ASTM D4959-24
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil By Direct Heating
Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil By Direct Heating
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The water content of a soil is used throughout professional practice both in the laboratory and in the field. The use of Test Methods D2216 for water content determination can be time consuming and there are occasions when a more expedient method is desirable. Drying by direct heating is one such method. Results of this test method have been demonstrated to be of satisfactory accuracy for use in field control testing, such as in the determination of water content, and in the determination of in-place dry unit weight of soils.
5.2 The principal objection to the use of the direct heating for water content determination is the possibility of overheating the soil, thereby yielding a water content higher than would be determined by Test Methods D2216. While not eliminating this possibility, the incremental drying procedure in this test method will reduce its effects. Some heat sources have settings or controls that can also be used to reduce overheating. Loose fitting covers or enclosures can also be used to reduce overheating while assisting in uniform heat distribution.
5.3 The behavior of a soil when subjected to direct heating is dependent on its mineralogical composition, and as a result, no one procedure is applicable for all types of soils or heat sources. The general procedure of this test method applies to all soils, but test details may need to be tailored to the soil being tested.
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 usually be determined by making several comparisons between the results of this test method and Test Methods D2216. A correction factor is valid when the difference is consistent for several comparisons, and is reconfirmed on a regular specified basis.
5.5 This test method is not appropriate when precise results are required, or when minor variations in water content will affect the results of other test methods, such as borderline situations where...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the water content of soils by drying with direct heat, such as using a hotplate, stove or a blowtorch, where the heat is applied to the container and not directly to the soils.
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test Methods D2216 when more rapid results are desired to expedite other phases of testing and less accurate results are acceptable.
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method and Test Methods D2216 arise, the results of Test Methods D2216 will be used.
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 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 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measure are included in this standard. 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. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.6 All observed and calculated values must 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....
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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: D4959 − 24
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Water Content of Soil By Direct Heating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4959; 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.
1. Scope* significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
water content of soils by drying with direct heat, such as using
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
a hotplate, stove or a blowtorch, where the heat is applied to the
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
container and not directly to the soils.
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
Methods D2216 when more rapid results are desired to
methods for design.
expedite other phases of testing and 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
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method 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
and Test Methods D2216 arise, the results of Test Methods
D2216 will be used. vice versa. For example, if four significant digits are required
in any of the above calculations, then the water content must be
1.4 This test method is applicable for most soil types. For
recorded to the nearest 0.1 %, for water contents below 100 %.
some soils, such as those containing significant amounts of
This occurs since 1 plus the water content (not in percent) will
halloysite, mica, montmorillonite, gypsum, or other hydrated
have four significant digits regardless of what the value of the
materials, highly organic soils or soils that contain dissolved
water content is (below 100 %); that is, 1 plus 0.1/100 = 1.001,
solids, (such as salt in the case of marine deposits), this test
a value with four significant digits. While, if three significant
method may not yield reliable water content values due to the
digits are acceptable, then the water content can be recorded to
potential for heating above 110°C or lack of means to account
the nearest 1 %.
for the presence of precipitated solids that were previously
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
dissolved.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
as standard. No other units of measure are included in this
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
standard. The sieve designations are identified using the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
“standard” system in accordance with Specification E11, such
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
as 2.0-mm and 19-mm, followed by the “alternative” system of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3
No. 10 and ⁄4-in., respectively, in parentheses. Reporting of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
nonconformance with this standard.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.6 All observed and calculated values must conform to the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
2. Referenced Documents
Practice D6026, unless otherwise superseded by this standard.
2
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
2.1 ASTM Standards:
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
2
Construction Control Tests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, w
...
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: D4959 − 16 D4959 − 24
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Water Content of Soil By Direct Heating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4959; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the water content of soils by drying with direct heat, such as using a
hotplate, stove, blowtorch, and the like.stove or a blowtorch, where the heat is applied to the container and not directly to the soils.
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test Methods 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 Methods D2216 arise, the results of Test Methods D2216 shall
be the referee method.will be used.
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 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 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Performance of the test method utilizing another system
of units shall not be considered non-conformance. No other units of measure are included in this standard. 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
3
“alternative” system of No. 10 and ⁄4-in., respectively, in parentheses. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be
regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shallmust 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, 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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and Construction
Control Tests.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016Feb. 1, 2024. Published January 2016February 2024. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20072016 as
D4959 – 07.D4959 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D4959-16.10.1520/D4959-24.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D4959 − 24
example, if four significant digits are required in any of the above calculations, then the water content has to must 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 %.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with
...
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