Moisture Content Experiment
Date: 09-02-2013
Experiment 1(a) Laboratory determination of water (moisture) content of a soil sample by oven drying method
Reference:
ASTM D2216-98
Need and scope of the experiment:
In almost all soil tests natural moisture content of the soil is to be determined. The knowledge of the natural moisture content is essential in all studies of soil mechanics. To sight a few, natural moisture content is used in determining the bearing capacity and settlement. The natural moisture content will give an idea of the state of soil in the field.
Apparatus:
1. Containers (Tin or Aluminum) with lids. 2. Balance, sensitive to 0.01gm 3. Oven with accurate temperature control at 110 + 5oC (230 + 9oF)
Discussion:
1. Moisture Content (w)
It is defined as “the ratio of the mass of the ‘pore’ or ‘free’ water in a given mass of material to the mass of the solid material”. w=MwMs×100 Mw = Mass of water in grams
Ms = Mass of solid particles in grams (i.e. oven dried weight of soil)
2. Representative quantity of Test Specimen
The minimum mass of moist material selected to be representative of the total sample shall be in accordance with the following: Maximum particle size (100% passing) | Standard Sieve Size | Recommended minimum mass of moist test specimen for water content reported to ±0.1% | Recommended minimum mass of moist test specimen for water content reported to ±1% | 2 mm or less | No. 10 | 20 g | 20 g | 4.75 mm | No. 4 | 100 g | 20 g | 9.5 mm | 3/8-in. | 500 g | 50 g | 19.0 mm | ¾-in. | 2.5 kg | 250 g | 37.5 mm | 1½-in. | 10 kg | 1 kg | 75.0 mm | 3-in. | 50 kg | 5 kg |
NOTE-1 If it is suspected that gypsum is present in the soil, the soil sample should not be subjected to a temperature beyond 80oC. Otherwise gypsum would lose its water of crystallization, thereby affecting the results of moisture content. Oven drying at 80oC may, however, be continued for a longer time in order to ensure complete evaporation of free water
Experiment 1(a) Laboratory determination of water (moisture) content of a soil sample by oven drying method
Reference:
ASTM D2216-98
Need and scope of the experiment:
In almost all soil tests natural moisture content of the soil is to be determined. The knowledge of the natural moisture content is essential in all studies of soil mechanics. To sight a few, natural moisture content is used in determining the bearing capacity and settlement. The natural moisture content will give an idea of the state of soil in the field.
Apparatus:
1. Containers (Tin or Aluminum) with lids. 2. Balance, sensitive to 0.01gm 3. Oven with accurate temperature control at 110 + 5oC (230 + 9oF)
Discussion:
1. Moisture Content (w)
It is defined as “the ratio of the mass of the ‘pore’ or ‘free’ water in a given mass of material to the mass of the solid material”. w=MwMs×100 Mw = Mass of water in grams
Ms = Mass of solid particles in grams (i.e. oven dried weight of soil)
2. Representative quantity of Test Specimen
The minimum mass of moist material selected to be representative of the total sample shall be in accordance with the following: Maximum particle size (100% passing) | Standard Sieve Size | Recommended minimum mass of moist test specimen for water content reported to ±0.1% | Recommended minimum mass of moist test specimen for water content reported to ±1% | 2 mm or less | No. 10 | 20 g | 20 g | 4.75 mm | No. 4 | 100 g | 20 g | 9.5 mm | 3/8-in. | 500 g | 50 g | 19.0 mm | ¾-in. | 2.5 kg | 250 g | 37.5 mm | 1½-in. | 10 kg | 1 kg | 75.0 mm | 3-in. | 50 kg | 5 kg |
NOTE-1 If it is suspected that gypsum is present in the soil, the soil sample should not be subjected to a temperature beyond 80oC. Otherwise gypsum would lose its water of crystallization, thereby affecting the results of moisture content. Oven drying at 80oC may, however, be continued for a longer time in order to ensure complete evaporation of free water