Moisture Content

Moisture States:

Since aggregates contain some porosity, water can be absorbed into the body of the particles or retained on the surface of the particle as a film of
moisture. The following four moisture states are defined:

o Oven-dry (OD): All moisture is removed from the aggregate by heating in an oven at 105 C to constant weight (overnight heating
usually is sufficient). All pores are empty.
o Air-dry (AD): All moisture removed from surface, but internal pores partially full.
o Saturated-surface-dry (SSD): All pores filled with water, but no film of water on the surface.
o Wet: All pores completely filled with water with a film on the surface.

Of these four states, only OD and SSD states correspond to specific moisture contents, and either of these states can be used as reference states for
calculating moisture contents. The AD and wet states represent the variable moisture contents that will exist in stockpiled aggregates. The SSD state is
the best choice as a reference state for the following reasons:

o It represents the "equilibrium moisture" state of the aggregate in concrete; that is, the aggregate will neither absorb water nor give
up water to the paste.
o The moisture content of aggregates in the field is much closer to the SSD state than the OD state.
o The bulk specific gravity (BSG) of aggregates is more accurately determined by the displacement method in the SSD condition.
o The moisture content can be calculated directly from measurements of (BSG) using the displacement method.

Absorption Capacity:

Absorption capacity (AC or absorption) represents the maximum amount of water the aggregate can absorb. It is calculated from the difference in weight
between the SSD and OD states, expressed as a percentage of the OD weight:

AC = (W SSD - WOD) / (WOD) x 100%

WSSD and WOD represent the weight of the aggregate sample in the SSD and OD states. The absorption capacity is used in mix proportioning
calculations and can be used to convert from SSD to OD system or vice versa. Most normal weight aggregates have absorption capacities in the range
of 1 to 2%. Abnormally high absorption capacities indicate high-porosity aggregates, which may have potential durability problems.

Effective Absorption:

The effective absorption (EA) represents the amount of water required to bring an aggregate from the AD state to the SSD, expressed as a fraction of
the SSD weight:

EA = (W SSD – WAD) / WSSD x 100%

The effective absorption is used to calculate the weight of water absorbed (W abs) by the weight of aggregate (W agg) in the mix:

Wabs = (EA) W agg

If the aggregate is close to the OD condition when batched, it takes the aggregate some time to absorb all the water necessary to reach the SSD
condition.

Surface Moisture:

The surface moisture (SM) represents water in excess of the SSD state, also expressed as a fraction of the SSD weight:

SM = (Wwet – WSSD) / WSSD x 100%

It is used to calculate the additional water (W add) added to the concrete with the aggregate.

Wadd = (SM) Wagg

https://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/courses/ce584/concrete/library/materials/aggregate/moisture%20content.htm

Significance and Use

3.1 This test method is not widely used. However, it is a convenient procedure for field or plant determination of moisture content of fine aggregate if
specific gravity values are known and if drying facilities are not available. It can be used to adjust the aggregate mass for moisture content and to
determine surface moisture contribution to mixing water in portland cement concrete.

3.2 The accuracy of the test method depends upon accurate information on the bulk specific gravity of the material in a saturated surface-dry condition.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers field determination of the amount of surface moisture in fine aggregate by displacement in water.

1.2 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.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
2. Referenced Documents

ASTM Standards

C128 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

C566 Test Method for Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying

C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials

Citation Format

ASTM C70-13, Standard Test Method for Surface Moisture in Fine Aggregate, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2013, www.astm.org

https://www.astm.org/Standards/C70.htm]

Determination of Moisture Content of Aggregates

Determination of moisture content in total is of key significance in the control of the nature of cement especially as for workability and quality. The
measurement of the moisture content of aggregates is basically a very simple process. But it is complicated by several factors. The aggregate will
absorb a certain quantity of water depending on its porosity. The water content can be expressed in terms of the weight of the aggregate when
absolutely dry, surface dry or when wet. Water content means the free water, or that held on the surface of the aggregate or the total water content
which includes the absorbed water plus the free water, or the water held in the interior portion of aggregate particles. The measurement of the moisture
content of aggregate in the field must be quick, reasonably accurate and must require only simple apparatus which can be easily handled and used in
the field. Some of the methods that are being used for determination of moisture content of aggregate are given below:

 Drying Method
 Calcium Carbide Method
 Automatic measurement
 Displacement Method

 Measurement by electrical meter

Drying Method
The application of drying method is fairly simple. Drying is carried out in an oven and the loss in weight before and after drying will give the moisture
content of the aggregate. If the drying is done completely at a high temperature for a long time, the loss in weight will include not only the surface water
but also some absorbed water. Appropriate corrections may be made for the saturated and surface dry condition. The oven drying method is too slow for
field use. A fairly quick result can be obtained by heating the aggregate quickly in an open pan. The process can also be seeded up by pouring
inflammable liquid such as methylated spirit or acetone over the aggregate and igniting it.

Displacement Method
In the laboratory the moisture content of aggregate can be determined by means of pycnometer or by using Siphon-Can Method. The principle made
use of is that the specific gravity of normal aggregate is higher than that of water and that a given weight of wet aggregate will occupy a greater volume
than the same weight of the aggregate when dry. By knowing the specific gravity of the dry aggregate, the specific gravity of the wet aggregate can be
calculated. From the difference between the specific gravities of the dry and wet aggregates, the moisture content of the aggregate can be calculated.

Calcium Carbide Method

A quick and reasonably accurate method of determining the moisture content of fine aggregate is to mix it with an excess of calcium carbide in a strong
air-tight vessel fitted with pressure gauge. Calcium carbide reacts with surface moisture in the aggregate to produce acetylene gas. The pressure of
acetylene gas generated depends upon the moisture content of the aggregates. The pressure gauge is calibrated by taking a measured quantity of
aggregate of known moisture content and then such a calibrated pressure gauge could be used to read the moisture content of aggregate directly. This
method is often used to find out the moisture content of fine aggregate at the site of work. The equipment consists of a small balance, a standard scoop
and a container fixed with dial gauge. The procedure is as follows: Weigh 6 grams of representative sample of wet sand and pour it into the container.
Take one scoop full of calcium carbide powder and put it into the container. Close the lid of the container and shake it rigorously. Calcium carbide reacts
with surface moisture and produces acetylene gas, the pressure of which drives the indicator needle on the pressure gauge. The pressure gauge is so
calibrated, that it gives directly percentage of moisture. The whole job takes only less than 5 minutes and as such, this test can be done at very close
intervals of time at the site of work.

Electrical Meter Method

Recently electrical meters have been developed to measure instantaneous or continuous reading of the moisture content of the aggregate. The principle
that the resistance gets changed with the change in moisture content of the aggregate has been made use of. In some sophisticated batching plant,
electrical meters are used to find out the moisture content and also to regulate the quantity of water to be added to the continuous mixer.

Automatic Measurement
In modern batching plants surface moisture in aggregates is automatically recorded by means of some kind of sensor arrange that the element. The
arrangement is made in such a way that the quantity of free water going with aggregate is automatically recorded and simultaneously that much quantity
of water is reduced.

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