What is the primary outcome of the oven-drying method for moisture content determination?

The oven-drying method for moisture content determination is primarily focused on measuring the weight of dry soil. This technique involves placing a soil sample in an oven at a specified temperature for a certain period, allowing all moisture to evaporate. By measuring the weight of the sample before and after the drying process, the moisture content can be accurately calculated.

The weight difference indicates the amount of water that was present in the soil sample, allowing for the calculation of moisture content as a percentage of the dry weight. This process is essential for understanding how much water is contained in the soil and impacts various soil properties and behaviors in engineering and agricultural applications.

The other options refer to different aspects of soil analysis not directly related to the primary purpose of the oven-drying method. Soil shrinkage limits, pH levels, and particle size distribution are analyzed through different methodologies and do not provide weight measurements of the dry soil.