DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF FRESH CONCRETE USING A MICROWAVE OVEN

Investigators evaluated a microwave-oven method for measuring water content of as-delivered fresh concrete. The water content of a series of laboratory mixed concrete batches were gravimetrically determined by drying the concrete in a microwave oven and comparing these measurements with the water content used for making these mixes. Researchers used a high-power microwave equipped with a turntable to ensure uniform drying. Conventional concrete mixes employing three types of aggregates with low, moderate, and high water absorptions were used in the study as well as mixes with silica fume, fly ash, and latex. Field ruggedness of the procedure was verified in field placements of bridge deck overlays and full-depth pavement repair sections. Test results indicate that the technique is sufficiently reproducible for purposes of field control and is independent of absorption of aggregates or consistency of concrete. The simple, 16-minute test includes time for sample manipulation and check-weighing twice during the drying process. The method is applicable to latex-modified and silica-fume concretes, as well as conventional concretes. This method was developed as part of the Strategic Highway Research Program contract, Optimization of Highway Concrete Technology.

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  • Corporate Authors:

    American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

    100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700
    West Conshohocken, PA  United States  19428-2957
  • Authors:
    • NAGI, M
    • WHITING, D
  • Publication Date: 1994-12

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00675517
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Mar 15 1995 12:00AM