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COURSE CODE
ECG303
LEVEL OF OPENNESS
CATEGORY
TRADITIONAL
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY
1 WEEK (WEEK 3)
TITLE
PREAMBLE
1.2 Objective
The objective of the test is:
To determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample (fine soil).
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Identify the correct apparatus to carry out hydrometer test.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.
1.4 Theoretical Background
Distribution of grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil such as
permeability, strength, expansivity etc. It is also required in the classifying
the soil. Measurement of grain size distribution depends on the size of the
grains i.e. larger than 0.075 mm or in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 m.
FKA
Balance
Set of sieves
Cleaning brush
Sieve shaker
Mixer (blender)
Hydrometer
Sedimentation cylinder
Control cylinder
Thermometer
Beaker
Timing device.
and other accessories which include evaporating dish, corrosion
resistant tray, calgon (33g of sodium hexametaphosphate and 7g
of sodium carbonate in distilled water to make 1 Litre).
3.2 Procedures
1. Take the fine soil from the bottom pan of the sieve set, place it into
a beaker, and add 125 mL of the dispersing agent (sodium
hexametaphosphate (40 g/L)) solution. Stir the mixture until the
soil is thoroughly wet. Let the soil soak for at least ten minutes.
2. While the soil is soaking, add 125mL of dispersing agent into the
control cylinder and fill it with distilled water to the mark. Take the
reading at the top of the meniscus formed by the hydrometer stem
and the control solution. A reading less than zero is recorded as a
negative (-) correction and a reading between zero and sixty is
recorded as a positive (+) correction. This reading is called the
zero correction. The meniscus correction is the difference between
the top of the meniscus and the level of the solution in the control
jar (Usually about +1). Shake the control cylinder in such a way
that the contents are mixed thoroughly. Insert the hydrometer and
FKA
Hr
D = 0.005531 ( s1) t
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
(mm)
m( s1)R d
(%)
100 s
K=
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The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy
of the set-out output to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.
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