Geotechnical Engineering 1 Laboratory Manual

Engr. Billy I. Rejuso

Experiment #1
Determination of Water Content

I. OBJECTIVE(S):

This experiment aims to introduce the very basic concept used in soil mechanics which is
the determination of water content of a soil sample.

II. DISCUSSION

Most laboratory tests in soil mechanics require the determination of water content. Water
content is defined as
weight of water presenta given soil mass
w=
weight of dry soil
Water content, which is also referred to as moisture content, is one of the common terms
used for weight relationships. It is also defined as the ratio of the weight of water to the
weight of solids in a given volume of soil. Water content is usually expressed in percent.
For better result the minimum size of the moist soil specimens should be approximately
as given in Table 1-1. These values are consistent with ASTM Test Designation D-2216.
Table 1-2 shows the typical values of water content in a saturated state.

Table 1-1. Minimum Size of Moist Soil Samples to Determine Water Content

Table 1-2. Typical Value of Water Content in a Saturated State

 Geotechnical Engineering 1 Laboratory Manual
Engr. Billy I. Rejuso

III. EQUIPMENT:

1. Moisture can(s)
Moisture cans are available in various sizes. [for example, 2-in (50.8mm) diameter
and 7/8in (22.2mm) high, 3.5-in (88.9mm) diameter and 2in (50.8mm) high].
2. Oven with temperature control.
For drying, the temperature of oven is generally kept between 105C to 110C. A
higher temperature should be avoided to prevent the burning of organic matter in the
soil.
3. Balance.
The balance should have a readability of 0.01g for specimens having a mass of 200g
or less. If the specimen has a mass of over 200g, the readability should be 0.1g.

IV. PROCEDURE:

1. Determine the mass (g) of the empty moisture can plus its cap (W 1) and also record
the number.
2. Place a sample of representative moist soil in the can. Close the can with its cap to
avoid loss of moisture.
3. Determine the combined mass (g) of the closed can and moist soil (W 2).
4. Remove the cap from the top of the can and place it on the bottom (of the can).
5. Put the can (Step 4) in the oven to dry the soil to a constant weight. In most cases, 24
hours of drying is enough.
6. Determine the combined mass (g) of the dry soil sample plus the can and its cap (W 3).

V. CALCULATIONS:

1. Calculate the mass of moisture = W2 W3

2. Calculate the mass of dry soil = W3 W1
3. Calculate the water content
W 2W 3
w ( )= x 100
W 3W 1

Report the water content to the nearest 1% or 0.01% as appropriate based on the size
of the specimen.

VI. DATA AND RESULTS: (Please show all necessary computations needed for your
report)

Description of soil Dark and fine; slightly moist Sample No. 1

Location _______Boundary of Valenzuela and Bulacan

Group Members Samonte Marasigan

Bata Manhic
Baquiran Baldeo
Gipulan
Date June 28, 2017

Item Test No.

 Geotechnical Engineering 1 Laboratory Manual
Engr. Billy I. Rejuso

1 2 3
Can No.
Mass of can, W1 (g) 10.1g 24.3g 33.3g
Mass of can + wet soil, W2 (g) 62g 116.6g 134.6g
Mass of can + dry soil, W3 (g) 51.1g 96.8g 113g
Maas of Moisture, W2 W3 (g) 10.9g 19.8g 21.6g
Mass of dry soil, W3 W1 (g) 41g 72.5g 79.7g
Moisture content, w(%) 26.59% 27.51% 27.10%

Average moisture content, w = 27 %

 Geotechnical Engineering 1 Laboratory Manual
Engr. Billy I. Rejuso

VII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

My conclusion was that water content can be determined

through experimentation so that it helped me to understand
more about the principle of water content.
The experiment went good except for the fact that we are
not allowed to put the soil sample in the oven over night.
Therefore I recommend to allow the oven to operate 24 hours if
its safe.

VIII. REFERENCE(S):
1. Das, Braja M., 2002. Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual Sixth Edition, Oxford
Univerisity, New York.
2. Das, Braja M., 2010. Principles of Geotechnical Engineering Seventh Edition,
Cengage Learning, Stamford, USA.