Laboratory Exercise 1.B Angeles Rycesa P

Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

BatStateU Alangilan
Alangilan, Batangas City
College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts
https://batstate-u.edu.ph/, Tel. No. (043) 425-0139 loc. 118/2121
Civil and Sanitary Engineering Department
Laboratory Exercise No. 1

Aggregates
In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Subject
Construction Materials and Testing
Submitted By:
(Group Members)
Submitted To:
(Instructor)
(Date)
Laboratory Exercise No. 1.B.
Determination of Surface Moisture of Coarse Aggregate
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDJQfgECDYQ
ASTM C70-73 Surface Moisture Determination of Coarse Aggregates: Full credits
are given to Katrina Robles, the owner of the video.
Objectives: This method of test covers a procedure for determining, in the field, the
amount of surface moisture in fine aggregate by displacement in water. The accuracy of
the method depends upon accurate information on the bulk specific gravity of material in
a saturated surface-dried condition. The same procedure, with container, may be applied to
coarse aggregate.
Standard No. ASTM C 70-73
Theory: The aggregate moisture content will affect the water content as well as its water-
cement ratio of the produced PCC (Portland Cement Concrete). Water content contributing
to the aggregate weight also affects the aggregate proportioning. Thus, this will play a
significant role in adjusting mass for moisture content and in determining surface moisture
contribution to mixing water in PCC.
Materials and Setup:

1. Sample of Aggregates
2. Balance
3. Container
Methodology:
1. The surface water content may be determined either by weight or volume. In each
case, the test shall be made at a temperature range of 18 to 29 degrees Celsius (65
to 85 F).
2. Determination by weight—Fill the container to the mark with water and determine
the weight in grams. Empty the container and place enough water in it to cover the
sample. Introduce the weighted sample of coarse aggregates into the container and
remove the air entrained. Fill the container to the original mark, and determine the
weight in grams.
3. Calculate the amount of water displaced by the sample, as follows:
WD = WC + WS – W
Where:
WD = weight displaced by the sample, g
WC = weight of container filled to the mark with water, g
WS = weight of sample, g
W = weight of container and sample, filled to mark with water, g
Discussion:
After watching the video in the link provided, ASTM C 70-73 Surface Moisture
Determination of Coarse Aggregates, one of the commonly used test methods for
performing moisture content tests of normal-weight and lightweight aggregates, I have
come to realize that aggregates are capable of both absorbing moisture internally and on
The Laboratory Manual for Construction Materials and Testing was authored by
Engr. Nicasio V. Antonio II, Engr. Oliver S. Dimailig, and Engr. Anacieto N. Mercado.
the exterior surface; and that these pores are holding measurable amounts of moisture
which can greatly affect a concrete mix.
It is needed to determine the weight of the container, sample aggregates,
container filled to mark with water, and weight of the container and sample aggregates
filled to mark with water.
WEIGHT OF SAMPLES
COARSE AGGREGATE SAMPLES OBTAINED WEIGHT (g)
WC = weight of container filled to the 60.10
mark with water
WS = weight of sample 63.90
W = weight of container and sample, 95.50
filled to mark with water
Table 1. Measured Weight of Coarse Aggregate Samples
Using the data above, water displacement can then be determined using the
formula: WD = WC + WS – W. WD = (60.10g + 63.90g) – 95.50g, WD = 28.5g.
Also, in pouring water to cover the sample aggregates in the container, it is

important to observe if there are bubbles that rise to the surface, indicating entrained air
that is needed to be filled in by mixing the aggregates. When no more bubbles rise to the
surface, that is when you will proceed to add more water until it reaches the original
mark. This proves that aggregates are porous materials that can absorb moisture
internally and externally, and despite having it in the same or different conditions, it still
contains minuscule pores.
This test method covers the field of determination of the amount of surface
moisture in the aggregates by displacement in water. It is also a proof that reliable test
methods still exist today that provide valid, uniform, and repeatable results.
Conclusion:
In the construction field, it is widely known that the quality of aggregate plays an
important role in the stability, quality, and long-term economy of all concrete structures.
As the concrete's volume is composed of 60%-75% aggregates. It is essential for its
properties to be examined first before they are utilized for any construction project.
This specific test method enables us to grasp knowledge about the surface
moisture determination of aggregates that is one of the methods use in the field before
having a successful concrete mix that will be use in building infrastructures.
Aggregate moisture content fluctuates from day-to-day and can even change from
hour-to-hour depending on how they have stored as well as exposure conditions like sun,
wind, rain, and humidity. Weighing and batching wet aggregate into its mix without
accounting for its unique moisture condition at the time of batching would result in
adding an insufficient amount of aggregate to the mix while adding excess water. The
opposite is true when weighing and batching dry aggregate without accounting for their
moisture condition. That’s why this specific test method should not be taken lightly
because its impact is as heavy as the weight of its aggregates.
Furthermore, this is a continuous process; that needs a lot of observation and

research as time passes by. Just by watching others experiment, it is not enough to fully
understand the said experiment as well as some things that you can search in the internet
that might confused you based on how they can describe it. The best thing to do is to read
a legitimate files involving the experiment and understand the concept and all the
properties to be knowledgeable enough with aggregates and the test methods involved.
Appendices:
Appendix A
Solution
Water Displacement : WD = WC + WS – W
WD = (60.10g + 63.90g) – 95.50g
WD = 28.5g
Appendix B
Laboratory Data
WEIGHT OF SAMPLES
COARSE AGGREGATE SAMPLES OBTAINED WEIGHT (g)
WC = weight of container filled to the 60.10
mark with water
WS = weight of sample 63.90
W = weight of container and sample, 95.50
filled to mark with water
Table 1. Measured Weight of Coarse Aggregate Samples
Appendix C
Documentation: Video Viewing
Appendix D
References
Hanson, K. (2019). One Thing: Aggregate Moisture Content Testing. Precast.

https://precast.org/2019/01/one-thing-aggregate-moisture-content-testing/
Moisture Content (n.d.). Pavement Interactive. https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-

desk/materials/aggregate/moisture-content/

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Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Civil and Sanitary Engineering Department

Laboratory Exercise No. 1

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Determination of Surface Moisture of Coarse Aggregate

Materials and Setup:

Table 1. Measured Weight of Coarse Aggregate Samples

Also, in pouring water to cover the sample aggregates in the container, it is

Furthermore, this is a continuous process; that needs a lot of observation and

Table 1. Measured Weight of Coarse Aggregate Samples

Hanson, K. (2019). One Thing: Aggregate Moisture Content Testing. Precast.

Moisture Content (n.d.). Pavement Interactive. https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-

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