CE-412

Geotechnical Engineering

Lab 2: Moisture Content of the Soil

Group 3

Lab Date:

Report Date: Dec 21, 2017

T.A: Engr. Erwin D. Cabral

Lab Grp: 3

Lab Members:

Alano, Aldin Z.

Albuera, Queency Lovely C.

Alcantara, Jora Marie H.

Delen, Edriel Royce P.

Laylo, Angelika Joy E.

ABSTRACT

Mostly soils in its natural state contain water. It is important to determine the amount of the

effects of moisture content of soils since it greatly affects some of the soil’s characteristics like its

bearing capacity which a vital component to be considered during engineering projects involving the

use of soil as foundation.

In the performed laboratory experiment using the oven-dry method, the in-situ moisture

content of the soil in Brgy. Bagalangit, Mabini, Batangas were determined to be at 25.92%, 24.22%

and 23.83% averaging to 24.66%.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………..i

II.OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………………………………..1

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND………………………………………………...…..1

IV. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT……………………………………………….…….2

V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE……………………………………………………....2

VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA………………………………………………………….….…....3

VII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS………………………………………………….……….4

VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………..……5

IX. REFERENCES………………………………………………………………….….…….6

XI. DOCUMENTATION…………………………………………………………………….7

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1…………………………………………………………………………………3
II. OBJECTIVES

This experiment aims to know the moisture content of undisturbed soil samples

obtained from Brgy. Bagalangit, Mabini, Batangas.

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Water content or moisture content is the quantity of water contained in a material such

as soil and rocks. Water content is defined as the ratio of weight of water present to the

weight of dry soil in a given soil mass. It is generally expressed in precentage. Water content

Mw
ω= × 100
Ms

where:

Mw is the mass of water obtained by subtracting the mass of container and dry soil to

the mass of container and soil

Ms is the mass of soil obtained by subtracting the mass of the container to the mass of

container and dry soil

The water content is determined by common methods like oven drying method,

pycnometer method, sand bath method and calcium carbide method.

The water content helps in identifying and classifying the fine grained soils. It is also

helpful in laboratory tests such as Atterberg’s limits, shear strength, compaction and

consolidation. The density also depends on the water content. The density is used in finding

the stability of slopes, bearing capacity of soil foundation system and earth pressure.
IV. MATERIALS AND EPQUIPMENT

1. Oven

2. Container

3. Cutting tool

4. Weighing Scale

V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The oven dry method was used to determine the moisture content of the undisturbed

soil sample. The container was cleaned and weighed. Three different amounts of undisturbed

sample were obtained and observed. The mass of the three different samples were taken. The

containers were then placed inside the oven and the mass was noted from time to time. After

eight hours, the mass of the three samples became constant removed from the oven. The mass

of the container and the dry soil sample was taken and the moisture content was calculated.

VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA

Table 1. Result of Oven-Dry Method

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass of container (M1) 14.4g 22.3g 19.5g

Mass of container + soil (M2) 336.5g 369g 353.6g

Mass of container + dry soil (M3) 270.2g 301.4g 287.1g

Mass of water (Mw=M2-M3) 66.3g 67.6g 65.9g

Mass of solids (Ms=M3-M1) 255.8g 279.1g 276.6g

Water Content 25.92% 24.22% 23.83%

VII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The experiment was conducted to three different samples of undisturbed soil. Samples

were placed in different containers and placed in the oven at 150 degrees Celsius for 8 hours.

Mw
Using the formula (ω = × 100) the moisture content of the soil samples was calculated.
Ms

For sample no. 1, a moisture content of 25.92% was obtained. Sample no. 2 obtained

a moisture content of 24.22% and sample no.3 obtained a moisture content of 23.83%

VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

A moisture content of 25.92%, 24.22% and 23.83% were obtained to the samples

averaging to 24.66%.The little differences in moisture content for the samples were due to

some factors that affect the samples during the process. For much précised results, it is better

to use smaller amounts of sample and strictly follow what is needed in the process.

IX. REFERENCES

https://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/MNL/PAGES/MNL12165M.htm
https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/determination-of-water-content-of-soil/2671/

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/soils/testmethods/mc.pdf

https://www.hunker.com/13406900/disturbed-vs-undisturbed-soil-sampling

https://www.jove.com/science-education/10011/determination-of-moisture-content-in-soil

http://engineeringtraining.tpub.com/14069/css/Undisturbed-Samples-525.htm
DOCUMENTATION

Preparation of undisturbed soil samples

Weighing of soil samples

Drying of soil samples