Water Content is defined as the ratio of weight of water to the weight of solids. Weight of water includes the Gravity water, capillary water & Hygroscopic water.
Methods used for finding water content
- Oven drying method: It is Most accurate method and is a standard laboratory method.
- Pycnometer method: More suitable for cohesionless soil as removal of entrapped air from cohesive soil is difficult .
- Sand bath Method: It is a rapid method, hence not very accurate method.
- Torsion balance Method: Drying and weighing are done simultaneously, hence one of the accurate methods method.
- Calcium Carbide Method: Takes just 5-7 minutes and is used as a field test.
- Alcohol Test: It is a quick field test and is not used for soils containing calcium or organic compound.
- Radiation: Gives water content in an in – situ condition method.
