Why is it important to know the moisture content of the soil in construction?

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 The moisture content of construction materials for use in roadway is important in determining compaction and proportioning of additional materials. The moisture content of a sample of soil or fine aggregate can be obtained in the field.

What is water content in civil engineering?

The water content (w), also known as natural water content or natural moisture content, is the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of the solids in a given mass of soil. This ratio is usually expressed as percentage. When voids are completely filled with air, water content is equal to zero (dry soil).

What is the importance of water content in soil?

If the moisture content of a soil is optimum for plant growth, plants can readily absorb soil water. Much of water remains in the soil as a thin film. Soil water dissolves salts and makes up the soil solution, which is important as medium for supply of nutrients to growing plants.

Why is it important to know the moisture content of fertilizer?

The grade of many fertilizers depends on the amount of water they contain. Quality of Product. Significant product quality issues will arise if moisture levels in fertilizers exceed manufacturer recommended levels. It is therefore important for analysts to be able to reliably measure moisture content.

What is the formula of water content?

The water content formula w, also called the moisture content, is defined as the ratio of weight of water Ww to the weight of solids (Ws or Wd) in a given mass of soil.

How do you calculate the natural water content of soil?

Calculate the moisture content of the soil by subtracting the weight of the dry soil from the weight of the moist soil, and then dividing by the weight of the dry soil.

How water is held in the soil?

Soil water contains nutrients that move into the plant roots when plants take in water. Water enters the soil through large pores (macropores) and is stored in many small pores (micropores). Porous soils have a balance between macro and micro pores.

Why do we need to cultivate the soil?

The aim of cultivating your soil is to help your plants grow better. Aerated soil allows your plant’s roots to get enough oxygen. Soil should also be free of weeds and have good drainage so you don’t drown your plants or encourage root rot. It’s about encouraging the life forms within the soil to thrive.

Why is moisture content important in civil engineering?

Moisture content of a soil is very important in civil engineering; one of the most important uses is in the construction of an embankment, where density of the compacted embankment is dependent upon the moisture content.

How is the permeability of soil important to civil engineering?

Permeability is one of the important physical properties of soil as some of the major problems of soil mechanics are directly connected with it. Design of highways, airports, earth dams, construction of foundation below water – table, yield from a well, settlement of foundation etc. depend upon the permeability of soil.

What is the importance of moisture content in a soil?

Moisture is an enemy to any modern structure. So, in a soils test for water content, one can calculate the quantity of necessary soil amendments for stabilization. Also, one can determine the water holding capacity of the soil.

How is the water content of soil determined?

Sand Bath Method Sand Bath Method for the determination of soil water content is a quick field method which is employed when an electric oven is not available for drying of wet soil. Sand is kept on a tray to a height of about 3 cm. A container is filled with wet soil and dried by keeping on the sand bath…