Moisture Content Determination Oven Drying Method

Oven Drying

Extraneous matter (such as cement etc.) may require special

Treatment or a skilled definition of water content. In addition,
Some organic materials could be decomposed by oven drying at

The normal drying temperatures for this procedure (110°C).

Other compounds having significant amounts of hydrated water
May pose a special problem as this material gradually dehydrates
In the standard drying temperature (110°C) and at quite

Sulfate hemihydrate) which is not normally present in organic
Materials except in certain 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
Lands, It Might Be desired to wash the materials at 60°C or in a
desiccator at room temperature.
Is utilized which Differs from the standard drying
Temperature as described by this test procedure, the resulting water
Material may be different in the Normal water content

Decided at the regular drying temperatures of 110°C.
NOTE 1–Test Method D 2974 provides an alternative process for

1.5 Materials containing water with substantial amounts of

When analyzed by this method will give a mass of solids that

Comprises the previously watertight dissolved solids. These substances
Require particular treatment to eliminate or accounts for the
Existence of precipitated solids in the dry mass of the specimen,
Or a qualified definition of water content must be utilized. For
Instance, visit Test Method D 4542 regarding information on

This evaluation standard requires several hours for appropriate
Drying of the water material specimen. Test Methods D 4643,

D 4944 and D 4959 supply less time-consuming procedures for
Determining content. See Gilbert2 for information about the

Two evaluation methods are provided in this standard. The
Methods vary from the significant specimens reported as well as the size of
the specimen (mass) required. The method to be used may be
Given by the requesting jurisdiction; otherwise MethodAshall
Be done.
Method A–The water content by mass is listed to
The nearest 1%. For cases of dispute, Method A is your referee
Technique.
Strategy B–The water content by mass is listed to

This standard requires the drying of material in an oven.
If the material being dried is contaminated by certain

Chemicals, health and safety hazards can exist. Therefore, this
Standard Shouldn’t Be used in determining the content of
Contaminated soils unless adequate health and safety precautions
Are accepted.
Components –The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as

Standard excluding the Choice Sieve Sizes listed in Table 1.

No other components of measurement are contained in this evaluation method.
Refer to Practice D 6026 for guidance concerning the
Use of significant figures that will determine whether Method,
B or A is required. This Is Particularly important if the water material is used to calculate other relationships such as moist mass to dry mass or vice versa, wet unit weight to dryunit weight or vice versa, and also total density to dry density or

For Instance, If four significant digits are needed
In any of the aforementioned calculations, then the water content must
Be recorded to the nearest 0.1%. This occurs since 1 and the
Water material (not in percentage ) will have four significant digits
Whatever the value of this content is; this 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 may be recorded to the nearest 1%.

See other soil testing methods here