Civil Engineering Department

CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual

Experiment No. IV
DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT OF AGGREGATES
1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to introduce the basic principle, significance and procedures in
determining the Moisture Content of Aggregates (Coarse and Fine Aggregates).
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Familiarize the equipment, apparatus and method in determining the moisture
content of coarse and fine aggregates.
2.2 Determine the Total and Surface moisture content (MC) of aggregates.
2.3 Determine the importance and role of moisture content in the construction
material utilization.
3. Discussion:
Moisture content or water content of aggregates is the quantity
of water contained in the aggregates. Moisture content is used in a wide range of
scientific and technical areas, and is expressed as a ratio, which can range from 0
(completely dry) to the value of the materials' porosity at saturation. It can be given
on a volumetric or mass (gravimetric) basis.
Moisture may be present as absorbed moisture at internal surfaces and as
capillary condensed water in small pores. At low relative humility, moisture consists
mainly of absorbed water. At higher relative humidity, liquid water becomes more
and more important, depending on the pose size.
4. Resources:
1 Unit of Oven with Temperature Control
6 Pans
1 Weighing Scale (Sensitive to 0.01g)
750 g of Fine Aggregates (for three trials)
750 g of Coarse Aggregates (for three trials)
5. Procedure:
For Fine Aggregates
1. Weigh the three pans and record, W1.
2. Prepare and wash a minimum of 750 grams test sample of fine aggregates.
3. Divide the test sample into three trials with approximately equal amount
then place it to the pan.
4. Weigh the three trials, W2.
5. Dry the sample to constant weight in an oven at 110 ± 5°C for approximately
4 hours and cool.
6. Weigh the dried sample, W3.
7. Then calculate the moisture content for the fine aggregates.
For Coarse Aggregates
1. Weigh the three pans and record, W1.
2. Prepare and wash a minimum of 750 grams test sample of coarse
aggregates.
3. Divide the test sample into three trials with approximately equal amount
then place it to the pan.
4. Weigh the three trials, W2.

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 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
5. Dry the sample to constant weight in an oven at 110 ± 5°C for approximately
4 hours and cool.
6. Weigh the dried sample, W3.
7. Then calculate the moisture content for the fine aggregates.
Course: Experiment No.:
Group No.: Section:
Group Members: Date Performed:
Date Submitted:
Instructor:

6. Data and Results:

Fine Aggregates
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Weight of Moist Sample and Container,
W2
Weight of Oven-Dry Sample and
Container, W3
Weight of Container, W1
Weight of Moist Sample, W2 – W1
Weight of Oven-Dry Sample, W3 – W1
Moisture Content, MC %

Coarse Aggregates
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Weight of Moist Sample and Container,
W2
Weight of Oven-Dry Sample and
Container, W3
Weight of Container, W1
Weight of Moist Sample, W2 – W1
Weight of Oven-Dry Sample, W3 – W1
Moisture Content, MC %

6.1 Computation
W2 − �1 − (�3 −�1 )
 Total moisture content = (�3 −�1 )
x 100
 Surface moisture content = Total moisture content – Absorption
Note: Absorption is calculated in Experiment 3

7. Observation

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 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual

8. Assessment:
BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT
CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills
Members
Members do not Members always
Manipulative occasionally
demonstrate demonstrate needed
Skills demonstrate
needed skills. skills.
needed skills
Members are Members are able to
Members are
Experimental able to set-up the set-up the material
unable to set-up
Set-up materials with with minimum
the materials.
supervision. supervision.
Members
Members do not
occasionally Members always
Process demonstrate
demonstrate demonstrate targeted
Skills targeted process
targeted process process skills.
skills.
skills.
Members follow
Members do not Members follow
Safety safety
follow safety safety precautions at
Precautions precautions most
precautions. all times.
of the time.
II. Work Habits
Time Members finish
Members do not Members finish
Management ahead of time with
finish on time with on time with
/ Conduct of complete data and
incomplete data. incomplete data.
Experiment time to revise data.
Members do not Members have Members are on
know their tasks defined tasks and have
and have no responsibilities defined
Cooperative
defined most of the time. responsibilities at all
and
responsibilities. Group conflicts times. Group
Teamwork
Group conflicts are cooperatively conflicts are
have to be settled managed most of cooperatively
by the teacher. the time. managed at all times.
Neatness Messy workplace Clean and orderly Clean and orderly
and during and after workplace with workplace at all times
Orderliness the experiment. occasional mess during and after the

8. Conclusion:

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 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
during and after experiment.
the experiment.
Members require Members do not
Ability to do Members require
occasional need to be
independent supervision by
supervision by supervised by the
work the teacher.
the teacher. teacher.
Other Comments/Observations: Total Score
(����� �����)
������ =
24
× 100
9. Reference(s):
ASTM C566 “Standard Test Method for Total Evaporable Moisture Content of
Aggregate by Drying”
AASHTO T 255 “Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying”

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