Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi

Soil Engineering Lab

REPORT TITLE (02)

Minimum and Maximum
Density of a soil specimen.

Submitted By:
Abhinav Kumar

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Objective: Determination of minimum and maximum density of given soil specimen (Badarpur Sand).

Apparatus:
1. Vibratory table - a steel table with a cushioned steel
vibrating deck about 75 x 75 cm.
2. Moulds - With Guide Sleeves -cylindrical metal unit mass
moulds of 3000 cm³ and 15000 cm³ capacity conforming
to the requirements as given in IS: 10837-1984.
3. Surcharge Base Plates with Handle - one surcharge base
plate10 mm in thickness for each size mould conforming
to requirements given in IS: 10837-1984.
4. Surcharge Masses -- one surcharge mass for each size
mould conforming to requirements given in IS: 10837-
1984.
5. Pouring devices - consisting of funnels 12 mm and 25
mm in diameter and 15 cm long.
6. Mixing Pans - suitable size are 60 x 90 cm and 10 cm
deep and 40 x 40 cm and 5 cm deep.
7. Weighing Scale -portable platform scale, 100 kg capacity
with sensitivity of 20 g in accordance with IS: 1435-1960.

Testing methods and Procedures:

1. Soil Sample
A representative sample of soil (Badarpur Sand) was selected. The mass of soil sample to be taken
depends upon the max. size of particle in the soil as given in Table 1 of IS: 2720 (Part 14) . The soil sample
was oven dried at a temperature of 105° to 110°C. The sample was pulverized without breaking the
individual soil particles.

Badarpur Sand Yamuna River Sand

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2. Determination of Minimum Density
The pouring device and mould were selected as per Table 1 of
IS: 2720 (Part 14), the mould was weighed and the mass recorded. Soil particles
were placed as loosely as possible in the mould by pouring the soil through the
spout in a steady stream. The spout was adjusted so that the height of free fall
of the soil is always 25 mm. While pouring the soil the pouring device was
moved in a spiral motion from the outside towards the centre to form a soil
layer of uniform thickness without segregation. The mould was filled
approximately 25 mm above the top and levelled with top by making one
continuous pass with the steel straightedge. Great care was exercised to avoid
jarring the mould during the entire pouring and trimming operation. The mould
and the soil were weighed and the mass recorded.

3. Determination of Maximum Density

Dry Method-
The guide sleeve was assembled on top of the mould and the clamp assemblies
tightened so that the inner surfaces of the walls of the mould and the sleeve
are in line. The lock nuts on the two set screws equipped with them were
tightened.
The guide sleeves were attached to the mould, filled with soil and the surcharge
base plate was placed on the soil surface. The surcharge weight was then
lowered on the base plate. The mould was fixed to the vibrator deck. The
vibrator control was set at maximum amplitude and the loaded soil specimen
was vibrated for 8-10 minutes.
The surcharge weight and guide sleeves were removed from the mould. The
mould with the soil was weighed and its mass recorded.

Calculations:
For Badarpur Sand
• Weight of empty mould (W1) = 9.76 kg
• Weight of surcharge load = 25.55 kg
• Diameter of mould = 15 cm
• Height of mould = 17 cm
• Theoretical Volume of mould (Vt) = 3004.15 cm³
• Assuming Specific Gravity (Gs) for Badarpur sand = 2.63
• Mass of dry Sand (Ws)= W2 – W1
• Vol. of Dry Sand (Vs) = Mass of dry sand (Ws)/Gs

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Data Table

Table for emax and Γd, min

Badarpur Sand Data Yamuna River Sand

Data
Wt. of Mass of Vol. of Dry emax Γd, min
Mould dry Sand Sand = (Vt-Vs)/Vs = Ws/Vt
Trial + Ws (kg) Vs (cm³) emax Γd, min
Wt. of Sand (g/cm³)
W2 (kg)

1 14.19 4.43 1684.41 0.78 1.475 1.02 1.311

2 14.16 4.40 1673.00 0.79 1.465 1.01 1.318

3 14.17 4.41 1676.81 0.79 1.468 1.02 1.315

Average 0.786 1.469 1.016 1.315

Table for emin and Γd, max

Badarpur Sand Data Yamuna River Sand

Data
Wt. of Mass of Vol. of Dry emin Γd, max
Mould dry Sand Sand = (Vt-Vs)/Vs = Ws/Vt
Trial + Ws (kg) Vs (cm³) emin Γd, max
Wt. of Sand (g/cm³)
W2 (kg)

1 14.77 5.01 1904.94 0.57 1.668 0.82 1.455

2 14.83 5.07 1927.75 0.56 1.687 0.79 1.474

3 14.81 5.05 1920.15 0.56 1.681 0.83 1.448

Average 0.563 1.679 0.813 1.459

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Result:
1. Avg. Minimum Dry Density (Γd, min) for Badarpur sand = 1.469 g/cm³
2. Avg. Maximum Dry Density (Γd, max) for Badarpur sand = 1.679 g/cm³
3. Avg. Minimum Void ratio (emin) for Badarpur sand = 0.563
4. Avg. Maximum Void ratio (emax) for Badarpur sand = 0.786

Discussion:
1. Average minimum dry density of Badarpur sand came out to be 1.469 g/cm³ which is greater than
Yamuna River sand by about 11%.
2. Average maximum dry density of Badarpur sand came out to be 1.679 g/cm³ which is greater than
Yamuna River sand by about 15%.
3. By visual inspection, Badarpur sand was found ANGULAR in shape.
4. Γd, max and Γd, min values are not unique or intrinsic properties of coarse-grained soils and depend not
only on material properties, but also on the variations in laboratory determination methods.
5. A potential for degradation of the soil grains, i.e., grain crushing, exists during testing depending
on the method used to determine Γd, max. The amount of energy applied to the sand during
compaction is an important factor. There is a need to investigate the issue further and possibly
arrive at universally acceptable laboratory methods to determine these values, which address all
possible influencing factors.

References:
1. IS: 2720 (Part 14) – 1983
2. IS: 10837-1984
3. Article on Methods used to determine maximum and minimum dry unit weights of sand: Is there a
need for a new standard?
Authors: T. Lunne tom.lunne@ngi.no, S. Knudsen, Ø. Blaker, T. Vestgården, J.J.M. Powell, C.F. Wallace, L. Krogh, N.V.
Thomsen, G. Yetginer, and R.K. Ghanekar.