2

Determination of
Water Content
Introduction
Most laboratory tests in soil mechanics require the determination of water content. Water
content is defined as
w =

weight of water present in a given soil mass

weight of dry soil

(2.1)

Water content is usually expressed in percent.

For better results, the minimum size of the most soil specimens should be approximately
as given in Table 2-1. These values are consistent with ASTM Test Designation D-2216.

Table 2-1. Minimum Size of Moist Soil Samples to

Determine Water Content

0.425
2.0
4.75
9.5
19.0

40
10
4
3/8 in.
3/4 in.

20
50
100
500
2500

Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual

Equipment
1.

2.

3.

Moisture can(s).
Moisture cans are available in various sizes [for example, 2-in. (50,S mm) diameter
and % in. (22.2 mm) high, 3.5-in. (S8.9 mm) diameter and 2 in. (50.S mm) high).
Oven with temperature control.
For drying, the temperature of oven is generally kept between 105C to 110C. A
higher temperature should be avoided to prevent the burning of organic matter in the
soil.
Balance.
The balance should have a readability of 0.01 g for specimens having amass of200
g or less. If the specimen has a mass of over 200 g, the readability should be 0.1 g.

Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Determine the mass (g) of the empty moisture can plus its cap (WI)' and also record
. the number.
Place a sample of representative moist soil in the can. Close the can with its cap to
avoid loss of moisture.
Determine the combined mass (g) ofthe closed can and moist soil (Wz).
Remove the cap from the top of the can and place it on the bottom (of the can).
Put the can (Step 4) in the oven to dry the soil to a constant weight. In most cases,
24 hours of drying is enough.
Determine the combined mass (g) of the dry soil sample plus the can and its cap (W3)'

Calculation
1.
2.
3.

Calculate the mass of moisture = W2 - W3

Calculate the mass of dry soil = W3 - WI
Calculate the water content
W2

W3

w (%) = --''---'''- x 100

W3 - WI

(2.2)

Report the water content to the nearest 1% or 0.1 % as appropriate based on the size
of the specimen.
A sample calculation of water content is given in Table 2-2.

Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual

Table 2-2. Determination of Water Content

Description of sOil_----"B"'-fi"'Q"'"W,u.'f7'-'S""/Z"'~Vw.c!.""~,LV-----

Sample No. __4'--__

Location _ _~_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-,-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Tested

,,

by_~

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Can No.

Date _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

42

3/

54

Mass of can, WI

/73/

/8.92

/6.07

Mass of can + wet soil, W2 (g)

43.52

52./9

39.43

Mass of can + dry soil,. W3 (g)

39.86

47.6/

36./3

Mass of moisture, W2 - W3 (g)

3.66

4.58

3.30

Mass of dry soil, W3 - WI (g)

22.55

28.69

20.06

/6.2

16.0

16.5

Moisture content, w(%) =

W-W
2
3 X 100
w,-~

Average rnoisture content, W

/6.2

General Comments
a.

b.

c.

Most natural soils, which are sandy and gravelly in nature, may have water contents
up to about 15 to 20%. In natural fine-grained (silty or clayey) soils, water contents
up to about 50 to 80% can be found. However, peat and highly organic soils with
water contents up to about 500% are not uncommon.
Typical values of water content for various types of natural soils in a saturated state
are shown in Table 2-3.
Some organic soils may decompose during oven drying at 110C. An oven drying
temperature of n 0 may be too high for soils containing gypsum, as this material
slowly dehydrates. According to ASTM, 'a drying temperature of 60C is more
appropriate for such soils.
Cooling the dry soil after oven drying (Step 5) in a desiccator is recommended. It
prevents absorption of moisture from the atmosphere .

Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual

Table 2-3. Typical Values of Water Content

in a,Saturated State

Loose uniforll sand

Dense uniform sand
Loose angular-grained silty sand
Dense angular-grained silty sand
Stiff clay ,
Soft clay
Soft organic clay
Glacial till

25-30
12-16
25
15
20
30-50
80-130
10