ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil By Direct Heating
 N D4959

Annotation

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.

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.

When questions of accuracy between this test method and Test Methods D2216 arise, Test Methods D2216 shall be the referee method.

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.

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. 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.

All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in D6026, unless otherwise superseded by this standard.

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.