CHAPTER 3

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This section summarises the procedures and materials in our project. We have determined the
various properties of fly ash, cement, aggregates such as consistency and setting time test for
cement partially replaced with fly ash and cement without replacement and determined
compressive strengths of concrete for cement partially replaced with fly ash and without
replacement. Fly ash occupies huge disposal area and has a potential threat of local ground
water and surface water pollution by leaching of metal. To mitigate the problem is to recycle
the fly ash as a safe construction material and other purposes. Due to inherent self-hardening
properties of fly ash it is used in different civil engineering applications. But it lacks adequate
strength or durability. Suitable mixture is one of the methods to enhance the strength of the
fly ash.
3.1 Fly ash characteristics
3.1.1 Water content
The object of this test is to determine the water content of fly ash sample in the laboratory by
oven-drying method. This experiment forms an essential part of many other laboratory
experiments.
THEORY
The water content or moisture content of fly ash has a direct effect on its strength and
stability. Therefore the moisture content of fly ash also effect stability and strength.
APPARATUS
i.
ii.
iii.

Non-corrodible air-tight containers,

Desiccators with any suitable desiccating agent,
Thermostatically controlled oven, with interior of non-corroding material, to maintain
temperature between 105oC to 110oC.

PROCEDURE
i.
ii.

iii.
iv.
v.

Clean the container and find its mass with lid (M1).
Put the required quantity of the moist sample in the container and replace the lid. Take
the mass (M2). The quantity of the sample to be taken depends upon its gradation and
maximum size of particles.
Keep the container in the oven with lid removed and maintains the temperature of the
oven between 105C to 110C, for about 16 to 24 hours.
Take out the container, replace the lid and cool it in the desiccator. Find the mass M3
of the container with lid and dried sample.
Calculate the result.

CHAPTER 3
CALCULATION
Water Content=

M 2M 3
100
M 3M 1

Where,
M1
=
M2
=
M3
=

Weight of empty container with lid.

Weight of container with lid + wet sample
Weight of the container with lid and dried
sample