Moisture Content Determination

by Speedy Moisture Tester.

The speedy moisture tester which is also called

calcium carbide gas moisture tester provides a
quick, simple means of determining the moisture
content of the soil.
It is particularly useful for field determinations of
moisture content in conjunction with field
compaction testing.
The acetylenes gas produced by the tester is
tapped within the tester and registers on the
pressure dial, which is calibrated to read directly in
percent of moisture by wet weight of soil.
Since moisture content by definition is expressed
as a percentage of dry weight of soil, the readings
obtained by Speedy Moisture Meter are corrected
using the following expression.
M.C = (Wsp x 100) / (1-Wsp)
Where,
M.C = moisture content in percentage (%)
Wsp = moisture content as obtained by speedy
moisture meter expressed as a decimal fraction.
Apparatus:
1. Speedy Moisture Tester.
2. Balance sensitive to 0.01 g.

Procedure:
1. Weigh a 26 gm soil sample on the tarred scale
and place it in the cap of the tester.

2. Place three scoops (approximately 24 gm) of

calcium carbide and two 1-1/4 inches (3.175 cm)
steel balls in the larger chamber of the moisture
tester.

3. With the pressure vessel in an approximately

horizontal position insert the cap in the pressure
vessel and seal it by tightening the clamp;
taking care that no carbide comes in contact with
the soil until a complete seal is achieved.
4. Raise the moisture tester to a vertical position
so that the soil in the cap will fall into the pressure
vessel.

5. Shake the speedy moisture tester vigorously so

that all lumps are broken up to permit the calcium
carbide to react with all available free moisture.

6. The instrument should be shaken with a rotating

motion so that the steel balls will not damage the
instrument;
or cause soil particles to become embedded in the
orifice leading to pressure diaphragm.
7. When the needle stops moving, read the dial
while holding the instrument in a horizontal
position at eye level.

8. Record the dial reading.

9. With the cap of the instrument pointed away

from the operator, slowly release the gas pressure.

10. Empty the pressure vessel and examine the

material for lumps.

If the sample is not completely pulverized, the test

should be repeated using a new sample.
11. The dial reading is the percent of moisture by
wet mass and must be converted to dry mass.
Note: If the moisture content of the sample
exceeds the limit of the pressure gauge (20
percent moisture), One half the size sample must
be used and the dial reading must be doubled.

Observations and Calculations:

Show entries
Search:
Sr. Wt. of Soil Wt. of Calcium Observed Correc
No. Sample (gm) Carbide. M.C. M.C.

1 6 2 scoop 12.0 13.6 %

Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries
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Corrected M.C = (Observed M.C x 100) / (1 –
Observed M.C).

Precautions:
1. Do not mix the chemical (calcium carbide) in an
open atmosphere.
2. Keep the speedy moisture tester in a horizontal
position while clamping it.
3. The tester should be shaken in a rotation to
save it from any damage.
4. At the time of releasing the cap of the tester,
keep it away from the operator.

Q & A about this Moisture Content

Determination Method.

Q.1: How much in gram the soil sample is tested in

the speedy moisture tester?
Ans: 26 grams of the soil sample is tested in this
test.
Q.2: How much the chemical is used in this tester?
Ans: 2 scoops of calcium carbide is used.
Q.3: Name the chemical used in this test.
Ans: Name of the chemical used in this test is
calcium carbide.
Q.4: Name the gas produced in this test.
Ans: The Acetylene gas is produced in this test.
Q.5: What will you do, if the soil moisture is more
than 2 percent.
Ans: If the moisture content of the soil sample
exceeds the 20 percent moisture, then One half
the size sample must be used, and the dial
reading must be doubled.