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Deep Foundation Design
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
1- Thermostatically controlled oven maintained at a temperature of 110 ± 5oC
2- Weighing balance, with an accuracy of 0.04% of the weight of the soil taken
3- Air-tight container made of non-corrodible material with lid
4- 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
1- Clean the container, dry it and weigh it with the lid (Weight ‘W1’).
2- Take the required quantity of the wet soil specimen in the container and weigh it with the lid (Weight ‘W2’).
3- Place the container, with its lid removed, in the oven till its weight becomes constant (Normally for 24hrs.).
4- When the soil has dried, remove the container from the oven, using tongs.
5- Find the weight ‘W3’ of the container with the lid and the dry soil sample.
Results
The water content = (W2-W3)/(W3-W1)x100%
An average of three determinations should be taken. A sample proforma for the record of the test results is given in the below table.
