effort. Compaction testing is not included in thisTRAMAN but will be discussed at the EA2 level.6. Field control testing is used to determine(1) the field moisture content (with an eye toreducing or increasing it to the optimum, iffeasible) and (2) the point at which the specifieddensity has been obtained by compaction. Fieldcontrol testing is not included in this TRAMANbut will be discussed at the EA2 level.DETERMINING MOISTURECONTENTSeveral methods of determining moisture con-tent of soil are in existence. The most accurateis the ovendrying method, in which an electric orportable gasoline oven is used to dry the samples.A more expedient method is the calcium carbidegas pressure method. This method, however, isless accurate and should always be approved byyour supervisor. A third method uses theNUCLEAR MOISTURE-DENSITY METER.Since specialized training and operator certifica-tion are required, use of the nuclear moisture-density meter will not be discussed in thistraining manual.Ovendrying MethodAs noted above, this is the most accuratemethod used to determine moisture content. Theapparatus and procedures used are discussedbelow.APPARATUS.— Laboratory apparatus formoisture content determination includes thefollowing items:l A balance (fig.15-26) for weighingmaterial in grams. There are 453.6 g in a pound.. Several small circular moisture boxes(called cans) (fig. 15-26) for placing samples into weigh and dry.. An electric oven or a portable gasolineoven to dry samples.l Crucible tongs.In the absence of an electric oven or gasolineoven, you may dry the materials in a frying panheld over an ordinary stove or hot plate. TheFigure 15-26.-Apparatus for determining moisture content.15-18
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