich mineral — higher than fly ash; similar to PSC. Consistent across most Indian GGBS sources (Vizag, Jamshedpur, Bhilai). Use tested value. |
| Silica Fume / Micro-Silica (IS 15388 / ASTM C1240) | True | 2.00–2.30 | 2.20 | Pycnometer (helium pycnometry preferred) | IS 15388 / ASTM C1240 | Extremely fine particles (0.1–0.5 µm) require helium pycnometry for accurate measurement — standard water pycnometry underestimates SG due to incomplete air evacuation. Note: entering 2.20 vs 2.65 for SF at 10% bwoc = ±12 kg/m³ in FA/CA residual. |
| Metakaolin (ASTM C618 Class N) | True | 2.50–2.65 | 2.60 | Helium pycnometry or IS 4031 Pt.11 | ASTM C618 | Calcined kaolin — SG between fly ash and cement. Variability moderate by source clay composition. |
| Nano-Silica (amorphous SiO₂ suspension) 2026 | True (solid particles) | 2.00–2.20 | 2.10 | Helium pycnometry (solid SiO₂); suspension SG ≈ 1.05–1.20 | ISO 16773 guidance | Supplied as suspension (SG 1.05–1.15 total) or powder. Use solid SiO₂ SG (2.00–2.20) for volume calculation, accounting only for SiO₂ solid fraction. Suspension water adds to mix water. |
| Rice Husk Ash (RHA) 2026 | True | 1.80–2.10 | 2.00 | Helium pycnometry | ASTM C618 / Research | Highly porous — standard water pycnometry unreliable. Wide variability by processing temperature (higher temp → higher SG as pores sinter). Use tested value. |
| COARSE AGGREGATES | ||||||
| Crushed Granite (Coarse Aggregate) MOST COMMON | SSD | 2.63–2.70 | 2.68 | Wire basket submersion method | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | Pink/grey/black granite — SG varies by quarry mineral composition (quartz, feldspar, mica content). Mica-rich granites lean lower (2.60). Test every new quarry approval. ±0.05 variation between quarries is common. |
| Basalt / Trap Rock | SSD | 2.70–3.00 | 2.85 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | IS 2386 Pt.3 | Dense volcanic rock — highest SG of common aggregates. Deccan Trap basalt typically 2.80–2.95. Fresh/unweathered basalt approaches 3.00. Weathered basalt significantly lower (2.50–2.70) — verify by testing. |
| Limestone (Crushed) | SSD | 2.55–2.72 | 2.65 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | IS 2386 Pt.3 | CaCO₃ dominated — SG similar to calcite (2.71 pure). Dolomitic limestone higher (2.80+). Porous or chert-bearing limestone lower. Test essential — wide variation. |
| Quartzite | SSD | 2.60–2.68 | 2.64 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | IS 2386 Pt.3 | Metamorphic quartz — very consistent SG close to quartz mineral value (2.65). Hard and durable. Good ASR performance despite high silica (crystalline silica is non-reactive vs amorphous). |
| Gabbro / Dolerite | SSD | 2.90–3.10 | 3.00 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | IS 2386 Pt.3 | Mafic igneous rock — high iron and magnesium minerals. Excellent for high-density concrete (3.00+ aggregate enables 2500+ kg/m³ concrete). |
| River Gravel (Rounded) | SSD | 2.60–2.68 | 2.64 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | IS 2386 Pt.3 | Mixed mineral composition — SG similar to granite/quartzite. Rounded shape means no flakiness. Test per source: river gravels vary by catchment geology. |
| Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) 2026 | SSD | 2.20–2.50 | 2.35 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 (adapt for high absorption) | IS 383:2016 Annex B | Lower than virgin due to porous mortar adhering to original aggregate surface. Absorption very high (3–8.5%) — must test and correct. Using virgin granite SG (2.68) for RCA will significantly overestimate RCA mass by up to 14%. |
| Recycled Brick / Masonry (RMA) 2026 | SSD | 1.80–2.20 | 2.00 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | IS 383:2016 Annex B | Very high absorption, very variable. Generally not suitable for structural concrete (>M20) — use only for low-grade fill or non-structural applications. |
| Baryte (Heavyweight — radiation shielding) | SSD | 4.00–4.60 | 4.30 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C127 | Specialist specification | BaSO₄ — very high SG for radiation-shielding concrete. Mix design requires specialist absolute volume calc with corrected densities. Resulting concrete density 3200–3800 kg/m³. |
| Sintered Fly Ash (LYTAG) — Lightweight CA | SSD (pre-wetted) | 1.50–1.80 | 1.65 | ASTM C127 (modified for high absorption) | ASTM C330 / IS 9142 | Pre-wet 24 hr before SG test. Very high absorption (8–20%). Use in LWC: concrete density 1600–1900 kg/m³. Structural LWC to M35 achievable. |
| Expanded Clay (LECA) — Lightweight CA | SSD (pre-wetted) | 0.80–1.20 | 1.00 | ASTM C127 (adapted) | ASTM C330 / IS 9142 | Extreme lightweight — SG near water (1.00). Concrete density 1200–1600 kg/m³. Floating aggregate — SG must be accounted for carefully in mix design to prevent segregation. |
| FINE AGGREGATES | ||||||
| Natural River Sand (Zone II) | SSD | 2.60–2.68 | 2.65 | Pycnometer method | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C128 | Mineral composition: quartz-dominant. SG close to quartz mineral (2.65). Coastal/marine sand may have shell fragments — check before assuming 2.65. |
| Manufactured Sand (M-Sand, Granite) DOMINANT 2026 | SSD | 2.60–2.70 | 2.65 | Pycnometer method | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C128 | Parent granite — same mineral composition as CA source. SG very consistent from same quarry. Test per lot for accuracy: ±0.03 variation typical. Often slightly higher than river sand (2.65–2.68) for fresh granite M-Sand. |
| Quarry Dust / Stone Fines | SSD | 2.55–2.70 | 2.62 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C128 | IS 2386 Pt.3 | By-product of aggregate crushing. SG depends on parent rock. Higher fines content than M-Sand may affect pycnometer test accuracy — use cone test to verify SSD condition. |
| Dune Sand / Desert Sand | SSD | 2.60–2.65 | 2.62 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C128 | IS 2386 Pt.3 | Predominantly quartz — SG consistent. Very fine (Zone IV) — not suitable for structural RCC per IS 456. Very low absorption due to smooth rounded grains. |
| Recycled Fine Aggregate (from RCA crushing) 2026 | SSD | 2.10–2.40 | 2.25 | IS 2386 Pt.3 / ASTM C128 | IS 383:2016 Annex B | High mortar content → lower SG, higher absorption (5–12%). Generally limited to ≤20% replacement of natural fine aggregate. Very high variability — test every source. |
| WATER & ADMIXTURES | ||||||
| Potable Water / Mixing Water | True | 1.000 | 1.000 | Density meter or weighing | IS 456 Cl. 5.4; ASTM C1602 | Reference material for all SG calculations. At 4°C maximum density = 1000 kg/m³ exactly. At 20°C = 998.2 kg/m³. Mix design calculations use 1.000 Sg (negligible error at 20°C). |
| PCE Superplasticizer (Liquid, 40% solid) | Bulk (liquid) | 1.04–1.10 | 1.06 | Density meter / certified TDS | IS 9103 / ASTM C494 | Liquid SP SG used to convert mass dose (% bwoc × cement mass = SP mass) to volume (SP volume = SP mass / SG). Water content in SP = volume × (1 − solid fraction). Check TDS for exact SG. |
| PCE Superplasticizer (Powder, 95% solid) 2026 | True (solid) | 1.25–1.40 | 1.30 | Pycnometer / TDS | Manufacturer TDS | Powder SP — minimal volume impact (small dose × low SG). Often omitted from absolute volume calc for <1kg/m³ doses; include for UHPC where doses 5–15 kg/m³ powder SP. |
| SNF Superplasticizer (Naphthalene Liquid) | Bulk (liquid) | 1.18–1.22 | 1.20 | Density meter | IS 9103 / ASTM C494 | Higher SG than PCE due to inorganic sulfonate component. Water content = volume × (1 − solid fraction, typically 0.40–0.42 solid). |
| Normal WRA / Retarder (Lignosulfonate Liquid) | Bulk (liquid) | 1.10–1.20 | 1.15 | Density meter | IS 9103 / ASTM C494 | Lower volume per m³ than SNF. At standard dose (0.4% bwoc on 350kg/m³ cement) = 1.4 kg / 1.15 = 1.22 L/m³ — small but non-negligible for high-precision mixes. |
| Non-Chloride Accelerator (Ca Nitrate solution) | Bulk (liquid) | 1.15–1.25 | 1.20 | Density meter / TDS | IS 9103 / ASTM C494 | Inorganic solution — SG varies with concentration. At 2% bwoc on 400kg/m³: 8kg / 1.20 = 6.7 L/m³. Include in absolute volume calc for cold weather mixes where dose is significant. |
| Crystalline Waterproofing Admixture (Powder) | True (solid) | 2.40–2.60 | 2.50 | TDS / manufacturer data | IS 9103 equivalent / ASTM | SG similar to cement — small volume impact at 0.8–1.2% bwoc dose. At 1.0% bwoc on 400kg/m³: 4kg / 2.50 = 1.6 L/m³. Include for accurate volume balance in water-retaining structures. |
| Steel Fibres (Hooked-end) | True | 7.80–7.90 | 7.85 | Weighing in air and water | IS 1786 equivalent / ASTM A820 | In SFRC/UHPC, fibre content 50–200 kg/m³. Absolute volume: 100kg / 7850 = 0.0127 m³. Reduces available aggregate volume by 1.3% at 100kg/m³ — must be included in UHPC absolute volume calculation. |
| REFERENCE MATERIALS & STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS | ||||||
| Steel Reinforcement (Fe 500D) | True | 7.80–7.87 | 7.85 | Standard reference — not tested | IS 1786 | Standard value for structural calculations. Not used in mix design volume but essential for reinforced concrete unit weight calculations and formwork pressure design. |
| Air (entrapped / entrained) | True | 0.0012 | ≈ 0 (negligible mass) | N/A — volume only | All standards | Air is treated as volume only (V_air = air% × 1.0 m³ / 100). Air mass is negligible. At 2% air content in 1 m³: V_air = 0.020 m³; mass = 0.020 × 1.2 kg/m³ ≈ 24g — effectively zero in mix proportioning. |
Every component in 1 m³ of concrete is converted from mass (kg) to volume (m³) using its specific gravity. This is the core of the IS 10262:2019 Absolute Volume Method. An error in any single SG input propagates through to all residual volumes — typically amplified in the aggregate quantities.
This table shows the cascading effect of common SG errors on the final mix proportions, calculated for the M35 example above. All errors assume all other inputs remain identical to the worked example above.
| Error Made | Correct SG | Wrong SG Entered | Effect on Component Volume | Cascading Effect on FA | Cascading Effect on CA | Total Mass Error (per m³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPC SG used for PPC cement | 2.89 (PPC) | 3.15 (OPC) | V_cem understated: 0.1333→0.1222 m³ (−0.0111 m³) | FA mass increases +17 kg/m³ | CA mass increases +27 kg/m³ | +44 kg/m³ aggregate; −33 kg/m³ apparent cement |
| OPC SG used for fly ash | 2.20 (Class F FA) | 3.15 (OPC) | V_FA understated: 0.0545→0.0381 m³ (−0.0164 m³) | FA mass +26 kg/m³ | CA mass +41 kg/m³ | +49 kg/m³ aggregate; apparent FA mass significantly wrong |
| Granite SG for basalt CA | 2.70 (basalt) | 2.65 (granite) | V_CA slightly overstated (0.0071 m³ extra volume) | FA volume reduced −0.003 m³ → FA −7 kg/m³ | CA +14 kg/m³ (mass overstated by SG error) | +7 kg/m³ net aggregate mass |
| Virgin granite SG for RCA | 2.35 (RCA) | 2.68 (granite) | V_CA understated: RCA volume overstated by 14% | FA +11 kg/m³ | CA batch masses will be wrong: 1072 kg/m³ → actual volume 1072/2.35 = 0.456 m³, not the designed 0.397 m³ | Aggregate occupies 0.059 m³ more than designed — paste volume deficient → poor workability and inadequate cover concrete |
| SSD omission — OD SG for granite | 2.68 (SSD) | 2.63 (OD, abs=1.9%) | V_CA overstated by 0.004 m³ | FA −5 kg/m³ | CA designed mass overstated +11 kg/m³ vs actual SSD | Small but systematic error; significant in M60+ where aggregate SG accuracy critical |
| Ignoring SP volume in calculation | 0.0052 m³ SP volume | 0.0000 m³ (ignored) | V_agg overstated by 0.0052 m³ | FA +8 kg/m³ excess | CA +14 kg/m³ excess | 22 kg/m³ excess aggregate — sum >1.000 m³; fresh density higher than predicted |
Step 1: Test SG of your cement from the specific manufacturer and lot (IS 4031 Pt.11) — do not assume 3.15 for PPC, PSC, or blended cements.
Step 2: Test SG of your FA and CA from your specific quarry (IS 2386 Pt.3) — minimum once per source approval and once per 1,000 tonnes.
Step 3: Obtain liquid admixture SG from the Technical Data Sheet — measure with a density meter if TDS unavailable.
Step 4: Enter all tested SG values into MixDesignCalc — do not rely on default values for production mix design (defaults are acceptable for preliminary proportioning only).
Step 5: Cross-check: theoretical fresh density = (sum of all component masses in kg/m³) ÷ 1.000 m³. Compare with measured fresh density (IS 1199 Pt.3). Deviation >50 kg/m³ = SG input error likely.
Accurate specific gravity measurement requires careful adherence to standard test procedures. The three main test methods are described below — choose based on material type.
Used exclusively for cement and finely ground materials (SCMs). The flask has a graduated neck that measures the volume of liquid displaced by the solid material.
Wire basket suspension in water measures buoyancy force → displaced volume of SSD aggregate sample.
500 mL capacity pycnometer (specific gravity bottle) filled with SSD fine aggregate and water — displacement volume calculated by mass difference.
For particles finer than approximately 10 µm (silica fume 0.1–0.5 µm; nano-silica 5–200 nm; some fly ash), standard water pycnometry cannot remove all air from between particles regardless of vacuum application or boiling. Trapped air systematically underestimates SG. The 2026 accepted method for ultra-fine pozzolans is helium gas pycnometry (also called AccuPyc or multipycnometer) which uses helium gas to measure the true solid volume — helium's small atomic radius penetrates pores and gaps that water and air cannot reach. Typical results: Silica Fume by water pycnometry = 2.05–2.10; by helium pycnometry = 2.18–2.26 (more accurate). For mix design purposes, the helium pycnometry value should be used when available — it reduces systematic overestimation of silica fume volume in the absolute volume calculation by approximately 5–8%.
Default SG values used in MixDesignCalc when site-tested values are not entered. For production mix design, always replace these with site-tested values per the protocol above. These values represent the 50th percentile of the range from Indian quarry and manufacturer data.
| Material | MixDesignCalc Default SG | Typical Tested Range | Error if Default Wrong | Testing Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPC 53 Grade | 3.15 | 3.12–3.16 | ±1% volume error | Low — consistent range |
| OPC 43 Grade | 3.14 | 3.10–3.16 | ±1–2% volume error | Low |
| PPC (IS 1489) | 2.89 | 2.85–2.92 | ±2–3% volume error | HIGH — using OPC default causes 8–9% volume error |
| PSC (IS 455) | 2.90 | 2.88–2.93 | ±1% volume error | HIGH — same reason as PPC |
| Class F Fly Ash | 2.20 | 1.90–2.55 | ±15–30% volume error | CRITICAL — widest range of all materials |
| GGBS | 2.90 | 2.85–2.95 | ±2% volume error | Medium |
| Silica Fume | 2.20 | 2.00–2.30 | ±5–8% volume error | HIGH — use helium pycnometry |
| Crushed Granite CA | 2.68 | 2.63–2.70 | ±2% volume error | Medium — test per quarry source |
| Basalt CA | 2.85 | 2.70–3.00 | ±5–10% volume error | HIGH — wide quarry variation |
| Limestone CA | 2.65 | 2.55–2.72 | ±3–5% volume error | Medium-High |
| RCA (Recycled Concrete Agg.) | 2.35 | 2.20–2.50 | ±7–15% volume error | CRITICAL — every delivery lot |
| M-Sand / Manufactured Sand FA | 2.65 | 2.60–2.70 | ±2% volume error | Medium |
| Natural River Sand FA | 2.65 | 2.60–2.68 | ±1–2% volume error | Low-Medium |
| PCE SP (liquid) | 1.06 | 1.04–1.10 | <1% volume error at standard doses | Low (check TDS) |
| Water | 1.000 | 0.998–1.000 | Negligible | None — constant |
Not all SG values warrant the same testing investment. Focus on: (1) CRITICAL priority — fly ash (±30% if wrong), RCA (±15%), basalt (±10%). Test every source approval and every 500 tonnes in production. (2) HIGH priority — PPC/PSC cement (entering 3.15 instead of 2.89 causes 9% volume error — systematic bias in every mix), silica fume. (3) MEDIUM priority — crushed granite CA and M-Sand FA — test per quarry source approval; retest if quarry face changes significantly. (4) LOW priority — OPC 53, water, standard admixtures — defaults reliable; manufacturer TDS sufficient.
IS 4031 Part 11:1988 — BIS: Methods of Physical Tests for Hydraulic Cement — Part 11: Determination of Density. Le Chatelier flask method using kerosene displacement. Required for cement, SCMs, and fine pozzolanic materials. Repeatability: ±0.03 Sg between duplicate tests.
IS 2386 Part 3:1963 — BIS: Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete — Part 3: Specific Gravity, Density, Voids, Absorption and Bulking. Wire basket method (coarse aggregate) and pycnometer method (fine aggregate). Specifies SSD, OD, and apparent SG calculations. Referenced in IS 10262:2019 Cl. 5.5.
ASTM C188-17 — ASTM: Standard Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement. Le Chatelier flask equivalent of IS 4031 Pt.11. Uses kerosene; temperature correction to 23°C. Required for ASTM C150/C595 cement compliance.
ASTM C127-15 — ASTM: Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate. Wire basket / buoyancy method. Provides SSD, OD (bulk dry), and apparent relative density plus absorption. Equivalent to IS 2386 Pt.3 (CA method).
ASTM C128-15 — ASTM: Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate. Pycnometer method; cone test for SSD condition. Includes guidance on difficult-to-test lightweight and manufactured fine aggregates.
ASTM C1240-20 — ASTM: Standard Specification for Silica Fume Used in Cementitious Mixtures. References SG testing — recommends helium pycnometry for accurate determination of silica fume specific gravity due to ultra-fine particle size.
IS 10262:2019 Cl. 5.5 — BIS: Guidance Document for Concrete Mix Design — Cl. 5.5 specifies that the absolute volume of each component must be calculated using the SSD specific gravity for aggregates and the true specific gravity (absolute SG) for cement and SCMs. Site-tested values must be used for production mix designs.
ACI 211.1 Cl. 6.3.5 — ACI: Standard Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete. Uses saturated surface-dry (SSD) specific gravity for all aggregate volume calculations. Bulk specific gravity terminology equivalent to IS SSD specific gravity.