LABORATORY EXERCISE NO.

2
Moisture Content Determination

a. Learning Outcome
- Measure the moisture content of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples.

b. Introduction
Moisture content measurement is primarily used for performing weight-
volume calculations in soils. Moisture content is also a measure of the shrink-swell
and strength characteristics of cohesive soils as demonstrated in liquid limit and
plastic limit testing.

c. Materials/Apparatus
1. Disturbed Soil Sample
2. Undisturbed Soil Sample
3. Digital Weighing Scale
4. Oven Safe Containers
5. Masking Tape and Marker

d. Procedure

1. Prepare the samples. For the disturbed sample, do any sampling method to
distribute them relatively equally to each container. For undisturbed sample,
cut into equal segments. Prepare around three (3) samples to be placed on
three (3) containers for the disturbed and another set of 3 for the
undisturbed.
2. Measure the mass of each container.
3. Measure the mass of each soil plus the container before drying M1.
4. Place each container with soil in the oven and turn on temperature as
prescribed and let dry for 12 to 16 hours.
5. After drying, measure the mass of each dry soil with container, M2.
6. Calculate moisture content of each sample using the following formula:
Mw M 1−M 2
ω= x 100= x 100
Ms M 2−M c

Additional Considerations: With respect to moisture content measurements and

specimen size, the recommended amount of soil required to obtain an accurate
measurement increases with increasing maximum particle size, with a minimum of
20 g, as shown in figure 2.1 below.

Fig. 2.1. Recommended minimum

sample mass for moisture content
testing based on maximum particle
size.
e. Laboratory Report
Aside from the narrative report, the following items must be included:
1. Completed Data Worksheet

f. Guide Questions (to be included as Conclusion)

1. What temperature should be used to dry moist specimens for moisture
content measurement? What exceptions exist, and what temperatures should
be used for those exceptions?
2. How long should most specimens be dried to obtain an accurate moisture
content?
DATA WORKSHEET

General Information

Tested by: Date tested:

Lab group name:

Lab/project title:

Boring no: Recovery depth:

Recovery date: Recovery method:

Soil description:

Test Details

Oven Temperature: Drying time:

Scale type/precision/serial no.:

Notes, observations, and deviations from ASTM D2216 test standard:

Measurement and Calculations

Container ID: 1 2 3
Mass of Container (MC):

Mass of moist soil + container

(M1)

Mass of dry soil + container

(M2):

Mass of moisture (Mw):

Mass of dry soil (Ms):

Moisture content (ω ):

Average moisture content:

Equation and Calculation Space:

M 1 −M 2
ω= x 100 %
M 2−M c