UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPUR – MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF

CHEMICAL BIO-ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY

CEB 20003

SOIL CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTERISATION

TO: DR. AMELIA BINTI MD SOM

LAB GROUP: “L01 – P3”

GROUP MEMBER:

1. MUHAMMAD ASYRAF BIN ZAINUDDIN 55213118161

2. SAIFUL RIZAL BIN ZAFRUL 55213118154
3. MOHAMAD ZIKRY BIN KAMISAN 55213118208
4. MUHAMMAD NASRUL BIN NOOR AZLI 55213118141
5. SHARIFAH MAISARAH HANAN BINTI SYED HASSAN 55213118192
6. NUR AMIRAH BINTI BAHARUDIN 55213118191

DATE SUBMISSION:

30th MAY 2019

1.0 Objectives

1. To determine the bulk density of soil by using core cutter method

2. To determine dried moisture content of soil
3. To determine soil particle size distribution using wet sieving, dry sieving and run sample
in a particle size analyzer.
4. To determine soil particle density and soil porosity

1.0 Introduction

Soil organic matter, soil texture, the density of soil mineral (sand, silt, and clay) are the
dependent of soil density. The productivity through infiltration rate, rooting depth/ restrictions,
available water capacity, soil porosity, plant nutrient availability, and soil microorganism
activity was the influences key soil processes.

The cylindrical core cutters were used for testing the in-situ compaction of cohesive and
clay soils placed as fill. By using core cutter method, bulk density of soil can be quickly
calculated and by determining the moisture content of the soil the dry density of the fill can be
calculated and hence the voids percentage. A high percentage of voids indicates poor
compaction of soil. The soil bulk density also known as dry bulk density which it is the weight
of dry soil divided by the total soil volume. Bulk density also need to be done if the soil is
compacted. The critical value of bulk density that tend to restrict root growth is 1.6g/cm 3.
Meanwhile sandy soils usually have higher bulk densities (1.3–1.7 g/cm3) than fine silts and
clays (1.1 – 1.6 g/cm3) because they have larger, but fewer, pore spaces. In clay soils with
good soil structure, there is a greater amount of pore space because the particles are very
small, and many small pore spaces fit between them. Soils rich in organic matter can have
densities of less than 0.5 g/cm3.(Katherine and Andrew, 2019).

Formula for determination of mass cutter containing the core at nearest 1 g (ms) is as below:

ms−mx
ρ (g/mm3) =
Vc

ms is the mass of soil and core cutter (in g);

 mc is the mass of core cutter (in g);
Vc is the internal volume of core cutter (in mm3)

“soil moisture content.” is a soil that contain a finite amount of water. This moisture exists
within the pore spaces in between soil aggregates (inter-aggregate pore space) and within
soil aggregates (intra-aggregate pore space). The pore space is occupied by air and/or water.
If all the pores are occupied by air, the soil is completely dry. If all the pores are filled with
water, the soil is saturated.

In outdoor natural environments, water is added to soil via rainfall or deliberate irrigation
of plants. At the expense of air, the soil moisture increases as more pores become filled with
water. The excess water will leach downward through continuous soil pores, until the rain or
irrigation ceases. Leaching will continue until the water films within the pores are held by the
surface tension of soil colloids against the force of gravity. Such a situation is referred to as
the soil being at “field capacity” with respect to soil moisture. A soil at field capacity has pores
partially filled with air, surrounded by soil moisture films. Normally a soil at field capacity is
optimal for plant growth and aerobic soil microorganisms, since both air and water are
available. In contrast, a saturated soil will create waterlogged anaerobic conditions that can
kill plants and suppress aerobic soil microbes, while stimulating anaerobic microbes.

The weight of the sample of moist soil consists of the weight of the dry soil particles plus
the weight of the water within the soil. If more water is added to the soil, the wet weight of the
soil increases. The dry weight of the soil particles within the sample is fixed i.e., one weight
which is the dry weight. In contrast, there are an infinite number of wet weights, depending
upon how much water is added to the soil. Because of this, when doing lab experiments with
soil, the moisture content of the soil is normally expressed on a dry weight basis, because the
dry weight is constant over time, whereas the moist or wet weight can change over time. When
expressing the results of an experiment such as the nutrient content of a soil, use of the dry
weight basis provides standardization of the final result.

The amount of clay, silt, sand and gravel content as per Table 1 was determined for the
particle size distribution of soil sample. Classification of the soil can be done by using soil
texture triangle in Figure 1.
Table 1 : Soil Particle Sizes (mm)

Course 20.0 – 60.0

gravel
Medium 6.0 – 20.0
gravel
Fine gravel 2.0 – 6.0

Coarse sand 0.60 - 2.0

Medium 0.20 - 0.60

sand
Fine sand 0.06 - 0.20

Course silt 0.02 - 0.063

Medium silt 0.006 - 0.02

Fine silt 0.002 - 0.006

Clay <0.002
 Figure 1 : Classification of soil

Soil particle density was determined by pycnometer. It is a very precise method. The well-
known density, such as water was used as it is a working liquid. We will use distilled water, for
which temperature dependent values of density (H2O). The pycnometer is a glass flask with a
close-fitting ground glass stopper with a capillary hole through it. This fine hole releases a spare
liquid after closing a top-filled pycnometer and allows for obtaining a given volume of measured
and/or working liquid with a high accuracy.

Formula for the soil particle density is as follow :

2.0 Methodology

a) Particle density

Measured the
internal volume of
core cutter at
nearest 0.5 mm
(Vc) and measured
the cutter to the
nearest 1 g (mc).

Tested and level

the soil layer at
small area of
300mm square
approximately.

Placed the core

cutter with cutting
edge on prepared
surface and
removed the loose
extraneous
material.

Rammed the dolly

and cutter into the
soil layer.

Dig the cutter out

and waited the soil
to project from the
lower end of the
cutter.

Determined the
mass of the cutter
at nearest 1 g (ms)

*Pictures at appendix
b) Moisture content

1. Crumbled soil sample

from core cutter and do it
in duplicates.

2. Weighted aluminium pan until 0.1g

(m1)
3. Weighted the container +
soil untill 0.1g (m2) and place
in container 30g of soil
sample approximately.
4. The container filled
with soil were put in
oven overnight at
105°C.

5. Weight until 0.1g when the soil

and container were cooled.

*Pictures at appendix
 c) Particle size distribution

1. Placed into a 200mL

aluminium container of
weighted 80g of soil sample.

2. Left overnight of soil added 80mL of 4%

sodium hexametaphosphate until fully
submerged.

3. Sieved soil through 63 μm sieve

and collect filtrated into 30mL bottles
for measured.
4. Washed with distilled
water the remaining sample
and transferrd into 200mL
container. It is left overnight
at 105°C.

5. Sieved dried sample with size of

2.0mm, 1.18mm, 0.818mm, 0.425mm and
0.063mm.

*Pictures at appendix
d) Soil particle density

Crush sample using

Cleaned and dried the
pestle and mortar to free
pyknometer.
from moisture until fine.

Weighted the crushed

Weighted pyknometer
soil into pyknometer of
(m1)
5g approximately (m2).

Added distilled water into

pyknomneter and
ensured no bubbles. The Poured and clean the
pyknometer stoppered, content in pyknometer.
wipe, dried and weighted
(m3).

Added distilled water into

pyknomneter and
Calculated the soil ensured no bubbles. The
density. pyknometer stoppered,
wipe, dried and weighted
(m4).

*Pictures at appendix
3.0 Data and result

a) Soil Density by Core Cutter Method

Parameters Reading

Length of core cutter Lc mm 130.00

Diameter of core Dc mm 100.00

cutter

Volume of core cutter Vc mm3 1.02102 x106

Mass of core cutter Mc g 950.00

Mass of core cutter + Ms g 2550.00

wet soil

Mass of wet soil Ms-Mc g 1600.00

Bulk Density (Ms-Mc)/Vc g/mm3 1.567 x 10-3

ms−mx
ρ (g/mm3) =
Vc

ms is the mass of soil and core cutter (in g);

mc is the mass of core cutter (in g);
Vc is the internal volume of core cutter (in mm3)
 b) Moisture content

Parameters 1 2

Aluminum WI g 12.94 12.29

container

Aluminum W2 g 30.93 30.96

container + wet
sample

Aluminum W3 g 28.23 28.13

container + dried
sample

Moisture Content [(W2-W3)/(W3- % 17.66 17.87

W1)] x 100

Average % 17.77
 c) Particle Size Distribution

Initial Dried Weight (A) (g) : 76.75

Sieve Size Weight Retained (g)

2mm 8.9117 (14.12%)

1mm 3.0755 (4.87%)

850 𝜇𝑚 0.4580 (0.73%)

710 𝜇𝑚 0.5974 (0.95%)

355 𝜇𝑚 2.0628 (3.27%)

250 𝜇𝑚 1.1913 (1.84%)

Initial Sample Wet Weight, Wn 76.75

Moisture Content, Mc 17.77

Sample Dry Weight, [100/(100+Mc)] x Wn 65.17

Sieve Size Weight Weight Cum Percent

Retained Passing Passing Retained
2 8.91 56.26 86.33 13.67
1.000 3.08 53.18 81.61 4.72
0.850 0.46 52.72 80.90 0.70
0.750 0.60 52.13 79.99 0.92
0.313 2.06 50.06 76.82 3.17
0.250 1.19 48.87 74.99 1.83
PAN 0.10 48.77 74.84 ===>
16.40
Sieve size Percentage passing %

Larger than 2mm, Gravel 13.7 %

2 ~0.063mm, Sand 37.4 %

0.063 ~ 0.002mm, Silt 45.1 %

Smaller than 0.002mm, Clay 3.9 %

100.0

100

90

80

70
Percentage Passing,%

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Grain diameter,mm
 d) Particle density

Parameters 1 2i 2ii
Mass of M1 g 32.9958 32.1214 31.1826
Density
Bottle
Mass of M2 g 33.6835 34.0911 32.0818
Density
Bottle + Dried
soil

Mass of M3 g 82.9126 82.9399 82.2857

Density bottle
+ Dried soil +
water

Mass of M4 g 82.6070 81.8292 81.7143

Density bottle
+ water

Particle [(m2-m1)]/ g/cm3 1.7998 2.2927 2.7431

Density [m4-m1)-(m3-
m2)]

Average 2.2785
 e) Soil porosity

𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
% 𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 100 ⌊1 − ⌋
𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦

1.567 x 10 − 3
% 𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 100 ⌊1 − ⌋
2.2785

= 99.00 %
3.0 Discussion

The aim of this experiment was to determine the bulk density of soil by using core cutter
method, to determine dried moisture content of soil, to determine soil particle size distribution, to
determine soil particle density and soil porosity. During this lab experiment the objectives of the
experiment were the techniques that used in lab and field to classify a sample of soil. The
cylindrical core cutters were used for testing the in-situ compaction of cohesive and clay soils
placed as fill. By using core cutter method, bulk density of soil can be quickly calculated. The soil
bulk density also known as dry bulk density which it is the weight of dry soil divided by the total
soil volume. Bulk density also need to be done if the soil is compacted. The critical value of bulk
density that tend to restrict root growth is 1.6g/cm3. Meanwhile sandy soils usually have higher
bulk densities (1.3–1.7 g/cm3) than fine silts and clays (1.1 – 1.6 g/cm3) because they have larger,
but fewer, pore spaces. In clay soils with good soil structure, there is a greater amount of pore
space because the particles are very small, and many small pore spaces fit between them. Soils
rich in organic matter can have densities of less than 0.5 g/cm3 (Katherine and Andrew, 2019).

Part A experiment was started by measured the internal volume of core cutter at nearest
0.5 mm (Vc) and measured the cutter to the nearest 1 g (mc). Next, tested and level the soil layer
at small area of 300mm square approximately. The core cutter with cutting edge were placed on
prepared surface and removed the loose extraneous material. The dolly and cutter were rammed
into the soil layer. Next, dig the cutter out and waited the soil to project from the lower end of the
cutter The mass of the cutter was then determined and calculated at nearest 1 g (ms).

ms−mx
ρ (g/mm3) =
Vc

ms is the mass of soil and core cutter (in g);

mc is the mass of core cutter (in g);
Vc is the internal volume of core cutter (in mm3)

After we calculated, we obtained 1.567 x 10-3 g/cm3 for the bulk density. Our sample of soil
is slightly tending to restrict root growth because the bulk density that restrict root growth is
1.6g/cm3.

Our sample of soil also a fine silts and clays which the fine silts and clays (1.1- 1.6g/cm3).
This indicates that the sample of soil have larger, but fewer, pore spaces. In clay soils with good
soil structure, there is a greater amount of pore space because the particles are very small, and
many small pore spaces fit between them. The sample of soil is not a soil in rich organic matter
since the densities of soils that rich in organic matter have densities of less than 0.5 g/cm3.

For part B, “soil moisture content.” is a soil that contain a finite amount of water. This
moisture exists within the pore spaces in between soil aggregates (inter-aggregate pore space)
and within soil aggregates (intra-aggregate pore space). The experiment was started by Crumbled
soil sample from core cutter and do it in duplicates. Then, it was weighted aluminium pan until
0.1g (m1). Weighted the container + soil untill 0.1g (m2) and place in container 30g of soil sample
approximately. The container filled with soil were put in oven overnight at 105°C. Weight until 0.1g
when the soil and container were cooled. The moisture content was then calculated. We obtained
17.77%. Hence, the sample of soil have a moisture which is 17.77%.

The amount of clay, silt, sand and gravel content as the table that determined for the
particle size distribution of soil sample. Classification of the soil also can be done by using soil
texture triangle. In part C, the experiment was started by placed into a 200mL aluminium container
of weighted 80g of soil sample. It is then left overnight of soil added 80mL of 4% sodium
hexametaphosphate until fully submerged. Sieved soil through 63 μm sieve and collect filtrated
into 30mL bottles for measured. Then, washed with distilled water the remaining sample and
transferrd into 200mL container. It is left overnight at 105°C. Lastly, sieved dried sample with size
of 2.0mm, 1.18mm, 0.818mm, 0.425mm and 0.063mm. The result sample of soil is tabulated. The
result showed that the higher percentage passing of the sample soil is at 0.063 ~ 0.002mm.
Hence, the soil sample is silt which is the percentage passing is 45.1%. This can be related to the
theory of bulk density. Since the bulk density of our sample soil is 1.567 x 10-3 g/cm3 which it is
concluded that it is silt soil.
 Sieve size Percentage passing %

Larger than 2mm, Gravel 13.7 %

2 ~0.063mm, Sand 37.4 %

0.063 ~ 0.002mm, Silt 45.1 %

Smaller than 0.002mm, Clay 3.9 %

100.0

In part D, the soil particle density was determined by pycnometer. It is a very precise
method. The well-known density, such as water was used as it is a working liquid. We will use
distilled water, for which temperature dependent values of density (H2O). The pycnometer is a
glass flask with a close-fitting ground glass stopper with a capillary hole through it. This fine hole
releases a spare liquid after closing a top-filled pycnometer and allows for obtaining a given
volume of measured and/or working liquid with a high accuracy.

Formula for the soil particle density is as follow:

Particle density represents the average density of all the minerals composing the soil. For
most soils, this value is very near 2.65 g/cm3 because quartz has a density of 2.65 g/cm3 and
quartz is usually the dominant mineral. Particle density varies little between minerals and has little
practical significance except in the calculation of pore space. The result was calculated and we
obtained 2.2785 g/cm3. The value is near to 2.65 g/cm3 which it is the density of all mineral
composing the soil. Hence, we can conclude that the sample of soil has all the minerals that
composing the soil.
 Meanwhile in part E, porosity is that portion of the soil volume occupied by pore
spaces. This property does not have to be measured directly since it can be calculated using
values determined for bulk density and particle density. Finding the ratio of bulk density to particle
density and multiplying by 100 calculates the percent solid space, so subtracting it from 100 gives
the % of soil volume that is pore space. The typical amount of total porosity (ratio of void volume
to total volume) in a mineral soil ranges from about 40% to 60%. This means approximately 40 to
60% of the volume of a mineral soil is actually empty space between the solid particles (voids). In
this experiment, we obtained 99.00% for the porosity. Hence, the sample of soil have mineral soil.
It is because the particle density that we determined also have the mineral soil.

4.0 Conclusion

The purposes of this experiment was to determine the bulk density of soil by using core
cutter method, to determine dried moisture content of soil, to determine soil particle size
distribution, to determine soil particle density and soil porosity. From the experiment, in part
A, we obtained 1.567 x 10-3 g/cm3 for the bulk density. Our sample of soil is slightly tending to
restrict root growth because the bulk density that restrict root growth is 1.6g/cm 3. In part B,
the sample of soil have a moisture which is 17.77%. Meanwhile in part C, the result showed
that the higher percentage passing of the sample soil is at 0.063 ~ 0.002mm. Hence, the soil
sample is silt which is the percentage passing is 45.1%. This can be related to the theory of
bulk density. Since the bulk density of our sample soil is 1.567 x 10-3 g/cm3 which it is
concluded that it is silt soil. In part D of experiment, the result was calculated and we obtained
2.2785 g/cm3. The value is near to 2.65 g/cm3 which it is the density of all mineral composing
the soil. Hence, we can conclude that the sample of soil has all the minerals that composing
the soil. Lastly, for part E of the experiment, we obtained 99.00% for the porosity. Hence, the
sample of soil have mineral soil. It is because the particle density that we determined also
have the mineral soil.

4.0 Recommendation

There was recommendation for the experiment of soil classification and characterization
which is in the future we may create a machine that can observed the sample of soil and their
classification and characterization. Next, we may use a better soil that is not a concrete soil that
have rock. Therefore, we can have a better result of the experiment. The accurate determination
of water content of a soil-aggregate blend is important for the proper preparation of base and
subbase of pavement. The level of accuracy in which water content of base and subbase is
measured has a significant effect on the performance.

5.0 References

1. Gopal Mishra. Dry Density of Soil by Core Cutter Method for Soil Compaction. Retrieved
from The Constructor Civil Engineering Home :
https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/dry-density-of-soil-by-core-cutter-method/2680/.
2. Dr. Ian Pepper, Dr. Charles Gerba and Bradley Schmitz (2019). Determination of
Moisture Content in Soil. Retrieved from The Environmental Microbiology :
https://www.jove.com/science-education/10011/determination-of-moisture-content-in-
soil.
3. Katherine Brown and Andrew Wherrett (2019). Bulk density Measurement. Retrieved
from : http://soilquality.org.au/factsheets/bulk-density-measurement.
4. Eltahir, E. A. (1998). A soil moisture–rainfall feedback mechanism: 1. Theory and
observations. Water resources research, 34(4), 765-776.
5. Dexter, A. R. (2004). Soil physical quality: Part I. Theory, effects of soil texture, density,
and organic matter, and effects on root growth. Geoderma, 120(3-4), 201-214.
6.0 Appendix