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OVEN DRYING METHOD (Water Content)

Updated: Jul 16, 2020

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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