When moisture is too high, what should be done next?

When moisture levels are too high, rerunning the test with half the sample size and multiplying the results by two is a crucial step. This method effectively allows for better handling of the excessive moisture present in the samples. By reducing the sample size, any inherent errors or variations due to high moisture content can be minimized, ensuring that the results are more reliable and more indicative of the actual conditions. Multiplying by two then compensates for the reduced sample size, providing a clearer representation of the moisture content in the overall material that is being tested.

Regular testing would not necessarily provide the adjustments needed to account for the high moisture levels, as maintaining the same testing approach could lead to misleading results. Decreasing the sample size without any methodological adjustment wouldn't adequately address the moisture issue. Ignoring moisture levels entirely can result in significant problems later in the construction or earthwork process, such as ineffective soil compaction or instability. Thus, the method of adjusting the sample size and compensating mathematically is the most practical and scientifically sound approach when dealing with high moisture conditions.