Name: ________________________ Instructor: _____________________

Group No.: ______ Date of Performance: ____________

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

Moisture Content of Aggregates

Reference:

AASHTO T 255-00, ASTM C 566-97

Objective:

To determine the total evaporable moisture content of aggregate samples by

drying.

Equipment/Apparatus:

➢ Balance (with accuracy to 0.001 g)

➢ Source of heat (oven or hot plate)
➢ Sample container (metal bowl)
➢ Container-handling apparatus
(gloves, tongs or any suitable
holder)
➢ Miscellaneous: scoop, spatula, etc.

Figure 3-1: Apparatus for Determining Moisture Content o

Procedure:

(1) Weigh about 2.5 kg to 3.0 kg of coarse aggregate and about 0.75 kg to 1.0 kg of
fine aggregate in separate containers. Record the actual weight of each sample of
aggregate plus the weight of the container after taking the empty weight of the
container.

(2) Dry the aggregate samples using either the oven or hot plate and allow to cool to
constant weight.

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 (3) After cooling, weigh the aggregate samples and record the dried weight plus the
container.

Data/Calculation:

Data collected should include the following:

Mass of container, Mc
Mass of container and wet specimen, Mcw
Mass of container and oven-dried specimen, Mco

The water content of the aggregate sample can be calculated as follows:

M cw − M co M
w= x100 = w x100 (3-1)
M co − M c Ms

Where: w = water content, %

Mw = mass of water, g or kg
Ms = mass of aggregate particles, g or kg

Computation:

Discussion/Conclusion: