Republic of the Philippines

Southern Leyte State University

Main Campus, Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF A

SOIL SAMPLE

Submitted to:

DR. ANACLETA L. DAGAAS

Assistant Professor 3

Submitted by:

Alex P. Tajora
Student
 Republic of the Philippines
Southern Leyte State University
Main Campus, Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Name : Alex P. Tajora Date Performed: August 04 , 2017

Course &Year: BSCE 4A Date Submitted: August 11 , 2017
Group # : 2

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF A SOIL SAMPLE

Objective/s:
 To determine the water content of a soil sample.
 To understand the underlying principles of determining the water content of a soil sample.

Apparatus/Tool:
 Container saw, spatula  Large knife, wire
 Balance  Small metal can
 Oven  Graduated cylinder
 Desiccators  Paraffin

Procedure:
1. Weigh the container without the soil sample.
2. Weigh the container and soil sample.
3. Dry the container with the soil sample at a constant temperature between 105˚C TO 110˚C.
4. The drying time will depend upon the size and type of soil (1-6 hours).
5. Remove the container at let it cool to room temperature.
6. If the sample is to be weighed within one hour, cool it at room temperature. If the sample is not
to be weighed at once, it should be placed in desiccators for cooling.
 Data Sheet:

Water Content Determination:

Sample Can No. 1 2 3 4 5
Wt. of wet sample + can 221.1 g 241.1 g 233.8 g 324 g 260 g
Wt. of dry sample + can 194 g 194.3 g 209.1 g 287.75 g 243 g
Wt. of water 27.1 g 47 g 24.7 g 36.25 g 17 g
Wt. of can 89.57 g 86.68 g 89.63 g 92.57 g 90.02 g
Wt. of dry sample 104.43 g 107.62 g 119.47 g 195.18 g 152.98 g
Water Content, w 25.95 43.67 20.67 18.57 11.11
Sample Location Food Old New Food Old
Technology Dormitory Dormitory Technology Dormitory
Building Building

Computation Sheet:
Let;
Weight of wet sample + can = Wa
Weight of can = Wc
Weight of dry sample = Ws
Solving for Weight of water: ( Ww = Wa – Wb )
For pipe no.1:
221.1 – 194 = 27.1
For pipe no.4
324 – 287 = 36.25
, Weight of dry sample + can = Wb
, Weight of water = Ww
, Water content = w
For pipe no.2 For pipe no.3
241.1 - 194.3 = 47 233.8 - 209.1 = 24.7
For pipe no.5
260 – 243 = 17

Solving for Weight of dry sample: (Ws = Wb – Wc )

For pipe no.1: For pipe no.2 For pipe no.3
194 – 89.57 = 104.43 194.3 – 86.68 = 107.62 209.1 – 89.63 = 119.47
For pipe no.4 For pipe no.5
287.75 – 92.57 = 195.18 243 – 90.02 = 152.98

Solving for Water Content: ( w = (Ww/Ws)*100 )

For pipe no.1: For pipe no.2 For pipe no.3
(27.1/104.43)*100 = 25.95% (47/107.62)*100 = 43.67% (24.7/119.47)*100 = 20.67%
For pipe no.4 for pipe no.5
(36.25/195.18)*100 = 18.57% (17/152.98)*100 = 11.11%

*Note : All units are in grams.

Discussion:
For many materials, the water content is one of the most significant index properties used in
establishing a correlation between soil behavior and its index properties. The water content of a
material is used in expressing the phase relationships of air, water, and solids in a given volume of
material. In this lab exercise the computed water contents are 25.95%, 43.67%, 20.67%, 18.57%,
11.11% for pipe 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 , respectively.
According to Dr. George Mylonakis, most natural soils, which are sandy and gravelly in nature,
may have water content of about 15-20%. For fine-grained soils, water contents up to about 50-80%
can be found. However, peat and highly organic soils with water content up to about 500% are not
uncommon.

Conclusion:

Thus, the laboratory exercise aims the student to have a knowledge on determining the water
content of a soil sample. The laboratory exercise pertains to unleash the students understanding on the
underlying principles of computing or determining the wtaer content of a soil sample. Furthermore the
knowledge sustain must be life-long to used it as an asset in pursuing the future endeavor as future
civil engineer.
 Republic of the Philippines
Southern Leyte State University
Main Campus, Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF A

SOIL SAMPLE

Submitted to:

DR. ANACLETA L. DAGAAS

Assistant Professor 3

Submitted by:

Angelie V. Remedios
Student
 Republic of the Philippines
Southern Leyte State University
Main Campus, Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Name : Angelie Remedios Date Performed: August 04 , 2017

Course &Year: BSCE 4A Date Submitted: August 11 , 2017
Group # : 2

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF A SOIL SAMPLE

Objective/s:

 To determine the water content of a soil sample.

 To understand the underlying principles of determining the water content of a soil sample.

Apparatus/Tool:

 Container saw, spatula  Large knife, wire

 Balance  Small metal can
 Oven  Graduated cylinder
 Desiccators  Paraffin

Procedure:

1. Weigh the container without the soil sample.

2. Weigh the container and soil sample.
3. Dry the container with the soil sample at a constant temperature between 105˚C TO 110˚C.
4. The drying time will depend upon the size and type of soil (1-6 hours).
5. Remove the container at let it cool to room temperature.
6. If the sample is to be weighed within one hour, cool it at room temperature. If the sample is not
to be weighed at once, it should be placed in desiccators for cooling.
 Data Sheet:
Water Content Determination:
Sample Can No. 1 2 3 4 5
Wt. of wet sample + can 221.1 g 241.1 g 233.8 g 324 g 243 g
Wt. of dry sample + can 194 g 194.3 g 209.1 g 287.75 g 260 g
Wt. of water 27.1 g 47 g 24.7 g 36.25 g 17 g
Wt. of can 89.57 g 86.68 g 89.63 g 92.57 g 90.02 g
Wt. of dry sample 104.43 g 107.62 g 119.47 g 195.18 g 152.98 g
Water Content, w 25.95 43.67 20.67 18.57 11.11
Sample Location Food Old New Food Old
Technology Dormitory Dormitory Technology Dormitory
Building Building

Computation Sheet:
Let;
Weight of wet sample + can = Wa
Weight of can = Wc
Weight of dry sample = Ws
Solving for Weight of water: (Ww = Wa – Wb )
For pipe no.1:
221.1 – 194 = 27.1
For pipe no.4
324 – 287 = 36.25
, Weight of dry sample + can = Wb
, Weight of water = Ww
, Water content = w
For pipe no.2 for pipe no.3
241.1 - 194.3 = 47 233.8 - 209.1 = 24.7
for pipe no.5
260 – 243 = 17

Solving for Weight of dry sample: (Ws = Wb – Wc )

For pipe no.1: For pipe no.2 for pipe no.3
194 – 89.57 = 104.43 194.3 – 86.68 = 107.62 209.1 – 89.63 = 119.47
For pipe no.4 for pipe no.5
287.75 – 92.57 = 195.18 243 – 90.02 = 152.98

Solving for Water Content: (w = (Ww/Ws)*100)

For pipe no.1: For pipe no.2 for pipe no.3
(27.1/104.43)*100 = 25.95% (47/107.62)*100 = 43.67% (24.7/119.47)*100 = 20.67%
For pipe no.4 for pipe no.5
(36.25/195.18)*100 = 18.57% (17/152.98)*100 = 11.11%

*Note: All units are in grams.

Discussion:

For many materials, the water content is one of the most significant index properties used in
establishing a correlation between soil behavior and its index properties. The water content of a
material is used in expressing the phase relationships of air, water, and solids in a given volume of
material. In this lab exercise the computed water contents are 25.95%, 43.67%, 20.67%, 18.57%,
11.11% for pipe 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 , respectively.
According to Dr. George Mylonakis, most natural soils, which are sandy and gravelly in
nature, may have water content of about 15-20%. For fine-grained soils, water contents up to about
50-80% can be found. However, peat and highly organic soils with water content up to about 500%
are not uncommon.

Conclusion:

Overall, this laboratory exercise helps us to know the basic principles of determining the water
content of a soil sample. This laboratory exercise enables the student to have knowledge regarding on
computing the water content of a soil sample that are related in the field of Civil Engineering.
 Republic of the Philippines
Southern Leyte State University
Main Campus, Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF A

SOIL SAMPLE

Submitted to:

DR. ANACLETA L. DAGAAS

Assistant Professor 3

Submitted by:

Arvin N. Quintero
Student
 Republic of the Philippines
Southern Leyte State University
Main Campus, Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Name : Arvin Quintero Date Performed: August 04 , 2017

Course &Year: BSCE 4A Date Submitted: August 11 , 2017
Group # : 2

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF A SOIL SAMPLE

Objective/s:

 To determine the water content of a soil sample.

 To understand the underlying principles of determining the water content of a soil sample.

Apparatus/Tool:

 Container saw, spatula  Large knife, wire

 Balance  Small metal can
 Oven  Graduated cylinder
 Desiccators  Paraffin

Procedure:

1. Weigh the container without the soil sample.

2. Weigh the container and soil sample.
3. Dry the container with the soil sample at a constant temperature between 105˚C TO 110˚C.
4. The drying time will depend upon the size and type of soil (1-6 hours).
5. Remove the container at let it cool to room temperature.
6. If the sample is to be weighed within one hour, cool it at room temperature. If the sample is not
to be weighed at once, it should be placed in desiccators for cooling.
 Data Sheet:
Water Content Determination:
Sample Can No. 1 2 3 4 5
Wt. of wet sample + can 221.1 g 241.1 g 233.8 g 324 g 243 g
Wt. of dry sample + can 194 g 194.3 g 209.1 g 287.75 g 260 g
Wt. of water 27.1 g 47 g 24.7 g 36.25 g 17 g
Wt. of can 89.57 g 86.68 g 89.63 g 92.57 g 90.02 g
Wt. of dry sample 104.43 g 107.62 g 119.47 g 195.18 g 152.98 g
Water Content, w 25.95 43.67 20.67 18.57 11.11
Sample Location Food Old New Food Old
Technology Dormitory Dormitory Technology Dormitory
Building Building

Computation Sheet:
Let;
Weight of wet sample + can = Wa
Weight of can = Wc
Weight of dry sample = Ws
Solving for Weight of water: ( Ww = Wa – Wb )
For pipe no.1:
221.1 – 194 = 27.1
For pipe no.4
324 – 287 = 36.25
, Weight of dry sample + can = Wb
, Weight of water = Ww
, Water content = w
For pipe no.2 For pipe no.3
241.1 - 194.3 = 47 233.8 - 209.1 = 24.7
for pipe no.5
260 – 243 = 17

Solving for Weight of dry sample: ( Ws = Wb – Wc )

For pipe no.1: For pipe no.2 For pipe no.3
194 – 89.57 = 104.43 194.3 – 86.68 = 107.62 209.1 – 89.63 = 119.47
For pipe no.4 for pipe no.5
287.75 – 92.57 = 195.18 243 – 90.02 = 152.98

Solving for Water Content: (w = (Ww/Ws)*100)

For pipe no.1: For pipe no.2 For pipe no.3
(27.1/104.43)*100 = 25.95% (47/107.62)*100 = 43.67% (24.7/119.47)*100 = 20.67%
For pipe no.4 for pipe no.5
(36.25/195.18)*100 = 18.57% (17/152.98)*100 = 11.11%

*Note: All units are in grams.

Discussion:

For many materials, the water content is one of the most significant index properties used in
establishing a correlation between soil behavior and its index properties. The water content of a
material is used in expressing the phase relationships of air, water, and solids in a given volume of
material. In this lab exercise the computed water contents are 25.95%, 43.67%, 20.67%, 18.57%,
11.11% for pipe 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 , respectively.
According to Dr. George Mylonakis, most natural soils, which are sandy and gravelly in nature,
may have water content of about 15-20%. For fine-grained soils, water contents up to about 50-80%
can be found. However, peat and highly organic soils with water content up to about 500% are not
uncommon.

Conclusion:

This lab exercise give me knowledge on how to compute the moisture content of the soil
sample and the basic principle in determining the water content of soil sample.