DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Materials of Construction and Testing

EXPERIMENT 2: TOTAL EVAPORABLE MOISTURE CONTENT OF AGGREGATE

BY DRYING

2.1. Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Experiment

b) Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
d) Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.

2.2. Experiments Intended Learning Outcomes (EILOs)

At the end of this experiment the student shall be able to:
a) List the commonly used construction materials.
b) Apply appropriate procedures on testing based on local or international standards.
c) Comply with the required sampling portions of the aggregates for testing.

2.3. Objectives of the Experiment

The aim of this experiment is to determine the percentage of evaporable moisture in a
sample by drying, both surface moisture and moisture in the pores.

2.4. Principle of the Experiment

One of the properties of the aggregates which should be known to design a concrete mix
is its moisture content. It is necessary in order to determine the net water -cement ratio in
a batch of concrete made with job aggregate.

This test method is sufficiently accurate for usual purposes, such as adjusting batch
quantities of ingredients for concrete. It will generally measure the moisture in the test
sample more reliably than the sample can be made to represent the aggregate supply. In
cases where the aggregate itself is altered by heat, or where more refined measurement is
required, the test should be conducted using a ventilated, controlled temperature oven.

Surface moisture content is equal to the difference between the total evaporable moisture
content and the absorption, with all values based on the mass of a dry sample.

= 100

where:

MC = total evaporable moisture content of the sample

W = mass of the original sample
D = mass of dried sample

Note: Do not include the mass (weight) of the container used in the computation.

2.5. Materials / Equipment

Balance
Source of Heat (stove / oven)
Container (enough to hold the specimens)
Scoop/Shovel
Gloves
Labelling Devices

2.6. Procedure
1. Determine the mass of the sample to the nearest 0.1 %.
2. Dry the sample thoroughly in the sample container by means of the selected source of
heat, exercising care to avoid loss of any particles. Very rapid heating may cause
some particles to explode, resulting in loss of particles. Use a controlled temperature
oven when excessive heat may alter the character of the aggregate, or where more
precise measurement is required. If a source of heat other than the controlled
temperature oven is used, stir the sample during drying to accelerate the operation
and avoid localized overheating. When using a microwave oven, stirring of the
sample is optional.
3. The sample is thoroughly dry when further heating causes, or would cause, less than
0.1 % additional loss in mass.
4. Determine the mass of the dried sample to the nearest 0.1 % after it has cooled
sufficiently not to damage the balance.

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2.7. Activity Report
Course: Experiment No.:
Group No.: Section:
Group Members: Date Performed:
Date Submitted:
Instructor:

2.8. Data and Results

Mass of container (CA) = ______________________

Mass of container (FA)
Mass of Original Sample + Container (CA)
Mass of Original Sample + Container (FA)
Mass of Dried Sample + Container (CA)
Mass of Dried Sample + Container (FA)
= ______________________
= ______________________
= ______________________
= ______________________
= ______________________

2.9. Calculation

MC = ___________________

2.10. Observation

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2.11. Conclusion/s

2.12. Rating

2.13. References

ASTM C566. (1997). Standard Test Method for Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by
Drying. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

Kourd, A., & Hammad, A. (2010). Building Materials Laboratory Manual. Retrieved July 11,
2016, from http://site.iugaza.edu.ps

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