WATER CONTENT
OVEN DRYING METHOD
AIM:-
- To determine the water content in soil by oven drying method as per IS: 2720 (Part II) - 1973.
PRINCIPLE:-
- The water content (w) of a soil sample is equal to the mass of water divided by the mass of solids.
APPARATUS:-
- Thermostatically controlled oven maintained at a temperature of 110 ± 5⁰C.
- Weighing balance, with an accuracy of 0.04% of the weight of the soil taken
- Air-tight. container made of non - corrodible material with lid.
- Tongs.
SAMPLE
- The soil specimen should be representative of the soil mass. The quantity of the specimen taken would depend upon the gradation and the maximum size of particles as under:
PROCEDURE:-
- Clean the container, dry it and weigh it with the lid (Weight 'W1').
- Take the required quantity of the wet soil specimen in the container and weigh it with the lid (Weight 'W2').
- Place the container, with its lid removed, in the oven till its weight becomes constant (Normally for 24hrs.).
- When the soil has dried, remove the container from the oven, using tongs.
- Find the weight 'W3' of the container with the lid and the dry soil sample.
CALCULATIONS OF RESULTS:-
- An average of three determinations should be taken.
- A sample proforma for the record of the test results.
| Description | I | II |
|---|---|---|
| 1)Weight of empty container (W1) in g | 20.12 | 20.08 |
| 2)Weight of container+Wet soil (W2) in g | 44.12 | 44.11 |
| 3)Weight of container+Dry soil (W3) in g | 41.18 | 41.16 |
| CALCULATION: | ||
| 1.Weight of water =W2-W3. | 2.94 | 2.95 |
| 2.Weight of solid =W3-W1. | 21.06 | 21.08 |
| 3.Water content w= (W2-W3)/(W3-W1)×100 = % | 13.96 | 13.99 |
| Average value | 13.97% |