Experiment No.

6: Surface Moisture of Fine and Coarse Aggregate

Discussion:

This test method describes a rapid procedure in the field for determining the
percentage of surface moisture in both fine and coarse aggregate by displacement in
water or by oven dry method. Surface moisture is defined as moisture in excess of that
contained by the aggregate when in a standard surface dried-condition. This is the
value desired in correcting the batch masses for the Portland cement concrete. The
accuracy of the methods depends upon the accurate information on the bulk specific
gravity of the material in a saturated surface dry condition.

Objective: To determine the percentage of surface moisture in both fine and coarse
aggregate.

Referenced Documents: ASTM (C 566-96, C 127, C 128, C 125)

Apparatus:

Balance.sensitive to 0.1 gm Sample container

Stirrer or spoon or spatula Flask or Pycnometer

Small rubber syringe or medicine dropper

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CE 133-Construction Materials and Testing –EXP6
Frando, Gaylord-Instructor
Procedure:

Method A - Pycnometer Method

The pycnometer method is a rapid method of water content determination for soils
whose specific gravity (G) is accurately known. The method is suitable for coarse-
grained soils only as the entrapped air is likely to cause a significant error in water
content determination for fine-grained soils.

Pycnometer is a density bottle of 900 mL capacity. A brass conical cap is used as a

cover. The conical cap is always screwed to the pycnometer up to the mark on the
pycnometer to give the designated volume of 900 mL. A rubber washer is placed
inside the conical cap to prevent the leakage of water through the walls of the
pycnometer and the conical cap.

Procedure:
The principle of water content determination by pycnometer method is illustrated in
Fig. 4.16.

i. The weight of a clean and dry pycnometer with the cap is taken and
recorded (W1).

ii. About 200-400 g of a wet soil sample is placed in the pycnometer and the
weight of the pycnometer with cap and wet soil is taken (W2).

iii. Water is added to the pycnometer in increments and the contents are mixed
using a glass rod. Care should be taken to remove the entrapped air
completely by mixing the contents thoroughly. A vacuum pump may also
be used for this purpose.

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CE 133-Construction Materials and Testing –EXP6
Frando, Gaylord-Instructor
Derivation of Expression for Water Content in Pycnometer Method:
Referring to Fig. 4.16, water content will be –
ω = Ww/Wd
and the weight of water in wet soil will be –
Ww = (W2 – W1) – Wd EQUATION 1

Here, W2 and W1 are known.

The weight of dry soil (Wd) is determined as follows:
G = γs/γw = Wd/Vsγw Vsγw = Wd/G
G=Specific Gravity
Now,
W4 = W3 – Wd + Ww
But Ww= Vsγw

Then,

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CE 133-Construction Materials and Testing –EXP6
Frando, Gaylord-Instructor
 EQUATION 2

From , ω = Ww/Wd Substitute Equation 1, Ww and Equation 2, Wd

https://www.soilmanagementindia.com/soil/determination-of-water-content/how-
to-determine-the-water-content-of-
soil/13320#:~:text=The%20pycnometer%20method%20is%20a,determination%
20for%20fine%2Dgrained%20soils.

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CE 133-Construction Materials and Testing –EXP6
Frando, Gaylord-Instructor
 Method B – Oven Dry

1. Obtain a representative sample of aggregate. For fine aggregate, obtain a

specimen with a weight (mass) of approximately 500 gm. For Coarse
aggregate, obtain a specimen of approximately 1000 gm.
2. Identify and weigh sample container.
3. Put the sample aggregate into a container.
4. Weigh the container with sample aggregate to the nearest 0.1 gm.
5. Dry the sample to constant weigh (mass) at 110 oC +/- 5 oC ( 230 oF +/- 9 oF).

6. When dry, weigh to the nearest 0.1 gm, and record as oven dry.

Calculation:

1. Total percentage of moisture in an oven dry basis:

%Moisture = Wet Wt. - Dry Wt. x 100%

(Oven Dry Basis) Dry Wt.

2. Calculate the percentage surface (free) moisture:

% Surface Moisture = (% Moisture, Oven Dry Basis) - (%Absorption, from Mix Design)
But,

Absorption -- maximum amount of water the aggregate will absorb.

The range for most normal-weight aggregates is 1 - 2%.

Whereas;

Oven-dry (WOD)= all moisture removed.

Saturated-surface-dry (WSSD); surface moisture removed, all

internal pores full.

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CE 133-Construction Materials and Testing –EXP6
Frando, Gaylord-Instructor
% Surface Moisture, Saturated Surface Dry Method (SSD)

http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1101/notes/concrete/everything_about_concrete/06_
aggregate.html

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CE 133-Construction Materials and Testing –EXP6
Frando, Gaylord-Instructor