Moisture Content Determination by Speedy

Moisture Tester.
The speedy moisture tester which is also called calcium carbide gas moisture tester
provides a quick, simple means of determining the moisture content of the soil.

It is particularly useful for field determinations of moisture content in conjunction with field
compaction testing.
The acetylenes gas produced by the tester is tapped within the tester and registers on the
pressure dial, which is calibrated to read directly in percent of moisture by wet weight of soil.

Since moisture content by definition is expressed as a percentage of dry weight of soil, the
readings obtained by Speedy Moisture Meter are corrected using the following expression.

M.C = (W sp x 100) / (1-Wsp)

Where,

M.C = moisture content in percentage (%)

Wsp = moisture content as obtained by speedy moisture meter expressed as a decimal

fraction.
Read Also: Consolidation Test of Soil; Its Scope, Apparatus, Procedure.

Apparatus:
1. Speedy Moisture Tester.
2. Balance sensitive to 0.01 g.

Procedure:
1. Weigh a 26 gm soil sample on the tarred scale and place it in the cap of the tester.
2. Place three scoops (approximately 24 gm) of calcium carbide and two 1-1/4 inches
(3.175 cm) steel balls in the larger chamber of the moisture tester.
3. With the pressure vessel in an approximately horizontal position insert the cap in the
pressure vessel and seal it by tightening the clamp;
taking care that no carbide comes in contact with the soil until a complete seal is achieved.

4. Raise the moisture tester to a vertical position so that the soil in the cap will fall into the
pressure vessel.
5. Shake the speedy moisture tester vigorously so that all lumps are broken up to permit the
calcium carbide to react with all available free moisture.
6. The instrument should be shaken with a rotating motion so that the steel balls will not
damage the instrument;
or cause soil particles to become embedded in the orifice leading to pressure diaphragm.

7. When the needle stops moving, read the dial while holding the instrument in a horizontal
position at eye level.
8. Record the dial reading.
9. With the cap of the instrument pointed away from the operator, slowly release the gas
pressure.
10. Empty the pressure vessel and examine the material for lumps.
If the sample is not completely pulverized, the test should be repeated using a new sample.

11. The dial reading is the percent of moisture by wet mass and must be converted to dry
mass.
Note: If the moisture content of the sample exceeds the limit of the pressure gauge (20
percent moisture), One half the size sample must be used and the dial reading must be
doubled.
Watch the Video Below for better understanding.

Observations and Calculations:

Show entries
Search:

Sr. Wt. of Soil Sample Wt. of Calcium Observed Corrected

No. (gm) Carbide. M.C. M.C.
1 6 2 scoop 12.0 13.6 %
Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries
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Corrected M.C = (Observed M.C x 100) / (1 – Observed M.C).

Precautions:
1. Do not mix the chemical (calcium carbide) in an open atmosphere.
2. Keep the speedy moisture tester in a horizontal position while clamping it.
3. The tester should be shaken in a rotation to save it from any damage.
4. At the time of releasing the cap of the tester, keep it away from the operator.