Table of Contents

Moisture Condition Value....................................................................................... 2

Abstract................................................................................................................. 2
1.0 Introduction..................................................................................................... 3
2.0 Experimental Procedure...................................................................................4
2.1 Sample Preparation...................................................................................... 4
2.2 Apparatus..................................................................................................... 4
3.0 Calculations and Results..................................................................................5
4.0 Analysis and Discussion...................................................................................7
5.0 Conclusions...................................................................................................... 8
References............................................................................................................. 9

Moisture Condition Value

BS 1377

1
Abstract
This method covers the laboratory determination of the moisture content of a soil as a

percentage of its oven-dried weight. The method may be applied to fine, medium and coarse

grain soils for particle sizes from 2 mm to >10 mm. The method is based on removing soil

moisture by oven-drying a soil sample until the weight remains constant. The moisture

content (%) is calculated from the sample weight before and after drying.

To determine the amount of total water present in a sample of aggregate expressed as a

percentage of the dry mass.

2
1.0 Introduction
The determination of water content of soil is one of the major engineering activities that is

undertaken before ultimately constructing a structure. But before extending the topic further

it is important to discuss the importance of determination of water content of soil so that the

ultimate goal of determination of water content of soil can be established properly.

Water is one of the major driving components that govern the engineering properties of any

soil sample. Water in is simplest form can be found in the oceans, seas, rivers, lakes etc. But

apart from that the presence of water in the soil capillaries and pores is another form of water.

The presence of water in the soil capillaries is the one that affects the engineering properties

of soil. This is because soil is the ultimate factor upon which the stability, strength, durability,

resistance to undue effects of nature and man-made activities of a building or structure

depends.

The water content of the soil must with the limit of the construction so that the overall

stability of the building is not disturbed. Therefore attaining this various soil stabilization

methods are used.

The water content can be determined by performing some standard water content of soil

experiments. Oven dry method, Radial Method, Sand bath method, Alcohol method

and Calcium carbide Method are some of the most common in-situ methods to determine the

water content of soil sample.

3
2.0 Experimental Procedure
Clean and dry the container, then weigh it to the nearest 0.1g
Place the sample in the container using the scoop and weigh
Also weigh sample in water
Place sample with the container in the oven and dry at 1050C for minimum of 12hours
After drying, weigh the container and sample
Record all reading

2.1 Sample Preparation

Remove all forms of impurities from the selected portion to be used

With the use of sieve, reduce the sample to produce a test portion that complies with the sizes
as shown in the table below

Table 1

Nominal size of aggregate (mm) Minimum mass of test portion (kg)

63 15
50 10
40 to 20 5
20 to 10 2
10 to 5 1
<5 0.5

2.2 Apparatus
Drying oven with temperature of 105 50C
A balance readable to 0.5g
A scoop
A riffle box
A metal container

3.0 Calculations and Results

Table 2

Sample Weight of Weight of Saturated Absorption Specific

Number sample in air sample in weight (g) Gravity

4
 (g) B water (g) C D
1 1000 630.2 1004.2 0.42 2.674
2 1000 630.5 1004.2 0.42 2.676

Average 0.42 2.675

To calculate the moisture condition of the aggregate as a percentage of the dry soil weight,
the formula below is applied

DB
100
Absorption = B

Where:

D = saturated weight of the aggregate

B = weight of dry sample

Thus putting the values

1004.21000
100
Absorption = 1000

4.2
=0.42
Absorption = 10

B
Specific Gravity = DC

Where:

B = weight of dry sample

5
C = weight of sample in water

D = saturated weight of the aggregate

Therefore, putting the values

1000
Specific Gravity = 1004.2630.2

1000
=2.674
Specific Gravity = 374

After applying same procedures and calculations for the second set of sample, the average
result of the two is thus determined and tabulated in the result table as shown in table1 above.

Thus the average result of water content as calculated is 0.42 and that of the specific gravity
2.675

4.0 Analysis and Discussion

The results of the moisture condition value test (mcv) are used for assessing and controlling

the suitability of soils for earthworks. In concrete mixture, this test is vital for the water

6
cement ratio determination for effective workability. From the lab practical performed, the

average result for the specific gravity is 2.675. Specific gravity is a mean to decide the

suitability of the aggregate. Low specific gravity generally indicates porous, weak and

absorptive materials, whereas high specific gravity indicates materials of good quality.

Specific gravity of major aggregates falls within the range of 2.6 to 2.9 and thus the materials

for this test is ok.

The average absorption recorded and calculated in this practical is 0.42 percent which also

satisfy the range of absorption of 0.1 to 2.0 for road construction. Therefore the materials

selected for this practical satisfies the requirement as in text books for field practical work.

7
5.0 Conclusions
Aggregates influence, to a great extent, the load transfer capability of pavements. Hence it is

essential that they should be thoroughly tested before using for construction. Not only that

aggregates should be strong and durable, they should also possess proper shape and size to

make the pavement act monolithically. Aggregates are tested for strength, toughness,

hardness, shape, and water absorption.

For the moisture condition value test carried out, all data shows that the test samples are ok

for pavement construction.

8
References
Airey, G. D., Masad, E., Bhasin, A., Caro, S., & Little, D. (2007). Asphalt mixture moisture
damage assessment combined with surface energy characterization. In A. Loizos, T. Scarpas,
& I. L. Al-Qadi (Eds.), Proceedings of a conference on advanced characterization of
pavement and soil engineering materials (pp. 739748). Athens, Greece: CRC Press.

Kim, Y. and Little, D. (2005). Development of specification-type tests to assess the impact of
fine aggregate and mineral filler on fatigue damage. 1st ed. College Station, Tex.: Texas
Transportation Institute, Texas A & M University System.

Salvucci, G. and Eagleson, P. (1990). A test of ecological optimality for semiarid vegetation.
1st ed. Cambridge, Mass.: Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Hydrology and Water Resource
Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering.