Question

Water content of a soil sample can be determined by:
1. the alcohol method
2. the sand replacement method
3. the jar test method
4. the shrinkage limit method

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : the alcohol method

Explanation:

Methods used for finding water content:

Method	Properties
Oven drying method	Most accurate method and is a standard laboratory method
Pycnometer method	More suitable for cohesionless soil as removal of entrapped air from cohesive soil difficult.
Sand bath method	It is a rapid method, hence not very accurate
Torsion balance method	Drying and weighing done simultaneously, hence one of the accurate methods
Calcium carbide method	Takes just 5-7 minutes and used as a field test
Alcohol test	It is a quick field test and not used for soils containing calcium or organic compound
Radiation method	Gives water content in an in-situ condition