ASTM D2216-10

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D2216 − 10
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of
1
Soil and Rock by Mass
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2216; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
NOTE 1—Test Method D2974 provides an alternate procedure for
1. Scope*
determining water content of peat materials.
1.1 These test methods cover the laboratory determination
1.5 Materials containing water with substantial amounts of
of the water (moisture) content by mass of soil, rock, and
soluble solids (such as salt in the case of marine sediments)
similar materials where the reduction in mass by drying is due
when tested by this method will give a mass of solids that
to loss of water except as noted in 1.4, 1.5, and 1.7. For
includes the previously soluble dissolved solids. These mate-
simplicity, the word “material” shall refer to soil, rock or
rials require special treatment to remove or account for the
aggregate whichever is most applicable.
presenceofprecipitatedsolidsinthedrymassofthespecimen,
1.2 Some disciplines, such as soil science, need to deter-
or a qualified definition of water content must be used. For
mine water content on the basis of volume. Such determina-
example, see Test Method D4542 regarding information on
tions are beyond the scope of this test method.
marine sediments.
1.3 The water content of a material is defined in 3.2.1.
1.6 This test standard requires several hours for proper
1.4 The term “solid material” as used in geotechnical drying of the water content specimen. Test Methods D4643,
D4944 and D4959 provide less time-consuming processes for
engineering is typically assumed to mean naturally occurring
2
mineralparticlesofsoilandrockthatarenotreadilysolublein determining water content. See Gilbert for details on the
background of Test Method D4643.
water. Therefore, the water content of materials containing
extraneous matter (such as cement etc.) may require special
1.7 Two test methods are provided in this standard. The
treatmentoraqualifieddefinitionofwatercontent.Inaddition,
methods differ in the significant digits reported and the size of
some organic materials may be decomposed by oven drying at
the specimen (mass) required. The method to be used may be
the standard drying temperature for this method (110°C).
specifiedbytherequestingauthority;otherwiseMethodAshall
Materials containing gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) or
be performed.
othercompoundshavingsignificantamountsofhydratedwater
1.7.1 Method A—The water content by mass is recorded to
may present a special problem as this material slowly dehy-
the nearest 1%. For cases of dispute, MethodAis the referee
drates at the standard drying temperature (110°C) and at very
method.
low relative humidity, forming a compound (such as calcium
1.7.2 Method B—The water content by mass is recorded to
sulfate hemihydrate) that is not normally present in natural
the nearest 0.1%.
materials except in some desert soils. In order to reduce the
1.8 Thisstandardrequiresthedryingofmaterialinanoven.
degree of dehydration of gypsum in those materials containing
If the material being dried is contaminated with certain
gypsum or to reduce decomposition in highly/fibrous organic
chemicals, health and safety hazards can exist. Therefore, this
soils, it may be desirable to dry the materials at 60°C or in a
standardshouldnotbeusedindeterminingthewatercontentof
desiccator at room temperature. Thus, when a drying tempera-
contaminated soils unless adequate health and safety precau-
ture is used which is different from the standard drying
tions are taken.
temperature as defined by this test method, the resulting water
content may be different from the standard water content 1.9 Units—ThevaluesstatedinSIunitsshallberegardedas
determined at the standard drying temperature of 110°C. standard excluding the Alternative Sieve Sizes listed in Table
1. No other units of measurement are included in this test
method.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.03onTexture,Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
2
Current edition approved July 1, 2010. Published August 2010. Originally Gilbert, P.A., “Computer Controlled Microwave Oven System for RapidWater
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D2216–05. DOI: Content Determination,” Tech. Report GL-88–21, Department of theArmy, Water-
10.1520/D2216-10. ways Experiment Station, Corps of Engineers,
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