ASTM D4959-16

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4959 − 07 D4959 − 16
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil By Direct
1
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 (moisture) content of soils by drying with direct heat, such
as using a hotplate, stove, blowtorch, etc.and the like.
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, Test Methods 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 that contain 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 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
3
Specification E11, such as 2.0-mm and 19-mm, followed by the “alternative” system of No. 10 and ⁄4-in., respectively, in
parentheses.
1.6 Refer to PracticeAll observed and calculated values shall conform to the D6026 for guidance concerning the use of
significantguidelines for significant digits and rounding established in D6026figures. This is 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, 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 %.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the di
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D4959 − 16
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* obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
water content of soils by drying with direct heat, such as using
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
a hotplate, stove, blowtorch, and the like.
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
1.2 This test method can be used as a substitute for Test
methods for engineering design.
Methods D2216 when more rapid results are desired to
1.6.2 Significant digits are especially important if the water
expedite other phases of testing and slightly less accurate
content will be used to calculate other relationships such as
results are acceptable.
moist mass to dry mass or vice versa, wet unit weight to dry
1.3 When questions of accuracy between this test method unit weight or vice versa, and total density to dry density or
vice versa. For example, if four significant digits are required
and Test Methods D2216 arise, Test Methods D2216 shall be
the referee method. in any of the above calculations, then the water content has to
be recorded to the nearest 0.1 %, for water contents below
1.4 This test method is applicable for most soil types. For
100 %. This occurs since 1 plus the water content (not in
some soils, such as those containing significant amounts of
percent) will have four significant digits regardless of what the
halloysite, mica, montmorillonite, gypsum, or other hydrated
value of the water content is (below 100 %); that is, 1 plus
materials, highly organic soils or soils that contain dissolved
0.1/100 = 1.001, a value with four significant digits. While, if
solids, (such as salt in the case of marine deposits), this test
three significant digits are acceptable, then the water content
method may not yield reliable water content values due to the
can be recorded to the nearest 1 %.
potential for heating above 110°C or lack of means to account
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for the presence of precipitated solids that were previously
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
dissolved.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
standard. Performance of the test method utilizing another
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
system of units shall not be considered non-conformance. The
sieve designations are identified using the “standard” system in
2. Referenced Documents
accordance with Specification E11, such as 2.0-mm and
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
19-mm, followed by the “alternative” system of No. 10 and
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
3
⁄4-in., respectively, in parentheses.
Fluids
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D6026, unless otherwise superseded by this standard.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
Construction Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Data
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, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016. Published January 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4959 – 07. DOI:
...