ASTM C566 – 19 Procedural Outline
Standard Test Method for Total Evaporable Moisture Content of
Aggregate by Drying
The following summarizes the procedural steps required for the determination of the
percentage of evaporable moisture in a sample of aggregate by drying both surface
moisture and moisture in the pores of the aggregate.
Reference is made to Sections 5 through 8 of the standard.
The following steps apply for apparatus. (Section 5)
1. Balance: (Section 5.1)
a. A balance or scale accurate, readable, and sensitive to within 0.1 % of the test
load at any point within the range of use.
b. Within any interval equal to 10 % of the capacity of the balance or scale used to
determine mass, the load indication shall be accurate within 0.1 % of the
difference in masses.
2. Source of Heat: (Section 5.2)
a. A ventilated oven capable of maintaining the temperature surrounding the
sample at 110 ± 5°C.
b. Where close control of the temperature is not required (reference Section 4.1),
other suitable sources of heat may be used, such as an electric or gas hot plate,
electric heat lamps, or a ventilated microwave oven.
3. Sample Container: (Section 5.3)
a. A container not affected by the heat, of sufficient volume to contain the sample
without danger of spilling, and of such shape that the depth of sample will not
exceed one fifth of the least lateral dimension.
Precaution: When a microwave oven is used, the container shall
be nonmetallic. (Section 5.3.1)
Note: Except for testing large samples, an ordinary frying pan is
suitable for use with a hot plate, or any shallow flat-bottomed
metal pan is suitable with heat lamps or oven. Note the precaution
in Section 5.3.1. (Note 2)
4. Stirrer: (Section 5.4)
a. A metal spoon or spatula of convenient size.
The following steps apply for sampling. (Section 6)
5. Sample in accordance with ASTM Practice D75/D75M, except for the sample size.
(Section 6.1)
Important! Please check the ASTM Compass LMS often to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date
document. Users must refer to the official written version of the ASTM standard for reference. This document is not
intended to recommend any particular course of action to any individuals or organizations. It is intended solely for the
information of the persons attending the ASTM Training and E-Learning course at which it was provided.
6. Secure a sample of the aggregate representative of the moisture content in the supply
being tested and having a mass not less than the amount listed in Table 1. (Section 6.2)
7. Protect the sample against loss of moisture prior to determining the mass.
TABLE 1 Sample Size for Aggregate
Nominal Maximum Size of Aggregate, Mass of Normal Weight Aggregate Sample,
mm (in.)A min, kgB
4.75 (0.187) (No. 4) 0.5
9.5 (3⁄8) 1.5
1
12.5 ( ⁄2) 2
19.0 (3⁄4) 3
25.0 (1) 4
1
37.5 (1 ⁄2) 6
50 (2) 8
1
63 (2 ⁄2) 10
75 (3) 13
90 (31⁄2) 16
100 (4) 25
150 (6) 50
A
Based on sieves meeting ASTM Specification E11.
B
Determine the minimum sample mass for lightweight aggregate by multiplying the value
listed by the dry-loose unit mass of the aggregate in kg/m3 (determined using ASTM Test
Method C29/C29M) and dividing by 1600.
The following steps apply for procedure. (Section 7)
8. Determine the mass of the sample to the nearest 0.1 %. (Section 7.1)
9. Dry the sample thoroughly in the sample container by means of the selected source of
heat, exercising care to avoid loss of any particles. (Section 7.2)
a. Very rapid heating may cause some particles to explode, resulting in loss of
particles.
10. Use a controlled temperature oven when excessive heat may alter the character of the
aggregate, or where more precise measurement is required.
11. 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.
12. When using a microwave oven, stirring of the sample is optional.
Caution: When using a microwave oven, occasionally minerals
are present in aggregates that may cause the material to overheat
and explode. If this occurs it can damage the microwave oven.
(Section 7.2.1)
Important! Please check the ASTM Compass LMS often to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date
document. Users must refer to the official written version of the ASTM standard for reference. This document is not
intended to recommend any particular course of action to any individuals or organizations. It is intended solely for the
information of the persons attending the ASTM Training and E-Learning course at which it was provided.
13. When a hot plate is used, drying can be expedited by the following procedure. (Section
7.3)
a. Add sufficient anhydrous denatured alcohol to cover the moist sample.
b. Stir and allow suspended material to settle.
c. Decant as much of the alcohol as possible without losing any of the sample.
d. Ignite the remaining alcohol and allow it to burn off during drying over the hot
plate.
Warning: Exercise care to control the ignition operation to prevent
injury or damage from the burning alcohol. (Section 7.3.1)
14. The sample is thoroughly dry when further heating causes, or would cause, less than 0.1
% additional loss in mass. (Section 7.4)
15. Determine the mass of the dried sample to the nearest 0.1 % after it has cooled
sufficiently not to damage the balance. (Section 7.5)
The following steps apply for calculations. (Section 8)
16. Calculate total evaporable moisture content as follows: (Section 8.1)
p=100 (W −D)/ D (1)
where:
p = total evaporable moisture content of sample, percent,
W = mass of original sample, g, and
D = mass of dried sample, g.
17. 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.
(Section 8.2)
18. Absorption may be determined in accordance with ASTM Test Method C127 or ASTM
Test Method C128.
Important! Please check the ASTM Compass LMS often to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date
document. Users must refer to the official written version of the ASTM standard for reference. This document is not
intended to recommend any particular course of action to any individuals or organizations. It is intended solely for the
information of the persons attending the ASTM Training and E-Learning course at which it was provided.
