What is the purpose of the Methylene Blue Test?

The Methylene Blue Test is specifically designed to evaluate the clay content and cleanliness of fine aggregates. This test helps to identify the amount of clay or other undesirable materials that could affect the overall performance of concrete. By using Methylene Blue, which adheres to clay particles, the test provides a quantitative measure of the clay's presence in the aggregate sample.

Understanding the clay content is crucial, as higher levels can negatively impact the workability, strength, and durability of concrete mixtures. By assessing the cleanliness of the aggregates, this test informs engineers and technicians about the suitability of the aggregates for specific concrete applications, ensuring higher quality in construction practices.

While determining moisture content, measuring density, or assessing color variability may be concerns in aggregate testing, those aspects are not the focus of the Methylene Blue Test. Therefore, option B is the correct choice.