EXPERIMENT NO.

1
Water Content and Optimum Moisture Content Determination
1. Objective (s)
The activity aims to introduce importance of moisture content in the compaction of soil and the
relationship of moisture content to the dry unit weight of the soil.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
The students shall be able to:
Determine the optimum moisture content of soil sample.
Determine the relative density of soils by compaction test.
Describe the use of water in relation to the dry density of the soil.
3. Discussion
Optimum moisture content of soil is the percentage of water content to which the maximum dry
density of the soil is reached. This density of soil is attained for soil compaction. To assess the degree of
compaction, it is necessary to use the dry unit weight, which is an indicator of compactness of solid soil
particles in a given volume. The laboratory testing is meant to establish the maximum dry density that can be
attained for a given soil with a standard amount of compactive effort.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
5.

Resources
Compaction mold and hammer
Moisture sprayer
No. 4 sieve
Scoop
Large mixing pan
Balance
Drying oven
Procedure
Weigh the empty mold.
Obtain a representative specimen of the soil sample to be tested. Break sample with the use of
rubber pestle and pass through No. 4 sieve.
Form a 2 to 3 inch layer using the soil passing though No. 4 sieve.
Press soil until it is smooth and compact it with a specific number of evenly distributed blows of the
hammer, using a one foot drop. Compact the soil with 25 blows. Rotate the hammer to ensure a
uniform distribution of blows.
Repeat the same procedure for the second and third layers seeing to it that a uniform distribution of
blows.
After compaction of the third layer the soil should be slightly above the top rim of the mold.
Remove the collar and trim off the soil from the top of the mold. Start trimming along the center and
work towards end of the mold.
After the soil has been made even with the top of the mold and all base soil cleaned from the
outside, weigh the cylinder sample.
Remove the soil from cylinder and obtain a representative sample for a water content determination.
Break up by hand then removed from the cylinder and remix with the original sample and raise its
water content by adding water to the sample with sprayer. Mix the soil thoroughly.
Keep repeating the procedures for 4 samples.
Compute dry density of each sample and plot the compaction curve. Determine the Optimum

Moisture content of the sample.

Course:
Group No.:1
Group Leader: Mary Jane N. Salado
Group Members:
1. Wesley Arpilleda
2.John Vincent Castillo
3.Jeffrey Garcia
4.Jan Harry Kabalu

Experiment No.: 1
Section:
Date Performed: July 2, 2016
Date Submitted: July 9, 2016
Instructor: Engr. Rhonnie Estores

6. Data and Results:

Determination of Optimum Moisture Content
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3

Sample 4

3062 g

3062 g

3062 g

4706 g

4873 g

5000 g

1644 g

1811 g

1938 g

9.854 x 10-4 m3

9.854 x 10-4 m3

9.854 x 10-4 m3

1668.36 kg/m3

1837.83 kg/m3

1966.71 kg/m3

26 g

17 g

13 g

178 g

40 g

35 g

174 g

36 g

31 g

4g
148 g

4g
19 g

4g
18 g

2.70 %

21.05 %

22.22 %

1624.50 kg/m3

1518.24 kg/m3

1609.16 kg/m3

Description
Weight of mold
3062 g
(Wm)
Weight of mold +
compacted soil
4644 g
(Wm+s)
Weight of
compacted soil
1582 g
(Ws)
Volume of Mold
9.854 x 10-4 m3
Wet Unit Weight
1605.44 kg/m3
(wet)
Wt of tin cup (Wc)
28 g
Wt. of tin cup + Wet
193 g
Soil (Wc+ws)
Wt. of tin cup and
189 9
dry soil (Wc+dc)
Wt. of water (Ww)
4g
Wt. of dry soil (Wds)
161 g
Water Content
2.48 %
()
Dry unit weight
1566.59 kg/m3
(dry)
Optimum Moisture
Content (OMC)
7. Computations
Wet Unit Weight (wet)
W
wet = s
V

Water Content ()
W
= w
W ds

Dry unit weight (dry)

dry= wet
1+

8. Conclusion

9. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

Performance
Indicator
Identify the
procedures
involved in
designing the
experiment
Develop a protocol
to conduct an
experiment

Beginner
1
Fails to design an
experiment
following
procedures
Fails to develop a
protocol to conduct
an experiment

Acceptable
2

Proficient
3
Designs an
Designs an experiment
experiment
satisfying the minimum
exceeding the
requirements of the
requirements of the
procedures
procedures
Develops a protocol
Develops a protocol to
to conduct an
conduct an experiment
experiment
satisfying the minimum
exceeding the
requirements
minimum
requirements
Total Score
Mean Score = (Total Score/2)
Percentage Score = (Total Score/6) x 100%

Score

10. References
American Society for Testing and Materials (2000). Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction

Characteristics using Standard Effort (D-698). Pennsylvania: ASTM International

American Society for Testing and Materials (2000). Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction
Characteristics using Modified Effort (D-1557). Pennsylvania: ASTM International