Ce 210 L Expt 02 Moisture Content Of Soil

MOISTURE CONTENT OF SOIL Experiment No. 2 OBJECTIVE

This test is performed to determine the moisture content of soils. The water content is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass of “pore” or “free” water in a given mass of soil to the mass of the dry soil solids. Standard reference: ASTM D 2216 - Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil, Rock, and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES

Drying oven Balance Moisture can Gloves Spatula. PROCEDURE 1. Record the moisture can and lid number. Determine and record the mass of an empty, clean, and dry moisture can with its lid (W1). 2. Place the moist soil in the moisture can and secure the lid. Determine and record the mass of the moisture can (now containing the moist soil) with the lid (W2). 3. Remove the lid and place the moisture can (containing the moist soil) in the drying oven. Leave it in the oven overnight. 4. Remove the moisture can. Carefully but securely, replace the lid on the moisture can using gloves, and allow it to cool to room temperature. Determine and record the mass of the moisture can and lid (containing the dry soil) (W3). 5. Empty the moisture can and clean the can and lid.

Moisture Content of Soil

TABLES Soil Background       

Color of the soil: Soil Moisture Condition: Texture: Location of soil origin: Weather Condition: Date: Time:

______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

Table 2.1. Moisture Content of Soil Trial W1 , g W2 , g W3 , g W4 , g W5 , g MC, % Ave MC

1

2

3

4

Equations: WS = W5 = W3 – W1 Ww = W4 = W2 – W3 MC, % = W2 – W3 = WW W3 – W1 WS Average MC = (MC1 + MC2 + MC3 + MC4 +MC5)/5 Where: W1 = weight of can, g W2 = weight of moist soil + can, g W3 = weight of dried soil + can, g W4 = weight of water in soil, g W5 = weight of dried soil, g MC = Moisture content of soil, %

Table 2.2. Weight of Empty Moisture Can

5

6

Moisture Can #

COMPUTATIONS REMARKS REFERENCE/S

Weight of Cup, g

Weight of Lid, g