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
ELECTRIC OVEN
i) Thermostatically controlled oven maintained at a temperature
of 110 ± 5 °C
ii) Weighing balance, with an accuracy of 0.04% of the weight
of the soil taken
iii) Air-tight container made of non-corrodible material with lid
iv) 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
i) Clean the container, dry it and weigh it with the lid (Weight
'W1').
ii) Take the required quantity of the wet soil specimen in the
container and weigh it with the lid (Weight 'W2').
iii) Place the container, with its lid removed, in the oven till its
weight becomes constant (Normally for 24hrs.).
iv) When the soil has dried, remove the container from the
oven, using tongs.
v) Find the weight 'W3' of the container with the lid and the dry
soil sample.
REPORTING OF RESULTS
An average of three determinations should be taken.
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