Absorption and desorption properties of fine lightweight aggregate for application to internally cured concrete mixtures

Recently, substantial interest has developed in using fine lightweight aggregate for internal curing in concrete. Mixture proportion development for these mixtures requires the specific gravity, water absorption, and water desorption characteristics of the aggregate. This paper presents results from a recent study in which the properties of commercially available expanded shale, clay and slate lightweight aggregates (LWA’s) were measured. This research measured the time-dependent water absorption response for the lightweight aggregate. The results indicate that a wide range of 24 h water absorption values exist for commonly used fine lightweight aggregates (e.g., absorption between 6% and 31%). Desorption was measured and it was found that between 85% and 98% of the 24 h absorbed water is released at humidities greater than 93%. These properties can be normalized so that they can be efficiently used in proportioning concrete for internal curing. Normalized plots of absorption and desorption demonstrate benefits for a single function that describes a large class of expanded shale, clay, and slate aggregate for use in internal curing.

► Absorption and desorption properties of 15 commercially available expanded shale, clay and slate fine LWA were measured.
► Analyzed LWA present a wide range of 24 h water absorption (6–31%).
► 85–98% of the 24 h absorbed water is released at RH greater than 93%.
► Normalized results show benefits of a single function that describes a large class of LWA for use in internal curing.