Simplified Evaluation of Shrinking Aggregate Based on BET Surface Area Using Water Vapor

Abstract

This paper deals with the evaluation of shrinking aggregate based on its specific surface area. The drying shrinkage strains of concretes with various types of aggregates were measured and their influences on the fundamental properties of the different types of aggregates were investigated. Furthermore, the specific surface areas (SSAs) of aggregates were obtained by the BET one point method using both nitrogen (N₂) and water vapor (H₂O). The SSAs determined by using H₂O exhibited higher values than those obtained by using N₂. The drying shrinkage strains of concretes increased with increases of the aggregate SSAs with H₂O. This finding will contribute the development of simplified testing method for the evaluation of shrinking aggregates.