EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 1097-10

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 2002

ICS 91.100.15

English version

Tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates -

Part 10: Determination of water suction height

Essais pour déterminer les caractéristiques mécaniques et Prüfverfahren für mechanische und physikalische
physiques des granulats - Partie 10: Hauteur de succion Eigenschaften von Gesteinskörnungen - Teil 10:
d'eau Bestimmung der Wassersaughöhe

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 7 November 2002.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2002 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1097-10:2002 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

Contents

page
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ..............................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ....................................................................................................................................4
3 Terms and definitions....................................................................................................................................4
4 Principle ..........................................................................................................................................................5
5 Apparatus .......................................................................................................................................................5
6 Reagents .........................................................................................................................................................6
7 Preparation of test portions..........................................................................................................................7
8 Test procedure ...............................................................................................................................................7
9 Calculation of water suction height ...........................................................................................................10
10 Test report ....................................................................................................................................................10
Bibliography ..............................................................................................................................................................11

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 EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 1097-10:2002) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 154 "Aggregates", the
secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by June 2003, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by
June 2004.

This standard forms part of a series of tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates. Test methods for
other properties of aggregates will be covered by Parts of the following European Standards:

EN 932 Tests for general properties of aggregates

EN 933 Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates
EN 1367 Tests for thermal and weathering properties of aggregates
EN 1744 Tests for chemical properties of aggregates
EN 13179 Tests for filler aggregate used in bituminous mixtures

The other parts of EN 1097 are:

Part 1: Determination of the resistance to wear (micro-Deval)

Part 2: Methods for the determination of resistance to fragmentation
Part 3: Determination of loose bulk density and voids
Part 4: Determination of the voids of dry compacted filler
Part 5: Determination of the water content by drying in a ventilated oven
Part 6: Determination of particle density and water absorption
Part 7: Determination of the particle density of filler - Pyknometer method
Part 8: Determination of the polished stone value
Part 9: Determination of the resistance to wear by abrasion from studded tyres - Nordic test

This standard includes a Bibliography.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

1 Scope

This European Standard specifies a procedure for determining the water suction height of an aggregate in direct
contact with a free water surface.
NOTE Rise of moisture through an aggregate layer under the ground floor may cause moisture problems in the building. If
the layer is thicker than the water suction height of the aggregate used, the layer is considered as a water breaking layer.

2 Normative references

This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For
dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references, the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies (including amendments).

EN 932-2 Tests for general properties of aggregates — Part 2: Methods for reducing laboratory samples.

EN 932-5 Tests for general properties of aggregates — Part 5: Common equipment and calibration.

EN 1097-5 Tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates — Part 5: Determination of the water
content by drying in a ventilated oven.

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1
water suction height
level to which the water is raised by an aggregate in direct contact with a free water surface

3.2
hygroscopic water absorbing capacity
moisture content of aggregates in a sealed container at 97 % relative humidity

3.3
aggregate size
designation of aggregate in terms of lower (d) and upper (D) sieve sizes

NOTE This designation accepts the presence of some particles which will be retained on the upper sieve (oversize) and
some which will pass the lower sieve (undersize).

3.4
constant mass
successive weighings after drying at least 1 h apart not differing by more than 0,1 %

NOTE In many cases constant mass can be achieved after a test portion has been dried for a pre-determined period in a
specified oven at (110 ± 5) °C. Test laboratories can determine the time required to achieve constant mass for specific types and
sizes of sample dependent upon the drying capacity of the oven used.

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 EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

4 Principle

Dry aggregate in a vertical tube is brought into direct contact with a free water surface, allowing the aggregate to
take up water by suction. When equilibrium is reached, the water suction height is determined by measuring the
variation in moisture content within test portion.

5 Apparatus

5.1 All apparatus, unless otherwise stated, shall conform to the general requirements of EN 932-5.

5.2 Tube, made of transparent material with a height of not less than 200 mm and a diameter as specified in
Table 1. The lower end of the tube is fitted with at least four slots (2 ± 1) mm wide and (5 ± 1) mm long, as shown
in Figure 1.

NOTE Aggregates with a high value of water suction height may require a longer tube.

Table 1 — Minimum tube, container and vessel sizes

Upper aggregate Minimum internal Minimum internal

a b
size D diameter of tube surface area of vessel
c
or moisture container
2
mm mm m

8 125 0,325 ± 0,025

10 125 0,325 ± 0,025
16 140 0,325 ± 0,025
20 170 0,65 ± 0,05
32 280 1,15 ± 0,15

a
See 5.2
b
See 5.3
c
See 5.4

5.3 Vessel, made of transparent material, with an internal surface area as specified in Table 1. The vessel is fitted
with a needle made of non-corrosive material, to indicate a water level (10 ± 1) mm above the base of the vessel,
as shown in Figure 1.

5.4 Moisture container and close fitting lid, made of transparent material, with an internal surface area as
specified in Table 1 and an internal depth of at least 60 mm. The container is fitted with a heat insulated cover.

NOTE Vessels and containers can be circular or rectangular.

5.5 Glass basin, flat bottom crystallising type of 150 ml nominal capacity, to contain the potassium sulfate solution
(see 6).

5.6 Balance, with an accuracy of 0,1 g for masses of 100 g or more and an accuracy of 0,01 g for masses of less
than 100 g.

5.7 Plastic bag and rubber band, size appropriate to the diameter of the tube.

5.8 Wood stick (wooden dowel), with a diameter of (0,25 ± 0,05) times the diameter of the tube and a height of
(500 ± 25) mm, for packing of the material in the tube.

5.9 Plastic water bottle with spout, for water level adjustment, and a supply of deionised water.
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EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

5.10 Ventilated drying oven, thermostatically controlled to maintain a temperature of (110 ± 5) °C.

5.11 Steel straight edge, for striking off the top level aggregate.

5.12 Adhesive tape, to seal the moisture container.

5.13 Test cabinet, or similar controlled environment capable of maintaining a stable temperature between 20,0 °C
and 25,0°C. The chosen temperature shall be maintained at a stability of (± 1,0°C).

Dimensions in millimetres

5 ±1
2 ±1

4 5

X X

Key

1 Plastic bag 4 Water surface

2 Rubber band 5 Level needle
3 Tube

Figure 1 — Tube and vessel for determination of capillary water suction height

6 Reagents

Saturated potassium sulfate solution, prepared by dissolving (12 ± 1) g of reagent grade potassium sulfate by
stirring in (100 ± 1) g of deionised water at (40 ± 1) °C. Allow the solution to cool to room temperature and store in
a closed bottle.
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 EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

7 Preparation of test portions

Reduce the size of laboratory sample using the procedures specified in EN 932-2 to produce two test portions, one
for determination of hygroscopic water absorption (8.2) and one for determination of suction height (8.4), of the
minimum volume specified in Table 2.

Dry the two test portions of aggregate to constant mass as specified in EN 1097-5.

Table 2 — Minimum test portion volumes

Upper aggregate Minimum test portion volume

size D l

Determination Determination of
of hygroscopic packed dry density
water and water suction
b
absorbing height
a
mm capacity

8 0,25 3,0
10 0,25 3,0
16 0,25 4,0
20 0,5 5,0
32 2,0 14,0

a
See 8.2
b
See 8.3 and 8.4

8 Test procedure

8.1 General

Carry out the test in the test cabinet maintained at the selected stable temperature defined in 5.13.

NOTE To prevent condensation on the inner surface of the tube and container, the apparatus should be shielded from cold
walls, cold windows, direct sunlight and draughts.

8.2 Determination of hygroscopic water absorbing capacity

Place the glass basin containing the prepared saturated potassium sulfate solution in the centre of the moisture
container. Distribute the test portion evenly around the remaining area of the moisture container. Fit the cover
and seal the cover to the container with adhesive tape.

When the determination of water suction height (8.4) is complete, separate the moisture container and weigh the
sample (Mhyg). Determine the dry mass of the test portion (Mhygt), as specified in EN 1097-5.

Calculate the amount of water absorbed in accordance with the following equation:

M hyg − M hygt
W hyg = × 100
M hygt

where:

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EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

Whyg is the hygroscopic water-absorbing capacity, in percentage by mass;

Mhyg is the mass of moist material, in grams;
Mhygt is the mass of dry material, in grams.

Plot the calculated value of hygroscopic water absorbing capacity as a vertical line on the diagram shown
in Figure 2.

NOTE For routine quality control testing, the determination of the hygroscopic water absorbing capacity can be omitted for
materials with consistent hygroscopic characteristics.

Key
Hkon The water suction height above the free water surface of the layer where the moisture
content (Wkon).reaches a constant level (see clause 9)

Hhyg The water suction height above the free water surface of the layer where the curve for
moisture content intersects with the line of the hygroscopic absorbed moisture content (Whyg)
(see clause 9)

NOTE The moisture content in the sample is shown as a function of the height above the free water surface. Lines for
hygroscopic absorbed water and constant moisture level are plotted on the diagram.

1 Moisture content
2 Height above water surface
Figure 2 — Diagram for determination of the water suction height

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 EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

8.3 Determination of packed dry density

Determine the combined mass of the selected tube and vessel (M1).

Transfer the dry sample to the tube in four equal layers. Lightly compact each layer with 10 blows of the end of the
wooden stick, each blow being given by allowing the stick to fall freely from a height of not more than 50 mm above
the surface of the aggregate layer. Take care not to crush individual particles and distribute the blows evenly over
the surface.

After filling and compacting the last layer of aggregates, strike off the excess material with the steel straight edge
until the surface is flush with the top of the tube. Weigh the vessel with the tube and aggregate (M2).

Calculate the packed dry density in accordance with the following equation:

M 2 − M1

dry =
V × 1000
where:
ρdry is the dry packed density of sample, in kilograms per cubic metre;
M1 is the mass of vessel and empty tube, in grams;
M2 is the mass of vessel, tube and sample, in grams;
V is the calculated volume of tube , in cubic metres.

Determine the water suction height as specified in 8.4.

8.4 Determination of water suction height

Fix the plastic bag to the upper end of the tube with a rubber band and fill the vessel with deionised water until the
level needle breaks the water surface.

Wait (5,0 ± 0,5) min and add water until the level needle breaks the water surface again. Determine the total mass
of the vessel, tube, aggregate and water (M5).

Refill with water and repeat the determination of the total mass after (24 ± 2) h, (48 ± 4) h, (72 ± 4) h and
(168 ± 4) h and then at intervals of (168 ± 12) h.

When the mass change over a period of 7 days is less than 0,2 kg/m² water suction area for three consecutive 7
day periods, the test is complete.

Calculate the capillary rise and absorbed water in accordance with the following equation:

M t − M5
Wct =
0,25d t × 1000
2

where:
Wct is the absorbed and suction water in the sample after time t, in grams;
M5 is the total mass 5 min after adding of water, in grams;
Mt is the total mass, t hours/days after adding water, in grams;
dt is the tube inside diameter, in metres.

NOTE Between weighings the level of water should not fluctuate more than 1 mm. This can be achieved by connecting the
vessel to a larger water tank with constant water level or by placing an inverted cup filled with water on the edge of an
approximate 13 mm thick glass plate in the bottom of the vessel. Connections or cup and plate should be removed before each
weighing.

When the test is complete, the test portion is removed from the tube in layers with a thickness (in millimetres) not
less than the upper (D) sieve.

Weigh each layer (M3) and dry to constant mass (M4) as specified in EN 1097-5.
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EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

Calculate the moisture content of the individual layers in accordance with the following equation:

M3 − M4
W hi = × 100
M4

where:
Whi is the moisture content in layer i, percentage by mass.
M3 is the mass of moist material, in kilograms;
M4 is the mass of dry material, in kilograms;
hi is the distance from the free water level to the middle of the
individual layer, in millimetres.

9 Calculation of water suction height

Plot the relation between the moisture content in the different layers and the height above the free water surface as
shown in Figure 2. Plot the value of the hygroscopic water absorbing capacity (Whyg) (8.2) as a vertical line.

The water suction height (Hkap) is defined as the highest of the following values Hhyg and Hkon:

a) the middle height (Hhyg) above the free water surface of the layer where the curve for moisture content
intersects with the line of the hygroscopic absorbed moisture content (Whyg);
b) the middle height (Hkon) above the free water surface of the layer where the moisture content reached a
constant level (Wkon).

10 Test report

The test report shall include the following information:

a) reference to this European Standard;

b) laboratory identification;
c) product identification:
1) trademark, factory, producer or supplier;
2) type of product.
d) test procedure:
1) date of test;
2) hygroscopic water-absorbing capacity, (Whyg);
3) dry packed density of sample, (ρdry);
4) absorbed and capillary risen water in the sample as a function of time, (Wct);
5) the moisture content of the individual layers as a function of their distance above
the free water surface, (Whi);
6) the water suction height, (Hkap);
7) any deviations from the specified test temperature during the test.

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 EN 1097-10:2002 (E)

Bibliography

Statens Provingsanstalt, Swedish National Testing Institute, SP-METOD 867 : “Ballastprovning - Øvre kapillær
stighØjd ved stigende fugtfront, Svensk Standard, 1988.

Statens Provingsanstalt, Swedish National Testing Institute, SS 13 21 03 : Bestæmning av Øvre kapillær stighØjd
ved stigende fugtfront, Svensk Standard, 1987.

Fugthandbok, praktik och teori. Nevander L.E.&B.Elmarsson. AB Svensk Byggtjænst, ISBN 91-7332-716-6,
2udg., 1994.

EN 932-1 Tests for general properties of aggregates — Part 1: Methods for sampling.

EN 932-6 Tests for general properties of aggregates — Part 6: Definitions of repeatability and reproducibility.

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