Engineering and Technology Program

Butuan City
Tel. 342-1830 Local 1926

LABORATORY WORK NO. 02

WATER CONTENT DETERMINATION BY

CALCIUM CARBIDE GAS MOISTURE TESTER

NAME: ______________________ SECTION: _____ GROUP NO.: _____

DATE PERFORMED: _______________ DATE SUBMITTED: ______________
INSTRUCTORS SIGNATURE: ____________________ RATING: ________ %

LABORATORY WORK NO. 2

WATER CONTENT DETERMINATION BY
CALCIUM CARBIDE GAS MOISTURE TESTER

I.

OBJECTIVE
To introduce the uses and operations of Speedy moisture tester in
determining soil moisture content.

II.

APPARATUS
Speedy moisture tester
Scoop for measuring calcium carbide reagent
Cleaning brush and cloth
Tared scale
Calcium carbide reagent

III.

PROCEDURE
1. Clean the Speedy moisture tester, making sure that the insides of the
Speedy body and cap are clean and free from residues from any previous
test.
2. Lift the balance into upright position. Weigh the soil material. Correct
weight is shown when red markings on balance and beam coincide.
3. Put the material in by placing the soil sample in the Speedy body.
4. Take two full measures of powdered calcium carbide and place the cap.
For bulky materials, use 35 to ensure adequate coverage.
5. Hold the Speedy horizontal to prevent mixing of soil and calcium carbide
before the instrument is sealed. Place cap in position. Bring stirrup round
and tighten top screws.
6. With dial facing down, shake the speedy vigorously for 5 seconds, then
quickly turn so that the dial faces up. Tap the body to ensure the contents
fall into cap. Stand or hold Speedy in this position for one minute. Repeat
the procedure for a second and third mix at one minute interval.
7. Once more shake the Speedy and with Speedy horizontal (with gauge dial
facing you at eye level), take the reading.
8. Slowly release the pressure holding Speedy away from body contact, with
the directional release arrow pointing away from the operator and empty
content. Clean the Speedy thoroughly with brush.
9. To obtain a higher reading than indicated on the gauge, use the small
brass weight (half the standard weight). Hook the brass weight through the
bean, holding the scale pan cradle, or hang on edge of scale pan and
weigh in the normal manner. Proceed to test the material which is now
only half the standard weight in the usual way.
But when reading the gauge, double the percentage indicated that is the
gauge reads 18%, the moisture content is 18% multiplied by 2 equaling

36%. A small proportion can be tested if your material is either very wet or
high value.
Warning: The calcium carbide, which when in contact with water,
produces an inflammable gas called acetylene. Test should not be carried
out in confined spaces or in the vicinity of naked flame. Care should also
be taken when releasing gas by holding the Speedy away from body
contact. Do not smoke when testing.
IV.

CALCULATION
Speedy moisture reading is expressed as a percentage of the soils wet
weight. Conversion to moisture content by dry weight can be performed using
the relationship
W =

W sp
100
1 - W sp

Where:
Wsp is the moisture content with Speedy device, expressed as a decimal.

V.

DATA AND RESULTS

Soil Sample No. 1

Soil Sample No. 2

Wsp = __________

Wsp = __________

W = ____________

W = ____________

VI.

DRAWING

VII.

QUESTIONS
1. Describe how the Speedy moisture tester works to determine the soil
moisture content.
2. What are the advantages of using Speedy moisture tester as compared to
oven drying method to determine the soil moisture content?