ASTM D2216-19
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 For many materials, the water content is one of the most significant properties used in establishing a correlation between soil behavior and its index properties.
5.2 The water content of a material is used in expressing the phase relationships of air, water, and solids in a given volume of material.
5.3 In fine-grained soils, the consistency of a given soil type depends on its water content. The water content of a soil, along with its liquid and plastic limits as determined by Test Method D4318, is used to express its relative consistency or liquidity index.
Note 2: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the laboratory determination of the water (moisture) content by mass of soil, rock, and similar materials where the reduction in mass by drying is due to loss of water except as noted in 1.4, 1.5, and 1.8. For simplicity, the word “material” shall refer to soil, rock or aggregate whichever is most applicable.
1.2 Some disciplines, such as soil science, need to determine water content on the basis of volume. Such determinations are beyond the scope of this test method.
1.3 The water content of a material is the ratio of the mass of water contained in the pore spaces of soil or rock material, to the solid mass of particles, expressed as a percentage.
1.4 The term “solid material” as used in geotechnical engineering is typically assumed to mean naturally occurring mineral particles of soil and rock that are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the water content of materials containing extraneous matter (such as cement etc.) may require special treatment or a qualified definition of water content. In addition, some organic materials may be decomposed by oven drying at the standard drying temperature for this method (110 ± 5°C). Materials containing gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) or other compounds having significant amounts of hydrated water, may present a special problem as this material slowly dehydrates at the standard drying temperature (110 ± 5°C) and at very low relative humidity, forming a compound (such as calcium sulfate hemihydrate) that is not normally present in natural materials except in some desert soils. In order to reduce the degree of dehydration of gypsum in those materials containing gypsum or to reduce decomposition in highly/fibrous organic soils, it may be desirable to dry the materials at 60°C or in a desiccator at room temperature. When a drying temperature is used which is different from the standard drying temperature as defined by this test method, the resulting water content may be different from the standard water content determined at the standard drying temperature of 110 ± 5°C.
Note 1: Test Method D2974 provides an alternate procedure for determining water content of peat materials.
1.5 Materials containing water with substantial amounts of soluble solids (such as salt in the case of marine sediments) when tested by this method will give a mass of solids that includes the previously soluble dissolved solids. These materials require special treatment to remove or account for the presence of precipitated solids in the dry mass of the specimen, or a qualified definition of water content must be used. For example, see Test Method D4542 regarding information on marine sediments.
1.6 This test standard requires several hours for proper drying of the water content specimen. Test Methods D4643, D4944 and ...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D2216 − 19
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of
1
Soil and Rock by Mass
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2216; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* temperature as defined by this test method, the resulting water
content may be different from the standard water content
1.1 These test methods cover the laboratory determination
determined at the standard drying temperature of 110 65°C.
of the water (moisture) content by mass of soil, rock, and
similar materials where the reduction in mass by drying is due
NOTE 1—Test Method D2974 provides an alternate procedure for
determining water content of peat materials.
to loss of water except as noted in 1.4, 1.5, and 1.8. For
simplicity, the word “material” shall refer to soil, rock or
1.5 Materials containing water with substantial amounts of
aggregate whichever is most applicable.
soluble solids (such as salt in the case of marine sediments)
when tested by this method will give a mass of solids that
1.2 Some disciplines, such as soil science, need to deter-
includes the previously soluble dissolved solids. These mate-
mine water content on the basis of volume. Such determina-
rials require special treatment to remove or account for the
tions are beyond the scope of this test method.
presenceofprecipitatedsolidsinthedrymassofthespecimen,
1.3 The water content of a material is the ratio of the mass
or a qualified definition of water content must be used. For
of water contained in the pore spaces of soil or rock material,
example, see Test Method D4542 regarding information on
to the solid mass of particles, expressed as a percentage.
marine sediments.
1.4 The term “solid material” as used in geotechnical
1.6 This test standard requires several hours for proper
engineering is typically assumed to mean naturally occurring
drying of the water content specimen. Test Methods D4643,
mineralparticlesofsoilandrockthatarenotreadilysolublein
D4944 and D4959 provide less time-consuming processes for
water. Therefore, the water content of materials containing
2
determining water content. See Gilbert for details on the
extraneous matter (such as cement etc.) may require special
background of Test Method D4643.
treatmentoraqualifieddefinitionofwatercontent.Inaddition,
1.7 Two test methods are provided in this standard. The
some organic materials may be decomposed by oven drying at
methods differ in the significant digits reported and the size of
the standard drying temperature for this method (110 65°C).
the specimen (mass) required. The method to be used may be
Materials containing gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) or
specifiedbytherequestingauthority;otherwiseMethodAshall
other compounds having significant amounts of hydrated
be performed.
water, may present a special problem as this material slowly
1.7.1 Method A—The water content by mass is recorded to
dehydratesatthestandarddryingtemperature(110 65°C)and
the nearest 1%. For cases of dispute, MethodAis the referee
at very low relative humidity, forming a compound (such as
method.
calcium sulfate hemihydrate) that is not normally present in
1.7.2 Method B—The water content by mass is recorded to
naturalmaterialsexceptinsomedesertsoils.Inordertoreduce
the nearest 0.1%.
the degree of dehydration of gypsum in those materials
containing gypsum or to reduce decomposition in highly/
1.8 Thisstandardrequiresthedryingofmaterialinanoven.
fibrousorganicsoils,itmaybedesirabletodrythematerialsat
If the material being dried is contaminated with certain
60°C or in a desiccator at room temperature. When a drying
chemicals that may react violently or emit hazardous gases
temperatureisusedwhichisdifferentfromthestandarddrying
when heated, health and safety hazards may exist. Therefore,
this standard should not be used in determining the water
contentofcontaminatedsoilsunlessadequatehealthandsafety
1
precautions are exercised.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.03onTexture,Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
2
Current edition approved March 1, 2019. Published March 2019. Originally Gilbert, P.A., “Computer Controlled Microwave Oven System for RapidWater
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D2216–10.
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2216 − 10 D2216 − 19
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of
1
Soil and Rock by Mass
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2216; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover the laboratory determination of the water (moisture) content by mass of soil, rock, and similar
materials where the reduction in mass by drying is due to loss of water except as noted in 1.4, 1.5, and 1.71.8. For simplicity, the
word “material” shall refer to soil, rock or aggregate whichever is most applicable.
1.2 Some disciplines, such as soil science, need to determine water content on the basis of volume. Such determinations are
beyond the scope of this test method.
1.3 The water content of a material is defined the ratio of the mass of water contained in 3.2.1.the pore spaces of soil or rock
material, to the solid mass of particles, expressed as a percentage.
1.4 The term “solid material” as used in geotechnical engineering is typically assumed to mean naturally occurring mineral
particles of soil and rock that are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the water content of materials containing extraneous
matter (such as cement etc.) may require special treatment or a qualified definition of water content. In addition, some organic
materials may be decomposed by oven drying at the standard drying temperature for this method (110°C).(110 6 5°C). Materials
containing gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) or other compounds having significant amounts of hydrated water, may present a
special problem as this material slowly dehydrates at the standard drying temperature (110°C)(110 6 5°C) and at very low relative
humidity, forming a compound (such as calcium sulfate hemihydrate) that is not normally present in natural materials except in
some desert soils. In order to reduce the degree of dehydration of gypsum in those materials containing gypsum or to reduce
decomposition in highly/fibrous organic soils, it may be desirable to dry the materials at 60°C or in a desiccator at room
temperature. Thus, when When a drying temperature is used which is different from the standard drying temperature as defined
by this test method, the resulting water content may be different from the standard water content determined at the standard drying
temperature of 110°C.110 6 5°C.
NOTE 1—Test Method D2974 provides an alternate procedure for determining water content of peat materials.
1.5 Materials containing water with substantial amounts of soluble solids (such as salt in the case of marine sediments) when
tested by this method will give a mass of solids that includes the previously soluble dissolved solids. These materials require
special treatment to remove or account for the presence of precipitated solids in the dry mass of the specimen, or a qualified
definition of water content must be used. For example, see Test Method D4542 regarding information on marine sediments.
1.6 This test standard requires several hours for proper drying of the water content specimen. Test Methods D4643, D4944 and
2
D4959 provide less time-consuming processes for determining water content. See Gilbert for details on the background of Test
Method D4643.
1.7 Two test methods are provided in this standard. The methods differ in the significant digits reported and the size of the
specimen (mass) required. The method to be used may be specified by the requesting authority; otherwise Method A shall be
performed.
1.7.1 Method A—The water content by mass is recorded to the nearest 1 %. For cases of dispute, Method A is the referee
method.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved July 1, 2010March 1, 2019. Published August 2010March 2019. Originally approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 20052010 as
D2216–05.–10. DOI: 10.1520/D2216-10.10.1520/D2216-19.
2
Gilbert, P.A., ““ComputerComputer Controlled Microwave Oven System for Rapid Water Content Determination,”Determination,” Tech. Report GL-88–21, Department
of the Ar
...
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