ASTM D4959-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil By Direct Heating
Standard Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil By Direct Heating
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the water (moisture) content of soils by drying with direct heat, such as using a hotplate, stove, blowtorch, etc.
1.2 This test method is not intended as a replacement for Method D2216 but rather as a substitute when more rapid and less accurate results are acceptable or desired to expedite other phases of testing. Method D2216 is to be used as the method to compare for accuracy checks and correction.
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method and Method D2216 arise, Method D2216 shall be the referee method.
1.4 This test method is applicable for most soil types. For some soils, such as those containing significant amounts of halloysite, mica, montmorillonite, gypsum, or other hydrated materials, highly organic soils or soils that contain dissolved solids, (such as salt in the case of marine deposits), this test method may not yield reliable water content values.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.6 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:D4959–00
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil By Direct
Heating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4959; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock,
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the
and Related Construction Materials
water (moisture) content of soils by drying with direct heat,
such as using a hotplate, stove, blowtorch, etc.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with
Method D 2216 when more rapid results are desired to expe-
Terms and Symbols D 653.
dite other phases of testing and slightly less accurate results are
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
acceptable.
3.2.1 direct heating—a process by which the soil is dried by
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method
conductiveheatingfromthedirectapplicationofheatinexcess
and Method D 2216 arise, Method D 2216 shall be the referee
of 110°C to the specimen container, such as provided by a hot
method.
plate, gas stove or burner, heatlamps, or other heat sources.
1.4 This test method is applicable for most soil types. For
Direct application of heat by flame to the specimen is not
some soils, such as those containing significant amounts of
appropriate.
halloysite, mica, montmorillonite, gypsum, or other hydrated
3.2.2 water (moisture) content—the ratio, expressed as a
materials, highly organic soils or soils that contain dissolved
percentage, of the mass of water in a given mass of soil to the
solids, (such as salt in the case of marine deposits), this test
mass of the solid particles.
method may not yield reliable water content values.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Summary of Test Method
standard.
4.1 A moist soil specimen is placed in a suitable container
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and its mass is determined. It is then subjected to drying by the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
application of direct heat until dry by appearance, removed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
from the heat source, and its new mass is determined. This
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
procedure is repeated until the mass becomes constant within
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
specified limits.
2. Referenced Documents 4.2 The difference between the masses of the moist speci-
men and the dried specimen is used as the mass of water
2.1 ASTM Standards:
contained in the specimen. The water content (expressed as a
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
2 percentage) is determined by dividing the mass of water by the
Fluids
dry mass of soil, multiplied by 100. For a given soil type and
D 2216 TestMethodforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
2 specimen size, the time to achieve a constant dry mass can be
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock
noted and used to estimate drying time for subsequent tests of
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
the same soil type using the same size specimen and drying
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
apparatus.
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The water content of a soil is used throughout geotech-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
nical engineering practice both in the laboratory and in the
Construction Control Tests.
field. The use of Test Method D 2216 for water content
Current edition approved March 10, 2000. Published April 2000. Originally
determination can be time consuming and there are occasions
published as D 4959 – 89. Last previous edition D 4959 – 89 (1994).
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. when a more expedient method is desirable. Drying by direct
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4959
heating is one such method. Results of this test method have 7. Apparatus
been demonstrated to be of satisfactory accuracy for use in
7.1 Direct Heat Source—Any source or heat that can be
field control work, such as in the determination of water
directed to the soil specimen to raise the specimen temperature
content, and in the determination of in-place dry unit weight of
to or above 110°C. Commonly used sources include electric,
soils.
gas, butane or oil-fired stoves, and hotplates, blowtorches, heat
5.2 The principal objection to the use of the direct heating
lamps, hair driers, space heaters, etc. Heat sources that directly
for water content determination is the possibility of overheat- apply open flame to the specimen may cause extreme degra-
ingthesoil,therebyyieldingawatercontenthigherthanwould dation of the specimen along with oxidation of and depositing
of soot in the specimen and should not be used.
be determined by Test Method D 2216. While not eliminating
7.2 Balances—A balance having a minimum capacity of 2
this possibility, the incremental drying procedure in this test
Kg, and meeting the requirements of Specification D 4753 for
method will minimize its effects. Some heat sources have
a balance of 0.1-g readability.
settings or controls that can also be used to reduce overheating.
7.3 Specimen Containers—Suitable containers made of ma-
Loose fitting covers or enclosures can also be used to reduce
terial resistant to corrosion and a change in mass upon repeated
overheating while assisting in uniform heat distribution.
heating, cooling, and cleaning. One container is needed for
5.3 The behavior of a soil when subjected to direct heating
each water content determination.
is dependent on its mineralogical composition, and as a result,
7.4 Container Handling Apparatus—Gloves or suitable
no one procedure is applicable for all types of soils or heat
holder for moving hot containers after drying.
sources.Thegeneralprocedureofthistestmethodappliestoall
7.5 Miscellaneous (as needed)—Mixingtoolssuchasspatu-
soils, but test details may need to be tailored to the soil being
las, spoons, etc.; eye protection, such as safety glasses or
tested.
goggles; cigarette papers, and knives.
5.4 When this test method is to be used repeatedly on the
same or similar soil from a given site, a correction factor can
8. Hazards
usuallybedeterminedbymakingseveralcomparisonsbetween
8.1 Container holders or gloves are recommended for han-
the results of this test method and Test Method D 2216. A
dling hot containers. Some soil types can retain considerable
correction factor is valid when the difference is consistent for
heat, and serious burns could result from improper handling.
several comparisons, and is reconfirmed on a regular specified
8.2 Suitable eye protection such as safety glasses or goggles
basis.
is recommended due to the possibility of particle shattering
5.5 This test method may not be appropriate when precise
during heating, mixing, or mass determinations.
results are required, or when minor variations in water content 8.3 Highly organic soils, and soils containing oil or other
will affect the results of other test methods, such as borderline
contaminants may ignite during drying with direct heat
situationswheresmallvariationsinthemeasuredwatercontent sources. Means for smothering flames to prevent operator
could affect acceptance or rejection. injury or equipment damage should be available during testing.
Fumes given off from contaminated soils or wastes may be
5.6 Thistestmethodisnotappropriateforspecimensknown
toxic, and should be vented accordingly.
to contain flammable organics or contaminants, and other test
8.4 Due to the possibility of steam explosions, or thermal
methods should be utilized in these situations.
stress shattering of porous or brittle aggregates, a vented
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this test method is
covering over the sample container may be appropriate to
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the
prevent operator injury or equipment damage. This also pre-
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
vents scattering of the test specimen during the drying cycle
criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent
while aiding in uniform heating of the specimen.
and objective testing/sampling/inspection. Users of this test method are
cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself ensure
9. Samples
reliable results . Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors. 9.1 Perform the water content determination as soon as
practical after sampling to prevent water loss and damage to
6. Interferences
potentially corrodible containers.
9.2 Prior to testing, store samples in non-corrodible airtight
6.1 When testing sand and gravel size particles, additional
containers at a temperature between approximately 3 and 30°C
care must be taken to avoid the possibility of particle shatter-
and in an area that prevents direct exposure to sunlight.
ing.
6.2 Due to the localized high temperatures in the soil during
10. Test Specimens
testing, the physical characteristics of the soil may be altered.
10.1 Select a representative portion of the total sample. If a
Degradation of individual particles may occur, along with
layeredsoilormorethanonesoiltypeisencountered,selectan
vaporization, chemical transition, or loss o
...
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