University of the Cordilleras

College of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Civil Engineering

LABORATORY WORK No. 1 : SPECIFIC GRAVITY FOR

SOIL WITH THE USE OF PYCNOMETER

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

In CE 322-15L – Geotechnical Engineering Lab

2ND Trimester, SY 2018-2019

Submitted by:

Barroga, John Diether A.

Castro, Nikko Angelo V.
Dularte, Aries D.
Elep, Shanelle Aiken D.
Espulgar, Sofia J.
Jucar, Ritch Y.
Pabellena, Raven Jill G.
Romano, Rabin John B.

Submitted to:

Engr. Marlowe Labusnog

CE

January 26, 2019

 I. INTRODUCTION

Group 6

ABSTRACT

Specific gravity determination by pycnometer is a precise method that uses a working liquid with a known
density, such as water.

The objective of this laboratory experiment is to determine the specific gravity of a soil sample with the
use of a pycnometer flask. This is derived from the given standard reference provided by the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM D 854-00 – Standard Test for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer).
The idea is to use different pycnometer mass (read after every addition of materials) and its correlations to each
other. In this experiment, we pin-point the correlations of specific gravity to water content, heat, and water purity.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The specific gravity of soil is used in calculating the phase relationships of soils, such as void ratio and
degree of saturation. These properties are then used identify the strength, workability, stability, resistance to
abrasion and stress, and mainly for the computation of mixture control. The collection of data required a
systematic development of the soil sample and a careful measurement thereof.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to identify the specific gravity of a soil sample, compute for any marginal
difference, and study the possible causes of inaccuracy.

SCOPE

The group obtained the soil sample from Pugo, La Union; geographically situated between 16o 23’ 1o” and
16o 14’ 15” north latitudes and 120o 26’ 40” and 120o 31’ 30” east longitudes; having an approximate
administrative land area of 8,711.75 hectares. The laboratory experiment is performed at the basement of the
University of Cordilleras in Gov. Pack Rd, Baguio City, Benguet. This test includes varying degrees of particle size
and water saturation.
 II. METHODOLOGY

DATA GATHERING TOOLS

This laboratory work was done in order to determine the specific gravity of the soil sample by means of
pycnometer. The following are the equipment and apparatus used:

1. Pycnometer Flask
2. Electronic balance
3. Soil Pan
4. Trowel
5. Hot-Plate/Laboratory Oven

PROCEDURE

As per the laboratory manual provided, the following are the step-by-step instruction to perform the
laboratory experiment.

A. Pycnometer Calibration
1. Clean and dry the pycnometer
2. Fill the pycnometer with distilled water. IF a flask is used, the bottom of the meniscus should beat
the calibration mark.
3. Dry the outside surface of the pycnometer, and inside of the neck above the calibration mark of a
volumetric flask.
4. Weigh the pycnometer with water of 0.01 grams and record as Wa.
5. Read and record the water temperature to 0.01 oC with the thermometer inserted to a fixed depth.
Before reading, check that the water temperature is uniform by holding the thermometer at
different elevations.
6. Heat the pycnometer with water in a water bath and repeat the procedure to get a sufficient
number of points for plotting the calibration curve. Before the concurrent measurements are made,
the excess water due to heating should be carefully removed and the pycnometer should be dried.
7. Draw the calibration curve by plotting temperature against weight in arithmetic scale.
B. Determination of Specific Gravity

Mix about 100 grams of soil with water in an evaporating dish to form ordinary paste. The sample may be
tested at its natural water content or its oven-dried state. Its weight on an oven dry basis denoted by Ws shall be
at least 25 grams. If an oven-dried sample is used, it should be dried at constant weight at 110oC, cooled to room
temperature and weighed.

1. Transfer the sample carefully to the calibrated pycnometer and add distilled water until about ½ full.
Avoid loss of soil during transfer if the weight has been determined.
2. Remove entrapped air by boiling to room temperature or to a temperature withing the range of
calibration curve of the pycnometer used for at least 10 minutes; roll occasionally pycnometer to
assist in the removal of air.
3. Cool sample to room temperature within the range of calibration curve of the pycnometer used.
4. Fill pycnometer with distilled water up to the calibration mark.
5. Dry outside of the pycnometer.
6. Weigh the pycnometer with water and soil to 0.01 grams and record.
7. Record temperature of contents to 0.01 oC.
 III. RESULTS AND FINDINGS

TABULATED DATA AND RESULTS

Mass Oven Dried Hot Plate Dried

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7

Mass of Flask (gm) 85.83 85.83 93.16 93.16 140.86 88.19 87.64

Mass of Flask w/ Soil (gm) 123.34 123.56 197.79 190.93 240.81 188.1 187.54

Mass of Flask w/ Soil & H2O 361.94 360.21 395.84 384.42 435 390.8 390.92
(gm)
Mass of Flask w/ H2O (gm) 339.7 339.7 337.82 337.82 389.02 336.62 336.33

Specific Gravity 2.456 2.191 2.245 1.911 1.852 2.185 2.205

The group performed 7 trials all in all. Two for the oven-dried soil samples and 5 with its natural water
content. We calculated an Oven-dried average specific gravity of 2.324 and 2.079 for the hot-plate dried soil
specimen. All in all, we procured an average of 2.149 from within all of the group’s trials.

Graphical Representations

Mass Comparison
500

400

300

200

100

0
Mass of Flask Mass of Flask w/ Soil Mass of Flask w/ Soil & H2O Mass of Flask w/ H2O

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7

Specific Gravity Comparison

Trial 7

Trial 6

Trial 5

Trial 4

Trial 3

Trial 2

Trial 1

0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500 3.000

Hot Plate Average Oven Dried Average Specific Gravity Average Specific Gravity
 IV. DISCUSSION, REMARKS AND CONCLUSION

The main objective of this laboratory work is to obtain the specific gravity of soil using pycnometers.
However, with all the hand-on experience we were able to attain with the execution of this laboratory work, our
group was able to identify key properties within soil samples that could and would affect the specific gravity
among other properties of the soil sample. We were able to percolate and conclude such ideas with the
abundance of our number of trials made.
These conclusions were further backed-up by the fact that we used two of the same soil sample but with
varying degree of water saturation. We used the oven-dried soil sample from the previous laboratory work (the
determination of water content of a soil sample), and the soil sample which we have promptly dried using a soil
pan on top of an electric hot-plate. We carried out two processes simultaneously, effectively dividing the group
for drying out the soil sample and directly carrying out the pycnometer test on the readily available oven-dried
soil sample.

We were able to attain a preliminary result (albeit slightly wrongly put together) on excel and were able
to show it to our laboratory instructor. We were then tasked to repeat the laboratory work “one last time”. Despite
it being wearisome to the group, it served as a crucial proof for our conclusions. The last trial gave us the lowest
result in terms of specific gravity.

January 30, 2019, we were again tasked to perform the experiment for the 6th, 7th, and final time (truthfully
this time). During the 6th and 7th trial, we corrected our previous mistakes and procured a very accurate data result.
The margin of error between the two calculated specific gravity is around 0.025 which is the most successful trials
we have thus far.

We did our research and found out why the specific gravity progressively decreases the closer the trial
was to the drying process. This has something to do with heat and the water content of the soil sample. As we all
know, water and closely related liquids tend to expand when heat is applied. Sure, the vapor coming out of the
heating by hot-plate decreases the water saturation of the soil sample, but it also expands those of which is
retained on the soil sample, effectively increasing the volume of the soil sample. Volume is inversely proportional
to the specific gravity of a material, therefore, once the soil sample was heated (and tested without it being
thoroughly cooled) the specific gravity of the soil sample goes down. Letting the soil sample be cooled by the
Baguio air because as we know, the colder the air is the higher the humidity levels.

As it was, the laboratory work proved to be more educational than is intended. It is not only that the soil
sample (probably) contain noticeable amounts of organic matter, it is that the specific gravity of soil samples is
also subjected to a lot of parameters that can be further controlled in order to attain the true value of the sample’s
specific gravity. Nonetheless, the experiment was a success. It gave us a working ground for future laboratory
works; we will be mindful of the possibilities of such parameters which might mess up with future data gathering.

Because of the apparent success of the last two trails done, the group therefore take the average of the
last two trials as the most accepted result for the specific gravity of our soil sample.

REFERENCES:

ASTM D854-14, Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer, ASTM
International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2014

Bielders, C. L., L. W. De Backer, and B. Delvaux. 1990. Particle Density of Volcanic Soils as Measured with a Gas
Pycnometer. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 54:822-826. doi:10.2136/sssaj1990.03615995005400030034x

Keen, B., & Raczkowski, H. (1921). The relation between the clay content and certain physical properties of a
soil. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 11(4), 441-449. doi:10.1017/S0021859600004469

Heber Green, W., & Ampt, G. (1911). Studies on Soil Phyics. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 4(1), 1-24.
doi:10.1017/S0021859600001441
 V. APPENDICES

CALCULATIONS

Presented below are the formulas and calculations done in order to obtain the desired properties of the
soil sample. For the sake of convenience and to minimize error we used Microsoft Excel for the tables previously
prompted.

TRIAL 1

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = (𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙) − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 123.34 − 85.83

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟓𝟏 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔

𝑚2 −𝑚1
2. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝑚
4 −𝑚1 )−(𝑚3 −𝑚2 )

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: m1 = mass of flask

m2 = mass of flask + soil

m3 = mass of flask + soil& water

m4 = mass of flask + water

123.34 − 85.83
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(338.7 − 85.83) − (361.94 − 123.34)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟕

TRIAL 2

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = (𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙) − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 123.56 − 85.83

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟕𝟑 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔

𝑚2 −𝑚1
2. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝑚
4 −𝑚 1 )−(𝑚3 −𝑚2 )

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: m1 = mass of flask

m2 = mass of flask + soil

m3 = mass of flask + soil& water

m4 = mass of flask + water

123.56 − 85.83
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(338.7 − 85.83) − (360.21 − 123.56)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟗

TRIAL 3

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = (𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙) − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 197.79 − 93.16

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 = 𝟏𝟎𝟒. 𝟔𝟑 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔

 𝑚2 −𝑚1
2. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝑚
4 −𝑚1 )−(𝑚3 −𝑚2 )

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: m1 = mass of flask

m2 = mass of flask + soil

m3 = mass of flask + soil& water

m4 = mass of flask + water

197.79 − 93.16
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(338.7 − 85.83) − (361.94 − 123.34)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟒𝟒

TRIAL 4

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = (𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙) − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 190.93 − 93.16

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 = 𝟗𝟕. 𝟕𝟕 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔

𝑚2 −𝑚1
2. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝑚
4 −𝑚1 )−(𝑚3 −𝑚2 )

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: m1 = mass of flask

m2 = mass of flask + soil

m3 = mass of flask + soil& water

m4 = mass of flask + water

190.93 − 93.16
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(338.7 − 85.83) − (361.94 − 123.34)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟏

TRIAL 5

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = (𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙) − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 240.81 − 140.86

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟗𝟓 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔

𝑚2 −𝑚1
2. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝑚
4 −𝑚1 )−(𝑚3 −𝑚2 )

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: m1 = mass of flask

m2 = mass of flask + soil

m3 = mass of flask + soil& water

m4 = mass of flask + water

240.81 − 140.86
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(338.7 − 85.83) − (361.94 − 123.34)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟕
TRIAL 6

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = (𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙) − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 188.10 − 88.19

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟗𝟏 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔

𝑚2 −𝑚1
2. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝑚
4 −𝑚1 )−(𝑚3 −𝑚2 )

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: m1 = mass of flask

m2 = mass of flask + soil

m3 = mass of flask + soil& water

m4 = mass of flask + water

188.10 − 88.19
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(338.7 − 85.83) − (361.94 − 123.34)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟗

TRIAL 7

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = (𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙) − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 187.54 − 87.64

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟗𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔

𝑚2 −𝑚1
2. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝑚
4 −𝑚 1 )−(𝑚3 −𝑚2 )
187.54 − 87.64
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(338.7 − 85.83) − (361.94 − 123.34)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟏

AVERAGE SPECIFIC GRAVITY

𝑆𝐺1 + 𝑆𝐺2
1. 𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 2

2.46 + 2.19
𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
2

𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟐

𝑆𝐺3 + 𝑆𝐺4 + 𝑆𝐺5 + 𝑆𝐺6 + 𝑆𝐺7

2. 𝐻𝑜𝑡 − 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 5

2.24 + 1.91 + 1.85 + 2.19 + 2.21

𝐻𝑜𝑡 − 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
5

𝑯𝒐𝒕 − 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟖

𝑆𝐺1 + 𝑆𝐺2 + 𝑆𝐺3 + 𝑆𝐺4 + 𝑆𝐺5 + 𝑆𝐺6 + 𝑆𝐺7
3. 𝐻𝑜𝑡 − 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 7

2.46 + 2.19 + 2.24 + 1.91 + 1.85 + 2.19 + 2.21

𝐻𝑜𝑡 − 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
7

𝑯𝒐𝒕 − 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟓

 DOCUMENTATION & PROCEDURE

As was briefly mentioned earlier, our group made seven laboratory trials. Two of which used the oven-
dried soil sample from the previous laboratory work. We divided the group in order for us to finish the work
effectively and not let a groupmate stand by. This is a group work after all. Half started with the weighing of the
flasks and the flasks with water filled to the intended marker near the top of the pycnometer. We used purified
drinking water as opposed to the use of tap water (the manual calls for distilled water.

Some of us then took out the oven-dried samples from the laboratory oven, crushed it with

mortar and pestle and weighed them. The oven-dried soil sample provided us with enough to attain the
25g mark that is being required by the laboratory manual. While this is happening, the other half of the
group went on to grind the soil samples, put the samples in the soil pan and proceeded to heat it on top
of an electric hot-plate.
 We then measured the pycnometer with the soil + H2O to finish the tabulated data. All that
was left was to repeat the process 1 more time for the oven-dried and repeat the same process with
the remaining 2 (made 3) trials for the hot-plate soil samples.
Miscellaneous Picture Documentation
Written Data