Water Content in Soil

Determining Water Content in Soil by
Calcium Carbide Method

SAMPLE NOTES


This test is done to determine the water content in soil by calcium carbide
method as per IS: 2720 (Part II) – 1973. It is a method for rapid
determination of water content from the gas pressure developed by the
reaction of calcium carbide with the free water of the soil. From the
calibrated scale of the pressure gauge the percentage of water on total
mass of wet soil is obtained and the same is converted to water content
on dry mass of soil.
Apparatus required :-
i) Metallic pressure vessel, with a clamp for sealing the cup, along with a
gauge calibrated in percentage water content
ii) Counterpoised balance, for weighing the sample
iii) Scoop, for measuring the absorbent (Calcium Carbide)
iv) Steel balls – 3 steel balls of about 12.5mm dia. and 1 steel ball of
25mm dia.
v) One bottle of the absorbent (Calcium Carbide)
PREPARATION OF SAMPLE
Sand – No special preparation. Coarse powders may be ground and
pulverized. Cohesive and plastic soil – Soil is tested with addition of steel
ball in the pressure vessels. The test requires about 6g of sample.
Procedure to determine Water Content in Soil by Calcium Carbide
Method

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