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Designation: D425 − 17

Standard Test Method for

Centrifuge Moisture Equivalent of Soils1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D425; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the mois- priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ture equivalent of soil in the laboratory by means of a bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
centrifuge technique.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This test method is limited to specimens of coarse-
grained sandy soils having a maximum particle size of less than 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
2.00 mm and with fines of low plasticity. Soils having a unified D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
soil classification, based upon procedures outlined in Practice Fluids
D2488 such as SP, SW, SC-SM, or SM are considered D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
acceptable for the test method. (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
1.2.1 For soils that are predominantly fine-grained, coarse- D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
grained soils with medium to high plasticity, intact specimens Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
or soils being tested at a specific density or unit weight refer to D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
Test Methods D6836. (Visual-Manual Procedure)
1.3 This test method is intended to be performed in a D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
constant temperature environment. Variations in temperature Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
exceeding the range outlined in 8.7 may influence the test data. Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
as the standard except for sieve designations, which also ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
include the “alternative” system in accordance with E11. Construction Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
1.5 All recorded and calculated values shall conform to the Data
guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6836 Test Methods for Determination of the Soil Water
D6026. Characteristic Curve for Desorption Using Hanging
1.6 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ Column, Pressure Extractor, Chilled Mirror Hygrometer,
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the or Centrifuge
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- Sieves
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining data, special purpose studies, or any considerations 3. Terminology
for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase
or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate 3.1 Definitions:
with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of these test 3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods standard, refer to Terminology D653.
for engineering design. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.1 capillary fringe zone—the zone above the free water
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the elevation in which water is held by capillary action.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
2
and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2017. Published January 2017. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1935. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D425 – 88 (2008). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D0425-17. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 D425 − 17
3.2.2 centrifuge moisture equivalent—the water content of a 6. Apparatus
soil after it has been saturated with water and then subjected for 6.1 Centrifuge—A centrifuge capable of generating a force
one hour to a centrifugal force equal to 1000 times that of equal to 1000 times the force of gravity on the center of gravity
gravity. of the soil specimen for a period of 1 h. The centrifuge chamber
3.2.3 specific retention—the ratio of the volume of water shall be capable of maintaining a controlled temperature of 20
that cannot be drained from a saturated soil under the action of 6 1°C. In place of a temperature controlled chamber, the entire
force of gravity to the total volume of voids. centrifuge may be operated in a controlled environment ca-
pable of meeting the temperature requirement of 20 6 1°C.
3.2.4 water-holding capacity—the smallest value to which
6.1.1 The revolutions per minute, N, required to provide a
the water content of soil or rock can be reduced by gravity centrifugal force of 1000 times gravity is determined from the
drainage. equation:
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The centrifuge moisture equivalent of soils is deter-
N5 ΠRCF
0.00000111 rm
(1)

mined by initially air-drying the soil sample. Two 5-g test where:
specimens are selected from the sample and thoroughly soaked N = revolutions per minute,
in distilled or deionized water. The specimens are centrifuged RCF = relative centrifugal force (1000),
for 1 h at a force equal to 1000 times that of gravity at a r = radius of rotation to center of gravity of the test
constant temperature of 20 6 1°C. The moisture content is specimen, mm, and
determined after centrifuging in accordance with Test Methods m = mass of the body, taken as unity.
D2216. The average of the two water contents is the moisture For most standard centrifuges, N will equal approximately
equivalent of the soil. 2300 rpm.
6.2 Gooch Crucible—Two procelain Gooch crucibles hav-
5. Significance and Use ing a capacity of approximately 25 mL, and a diameter at the
5.1 All water contained in a saturated soil cannot be bottom of the crucible of about 20 mm (Fig. 1). The crucible
removed by gravity drainage alone. The amount of water shall have a perforated bottom and be compatible for use with
retained after gravity drainage is usually expressed as the water the centrifuge being used.
holding capacity or specific retention of the soil. These values 6.3 Babcock Trunnion Cups—At least two centrifuge cups
may be influenced by elapsed time, the particle-size distribu- with caps and with a crucible holder for supporting the Gooch
tion and the plasticity of the soil. In most cases, as the plasticity crucible above the bottom of the cup (Fig. 1). The holder shall
increases so does the moisture equivalent value. have sufficient clearance to fit fully within the cup and support
5.2 The centrifuge moisture equivalent is determined by the cup in such a manner that the water removed during the
applying a centrifugal force great enough to reduce the centrifuging operation does not come in contact with the
capillary fringe zone sufficiently so that it can be ignored crucible and soil. Cups and crucible holders shall be balanced
without introducing error. The centrifical force is maintained in pairs opposite each other in the centrifuge.
sufficiently low as not to withdraw a large proportion of the 6.4 Filter Paper—A circular piece of filter paper of suffi-
water that is held securely above the capillary fringe (see Note cient size to cover the inside bottom of the Gooch crucible (see
1). Note 3).
5.3 It has been determined that for at least medium-textured NOTE 3—A medium speed, high wet strength (hardened) filter paper is
soils (sandy to silty particle-size distribution) the centrifuge recommended.
moisture equivalent approximates the water holding capacity 6.5 Balance—A balance having a readability of 0.01 g, and
and when combined with the bulk density can be used to accurate to 60.03 g, conforming to Specification D4753.
calculate an approximate specific retention and specific yield.
6.6 Humidifier—A cabinet or large jar with water in the
These properties when combined with porosity can be used to
lower half of the container. A shelf positioned above the level
estimate aquifer storage coefficient.
of the water should be covered with moisture resistant fabric on
NOTE 1—If a soil will hold water 100 mm by capillarity acting against
which to store the crucibles and soil specimens.
gravity, the soil will theoretically be able to hold the water only 0.1 mm
against a centrifugal force that is 1000 times greater than the force of 6.7 Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying oven, pref-
gravity. erably of the forced-draft type, capable of maintaining a
NOTE 2—The statements on precision and bias contained in this test uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C throughout.
method; the precision of this test method is dependent on the competence
of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and 6.8 Water Content Containers—Suitable containers made of
facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are material resistant to corrosion and change in mass upon
generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of repeated heating, cooling, and cleaning. Containers shall have
this test method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does
not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on many close-fitting lids to prevent loss of moisture from the soil prior
factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of these to the initial weighing and to prevent absorption of moisture
factors. from the atmosphere following oven drying and before final

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 D425 − 17

FIG. 1 Crucible, Trunnion Cup, and Cup Holder

weighing. One container is needed for each water content 8.2 Loosely and evenly place the two soil specimens into
determination. Containers should be 50-100 mL capacity (see the paired crucibles.
Note 4). 8.3 Place the crucibles in a pan of distilled or demineralized
NOTE 4—It is recommended that the containers be numbered in pairs to water to a depth at least 5 mm above the height of the soil in
coincide with the crucible numbers. the crucible. Allow the soil to absorb water until fully satu-
6.9 Mortar and Pestle—A mortar and rubber-tipped pestle rated.
suitable for breaking up the soil aggregations. NOTE 5—Eight hours or overnight is normally sufficient time for the
6.10 Sieve—2.00-mm (No. 10) mesh sieve conforming to soil to become saturated and is indicated by the presence of free water
Specification E11. covering the surface of the soil.

6.11 A pan or container used to collect the sample once 8.4 Place the crucible and specimen in the humidifier to
passed through the 2.00-mm (No. 10) sieve. drain for at least 12 h to obtain uniform distribution of water
throughout the soil mass.
7. Samples and Specimens 8.5 Pour or siphon off any water remaining above the
7.1 Air dry the as-received soil sample. Break up the surface of the specimens.
aggregations thoroughly using the mortar and pestle. Dry sieve
8.6 Place the paired crucibles into the centrifuge cups fitted
the sample through the 2.00-mm (No. 10) sieve.
as described in 6.2 and position opposite each other in the
7.2 Thoroughly mix the sample and split by use of a sample centrifuge.
splitter or quartering method to obtain about 50 g of air-dried
soil. 8.7 Maintain the centrifuge environment at a temperature 20
6 1°C and adjust the centrifuge to the required speed within 5
7.3 Obtain two 5-g specimens of material for testing. The min by five incremental and equal steps.
crucibles shall be paired in such a way that the masses of the
crucibles and contents meet the requirements of the manufac- 8.8 Maintain the centrifuge speed and temperature for 60
turer of the centrifuge. min. The speed of the centrifuge shall exert a centrifugal force
1000 times greater than that of gravity upon the center of
8. Procedure gravity of each of the test specimens.
8.1 Place a disk of wet filter paper on the bottom of the two 8.9 Following the 60 min centrifuging period, allow the
crucibles. The filter paper shall cover the entire bottom of the centrifuge to come to rest with as little braking as possible, but
crucible but not rest on the crucible’s wall. not to exceed a 5-min time interval.

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 D425 − 17
8.10 Immediately after centrifuging, transfer the soil from 9. Calculation
the two crucibles to water content containers as quickly as 9.1 Calculate the centrifuge moisture equivalent as the
possible to minimize moisture loss. It is not necessary to average of the water contents of the two specimens as
remove all of the soil from the crucibles. determined by Test Methods D2216.
8.10.1 Determine the water content of each specimen in
accordance with Test Methods D2216. 10. Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)
8.11 If water is observed on the top of the soil after 10.1 The methodology used to specify how data are re-
centrifuging, the soil is said to have water-logged. The centri- corded on the test data sheet(s)/forms(s), as given below, is
fuge moisture equivalent is not considered to be valid for this covered in 1.6.
material and the report should be so noted. 10.2 Record as a minimum the following information
8.12 A sample data sheet is shown in Fig. 2. (data):

FIG. 2 Centrifuge Moisture Equivalent Sample Data Sheet

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 D425 − 17
10.2.1 Name of the person performing the test. 11. Precision and Bias
10.2.2 Identification of sample including project number, 11.1 Precision—Information on the precision of this test
project name, boring number, sample number, and depth if method is being gathered.3
appropriate.
12. Keywords
10.2.3 Description of the soil including the Unified Soil
Classification following Practice D2487 or D2488. 12.1 centrifuge moisture equivalent; specific retention; spe-
10.2.4 The average centrifuge moisture equivalent of the cific yield, storage capacity; water holding capacity
specimen to the nearest 1 %.
3
10.2.5 If one or both of the specimens were water-logged, For a discussion of variables which affect the results of this test, see Johnson,
A. I., Prill, R. C., and Morris, D. A., “Specific Yield–Column Drainage and
the report shall state that the centrifuge moisture equivalent Centrifuge Moisture Content,” U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 1662-A,
was not valid for the soil tested. 1963.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

In accordance with Committee D18 policy, this section identifies the location of changes to this standard since
the last edition (1988 (Reapproved 2008)) that may impact the use of this standard. (January 15, 2017)

(1) Section 1. Scope: Revised section by adding reference to (6) Section 6. Apparatus: Clarified wording.
D6026, updating reference to alternative test methods. Added (7) Section 7. Revised section to conform to D18 SPM
subsection on how data are collected. (8) Section 8. Procedure revised much of the text and added
(2) Section 2. Referenced Documents: Added pertinent stan- subsections to more easily differentiate the necessary steps.
dards to the list and removed discontinued standards. (9) Section 10. Report: Revised to bring into conformance with
(3) Section 3. Terminology: Updated reference to D653. D18 SPM.
(4) Section 4. Summary of Test Method: Clarified wording. (10) Added summary of changes.
(5) Section 5. Significance and Use: Clarified wording; added
Note 1 on how the test works; and Note 2 on the reference to
D3740.

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