# Can aggregate gain almost 200 grams of water when submerged in water for a day?

I'm doing this special project where I have to make concrete using a Martian simulant provided from a commercial source.

I measured it as 500 grams initially, then submerged it in water for a day. It came back as 727 grams, meaning that it gained 200 grams of water, as it is now in its saturated surface dry state.

$$A = \dfrac{W_{SSD} - W_{OD}}{W_{OD}}\times100\%$$

Following this equation to measure the absorption value, it would mean that the value would be around 50%, which is very high. Usually, normal aggregates on Earth have an absorption rate of around 10%!

Is there anything that I may have been doing wrong? I am very skeptical of my results

• When you state you submerged 500 g of Martian soil simulant in water for a day and then measured it, did you drain the surplus water prior to taking the second measurement of 727 g? What was your process for taking and measuring a wet/moist sample? – Fred Mar 16 at 5:45
• What was the other 27 grams then as 727 - 500 = 227 but you state 200 ? – Solar Mike Mar 16 at 6:21