When drying SFRM for density testing, what is the maximum allowable temperature?

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Multiple Choice

When drying SFRM for density testing, what is the maximum allowable temperature?

Explanation:
The test of density for SFRM relies on removing moisture from a sample so the mass reflects the dry material, not water. But you don’t want to heat it so much that the material itself changes—thermal dehydration of binder, microcracking, or other heat-induced changes can alter true density. That’s why there’s a conservative limit on drying temperature. The maximum allowed temperature is set at 119°F because it’s high enough to drive off surface moisture effectively, yet low enough to avoid damaging the cementitious binder or causing other alterations in the material. Dry the sample until its mass stabilizes, then use that dry mass (together with the known volume) to calculate density. Using a higher temperature could produce erroneous density readings by changing the material itself rather than just removing moisture.

The test of density for SFRM relies on removing moisture from a sample so the mass reflects the dry material, not water. But you don’t want to heat it so much that the material itself changes—thermal dehydration of binder, microcracking, or other heat-induced changes can alter true density. That’s why there’s a conservative limit on drying temperature. The maximum allowed temperature is set at 119°F because it’s high enough to drive off surface moisture effectively, yet low enough to avoid damaging the cementitious binder or causing other alterations in the material. Dry the sample until its mass stabilizes, then use that dry mass (together with the known volume) to calculate density. Using a higher temperature could produce erroneous density readings by changing the material itself rather than just removing moisture.

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