Speedy Moisture Test Set
STANDART: ASTM D4944; AASHTO T217
LT-A0072 Speedy Moisture Test Set
The Speedy Moisture Test Set is designed for rapid field determination of the moisture content of soil, sand, clay, aggregate and other granular materials. The system uses the calcium carbide gas pressure method. Moisture in the sample reacts with calcium carbide to produce acetylene gas, and the resulting pressure is displayed directly as a percentage moisture value.
- Rapid moisture determination: Provides moisture results within a few minutes.
- Calcium carbide method: Moisture reacts with calcium carbide to generate acetylene gas.
- Gas pressure measurement: Generated gas pressure is related to the moisture content of the sample.
- Direct percentage reading: Moisture content is read directly from the pressure gauge.
- Moisture range: 0–20%.
- Sample capacity: Designed for 20 g samples.
- Field applications: Suitable for soil, sand, clay, aggregate and other granular materials.
- No drying oven required: Provides rapid field results where conventional oven drying is impractical.
- Precision balance: Included for accurate preparation of the test specimen.
- Calibration kit: Supplied for routine checking of the measuring system.
- Complete test set: Includes measuring spoon, container, cleaning brush and carrying case.
- Calcium carbide reagent: One container of calcium carbide is included in the standard set.
- External dimensions: 51 × 38 × 20 cm.
- Technical table weight: 10 kg.
- Product code: LT-A0072.
| Product Code | Product Name | External Dimensions (cm) | Weight (kg) |
| LT-A0072 | Speedy Moisture Test Set | 51 × 38 × 20 | 10 |
What Is a Speedy Moisture Test Set?
The Speedy Moisture Test Set is a portable testing system used for rapid determination of moisture content in soils and granular materials.
The LT-A0072 is suitable for soil, sand, clay, aggregate, powders and similar materials where a moisture result is required within a short period. Unlike conventional oven-drying methods, the test can be performed directly in the field without waiting for an extended drying period.
The system uses a chemical reaction between the moisture contained in the specimen and calcium carbide. This reaction produces acetylene gas. The pressure generated inside the sealed test vessel is measured and converted into a percentage moisture reading.
Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Method
The operator first prepares the required quantity of specimen using the supplied precision balance.
The sample is placed inside the pressure vessel together with the specified quantity of calcium carbide reagent. After the vessel is sealed, it is shaken according to the test procedure.
Water contained in the specimen reacts with calcium carbide and produces acetylene gas. As the quantity of gas increases, pressure inside the vessel rises.
The gauge is calibrated so that this pressure can be read as a percentage moisture value.
The active ASTM D4944-25a describes this same principle for field determination of soil moisture.
0–20% Moisture Measurement Range
The LT-A0072 provides a moisture measurement range of 0–20% and operates with a 20 g sample.
This makes the system suitable for rapid checks during earthworks, compaction control, aggregate testing and other field operations where moisture conditions need to be evaluated quickly.
However, ASTM D4944-25a limits its procedure to soil specimens containing particles smaller than the 4.75 mm No. 4 sieve. The standard also notes that highly plastic soils may produce less representative results if soil clumps prevent all available water from contacting the reagent.
Field Moisture Control
Moisture content plays an important role in soil compaction.
If the material is too dry or too wet, the target dry density may not be achieved efficiently. A rapid moisture tester allows site personnel to check the material condition before or during compaction operations.
ASTM specifically identifies the calcium carbide method as useful where results are required quickly or where transporting samples to an oven is impractical. It also notes its use for control of compacted embankments and other earth structures.
Comparison with Oven-Drying Methods
The calcium carbide method is designed primarily for rapid field testing.
ASTM D4944-25a does not consider it a replacement for the conventional laboratory water-content method. Instead, ASTM D2216 should be used when accuracy checks or correction relationships are required.
This distinction is important for the product description. The LT-A0072 provides rapid operational information, while laboratory oven drying remains appropriate when higher-accuracy reference measurements are required.
Complete Field Testing Set
The LT-A0072 is supplied as a complete portable kit.
According to the LİYA product information, the set includes a precision balance, measuring spoon, measuring container, calibration kit, calcium carbide reagent, cleaning brush and carrying case.
The technical table specifies external dimensions of 51 × 38 × 20 cm and a total weight of 10 kg.
ASTM D4944-25a
The current ASTM edition is:
ASTM D4944-25a — Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Tester.
ASTM lists this edition as Active, last updated in December 2025.
The method covers equipment using 20 g or larger soil specimens and provides a rapid alternative when field conditions make oven drying impractical.
AASHTO T 217-14 (2022)
The corresponding AASHTO reference is:
AASHTO T 217-14 (2022) — Determination of Moisture in Soils by Means of a Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Moisture Tester.
AASHTO’s 45th Edition Materials Book (2025) continues to list T 217-14 (2022) as the current edition.
Overall, the Speedy Moisture Test Set provides a compact and practical solution for rapid moisture determination in field soil and granular-material applications using the calcium carbide gas-pressure principle.
