Moisture Content Determination in Soil using Speedy Moisture Tester, Lecture notes of Environmental Science

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■ Abdul Latif

Date:

■ 2K16/GLG/

■ Engineering Geology

■ Centre for pure and Applied Geology

Moisture Content Determination by

Speedy Moisture Tester.

The speedy moisture tester which is also called calcium carbide gas moisture tester provides a quick, simple means of determining the moisture content of the soil.

It is particularly useful for field determinations of moisture content in conjunction with field compaction testing.

The acetylenes gas produced by the tester is tapped within the tester and registers on the pressure dial, which is calibrated to read directly in percent of moisture by wet weight of soil.

■ When the needle stops moving, read the dial while holding the instrument in a horizontal position at eye level.

■ Record the dial reading.

■ With the cap of the instrument pointed away from the operator, slowly release the gas pressure.

■ Empty the pressure vessel and examine the material for lumps. If the sample is not completely pulverized, the test should be repeated using a new sample. ■ The dial reading is the percent of moisture by wet mass and must be converted to dry mass.

■ M.C = (Wsp x 100) / (1-Wsp)

■ Where,

■ M.C = moisture content in percentage (%)

■ Wsp = moisture content as obtained by speedy moisture meter expressed as a decimal fraction.

Precautions:

• Do not mix the chemical (calcium carbide) in an open atmosphere.
• Keep the speedy moisture tester in a horizontal position while clamping it.
• The tester should be shaken in a rotation to save it from any damage.
• At the time of releasing the cap of the tester, keep it away from the operator.