In geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing (CMT), few tests are as fundamental as ASTM D2216 – Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass. This test is the industry standard for determining the moisture content of soils and aggregates — a key factor that influences soil strength, compaction, and performance in the field.
Almost every CMT firm performs ASTM D2216 moisture testing on a daily basis. Yet while the test procedure is straightforward, reporting, compliance, and customization can become major headaches. Many labs rely on rigid software platforms that can’t adapt quickly, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and lost profitability.
That’s where Aldoa stands apart. With ASTM-compliant templates available out of the box — plus the flexibility to add custom fields, automate calculations, and instantly generate professional reports — Aldoa gives labs the confidence of compliance while unlocking efficiency and scalability.
This guide covers everything you need to know about ASTM D2216, why it matters, and how Aldoa simplifies moisture content testing for modern labs.
ASTM D2216 is a standard published by ASTM International that specifies methods for determining the moisture content of soils and rocks by mass.
Moisture content is defined as the ratio of the mass of water in a specimen to the mass of the dry specimen, expressed as a percentage.
Why does this matter? Because moisture content has a direct impact on how soils behave:
Too little moisture → soil is brittle and weak.
Optimal moisture → soil compacts well and achieves maximum density.
Too much moisture → soil loses strength, leading to settlement, instability, or failure.
In practice, ASTM D2216 is applied across industries:
Building foundations – ensuring stability.
Roadways and pavements – optimizing compaction.
Earthworks and embankments – preventing settlement and erosion.
The ASTM D2216 test is simple in concept but requires careful measurement.
Weigh the empty pan (P).
A small container (pan) is weighed and its mass recorded.
Add the moist specimen and weigh (M).
The soil or aggregate sample containing water is placed in the pan and weighed.
Dry the specimen.
The sample is dried, typically using an oven at 110 ± 5°C until constant mass is achieved. A microwave can also be used in some cases.
Weigh the dry specimen (D).
After drying, the pan + dry specimen is weighed again.
Calculate percent moisture.
The formula is:
Where:
M = Mass of pan + moist specimen
D = Mass of pan + dry specimen
P = Mass of pan
| Step | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pan Weight (P) | 50 g | Empty pan |
| Pan + Moist Specimen (M) | 250 g | Wet sample |
| Pan + Dry Specimen (D) | 200 g | After drying |
| Moisture Content (%) | (250 − 200) ÷ (200 − 50) × 100 = 33.3% | Automated in Aldoa |
In Aldoa, this calculation is built into the form — technicians only enter weights, and the software handles the rest.
ASTM D2216 requires certain data fields to ensure compliance and consistency.
Pan Number
Pan Weight
Pan + Moist Specimen
Pan + Dry Specimen
Calculated Moisture Content (%)
Dry Back Method (oven, microwave, etc.)
Material Type
Requested By (project/client)
Clients, DOTs, and regulators require ASTM-compliant reports for project acceptance. Errors or missing fields can cause rework, delays, or worse — project failures.
Despite being straightforward, moisture content testing creates challenges in daily operations.
Common Challenges with ASTM D2216
| Challenge | Impact | Traditional Software | With Aldoa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual calculations | Errors, wasted time | Excel sheets | Automated calculation |
| Rigid templates | Inflexibility | Vendor-controlled | Add fields instantly |
| High admin costs | 1 FTE just for billing | $60K/year overhead | Automated billing |
| Slow vendor support | Months for changes | Lost productivity | Weeks or less |
Aldoa was designed with ASTM compliance and lab flexibility in mind.
Every ASTM D2216 form in Aldoa includes required fields preloaded — pan weights, specimen weights, and calculated percent moisture.
The ASTM D2216 equation is embedded directly into forms. No manual math, no errors.
Add dropdowns, text fields, or calculated fields instantly — for example:
Drying method (oven vs. microwave).
Aggregate type.
Project notes.
Map variables (M, D, P) directly to form fields, ensuring accuracy.
Visual Example (from Aldoa):
M = Pan + Moist Specimen
D = Pan + Dry Specimen
P = Pan Weight
Need to include ASTM reference figures (like specimen size charts)? Aldoa can embed them directly into client-facing reports.
Maakil Group, a geotechnical engineering and materials testing firm in Ohio and Michigan, struggled with inefficiencies under their previous software provider. Requests for form changes went unanswered, field workflows were clunky, and billing took months.
Multi-layered forms slowed field staff.
Manual cost tracking delayed profitability insights.
A $60K/year administrator was needed to manage tasks that should have been automated.
Billing cycles took 3 months.
“We accomplished more with Aldoa in a few months than we did in a year before with our old solution.” – Thia Light, Maakil Group
Streamlined Data Collection: One-time entry, no duplication.
Workflow Automation: Custom proctor forms delivered in weeks, not years.
Real-Time Cost Tracking: Visibility into project profitability.
Automated Billing: Billing cycles cut from 3 months to 3 hours.
“My guys are loving it. They don’t have to worry about what to do or when to do it. The forms are like ‘wow’—we don’t have to do all that work anymore.” – Ben Prenger, Maakil Group
| Metric | Before Aldoa | After Aldoa |
|---|---|---|
| Field Data Entry | Multi-layer forms | Streamlined, single-entry |
| Billing Cycle | 3 months | 3 hours |
| Admin Overhead | $60K/year | $0 |
| Engineer Time | −5 hrs/week | +5 hrs/week |
| Annual Savings | — | $200,000 |
Responsiveness, customization, and cost savings made the transition transformative.
“You’ve overdelivered and underpromised, which is the opposite of what we had before.” – Ben Prenger
Comparison Chart
| Feature | Aldoa | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM-compliant templates | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom fields (instant) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Equation mapping | ✅ | ✅ |
| Real-time cost tracking | ✅ | ❌ |
| Billing automation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Responsiveness | Weeks | Months+ |
With Aldoa, ASTM D2216 isn’t just a test — it’s part of an integrated, profitable workflow.
Q: What is ASTM D2216 used for?
A: Determining the water content of soils and aggregates for geotechnical design and construction.
Q: How do you calculate moisture content in soils?
A: Using the formula (M − D) ÷ (D − P) × 100, where M = moist mass, D = dry mass, P = pan mass.
Q: What drying methods are allowed?
A: Oven drying at 110 ± 5°C is standard. Microwaves can be used with care.
Q: Can ASTM D2216 be combined with other tests?
A: Yes — often paired with density, compaction, or Atterberg limits.
Q: How does Aldoa ensure ASTM compliance?
A: Preloaded ASTM-compliant fields, built-in calculations, and flexible customization.
ASTM D2216 moisture content testing may be simple, but its importance in construction and geotechnical engineering cannot be overstated. For CMT firms, running the test correctly — and reporting it efficiently — is critical for both compliance and profitability.
With Aldoa, firms get the best of both worlds:
ASTM compliance built in.
Customization to fit unique workflows.
Automation that eliminates errors and administrative overhead.
Proven ROI — like Maakil Group’s $200,000 annual savings.
Ready to see how Aldoa can simplify ASTM D2216 testing and reporting for your firm? Request a demo today.