ASTM D4643-17
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil and Rock by Microwave Oven Heating
Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil and Rock by Microwave Oven Heating
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The water content of a soil is used throughout geotechnical engineering practice both in the laboratory and in the field. The use of Test Method D2216 for water content determination can be time consuming and there are occasions when a more expedient method is desirable. The use of a microwave oven is one such method.
5.2 The principal objection to the use of the microwave oven for water-content determination has been the possibility of overheating the soil, thereby yielding a water content higher than would be determined by Test Method D2216. While not eliminating this possibility, the incremental drying procedure described in this test method will minimize its effects. Some microwave ovens have settings at less than full power, which can also be used to reduce overheating.
5.3 The behavior of a soil, when subjected to microwave energy, is dependent on its mineralogical compositions, and as a result no one procedure is applicable for all types of soil. Therefore, the procedure recommended in this test method is meant to serve as a guide when using the microwave oven.
5.4 This test method is best suited for minus 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve sized material. Larger size particles can be tested; however, care must be taken because of the increased chance of particle shattering.
5.5 The use of this method may not be appropriate when highly accurate results are required, or the test using the data is extremely sensitive to moisture variations.
5.6 Due to the localized high temperatures that the specimen is exposed to in microwave heating, the physical characteristics of the soil may be altered. Degregation of individual particles may occur, along with vaporization or chemical transition. It is therefore recommended that samples used in this test method not be used for other tests subsequent to drying.
Note 1: The quality of the results produced by this test method is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equi...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method outlines procedures for determining the water content of soils by incrementally drying soil in a microwave oven.
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test Method D2216 when more rapid results are desired to expedite other phases of testing and slightly less accurate results are acceptable.
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method and Test Method D2216 arise, Test 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 in which the pore water contains significant amounts of dissolved solids (such as salt in the case of marine deposits), this test method may not yield reliable water content values due to the potential for heating above 110°C or lack of means to account for the presence of precipitated solids that were previously dissolved.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Performance of the test method utilizing another system of units shall not be considered non-conformance. The sieve designations are identified using the “standard” system in accordance with Specification E11, such as 2.0-mm and 19-mm, followed by the “alternative” system of No. 10 and 3/4-in., respectively, in parentheses.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless otherwise superseded by this standard.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies...
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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: D4643 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Water Content of Soil and Rock by
1
Microwave Oven Heating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4643; 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* dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
1.1 Thistestmethodoutlinesproceduresfordeterminingthe
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
water content of soils by incrementally drying soil in a
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
microwave oven.
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
Method D2216 when more rapid results are desired to expedite
methods for engineering design.
other phases of testing and slightly less accurate results are
1.6.2 Significant digits are especially important if the water
acceptable.
content will be used to calculate other relationships such as
moist mass to dry mass or vice versa, wet unit weight to dry
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method
and Test Method D2216 arise, Test Method D2216 shall be the unit weight or vice versa, and total density to dry density or
vice versa. For example, if four significant digits are required
referee method.
in any of the above calculations, then the water content has to
1.4 This test method is applicable for most soil types. For
be recorded to the nearest 0.1 %, for water contents below
some soils, such as those containing significant amounts of
100 %. This occurs since 1 plus the water content (not in
halloysite, mica, montmorillonite, gypsum or other hydrated
percent) will have four significant digits regardless of what the
materials, highly organic soils, or soils in which the pore water
value of the water content is (below 100 %); that is, 1 plus
contains significant amounts of dissolved solids (such as salt in
0.1/100 = 1.001, a value with four significant digits. While, if
the case of marine deposits), this test method may not yield
three significant digits are acceptable, then the water content
reliable water content values due to the potential for heating
can be recorded to the nearest 1 %.
above 110°C or lack of means to account for the presence of
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
precipitated solids that were previously dissolved.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
standard. Performance of the test method utilizing another
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
system of units shall not be considered non-conformance. The
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 7.
sieve designations are identified using the “standard” system in
accordance with Specification E11, such as 2.0-mm and
2. Referenced Documents
19-mm, followed by the “alternative” system of No. 10 and
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
⁄4-in., respectively, in parentheses.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Fluids
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
Practice D6026, unless otherwise superseded by this standard.
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
1.6.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
D4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil
Samples
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
2
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Construction Control Tests. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2017. Published Februa
...
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: D4643 − 08 D4643 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock
1
by Microwave Oven Heating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4643; 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 This test method outlines procedures for determining the water (moisture) content of soils by incrementally drying soil in
a microwave oven.
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test Method D2216 when more rapid results are desired to expedite other
phases of testing and slightly less accurate results are acceptable.
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method and Test Method D2216 arise, Test 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 in which the pore water contains
significant amounts of dissolved solids (such as salt in the case of marine deposits), this test method may not yield reliable water
content values.values due to the potential for heating above 110°C or lack of means to account for the presence of precipitated
solids that were previously dissolved.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units Performance of the test method utilizing
another system of units shall not be considered non-conformance. The sieve designations are identified using the “standard” system
in accordance with Specification E11of measurement are included, such as 2.0-mm and 19-mm, followed by the “alternative”
3
system of No. 10 and ⁄4in this test method. -in., respectively, in parentheses.
1.6 Refer to All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established
in Practice D6026 for guidance concerning the use of significant figures. This is especially important if the water content will be
used to calculate other relationships such as moist mass to dry mass or vice versa, wet unit weight to dry unit weight or vice versa,
and total density to dry density or vice versa. For example, if four significant digits are required in any of the above calculations,
then the water content has to be recorded to the nearest 0.1 %. This occurs since 1 plus the water content (not in percent) will have
four significant digits regardless of what the value of the water content is; that is, 1 plus 0.1/100 = 1.001, a value with four
significant digits. While, if three significant digits are acceptable, then the water content can be recorded to the nearest 1 %., unless
otherwise superseded by this standard.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.6.2 Significant digits are especially important if the water content will be used to calculate other relationships such as moist
mass to dry mass or vice versa, wet unit weight to dry unit weight or vice versa, and total density to dry density or vice versa.
For example, if four significant digits are required in any of the above calculations, then the water content has to be recorded to
the nearest 0.1 %, for water contents below 100 %. This occurs since 1 plus the water content (not in percent) will have four
significant digits regardless of what the value of the water content is (below 100 %); that is, 1 plus 0.1/100 = 1.001, a value with
four significant digits. While, if three significant digits are acceptable, then the water content can be recorded to the nearest 1 %.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Ro
...
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