University of Benghazi

Faculty of Engineering

Civil Engineering Department

Soil Mechanics Lab (CE331)

Experiment 5 – Hydrometer Test

Students Name : Heba Jamal Mosbah Mohammed

ID Number : 27537

Supervisor : Ghassan aljehani

Spring 2021
 Hydrometer Test

1. Objective:

The objective of the experiment is to define the particle size distribution of a soil
specimen that all or some of its particles are smaller in diameter than 0.075 mm,
the particles passes through sieve 200.

2. Summary:

The experiment was conducted during the laboratory period. The experiment was
to determine the particle size distribution on a dry soil specimen.

The experiment was conducted basing on ASTM152H standards. After preparing

the specimen and mixing it with water and hydrometer is placed, readings are
taken during a different time intervals. Temperature was measured at each reading.
Data was tabulated, calculations were made and results were discussed.

3. Introduction:

The size range of particles in a soil is one of the most important properties for soil
as it gives an idea of how the soil will act under different circumstances (wet, dry,
saturated, loaded….etc).

There are two methods of determining the size range of soil specimen particles
mechanically
1. Sieve analysis.
2. Hydrometer analysis.

Sieve analysis consist of shaking the soil sample through a set of sieves that have
progressively smaller opening. The sieves used for soil analysis are generally
203mm in diameter. The soil is then shaken through a stack of sieves with opening
of decreasing size from top to bottom .
Hydrometer analysis is based on the principle of sedimentation of soil grains in
water. When a soil specimen is dispersed in water, the particles settle at different
velocities depending on their shape, Size, weight and viscosity of the water.
The distribution of particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm (Retained on the No. 200
Sieve) Is determined by Sieving, while the distribution of particle sizes smaller
than 0.075 mm is determined by a sedimentation process, using a Hydrometer to
secure the necessary data. the distribution of different grain sizes affects the
engineering properties of soil. Grain size analysis provides the grain size
distribution, and it is required in classifying the soil.

4. APPARATUS (Equipment):

1. A hydrometer
2. Sedimentation Cylinder (18in high, 2.5in diameter, marked for a volume of
1000ml).
3. A temperature measurement.
4. 50gm soil specimen witch its particles are smaller than 0.075mm in diameter.
5. A mixer.

Sedimentation Cylinder should be cleaned well before use and dried.

The water used in test should be distilled water as said in the standards.

Figure 1. Hydrometer

5. PROCEDURE:

1. A soil specimen of weight 50gm is prepared which all its particles passed
through sieve 200.
2. 125ml of water with a 4% dispersing agent is prepared (sodium
hexametaphospate).
3. The solution is then mixed with the soil specimen in the mixer for 3.5
minutes.
4. The components of the mixer are then placed in a sedimentation cylinder
and filled with water up to 1000ml.
5. The same solution in step 2 is prepared and placed in a sedimentation
cylinder and filled to 1000ml with water.
6. The hydrometer is then placed in the solution in step 5 and the reading of the
hydrometer is taken and this reading is called zero correction.
7. The mixture of solution and soil in sedimentation cylinder is shook well.
8. The hydrometer is placed into the sedimentation cylinder and the reading at
intervals 1-2-3-4 minutes are taken with out removing the hydrometer.
9. The hydrometer is then removed and the mixture is shook again and then we
place the hydrometer back with in 4 minutes after that we read the
hydrometer, we do the same thing for the 8 minutes reading and 15-30-45-
60-120 minutes readings and so on up to 24 hours.
10.The temperature is measured at each time we read the hydrometer.

Figure 2. Sedimentation Cylinder and Temperature Measurement

 6. DATA& RESULTS:

6.1 TABLE (1) READINGS:

DATA VALUE
G.S 2.63
α 1.00
MASS 50 GR
ZERO CORRECTION +2
MENISCNS CORRECTION 1

6.2 TABLE (2) CALCULATIONS :

Time(min) Temp Rs(mm Rc(mm) Finer R L √(L/T)

) (%) (from K(from D1(mm)
table) table)
1 27 30 30 48 31 11.2 3.34 0.0126 0.042
2 27 27 27 43.2 28 11.7 2.37 0.0126 0.0299
4 27 26 26 41.16 27 11.9 1.725 0.0126 0.0217
8 27 24 24 38.4 25 12.2 1.235 0.0126 0.0156
15 27 23 23 36.8 24 12.4 0.91 0.0126 0.0115
30 27 20 20 32 21 12.9 0.656 0.0126 0.008
60 27 17 17 27.2 18 13.3 0.471 0.0126 0.006
120 26 15 14.65 23.4 16 13.7 0.176 0.0127 0.00429
240 26 13 12.65 20.24 14 14 0.242 0.0127 0.003
2880 25 8 7.3 11.68 9 14.8 0.0714 0.0129 0.000924
 Figure 3. Particle size distribution curve
27537 ‫هبة جمال مصباح محمد‬
100

90

80

70 %finer-Particle size

60
Percentage finer%

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001
Particle Diameter (mm)

7. DISCUSSION :

The test was stopped before the hydrometer reading reaches 3cm which is the
initial reading of the solution which means that there are smaller particles haven’t
been measure in the soil specimen.

In this test we left the hydrometer inside the sedimentation cylinder which in the
standard ASTM 152H the hydrometer should be removed after each reading and
the mixture should be shook again and at the reading time we put back the
hydrometer, this procedure helps to prevent the small particles in the mixture to
sediment on the hydrometer which well cause to have errors in readings. The
water used in test wasn’t distilled water which gives a higher reading in the
hydrometer as it increases its density.
According To ASTM D 422 We should use distilled water which gives a higher
reading in the Hydrometer as it increases its density, but we’ve just used normal
drinking water.
8. CONCLUSION:
As a conclusion, the students were required to carryout an experiment on
hydrometer analysis for a soil specimen. Also, the students are able to
understand how the experiment is carried out. The data obtained was plotted
to obtain a particle-size distribution curve. Calculations were made to obtain
the percentage finer and diameter of particles.
The particle size distribution of a soil specimen is being determinate using
Hydrometer Analysis. This analysis gives details of soils for particle smaller than
0.075mm.

9. REFERENCES
1. Principles Of Geotechnical Engineering, Braja M. DAS, 5th edition.