University of Southeastern Philippines

College of Engineering

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING LABORATORY

CE 412
REPORT
SECTION
JOHN LORD M. CASTILLO
CE 4-1 GRADE

LAB EXP. 2
DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF
ASTM
AGGREGATES (FINE AND COARSE) DATE
________

I. SAMPLE SOURCE
Local Hardware

II. APPARATUS USED

Cans
Spatula
Weighing Scale
Oven
Aggregates Sample

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

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. It is a concern
for PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) because aggregate is generally not dried and
therefore the aggregate moisture content will affect the water content (and thus the
water-cement ratio also) of the produced PCC and the water content also affects
aggregate proportioning (because it contributes to aggregate weight). In general, there
are four (4) aggregate moisture conditions; oven-dry, air-dry, and saturated surface
dry.

IV. PROCEDURES
1. Prepare the materials needed for the experiment.
2. Weigh the can using the weighing scale and record its mass.
3. Using the spatula, retrieve a sample from the actual aggregates and put it in the
can.
4. Weigh the sample along with the can and record their mass.
5. Place the sample in the oven. After at least 24 hours, record the mass of the
sample every hour until no change in mass occurs. This signifies that the sample
is already in oven dry condition.
6. Weigh the oven dried sample and record the mass.

V. ILLUSTRATION (DOCUMENTATION OF ACTUAL LAB

EXPERIMENT/PICTURES AND ILLUSTRATION)

Weighing of Sample Fine Aggregates

1
 Weighing of Sample Coarse Aggregates

Weighing of Sample Coarse Aggregates

VI. RESULTS (TABLE FORM) AND CALCULATION

SAMPLE (fine) WEIGHT (can) WEIGHT WEIGHT (dry)

(sample)
A 11.6g 148.2g 134.0g
B 14.4g 204.3g 184.1g
C 11.8g 150.4g 135.6g
SAMPLE (coarse)
A 14.7g 289.9g 283.2g
B 14.7g 286.1g 279.2g
C 13.5g 247.7g 240.0g

WEIGHTwet−WEIGHTdry
Moisture Content =
WEIGHTdry−WEIGHTcan

FINE AGGREGATES:
148.2−134.0
MCa= = 0.11438, 11.438%
134.0−11.6

204.3−184.1
MCb= = 0.11903, 11.903%
184.1−14.4

150.4−135.6
MCc= = 0.11765, 11.765%
135.5−11.8

0.11438+0.11903+0.11955
MCave= = 0.11765, 11.765%
3

COARSE AGGREGATES:
289.9−283.2
MCa= = 0.02495, 2.495%
283.2−14.7

286.1−279.2
MCb= = 0.02609, 2.609%
279.2−14.7

247.7−240.0
MCc= = 0.03400, 3.400%
240.0−13.5

2
 0.02495+0.02609+0.03400
MCave= = 0.02835, 2.835%
3

VII. OBSERVATION AND CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

The color of the aggregates (fine and coarse) were lighter than before it was placed in
the oven and kept there for 24 hours.
After placing the samples in the oven, it was difficult to keep track of the total time
the samples were stored in the oven. However, the overall execution of this
experiment wasn’t that hard.

VIII. LESSONS LEARNED AND PERSONAL REFLECTION

In performing this experiment, though it was easy to perform, it is important to be
careful in handling the samples to avoid any contamination that may affect the results.
Furthermore, I learned that it is necessary to know the moisture content of aggregates
since water plays a critical role in determining the quality of a certain aggregates
sample. We all know that aggregate is a fundamental component of concrete which
workability and other properties are mostly dependent on its water content. Thus, by
determining the water content of aggregates, we will be able to control the overall
nature of concrete and use it in its peak capability. Presence of water in an aggregate
may cause an advantage or a disadvantage. Just like in real life, there are things that
make our way of living a lot easier and happier, but when we indulge so much in
these things, it may also ruin us.

IX. GROUP MEMBERS WITH PICTURE FOR THIS EXPERIMENT

Angob, Claudette Stephanie

Buladaco, Khriztle Vonn
Barba, Frances Nicole
Castillo, John Lord
Balili, Droisi John
Ausa, Joana Mae
Bonso, Lloyd

CHECKED BY: MERLINDA L. LEMIN

DATE: __________________ INSTRUCTOR
SIGNATURE