Alternative determination of saturated-surface-dry condition for aggregates using centrifugal compaction with alcohol-cement paste

This study proposed an alternative method to define and measure the water absorption and specific gravity of aggregates. The classical Archimedes principle for measuring the density of objects was modified. Cement pastes and mortars were prepared using alcohol and water to measure the volume of the aggregate following centrifugal compaction (CC). Consequently, the volume of the paste and mortar after CC was evaluated using the mass of bleed liquid. Various experimental factors related to the CC method were considered, including the type of cement, type of solvent, revolution time, amount of initial liquid-to-cement ratio, and type of aggregate. The results obtained from CC with water and alcohol mixtures were verified using standard test methods. Thus, the water absorption and specific gravity of the aggregates under surface-saturated dry (SSD) conditions were confirmed to be measured using CC machine, regardless of the particle shape and pore structures of the aggregates.