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LBYCVG1
Experiment 1
Determining the Moisture Content of Soil (Conventional Oven Method)
Experiment performed by:
Anthony John Tang
11448636

Introduction
This experiment aims to determine the moisture contents of several earth samples.
It is important to determine moisture content of earth as it affects significantly to
the bearing strength of the soul. There are two types of earth samples used in this
experiment. One is typical garden soil, the other is clay. Two sample trials are taken
per earth type. Samples are then oven dried. Data is taken both in pre-drying and
post-drying to determine the moisture content of the said samples.

Data and Calculations

Equation for Moisture Content

Moisture Content=

Massof Water
100
Mass of Solid Particles

Trial 1 Garden Soil

Moisture Content=

6.92
100 =12.96
53.41

Trial 2 Garden Soil

Moisture Content=

7.49
100 =12.81
58.46

Trial 1 Clay

Moisture Content=

20.69
100 =60.44
34.23

Trial 1 Clay

Moisture Content=

19.11
100 =59.24
32.26

Mass of Container + Specimen

Mass of Container + Oven -dried
Specimen
Mass of Container
Mass of Water

Soil Samples
Garden Soil
Clay
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 1 Trial 2
100.1
86.13
8 90.63
86.28
79.21
25.8
6.92

92.69
34.23
7.49

69.94
35.71
20.69

67.17
34.91
19.11

Mass of Solid Particles

Moisture Content
Average

53.41
58.46
12.96
12.81
%
%
12.88%

34.23
32.26
60.44
59.24
%
%
59.84%

Discussion of Results
As can be seen from the data, typical soil holds an average of 12.88% of water by
mass, and clay at 59.84%. From here we can see that clay retains more water at
normal conditions than garden soil. This entails that water content is very crucial in
conditions where clay is present, as clay in normal conditions constitutes at least
60% water. It is also the same for soil as it is at least 12% water. However, as can be
seen from the data, normal soil does not retain as much water as clay and therefore
is not as sensitive to any change in water content as clay, though it still poses
significant change in soil conditions.
Conclusions and Recommendations
We can conclude from the data that moisture content is important when studying
properties of soil. Yet with two different types of earth samples, we can see that
each has its own properties when concerning water content. Clay at normal
conditions is made of 60% water, and garden soil is at 12%. In our country, where it
suffers consistently wet on consistently dry weather all throughout the year, the
effects of moisture content is very crucial in the design of structures as the
sometimes the soil itself carries the weight of the building, depending on its design.
Earth like clay may be adverse for the strength of the soils bearing capacity. During
the countrys summer season, the lack of moisture or drying of the clay can cause
the earth to significantly degrade due to its high water content at normal
conditions. The same can be said for normal soil however, but not as detrimental as
clay.
Moisture content is important for establishing the relationship between the way a
soil behaves and its properties, its tendency to absorb water, its erodibility and so
on. Such properties are very important in soil mechanics and structural design.

References
Experiment 1 Water Content Determination. (n.d.). Retrieved from University of
Illinois Chicago Soil Mechanics Laboratory:
http://www.uic.edu/classes/cemm/cemmlab/Experiment%201-Water
%20Content.pdf