GE 414 – GEOTECHNICAL

ENGINEERING
(Soil Mechanics)
BSCE-4A

Lab Experiment No. 1

Date Performed: Oct 21, 2022

Submitted by: John Marcel R. Tabangcura

Submitted to: Engr. Maria Thereza Vicho

 I. Purpose of the Experiment

1. To show the mass of moisture in each soil samples present in can.

2. To establish the mass of dry soil in each soil samples present in can.
3. To confirm the moisture content of each soil samples present in can.

II. Equipment Used

1. Moisture Can (moisture cans are available in various sizes.)

2. Shovel
3. Weighing Scale/Balance
The balance should have a readability of 0.01 g for specimens having a mass of 200 g or less. If
the specimen has a mass of over 200 g, the readability should be 0.1 g.

III. Procedure

First, calculate the combined mass (g) of the cap (W1) and the empty moisture container (g).
Record the value. After that, add a sample of typical damp soil to the can. To prevent moisture
loss, cap the can to prevent opening. Remove the cap from the top of the can and set it on the
bottom to get the combined mass (g) of the closed can and moist soil (W2) (of the can). In the
absence of a dry oven, leave the can on a dry surface for at least a week. then calculate the
combined mass (g) of the can and its lid along with the dry soil sample (W3).

IV. Results
ITEM TEST NO.

1 2 3 4 5
Mass of Can, (g) 23.8 24.1 24.2 24.3 23.9
Mass of can + wet soil, W2 (g) 49.5 46 47.5 45.5 44.3
Mass of can + dry soil, W3 (g) 47.5 44 45.7 43.5 42.2
Mass of moisture, W2-W3 (g) 2 2 1.8 2 2.1
Mass of dry soil, W3-W1 (g) 23.7 19.9 21.5 19.2 18.3
8.44 10.05 8.37 10.42 11.48
Moisture content, w (%) =
 • Average Moisture Content W (%) =
• Average Moisture Content W (%) = (8.44+10.05+8.37+10.42+11.48) =9.752%
5

V. Conclusion
1. The results indicate that CAN 5 has the heaviest mass of moisture, weighing in at 2.1
grams, CAN 3 has the lowest, weighing in at 1.8 grams, and CANs 1, 2, and 4 have the same
weight, 2 grams.
2. According to the results, CAN 1 has the heaviest mass of dry soil (23.7 grams), whereas
CAN 5 has the lowest mass (18.3 grams).
3. It is established from the outcome that they have various moisture contents. And the
average moisture content is 9.752%.