What temperature should the ventilated oven be set to for organic soils?

The correct temperature setting for the ventilated oven when testing organic soils is 140°F. This temperature is specifically chosen to ensure that organic materials within the soil are effectively dried without causing thermal degradation. Organic soils, which contain significant quantities of decomposed plant and animal matter, require careful handling during testing to preserve their characteristics.

Setting the ventilated oven at this temperature allows for efficient moisture evaporation while minimizing the risk of altering the chemical composition of the organic matter present. Higher temperatures may lead to combustion or significant changes in the organic constituents, which can affect the test results. Therefore, maintaining the oven at 140°F is essential for obtaining accurate moisture content measurements in organic soils. This knowledge is crucial for soil testing and the proper assessment of soil properties in civil engineering and construction applications.