Feasibility study on measurement of water absorption in fine aggregate with macroporous surface via centrifugal compaction

• Water absorption of porous aggregate could be measured via centrifugal compaction.
• Proposed method was considered the surface macropores on the fine aggregates.
• Absorption values measured using proposed and conventional methods were compared.
• Absorption values measured using proposed method was reasonable.
• The method can be applied to all types of aggregates irrespective of their shape.

A novel method to accurately measure the water absorption of a fine aggregate with a macroporous surface, such as by-product aggregates, was investigated. Due to their unique particle shape and macropores on the surface, the saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition of the aggregate was hard to be defined by means of conventional test methods. In the present study, the SSD condition of the aggregate was newly defined via centrifugal compaction of the cement mortar considering the penetration of cement paste into the macropores. The water absorption values for aggregates, i.e., the moisture contents for it at SSD condition, were measured using the present method and compared to those measured using conventional methods. From the standpoint of concrete mix design, the water absorption values of porous aggregates measured using the proposed method were more reasonable than those measured using the conventional methods.