Water Content of Kaolinite Clay Exceed 100%. Is That Possible?

[ditapark]

So I tested the water content of kaolinite clay yesterday. The clay we tested was a disturbed clay, so it has been going through a lot of weather changea and other condition. I tested it by following the procedure we usually use at the laboratory and put the clay in the oven for 24 hours in 110 degree celcius. The odd thing is, when I calculate the water content, it exceed 100%. And therefore from what I know, if the water content is greater than 100% it mean the soil is an organic soil / peat soil.

So what do you guys think about that, have you ever tested any kaolinite clay before? So kaolinite clay is an organic soil?
What factors that can affect the water content of a soil?

I tested it three time, and all of it exceed 170%. Is it normal for a kaolinite clay?

Desperately need help here. Thank you so much before

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

Yes it is possible to have a water content above 100% and this is common in this type of clay.

Mike Lambert

 

[L0k]

You may check the undisturbed & remolded strengths and the Atterberg limit as well. You may find another indication of a very soft clay.

 

[Ron]

Kaolinite is not organic. It is not uncommon for the moisture content of clayey, silty or organic soils to exceed 100%. The moisture content of peat and other organic soils often exceeds 100%....I have seen as high as almost 300%. Here is why....

The moisture content of soil is relative to the DRY weight(mass) of soil. In that context if the weight of water in the soil is greater than the dry weight of soil, the moisture content will be greater than 100%.

 

[ditapark]

@ GeoPaveTraffic
Have you ever work with a kaolinite clay before?

@ L0k
Unfortunately we don't have the undisturbed soil. And I am about to run all the basic soil tests to this clay, water content test is the first test I did

@ Ron
So you say it is very uncommon for kaolinite clay to have water content exceed 100%?? What would you suggest me to do if its uncommon?

 

[ditapark]

@ Ron
omg sorry, I didn't read the "Not" part on the "not uncommon". Anyway thank you very much for the information

 

[fattdad]

whats the liquid limit?

f-d

ípapß gordo ainÆt no madre flaca!

 

[slabongrade]

Yes, possible. More common with higher PI clays as Montmorillonite or Bentonite.

 

[BigH]

Sure it is possible. But is it probable? That is the rub . . .

 

[slabongrade]

I would think LL > 100 unlikely but surely possible. Bentonite or montmorrilonite clays have higher LL than Kaolinite.