Report on moisture content of soil

Title
Moisture Content in soil

Authors:
Aziz Qureshi

Abstract:
To estimate the amount of water or moisture present in the given
quality of soil in term of soil its dry by direct heating. This test
method is not suitable for flammable organic specimens and
used of the other test method is recommended. Determination of
the moisture content of the soil is required in almost all soil tests
for evaluation of several parameters f the soil properties such as
bearing capacity and seepage, permeability etc. Other general
method is also used for obtaining the moisture content of the
required land but performed in the lab. In this report, the whole
procedure is mentioned with detail of the apparatus, followed by
the discussion about the results obtained of the required land
sample.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LAHORE

BSCE01133012

Report on moisture content of soil

Table of Contents
Introduction2
Methodology..3

Procedure...3
Observation and Calculation.4
Results and Discussion..4

Summary and Conclusion .5

References .5

Report on moisture content of soil

Introduction
Water content or moisture content determination is a routine
field test, the result of which are used in evaluation of several
important engineering properties of soil. The determination of
moisture content by direct heating involves removing of soil
moisture by direct heating of a soil sample until the weight
remains constant. The moisture content is expressed in
percentage and is calculated from the sample weight before and
after heating.
The moisture content of a soil is frequently used throughout
geotechnical engineering practice both in the laboratory and in
the field. Moisture content determination of the soil using oven
drying method ASTM D2216 needs considerable time which
may not be feasible on occasions where more rapid result are
required. Drying by direct heating is one such method can
compensate urgency of result in field. Result of direct heating
test have been demonstrated as satisfactory accurate for use in
field control work, such asin the determination of in situ dry
density of the soil.
= Ww / Wsx100
Ww= weight of soil water
2

Report on moisture content of soil

Methodology
Determining Moisture content of soil in thefield experimental
process, and certain steps need to be followed. Following
apparatus are required:
Moisture tins
Weighing balance
Electric, gas, oil stove
Container handling tools
Miscellaneous
Procedure:
i)

Take empty, clean moisture tin and mark it with

identifying number or code.
ii) Weigh the container and record the weight
iii) Take sample of soil and place it quickly in the moisture
tin.
iv) Weight the moisture tin containing wet soil sample
v) Place the moisture tin containing wet soil sample in
any direct heating stove drying oven at 100 degree.
vi) Heating until the sample appears to be relatively dry.

Observations and calculations:

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Report on moisture content of soil

Weight of container = 160g

Weight of moisture soil and container = 230g
Weight of dried soil and container = 216g
Weight of dry soil =56g
Water content = 24 percentage
Results and Discussion:
This procedure is carry out for the moisture content to find out the value
of moisture content in the field soil sample for checking the properties of
the soil.Gain the results and final calculations, Moisture content in soil
sample is 24 percent and its color fully dry and made dark to lightThis
method proved to be a feasible experiment for the field. The
feminization of the moisture content is essential for the bearing capacity
of the soil. Natural moisture content is used for evaluation of several
parameters of soil properties such as bearing capacity and settlement etc.
Natural moisture content will give an idea of the state of soil in the field
and it is very necessary for the compaction of the soil for roads, high
building etc.

Summary and Conclusion:

4

Report on moisture content of soil

This experiment proved to be very helpful, and aided in our

quest of looking at different properties of a soil sample. All the
apparatus used were easily available in our lab. The procedure
seemed first, but later it was cleared that water mixing was to
make sure for the compactionof the soil sample.

References
ASTM D4959-07 Standard test methods for determination
of water content of soil by direct heating.
Soil mechanics laboratory manual, Civil Engineering
department
Soil Mechanics, reading by Aziz Qureshi