Absorption in Manufactured Soil Aggregates

Abstract

Absorption characteristics of cylindrical soil aggregates manufactured using three soils of different mineralogy and composition and fired to temperatures between 1,922° F (1,050 °C) and 2,282° F (1,250 °C) were assessed with respect to absorption of water and of bitumen. The investigation revealed that the commonly used 24‐hr water absorption value is not a reliable indicator of the absorption capacity or the bitumen absorption potential of aggregates. A 5‐hr boiling test is suggested to determine the absorption capacity. Absorption of bitumen by the manufactured aggregates shows a good correlation with the porosity if pores larger than 0.05 μm in radius are considered. Mercury porosimetry is found to be a suitable technique for determining the pore size distribution of aggregates and the data may be used to predict the absorption characteristics of aggregates.