SCHOOL OF BUILDING & CIVIL ENGINEERING

DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

YEAR 1- SEMESTER 2
2021
CED501 – Civil Engineering Materials
LAB No. 1
Lab Title : Determination of Timber Moisture
Content

Student Name : Ravikesh Ratik Dass

ID No. : 2021003646

Date Lab Conducted: 05/08/2021

Date Lab Submitted : 10/08/2021

Lab Instructor : Mr. Akshy Kumar/ Mr. Krishna Datt

Lab No 1 : Determination of Timber Moisture Content

Aim/Scope

To determine the moisture content of a timber using a standard oven in

the laboratory.

Introduction

The moisture content of a timber is an important thing as it helps

engineers /carpenters and the people who use timber to know the
quality and strength of the timber. The test was conducted to
determine the moisture content in a piece of timber. The moisture
content of a timber helps us student to study on how much moisture a
piece of timber can hold and how could we determine it.

Apparatus/Equipment’s

 A Drying oven
 Dry cloth
 A Damp piece of Timber
 Suitable Scale

Procedure

The suitable size representative sub samples were prepared. The mass
of wet timber, in grains was determined using a suitable scale. The
pieces of timber were placed in a container and then was placed in the
drying oven to dry at 105° to 110° c till 16 to 24 hours to constant mass.
The timber was removed from the oven and the mass of dry timber was
determined.
Readings & Observations
Sample no A B C
Mass of container (g) 12.66 12.64 12.11
Mass of container + wet timber (g) 24.24 23.99 24.66
Mass of container + dry timber (g) 18.47 18.92 19.40

Calculations
Mass of Water=(Mass of container + wet timber)−(Mass of container +dry timber )

Mass of Dry Timber = (Mass of container + dry timber) – (Mass of container)

Mass of water
Moisture Content= x 100
Mass of dry timber

Moisture Content ∈% of ( A+ B+C )

Average Moisture Content=
3

A) Mass of water =(24.24)-(18.47) B) = 23.99-18.92 C) = 24.66 – 19.40

= 5.77 g = 5.79 g = 5.26 g

Mass of dry timber = (18.47) – (12.66) = 18.92 – 12.64 = 19.40 - 12.11

= 5.81 g = 6.28 g = 7.29 g

Moisture content = 5.77/5.81 *100 = 5.79 / 6.28 * 100 = 5.26 / 7.29

= 99.31% = 92.20% = 72.15%

(99.31 % +92.20 % +72.15 %)

Average moisture content =
3

263.66
=
3

=87.89%
Results Analysis
Sample no A B C
Mass of container (g) 12.66 12.64 12.11
Mass of container + wet timber (g) 24.24 23.99 24.66
Mass of container + dry timber (g) 18.47 18.92 19.40
Mass of water (g) 5.77 5.79 5.26
Mass of dry timber (g) 5.81 6.28 7.29
Moisture content (%) 99.31% 92.20% 72.15%
Average moisture content (%) 87.89%

Discussion-

The importance of this experiment is that it will help determine the

quality of the timber and thus we will be able to tell whether if the
timber is good for building or no and what strength does the timber
have. The moisture content of a piece of timber is a numerous thing
many of us underestimate, as said by Mr. Keith smith” Timber is normally
kiln dried down to about 8-10% moisture content but it will quickly reabsorb
moisture if it’s stored badly. Does it matter?”. Well yes, because it is known
that the dryer the timber is to its specifications the better because the
timber holds well and the miters also does not open , nor does it break
when the timber experience’s a movement .
Conclusion

After conducting this experiment, we could determine the moisture

content of the timber by precisely following the procedures stated in
the lab manual. which stated, using timber pieces from a large piece of
timber, weighing the pieces then drying them in a standard oven then
weighing them again. Then we could find the moisture content by
taking the mass of water from the timber then dividing it by the mass of
dried timber and multiplying by 100%.

Sources of Errors

Reading error – student couldn’t read the weight on scale properly.

Negligent error – because the student wasn’t experienced in doing the

experiment.

Weighing error – there was problems with the weighing scale.

References:
 CED 501 civil engineering material’s lab manual
 https://www.getwoodworking.com/news/article/the-importance-
of-measuring-moisture-content/789