DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT

(ASTM D2216)
OBJECTIVE
Determine the natural content of the given soil sample.
NEED AND SCOPE OF THE EXPERIMENT
In almost all soil tests natural moisture content of the soil is to be determined. The
knowledge of the natural moisture content is essential in all studies of soil mechanics.
To sight a few, natural moisture content is used in determining the bearing capacity
and settlement. The natural moisture content will give an idea of the state of soil in the
field.
DEFINITION
The natural water content also called the natural moisture content is the ratio of the
weight of water to the weight of the solids in a given mass of soil. This ratio is usually
expressed as percentage.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
1.
2.
3.
4.

Non-corrodible air-tight container.

Electric oven, maintain the temperature between 1050 C to 1100 C.
Desiccator.
Balance of sufficient sensitivity.

PROCEDURE
1. Clean the container with lid dry it and weigh it (W1).
2. Take a specimen of the sample in the container and weigh with lid (W2).
3. Keep the container in the oven with lid removed. Dry the specimen to constant
weight maintaining the temperature between 1050 C to 1100 C for a period varying
with
the
type
of
soil
but
usually
16
to
24
hours.
4. Record the final constant weight (W3) of the container with dried soil sample. Peat

and other organic soils are to be dried at lower temperature (say 600 ) possibly for a
longer period.
Certain soils contain gypsum which on heating loses its water if crystallization. If itb is
suspected that gypsum is present in the soil sample used for moisture content determination it
shall be dried at not more than 800 C and possibly for a longer time.

OBSERVATIONS AND RECORDING

Data and observation sheet for water content determination

S1

Sample No.

Weight of container with lid

W1 gm

Weight of container with lid

+wet soil W2 gm

Weight of container with lid

+dry soil W3 gm

Water/Moisture content
W = [(W2W3)/(W3W1)]100

INTERPRETATION AND REPORTING

RESULT
The natural moisture content of the soil sample is ________

GENERAL REMARKS

1. A container with out lid can be used, when moist sample is weighed immediately after placing
the container and oven dried sample is weighed immediately after cooling in desiccator.
2. As dry soil absorbs moisture from wet soil, dried samples should be removed before placing
wet samples in the oven.
GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION

I.SIEVE ANALYSIS (ASTM D421)

OBJECTIVE
(a). Select sieves as per I.S specifications and perform sieving.
(b). Obtain percentage of soil retained on each sieve.
(c). Draw graph between log grain size of soil and % finer.
NEED AND SCOPE OF EXPERIMEN
The grain size analysis is widely used in classification of soils. The data obtained from grain size
distribution curves is used in the design of filters for earth dams and to determine suitability of
soil for road construction, air field etc. Information obtained from grain size analysis can be used
to predict soil water movement although permeability tests are more generally used.
PLANNING AND ORGANISATION
Apparatus
1.) Balance
2.) I.S Sieves
3.) Rubber pestle and mortar.
4.) mechanical Sieve Shaker
The grain size analysis is an attempt to determine the relative proportions of different grain sizes
which make up a given soil mass.
KNOWLEDGE OF EQUIPMENT
1. The balance to be used must be sensitive to the extent of 0.1% of total weight of sample taken.
2. I.S 460-1962 are to used. The sieves for soil tests: 4.75 mm to 75 microns.
PROCEDURE
1. For soil samples of soil retained on 75 micron I.S sieve

(a)

The proportion of soil sample retained on 75 micron I.S sieve is weighed and recorded

weight of soil sample is as per I.S 2720.

(b) I.S sieves are selected and arranged in the order as shown in the table.
(c)

The soil sample is separated into various fractions by sieving through above sieves placed in

the above mentioned order.

(d) The weight of soil retained on each sieve is recorded.
(e)

The moisture content of soil if above 5% it is to be measured and recorded.

2. No particle of soil sample shall be pushed through the sieves.

OBSERVATIONS AND RECORDING

Weight of soil sample:

Moisture content:
I.S sieve
number or
size in mm

Wt.
Retained
in each
sieve (gm)

Percentag
e on each
sieve

Cumulativ
e %age
retained
on each
sieve

% finer

Remarks

4.75
4.00
3.36
2.40
1.46
1.20
0.60
0.30
0.15
0.075

GRAPH
Draw graph between log sieve size vs % finer. The graph is known as grading curve.
Corresponding to 10%, 30% and 60% finer, obtain diameters from graph are
designated as D10, D30, D60.

CALCULATION
1. The percentage of soil retained on each sieve shall be calculated on the basis
of total weight of soil sample taken.

2. Cumulative percentage of soil retained on successive sieve is found.

GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION

II.HYDROMETER ANALYSIS (ASTM D422)
OBJECTIVE
Grain size analysis of soils by hydrometer analysis test.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the grain size distribution of soil sample containing appreciable
amount of fines.
2. To draw a grain size distribution curve.
NEED AND SCOPE OF THE EXPERIMENT
For determining the grain size distribution of soil sample, usually mechanical
analysis (sieve analysis) is carried out in which the finer sieve used is 63 micron or
the nearer opening. If a soil contains appreciable quantities of fine fractions in (less
than 63 micron) wet analysis is done. One form of the analysis is hydrometer
analysis. It is very much helpful to classify the soil as per ISI classification. The
properties of the soil are very much influenced by the amount of clay and other
fractions.
APPARATUS

1. Hydrometer

2. Glass measuring cylinder-Two of 1000 ml capacity with ground glass or rubber

stoppers about 7 cm diameter and 33 cm high marked at 1000 ml volume.

3. Thermometer- To cover the range 0 to 50o C with an accuracy of 0.5 o C .

4. Water bath.
5. Stirring apparatus.
6. I.S sieves apparatus.
7. Balance-accurate to 0.01 gm.
8. Oven-105 to 110.
9. Stop watch.
10. Desiccators
11. Centimeter scale.
12. Porcelain evaporating dish.
13. Wide mouth conical flask or conical beaker of 1000 ml capacity.
14. Thick funnel-about 10 cm in diameter.
15. Filter flask-to take the funnel.
16. Measuring cylinder-100 ml capacity.
17. Wash bottle-containing distilled water.
18. Filter papers.
19. Glass rod-about 15 to 20 cm long and 4 to 5 mm in diameter.
20. Hydrogen peroxide-20 volume solution.

21. Hydrochloric acid N solution-89 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid.(specific gravity

1.18) diluted with distilled water one litre of solution.

22. Sodium hexametaphosphate solution-dissolve 33 g of sodium hexametaphosphate and 7

gms of sodium carbonate in distilled water to make one litre of solution.
CALIBRATION OF HYDROMETER

Volume
(a) Volume of water displaced: Approximately 800 ml of water shall be poured in the
1000 ml measuring cylinder. The reading of the water level shall be observed and
recorded.
The hydrometer shall be immersed in the water and the level shall again be
observed and recorded as the volume of the hydrometer bulb in ml plus volume of
that part of the stem that is submerged. For practical purposes the error to the
inclusion of this stem volume may be neglected.
(b) From the weight of the hydrometer: The hydrometer shall be weighed to the
nearest 0.1 gm.
The weight in gm shall be recorded as the volume of the bulb plus the volume of the
stem below the 1000 ml graduation mark. For practical purposes the error due to
the inclusion of this stem may be neglected.

Calibration
(a ) The sectional area of the 1000 ml measuring cylinder in which the hydrometer
is to used shall be determined by measuring the distance between the graduations.
The sectional area is equal to the volume include between the two graduations
divided by the measured distance between them.
Place the hydrometer on the paper and sketch it. On the sketch note the lowest and
highest readings which are on the hydrometer and also mark the neck of the bulb.
Mark the center of the bulb which is half of the distance between neck of the bulb
and tip of the bulb.

(b) The distance from the lowest reading to the center of the bulb is (R h) shall be
recorded
(Rh =HL + L/2).
(c) The distance from the highest hydrometer reading to the center of the bulb shall
be measured and recorded.
(d) Draw a graph hydrometer readings vs HH and RH. A straight line is obtained. This
calibration curve is used to calibrate the hydrometer readings which are taken with
in 2 minutes.
(e) From 4 minutes onwards the readings are to be taken by immersing the
hydrometer each time. This makes the soil solution to rise, there by rising distance
of free fall of the particle. So correction is applied to the hydrometer readings.
(f) Correction applied to the Rh and HH

Vh= Volume of hydrometer bulb in ml.

A =Area of measuring cylinder in cm2.
From these two corrected readings draw graph (straight line)

Grain Size Distribution in Soil-Data and Calculation Chart

Date:
Sample No:
Total weight of dry soil taken, W =
Specific Gravity of soil, G =

Hydrometer No._____________

Wt. Of soil gone into solution ,Ws =

Meniscus correction, Cn = Dispersion agent correction =

Reading in water RW =
Temperature correction =

Dat Tim
e
e

Elaps
ed
Time
in Sec

Hydrome
ter
reading
upper
Meniscus

Correcte Zr
d
hydromet or
er
l
Zr
Reading

Velocity
Cms/sec

Rh 1000

(1-lower
meniscus
Cm)

or Zlr / t

V=Zr/
K

Equivale
nt

dia.

Of
Particle
Dmm

% finer for wt. Of soil Ws gone into solution N=[(100G)/{Ws x (G 1)}] x R

R
N(% fin
er
Thanfo
r soil)

REMAR
KS

DETERMINATION OF CONSISTENCY LIMITS

(ASTM D4318)
I. LIQUID LIMIT TEST
OBJECTIVE
1. Prepare soil specimen as per specification.
2. Find the relationship between water content and number of blows.
3. Draw flow curve.
4. Find out liquid limit.
NEED AND SCOPE
Liquid limit is significant to know the stress history and general properties of the soil
met with construction. From the results of liquid limit the compression index may be
estimated. The compression index value will help us in settlement analysis. If the
natural moisture content of soil is closer to liquid limit, the soil can be considered as
soft if the moisture content is lesser than liquids limit, the soil can be considered as
soft if the moisture content is lesser than liquid limit. The soil is brittle and stiffer.

THEORY

The liquid limit is the moisture content at which the groove, formed by a standard
tool into the sample of soil taken in the standard cup, closes for 10 mm on being
given 25 blows in a standard manner. At this limit the soil possess low shear
strength.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Balance 2. Liquid limit device (Casagrendes) 3. Grooving tool 4. Mixing
dishes
5. Spatula 6. Electrical Oven

PROCEDURE
1. About 120 gm. of air-dried soil from thoroughly mixed portion of material passing
425 micron I.S sieve is to be obtained.
2. Distilled water is mixed to the soil thus obtained in a mixing disc to form uniform
paste. The paste shall have a consistency that would require 30 to 35 drops of cup
to cause closer of standard groove for sufficient length.
3. A portion of the paste is placed in the cup of LIQUID LIMIT device and spread
into portion with few strokes of spatula.
4. Trim it to a depth of 1cm at the point of maximum thickness and return excess of
soil to

the dish.

5. The soil in the cup shall be divided by the firm strokes of the grooving tool along
the diameter through the center line of the follower so that clean sharp groove of
proper dimension is formed.
6. Lift and drop the cup by turning crank at the rate of two revolutions per second
until the two halves of soil cake come in contact with each other for a length of
about 1 cm by flow only.
7. The number of blows required to cause the groove close for about 1 cm shall be
recorded.

8. A representative portion of soil is taken from the cup for water content
determination.
9. Repeat the test with different moisture contents at least three more times for
blows between 10 and 40.

OBSERVATIONS
Details of the sample:.......
Natural moisture content:........
Determination
Number

Room temperature:..............
2

Container
number
Weight of
container
Weight of
container + wet
soil
Weight of
container + dry
soil
Weight of water
Weight of dry
soil
Moisture content
(%)
No. of blows

COMPUTATION / CALCULATION
Draw a graph showing the relationship between water content (on y-axis) and
number of blows (on x-axis) on semi-log graph. The curve obtained is called flow
curve. The moisture content corresponding to 25 drops (blows) as read from the
represents liquid limit. It is usually expressed to the nearest whole number.

INTERPRETATION AND RECORDING

Flow index If = (W2-W1)/(logN1/N2) = slope of the flow curve.

Plasticity Index = wl-wp =

Toughness Index = Ip/If =

DETERMINATION OF CONSISTENCY LIMITS

II. PLASTIC LIMIT TEST
NEED AND SCOPE
Soil is used for making bricks , tiles , soil cement blocks in addition to its use as
foundation for structures.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

1. Porcelain dish.
2. Glass plate for rolling the specimen.
3. Air tight containers to determine the moisture content.
4. Balance of capacity 200gm and sensitive to 0.01gm
5.Oven thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to maintain
the temperature around 1050 and 1100C.
PROCEDURE
1. Take about 20gm of thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing through
425 micron I.S. sieve obtained in accordance with I.S. 2720 (part 1).
2. Mix it thoroughly with distilled water in the evaporating dish till the soil mass
becomes plastic enough to be easily molded with fingers.

3. Allow it to season for sufficient time (for 24 hrs) to allow water to

permeate throughout the soil mass
4. Take about 10gms of this plastic soil mass and roll it between
fingers and glass plate with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass
into a threaded of uniform diameter throughout its length. The rate
of rolling shall be between 60 and 90 strokes per minute.
5. Continue rolling till you get a threaded of 3 mm diameter.
6. Kneed the soil together to a uniform mass and re-roll.
7. Continue the process until the thread crumbles when the
diameter is 3 mm.

8. Collect the pieces of the crumbled thread in air tight container for
moisture content determination.
9. Repeat the test to atleast 3 times and take the average of the
results calculated to the nearest whole number.
OBSERVATION AND REPORTING
Compare the diameter of thread at intervals with the rod. When the
diameter reduces to 3 mm, note the surface of the thread for cracks.

PRESENTATION OF DATA
Container No.

Wt. of container +
lid,W1
Wt. of container + lid
+ wet sample,W2
Wt. of container + lid
+ dry sample,W3
Wt. of dry sample =
W3 W1
Wt. of water in the
soil = W3 W
Water content (%)
= (W3 W2) / (W3
W1) 100
Average Plastic Limit=...............
Plasticity Index(Ip) = (LL - PL)=............

Toughness Index =Ip/IF

DETERMINATION OF CONSISTENCY LIMITS

III. SHRIKAGE LIMIT TEST
OBJECTIVE
To determine the shrinkage limit and calculate the shrinkage ratio
for the given soil.
THEORY
As the soil loses moisture, either in its natural environment, or by
artificial means in laboratory it changes from liquid state to plastic

state, from plastic state to semi-solid state and then to solid state.
Volume changes also occur with changes in water content. But there
is particular limit at which any moisture change does not cause soil
any volume change.
NEED AND SCOPE
Soils which undergo large volume changes with change in water
content may be troublesome. Volume changes may not and usually
will not be equal.
A shrinkage limit test should be performed on a soil.
1. To obtain a quantitative indication of how much change in
moisture can occur before any appreciable volume changes occurs
2. To obtain an indication of change in volume.
The shrinkage limit is useful in areas where soils undergo large
volume changes when going through wet and dry cycles (as in case
of earth dams)
APPARATUS
1. Evaporating Dish. Porcelain, about 12cm diameter with flat
bottom.
2. Spatula
3. Shrinkage Dish. Circular, porcelain or non-corroding metal dish (3
nos) having a flat bottom and 45 mm in diameter and 15 mm in
height internally.
4. Straight Edge. Steel, 15 cm in length.
5. Glass cup. 50 to 55 mm in diameter and 25 mm in height, the top
rim of which is ground smooth and level.
6. Glass plates. Two, each 75 75 mm one plate shall be of plain
glass and the other shall have prongs.
7. Sieves. 2mm and 425- micron IS sieves.
8. Oven-thermostatically controlled.

9. Graduate-Glass, having a capacity of 25 ml and graduated to 0.2

ml and 100 cc one mark flask.
10. Balance-Sensitive to 0.01 g minimum.
11. Mercury. Clean, sufficient to fill the glass cup to over flowing.
12. Wash bottle containing distilled water.
PROCEDURE
Preparation of soil paste
1. Take about 100 gm of soil sample from a thoroughly mixed portion
of the material passing through 425-micron I.S. sieve.
2. Place about 30 gm the above soil sample in the evaporating dish
and thoroughly mixed with distilled water and make a creamy paste.
Use water content somewhere around the liquid limit.
Filling the shrinkage dish
3. Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of Vaseline
to prevent the soil sticking to the dish.
4. Fill the dish in three layers by placing approximately 1/3 rd of the
amount of wet soil with the help of spatula. Tap the dish gently on a
firm base until the soil flows over the edges and no apparent air
bubbles exist. Repeat this process for 2nd and 3rd layers also till the
dish is completely filled with the wet soil. Strike off the excess soil
and make the top of the dish smooth. Wipe off all the soil adhering
to the outside of the dish.
5. Weigh immediately, the dish with wet soil and record the weight.
6. Air- dry the wet soil cake for 6 to 8hrs, until the color of the pat
turns from dark to light. Then oven-dry those to constant weight at
1050C to 1100C say about 12 to 16 hrs.
7. Remove the dried disk of the soil from oven. Cool it in a
desiccator. Then obtain the weight of the dish with dry sample.
8. Determine the weight of the empty dish and record.

9. Determine the volume of shrinkage dish which is evidently equal

to volume of the wet soil as follows. Place the shrinkage dish in an
evaporating dish and fill the dish with mercury till it overflows
slightly. Press it with plain glass plate firmly on its top to remove
excess mercury. Pour the mercury from the shrinkage dish into a
measuring jar and find the volume of the shrinkage dish directly.
Record this volume as the volume of the wet soil pat.
Volume of the Dry Soil Pat
10. Determine the volume of dry soil pat by removing the pat from
the shrinkage dish and immersing it in the glass cup full of mercury
in the following manner.
Place the glass cup in a larger one and fill the glass cup to
overflowing with mercury. Remove the excess mercury by covering
the cup with glass plate with prongs and pressing it. See that no air
bubbles are entrapped. Wipe out the outside of the glass cup to
remove the adhering mercury. Then, place it in another larger dish,
which is, clean and empty carefully.
Place the dry soil pat on the mercury. It floats submerge it with the
pronged glass plate which is again made flush with top of the cup.
The mercury spills over into the larger plate. Pour the mercury that
is displayed by the soil pat into the measuring jar and find the
volume of the soil pat directly.
CALCULATION

CAUTION
Do not touch the mercury with gold rings.

TABULATION AND RESULTS

S.No

Determination No

1
2

Wt. of container in gm,W1

Wt. of container + wet soil pat in
gm,W2
Wt. of container + dry soil pat in
gm,W3
Wt. of oven dry soil pat, W0 in gm
Wt. of water in gm
Moisture content (%), W
Volume of wet soil pat (V), in cm
Volume of dry soil pat (V0) in cm3

3
4
5
6
7
8
9

By mercury displacement
method

10

a.

Weight of displaced
mercury

b.

Specific gravity
the mercury

Shrinkage limit (WS)

Shrinkage ratio (R)

of