Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No.

EXPERIMENT No.2
1.0 Title :
To determine Bulk density and Dry density of a soil in the
field by Core-cutter method.
2.0 Prior Concepts:
Soil as Three phase system, mass relations, volume relations.
3.0 New Concepts:

Bulk Density

Total Weight Total Volume

W = Total weight of soil which includes weight of soil solids and weight of water.
V = Total volume of soil which includes volume of solids and volume of voids.

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Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No. 2

Where ‘w’ water content based on dry weight of soil sample.

The core-cutter method is suitable for the grained soils free from aggregates. Also driving of core-
cutter into sandy soil disturbs the soil and may change the density. Therefore, core-cutter method
is useful for soft cohesive soil and the sample is undisturbed.
4.0 Learning Objectives :
Intellectual skills:
1.To understand step by step procedure and linking them with propositions and concept structure.
2.To understand the calculations of bulk density, water content and hence the dry density.
Motor skills:
1. Ability to handle the equipments like core cutter, electronic balance, oven, desiccators, physical
balance, vernier caliper / scale etc.
2. Ability to measure the masses accurately.
3. Ability to measure the internal dimensions of core cutter.
4. Ability to take and record observations.

5.0 Apparatus :
1. Cylindrical core-cutter (127.4 mm high, 100mm internal diameter, with a wall thickness of 3mm)
with a chamfered cutting edge.
2. Steel dolly 25mm high,100mm internal diameter with a wall thickness of 7.5 mm fitted with a clip
to enable it to be fitted on top of core-cutter.
3. Steel rammer, knife, steel rule. excavating tools such as trowel pick axe.
4. Balances sensitivity 0.1gm to 0.01 gm.
5. Containers.
6. Oven / rapid moisture meter.
7. Soil extractor, Metal tray
Materials:
1. Grease
2. Cotton waste

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Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No. 2

6.0 Diagram :

CORE-CUTTER APPARATUS
[Reference: IS – 2720, Part-29-1975]

7.0 Stepwise Procedure:

1. Measure the inside dimensions (accurate to 0.25mm) of the core- cutter.
2. Find the mass of empty core cutter (without dolly) accurate to 1.00 gm. Apply grease from inside
of the cutter.
3. Clear a small area (about 300mm X 300mm) on the ground where field density is to be determined
and level it (The top soil of should be removed if it contains vegetation).

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Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No. 2

1.Place the cutter with the beveled edge on the ground. Place the dolly on the top of the core
cutter.
2. Apply pressure manually so that the cutter gets embedded in soil.
3. Drive the cutter vertically in to the soil with the help of the rammer until only about 5 to
10mm of the dolly protrudes above the surface.
4. Remove soil surrounding cutter with a pickaxe till bottom of core cutter is seen.
5. Insert trowel below the cutter and lift it up. Remove the dolly with a straight edge.
6. Clean the top and bottom surfaces of the cutter.
7. Note down the mass of the cutter full of soil.
8. Extract the soil from the cutter. Take a representative sample of soil for its water content
determination (sample to be taken from middle and bottom of core cutter).
9. Record all observation in the tabular column and carry out necessary computations to
determine in –place bulk density and dry density.
10.The above procedure is repeated in the near vicinity of the soil strata and the average
value is reported as bulk and dry density.
Precautions:
1.The cutting edge of core-cutter should be sharp.
2. It should not be used in stony soils.
3.The core-cutter should be advanced vertically in to the ground.
4.The magnitude of impact given by rammer should be kept smaller so that there should be
minimum disturbance of the soil sample.
5. In loose soil care should be taken so that the soil does not fall off while lifting
the cutter.

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Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No. 2

8.0 Observations :
Diameter of core cutter (d) = ………………. (cm)
Height of core cutter (h) = ………………. (cm)
Volume of core cutter (V) = ………………. (cc)
• Observations for calculation of Bulk Density :

• Observation for calculation of water content and dry density :

9.0 Result:
The bulk density of the given soil in place is = …………… KN / m3
The dry density of the given soil in place is = …………… KN / m3

10.0 Conclusion :
1. In the given soil sample the bulk unit weight ………..….and dry unit weight
is ……………, .hence the given soil sample is (partially / fully) saturated.
2. Students to write conclusion on the basis of result (under the guidance of
Teacher)

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Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No. 2

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11.0 Questions :
Write answers to Q… Q… Q… Q… Teacher shall allot the questions
1. How volume of soil in Core-cutter is measured?
2. Why grease is applied from inside of the core-cutter? Give reason.
3. How is soil removed from core cutter in this method?
4. Why is it necessary to determine the field density?
5. Why dolly is placed on the top of the cutter?
6. What are the different methods of determining field density of soil mass?
7. What will you add or to improve field density?
8. Why water content of soil mass is determined in this method?
9. Why magnitude of impact given by rammer should be kept smaller?
10. For which type of soil, Core-cutter method is not suitable?
11. State the field situation when core cutter method is preferred.
12. How volume of hole is determined in sand replacement method?
13. State the field situation when sand replacement method is preferred.
The teacher shall write two more questions.
14. ……………………………………………………………………………………
15. ………………………………………………………………………………………
(Space for answers)

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Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No. 2

(Space for answers)

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Geo-Technical Engineering (9047) Experiment No. 2

(Space for answers)

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