Name: Abinav Prasad

Roll No. 103119005

Civil A

1. DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF SOIL

Objective

To determine Specific Gravity of Soil solids by Pycnometer Method.

Need and Scope

The knowledge of specific gravity is needed in calculation of soil properties like void
ratio, degree of saturation etc.

Theory

Specific gravity (G) is defined as the ratio of the weight of soil solids to that of an equal volume
of distilled water at that temperature and both the weights being taken in air.

Equation for Specific Gravity (G) = (M-M)/ ((M-M)-(M-M))

Where, M=mass of Pycnometer.

M=mass of Pycnometer +dry soil

M=mass of Pycnometer +soil + water.

M=mass of Pycnometer + water.

This equation may be used for coarse and fine-grained soils

Apparatus Required

1. Pycnometer of about 1 liter capacity

2. Balance accurate to 1 g, glass rod, de-aired distilled water etc.
3. Wash bottle with distilled water

Procedure
1. Clean and dry the pycnometer and weigh it along with the conical cap (M1).
2. Select about 300 gm of dry soil free of clods and put the same into the pycnometer. Weigh
it (M2) with brass cap and washer.
3. Fill the pycnometer with de-aired water up to half its height and mix it thoroughly with a
glass rod. Add more water and stir it till entrapped air is fully removed. Fit the screw cap
and fill the pycnometer flush with the hole in the conical cap. Dry the pycnometer from
outside and weigh it (M3).
4. Remove all the contents from the pycnometer, clean it thoroughly and fill it with distilled
water. Dry the pycnometer from outside and weigh it (M4).
5. Repeat the same process for additional tests.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS

Sl. Test No’s

Particulars
No 1 2 3
1 Mass of empty pycnometer (M), g 622 622 622
2 Mass of pycnometer + dry soil (M), g 722 796 732
1528 1568 1527
3 Mass of pycnometer + soil + water, (M2), g
1458 1458 1458
4 Mass of pycnometer + water (M4), g

Specimen Calculations: G = (M-M)/ ((M-M)-(M-M))

G= 3.33,
Result

Average specific gravity = 2.78

Specific gravity at 270C= 0.9979x2.78= 2.77

REMARKS

Unless or otherwise specified specific gravity values reported shall be based on water at 270C.
So the specific gravity at 270C = KSp. gravity at Tx0C.

Where K= Specific gravity of water at temperature TxºC

Specific gravity of water at temperature T27 ºC

 The specific gravity of the soil particles lie within the range of 2.65 to 2.85. Soils containing
organic matter and porous particles may have specific gravity values below 2.0. Soils having
heavy substances may have values above 3.0.
Name: Abinav Prasad
Roll No. 103119005
Civil A
2. DETERMINATION OF GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION BY
SIEVE ANALYSIS

Objective

To determine the relative proportions of different grain sizes which make up a given
soil mass by the sieve analysis and draw graph between log grain size of soil and % finer.

Need and Scope of Experiment

The grain size analysis is widely used in classification of soils. The data obtained from
grain size distribution curves is used in the design of filters for earth dams and to determine
suitability of soil for road construction, air field etc. Information obtained from grain size
analysis can be used to predict soil water movement although permeability tests are more
generally used.

Apparatus Required

1. Balance of sensitivity 0.1g,

2. I.S sieves,
3. Mechanical sieve shaker

Theory

Effective size (D10) is the particle diameter corresponds to 10% finer in the grain size
distribution graph. It means 10% of particle is finer than this diameter.
Uniformity coefficient: Cu = D60 / D10
Coefficient of Curvature Cc = (D30)² / D60 X D10

Procedure

1. Take a representative sample of soil received from the field and dry it in the oven.
2. Use a known mass of dried soil with all the grains properly separated out. Take 500g of
soil for analysis, since maximum size is 4.75 mm.
3. Set the sieves one over the other in an ascending order of size of sieves from the bottom
with a pan attached to the lowest 75  sieve and fit the nest to a mechanical shaker.
4. Place the selected sample of soil on the top 4.75 mm sieve and close it with a cap.
5. The whole set of sieves is given a horizontal shaking for 10 min, till the soil retained on
each sieve reaches a constant value.
6. Determine the mass of soil retained on each sieve including that collected in the pan below.

Observations and Calculations

Weight of soil sample (W) = 500 g

I.S sieve Weight Percentage Cumulative % finer Remarks

number or retained in retained on percentage
size in mm each sieve (g) each sieve retained on
each sieve
4.75 mm 30.5 6.1 6.1 93.9
2.36 mm 30.7 6.14 12.24 87.76
1.18 mm 50.7 10.14 22.38 77.62
600 µ 75.6 15.12 37.50 62.50
425 µ 46.7 9.34 46.84 53.16
300 µ 50.2 10.04 56.88 43.12
150 µ 100.6 20.12 77 23
75 µ 79.7 15.94 92.94 7.06
Pan 35.3 7.06 100 0
Total= 500 g
The percentage of soil retained on each sieve shall be calculated on the basis of total weight of
soil sample taken. Cumulative percentage of soil retained on successive sieve is found.

% Finer
100
90
80
70
% Finer

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 0.3703704
0.1371742
0.0508053
0.0188168
0.0069692
0.0025812
0.000956
0.0003541
0.0001311
4.857E-05
Log(grain size)

Result

Draw a graph between log sieve size vs % finer. The graph is known as gradation curve.
Corresponding to 10%, 30% and 60% finer, obtain diameters from the graph and designate
them as D10, D30, and D60.

Effective size = 0.088 mm

Uniformity coefficient: Cu = 6.229
Coefficient of Curvature Cc = 0.832

GENERAL REMARKS

1. The balance to be used must be sensitive to the extent of 0.1% of total weight of sample
taken.

2. I.S 4608-1962 are too used. The sieves for soil tests: 4.75 mm to 75 microns.