The test method may be used as long as the specimen absorbs less than or equal to 2% water (by volume).

• A. Water absorption ≤ 2%
• B. Water absorption ≥ 2%
• C. Water absorption must be 0%
• D. Water absorption is not a consideration

Answer: (A)

Moisture control is essential for test accuracy. The test method assumes the specimen behaves like a dry or only minimally moist material, so the measurements reflect the material’s true properties rather than water effects. When water absorption is limited to 2% or less, the changes in mass and volume due to moisture are small enough that they won’t significantly alter calculations such as volume, density, or binder content. This keeps the test results consistent and comparable across specimens.

If absorption were greater than 2%, moisture could cause swelling, higher porosity, altered density, and changed binder absorption characteristics, leading to unreliable results. That’s why the method specifies a limit of 2% or less.

Conditions that require moisture to be at a certain level, or that ignore moisture entirely, would not fit the test’s assumptions and would undermine the accuracy of the results.