Faysal Albalushi

28-May-2015
CET 341W Soils Testing Laboratory
ATTN: Dr. Jon Lester
Old Dominion University
Department of Engineering Technology
Kaufman Hall 203B
Norfolk, VA 23529
Dr. Lester:
Attached is my report for the determination of water content lab.
I have prepared the laboratory report for the determination of water content. Enclosed are the
procedures, results, and conclusions for this experiment.
Thank you for giving us this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,

Faysal Albalushi

OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY

FRANK BATTEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

CET 341W: Soils Testing Lab

Spring 2015

Instructor: Dr. Lester

Experiment 1 - Determination of water content

Faysal Albalushi

Report Due: 28 May 2015

Pledge:
I/we pledge to support the Honor System of Old Dominion University. I/we will refrain
from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I/we am
aware that as a member of the academic community it is my responsibility to turn in all
suspected violators of the Honor Code. I/we will report to a hearing if summoned.

Purpose:
The purpose of this test was to determine the water content within a selected soil sample
through experimentation.

Equipment List with Photographs:

1. Moisture Cans -for carrying samples

2. The Oven -for drying samples

3. The Scale Balance- for weighing the samples

4. Spatula

Method:
1. The first step is to select a soil sample.
2. Weigh the three empty moisture cans with the scale balance. Collect the mass of the
each cans (W1).
3. Place around 50g moist soil sample into the moisture cans.
4. Again weigh the three moisture cans with moist sample using the scale balance.
Collect the mass of each cans (W2).
5. Place the three cans with soil samples in the oven at 105oC for 24 hours.
6. Removing the cans from oven again weigh the three moisture cans with dry sample
using the scale balance. Collect the mass of each cans (W3).
7. Determine the mass of the water by subtracting the mass of the moisture can with dry
soil from the mass of the moisture can with moist soil (W2 W3).
8. Determine the mass of the dry soil by subtracting the mass of the moisture can from
the mass of the can with dry soil (W3 W1).
9. Calculate the water content w (%) for the each of the three samples. This is computed
by using the equation w (%) = (( W2 W3 ) /( W3 W1 ))100 givan in laboratory
manual.
10. Determine the average water content of the three samples which is the resulted water
content of the soil sample.

Collected And Recorded Data:

Description of Soil: Light brown sandy soil
Sample No. 01
Location: Little Neck Area of Virginia Beach, Virginia
Tested by: Eric Thomas
Observed by: Faysal Albalushi
Date: 25/05/2015
ITEM
Can Number
Mass of can, W1(g)
Mass of can + wet soil, W2(g)
Mass of can + dry soil, W3(g)
Mass of Water, W2-W3 (g)
Mass of Dry soil, W3-W1 (g)
Water Content, w(%)

1
1.89
55.93
46.59
9.34
44.70
20.09

TEST NUMBER
2
1.85
57.28
47.71
9.57
45.86
20.87

3
1.94
53.73
44.65
9.08
42.71
21.26

Average water content, w= 21%

Sample Calculations:
For sample 2,
Mass of can, W1 = 1.85g
Mass of can + wet soil, W2 = 57.28g
Mass of can + dry soil, W3 = 47.71g
Mass of Water, W2 - W3 = 57.28g - 47.71g = 9.57g
Mass of Dry soil, W3 - W1 = 47.71g - 1.85g = 45.86g
Water Content, w2 = (( W2 - W3 )/( W3 - W1 ))100= 9.57g/45.86g 100= 20.87%
Average water content, w = (20.09+20.87+21.26)/3 = 21.01% = 21% (rounded to 1%)

Conclusions/Analysis:

The purpose of the lab was to determine the water content of soil. This purpose was
obtained based on experimentation procedures and the calculations provided above.
From the table 2-3 provided in lab manual it can be said that our sample is mixed of
loose angular-grained silty soil and dense angular-grained silty soil. Because in loose
angular-grained silty soil the water content would be 25% and in dense loose angulargrained silty soil the water content would be 15%. And the water content of our
sample is 21%.
There may be some deviation of the results due to following reasons:
Some organic soil may decompose in the 105oC temperature of oven. This may
change the resultant water content.
It was said in the lab manual to cool the oven removed sample in desiccators,
which had not been done. So, some water from atmosphere may make small
percentage of error in result.
For the maximum particle size 4.75 mm it was said to take around 100g sample,
which we did not take.