TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

938 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Civil Engineering Department

CE 401 SOIL MECHANICS

(Insert Section)

EXPERIMENT NO. 5

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT, UNIT WEIGHT, VOID RATIO

AND DEGREE OF SATURATION OF SOIL

SUBMITTED BY:

(Last Name, First Name M.I.)

(Insert Student Number)

SUBMITTED TO:

ENGR. HEZER A. PEREZ, RMP

Instructor

(Insert the Date of Submission)

 Experiment No. 4
DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT, UNIT WEIGHT, VOID RATIO
AND DEGREE OF SATURATION OF SOIL

1. Objective(s):
 To introduce to the student the procedure in determining the weight-volume characteristics of
the soil.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
• connect the relationship of water content, unit weight, void ratio and degree of saturation.
• describe methods in determining water content, unit weight, void ratio and degree of saturation
3. Discussion:

The determination of water content, unit weight and void ratio is an important requirement in laboratory
tests and is part of the test included in more elaborate tests. Water content is an important measure in
the compaction of soil. In order that correct water content is obtained from a soil sample, several
samples at different points must be taken. They are then mixed and the water content is then obtained
from this soil sample.

Various methodologies have been devised to determine the unit weight of the soil in the field such as
calibrated bucket method, nuclear method to name a few. For determination of the unit weight in a
laboratory setting, paraffin wax can be used in determining the unit weight. The paraffin coating applied
on the soil will allow determination of its volume as it is submerged in water.

The specific gravity of the solid grains of the soil is an engineering parameter which is dependent on the
mineralogy of the soil and the structure of its solid grains. Upon determination of the specific gravity, the
void ratio and degree of saturation of the soil can then be determined mathematically.

Specific gravity of soil solids, Gs, is the mass density of the mineral solids in soil normalized relative to
the mass density of water. Alternatively, it can be viewed as the mass of a given volume of soil solids
normalized relative to the mass of an equivalent volume of water. Specific gravity is typically expressed
using three significant figures. For sands, Gs is often assumed to be 2.65 because this is the specific
gravity of quartz. Since the mineralogy of clay is more variable, Gs for clay is more variable, and is often
assumed to be somewhere between 2.70 and 2.80 depending on mineralogy.
4. Resources:

1. Digital Weighing Scale 2. Three Tin Cups 3. Oven

4. Paraffin wax 5. Beaker, 500 ml 6. Bowl

7. Hot Plate 8. Trowel 9. Tray

10. evaporating dish

11. funnel
12. Volumetric Flask
13. Thermometer
14. Small try for drying
5. Procedure:

5.1. Water Content Determination

5.1.1. Test Specimen

5.1.1.1. The minimum mass of moist material selected to be representative of the total
sample shall be in accordance with the following

5.1.2. Procedure
5.1.2.1. Determine and record the mass of the clean and dry specimen container (and its
lid, if used).
5.1.2.2. Select representative test specimens. Place the moist test specimen in the
container and, if used, set the lid securely in position. Determine the mass of the
container and moist material using a balance. Record this value.
5.1.2.3. Remove the lid (if used) and place the container with moist material in the drying
oven. Dry the material to a constant mass. Maintain the drying oven at 110 ±5°C
unless otherwise specified. The time required to obtain constant mass will vary
depending on the type of material, size of specimen, oven type and capacity, and
other factors
Note: In most cases, drying a test specimen overnight (about 12 to 16 h) is
sufficient. In cases where there is doubt concerning the adequacy of drying, drying
should be continued until the change in mass after two successive periods
(greater than 1 h) of drying is an insignificant amount (less than about 0.1 %).
Specimens of sand may often be dried to constant mass in a period of about 4 h,
when a forced-draft oven is used
5.1.2.4. After the material has dried to constant mass remove the container from the oven
(and replace the lid if used). Allow the material and container to cool to room
temperature
5.1.2.5. Determine and record the mass of the container and oven-dried material using the
same balance.
5.1.2.6. Repeat until three (3) trials are achieved. Determine the average moisture content.
 5.1.3. Expected Results
5.1.3.1. In coarse-grained soils such as sands and gravels, w may range from a few
percent in drier soils to over 20% in saturated soils. In fine-grained soils such as
silts and clays, the possible range in w is much higher due to the ability of clay
minerals to adsorb water molecules. Moisture content in fine-grained soils may be
as low as a few percent, to over 100% in higher-plasticity clays.

5.1.4. Likely Sources of Error

5.1.4.1. For moisture content measurement, likely sources of error may include inadequate
drying, or excessive drying beyond the recommended 12-16 hour drying period.
According to ASTM D2216, soil should be dried at 110 deg C for 12-16 hours.
However, for soils containing a significant amount of organic material or hydrous
minerals such as gypsum, some of the water is bound by the soil solids, so
excessive drying will effectively drive some of the soil solids away and produce
erroneous results. In these cases, the oven temperature should be reduced to 60
deg C.

6.1. Unit Weight Determination

6.
6.1.1. Test Specimen
6.1.1.1. These test methods describe way of determining the moist density (unit weight) of
intact, disturbed, remolded, and reconstituted (compacted) soil specimens.
Densities (unit weights) of remolded/reconstituted specimens are commonly used
to evaluate the degree of compaction of earthen fills, embankments, etc.
6.1.1.2. Specimens for testing shall be sufficiently cohesive and firm to maintain shape
during the measuring procedure

6.1.2. Procedure
6.1.2.1. Prepare specimens in an environment that minimizes any changes in water
content. For some soils, changes in water content are minimized by trimming
specimens in a controlled environment, such as a controlled high-humidity room/
enclosure.
 6.1.2.2. Trim a sample of soil to about 1 ½ inches diameter and 2 to 3 inches long. Surface
should be smooth and rounded. Determine and record the moist mass of the soil
specimen.
6.1.2.3. Cover the specimen with a thin coat of melted wax, either with a paint brush or by
dipping the specimen in a container of melted wax. Apply a second coat of wax
after the first coat has hardened. The wax should be sufficiently warm to flow
when brushed on the specimen, yet it should not be so hot that it dries the soil.
Determine and record the mass of the wax-coated specimen in air.
Note: Paraffin wax is a white, odorless solid with a typical melting point between
approximately 46 and 68 °C
6.1.2.4. Compute the volume of paraffin from mass of paraffin. The specific gravity of
paraffin is about 0.9
6.1.2.5. Immerse the coated sample in water in the graduated cylinder and determine its
displacement. The volume of the sample is the volume of the water displaced
minus the volume of the paraffin.
6.1.2.6. Compute the unit weight in grams/cu.cm

6.1.3. Calculations
6.1.3.1. The volume of the paraffin is equal to the weight of paraffin used to coat sample
divided by the density of paraffin. Density of paraffin is 0.90

Wt. of paraffin = Wt. Soil coated with paraffin – wt. of soil uncoated with paraffin

6.1.3.2. The volume of the sample is equal to the volume of the water displaced minus the
volume of the paraffin

Ms
ρm =

[ V displaced−
M c −M s
ρP ]
where:
Ms = mass of moist soil specimen, g
Mc = mass of wax-coated specimen, g
ρ P = density of paraffin, g/cm^3
ρm = density of moist soil specimen, g/cm^3

7.1. Specific Gravity Determination

7.
7.1.1. Test Specimen
7.1.1.1. The test specimen may be moist or oven-dry soil and shall be representative of
the soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve in the total sample. Table 1
gives guidelines on recommended dry soil mass versus soil type and pycnometer
size.
7.1.1.2. Two important factors concerning the amount of soil solids being tested are as
follows. First, the mass of the soil solids divided by its specific gravity will yield
 four-significant digits. Secondly, the mixture of soil solids and water is a slurry not
a highly viscous fluid (thick paint) during the deairing process.
7.1.2. Procedure
7.1.2.1. Clean and dry the volumetric flask.
7.1.2.2. Carefully fill the flask with de-aired, distilled water up to the 500 ml mark (The
bottom of the meniscus should be at the 500 ml mark).
7.1.2.3. Measure the mass of the flask and the water W1
7.1.2.4. Insert the thermometer into the flask with the water to determine the water’s
temperature (T= T1°C.)
7.1.2.5. Put approximately 100 grams of air-dried soil into an evaporating dish.
7.1.2.6. For cohesive soil, add de-aired and distilled water to the soil and mix it until it
forms a smooth paste. Soak it for one-half to one hour in the evaporating dish.
(This step is not necessary for granular, i.e., non-cohesive soils.)
7.1.2.7. Transfer the soil (if granular) or the soil paste (if cohesive) into the volumetric
flask.
7.1.2.8. Add distilled water to the volumetric flask containing the soil or soil paste until it is
about two-thirds full.
7.1.2.9. Deairing the Soil Slurry—Remove the air from the soil-water mixture. This can be
done by:
Gently boiling the flask containing the soil-water mixture for about 15 to 20
minutes. Accompany the boiling with continuous agitation of the flask. Roll
the bottle occasionally to facilitate the removal of air. (If too much heat is
applied, the soil may boil over.) Note: An alternative heating device that
can be used is an electric plate stove with wire gauze.
Or
7.1.2.9.1. Apply vacuum by a vacuum pump or aspirator until all of the entrapped air
is out.
This is an extremely important step. Most of the errors in the results of this
test are due to entrapped air which is not removed.
7.1.2.10. Add de-aired, distilled water to the volumetric flask until the bottom of the
meniscus touches the 500 ml mark. Dry the outside of the flask and the inside of
the neck above the meniscus.
7.1.2.11. Determine the combined mass of the bottle plus soil plus water (W2).
7.1.2.12. Pour the soil and water into an evaporating dish. Use a plastic squeeze bottle
to wash the inside of the flask, making sure that no soil is left inside.
7.1.2.13. Put the evaporating dish into an oven to dry it to a constant weight.
7.1.2.14. Determine the mass of the dry soil in the evaporating dish (Ws).
7.1.3. Expected Results
7.1.3.1. Specific gravity of soil solids is controlled by soil mineralogy. In coarse-grained
soils such as sands and gravels, where the mineralogy is dominated by quartz
and feldspar, Gs is typically around 2.65. In fine-grained soils, Gs is more variable
due to the presence of clay minerals, and may range from 2.70-2.85.

7.1.4. Likely Sources of Error

7.1.4.1. When measuring the specific gravity, the most likely source of error is
 inadequate deairing of the soil mixture, which leads to an underestimate
for Gs. According to ASTM D854, oven-dried clay specimens may require
2-4 hours of applied vacuum for adequate de-airing. However, for the
purposes of demonstration in this lab, and to accommodate the typical
three-hour laboratory class time, a de-airing time of 30 minutes is
recommended. It is also recommended that a coarse-grained soil be used
to improve the accuracy of the measurement given the short de-airing
period
7.1.5. Calculation
7.1.6.
Course: Experiment No.:
Group No.: Section:
Group Leader: Date Performed:
Group Members: Date Submitted:
Instructor:

5. 7. Data and Results:

Moisture Content Determination

Oven Temperature: Drying Time:

Description Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Mass of empty container (Mc), g
Mass of Container + Wet Soil (Mcw), g
Mass of Container + Dry Soil (Mco), g
Mass of Water, Mw = Mcw - Mco
Mass of Soil Solids (Dry Soil),
Ms = Mco - Mc
Water Content () %
M cw−M co M w
ω= = x 100 %
M co−M c M s

Average Water Content

Unit Weight Determination

Description
Mass of moist soil specimen, g
Mass of wax-coated specimen, g
Volume of paraffin, cm^3 or ml
Volume of water in graduated cylinder, cm^3 or ml
Volume of water with wax-coated specimen,
cm^3 or ml
Volume of water displaced, cm^3 or ml
Moist unit weight of the soil, g/cm^3

Specific Gravity Determination

6. Observation, Discussion and Analysis:

8. Conclusion:
9. Documentation:
10. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

Criteria Beginner (1) Acceptable (2) Proficient (3) Score

I. Laboratory Skills

Members do not Members occasionally

Manipulative Skills
demonstrate needed skills.
Members are unable to set-up the
Experimental Set-up
materials.
Members do not demonstrate
Process Skills
targeted process skills.
Members always
demonstrate needed skills demonstrate needed skills.
Members are able to set-up
Members are able to set-up the
the material with minimum
materials with supervision.
supervision.
Members occasionally Members always
demonstrate targeted process demonstrate targeted
skills. process skills.

Members do not follow safety Members follow safety precautions Members follow safety
Safety Precautions most of the time.
precautions. precautions at all times.

II. Work Habits

Time Management / Members finish ahead of time

Members do not finish on time with
Conduct of Experiment incomplete data.
Members do not know their tasks
and have no defined
responsibilities. Group conflicts
Cooperative and Teamwork
have to be settled by the teacher.
Clean and orderly workplace with
Neatness and Messy workplace during and after
Orderliness the experiment.
Members finish on time with
incomplete data.
Members have defined
responsibilities most of the time.
Group conflicts are
cooperatively managed most of
the time.
occasional mess during and after
the experiment.
with complete data and time to
revise data.
Members are on tasks and
have defined responsibilities at
all times. Group conflicts are
cooperatively managed at all
times.
Clean and orderly workplace
at all times during and after the
experiment.

Members require supervision by the Members require occasional

Members do not need to be
Ability to do independent work
teacher. supervision by the teacher. supervised by the teacher.

III. Lab Report


Discussion, Result and
Analysis
Uses detailed observations, data,
vocabulary and other evidence to
create a well-supported statement
showing knowledge gained.
Discussion of some aspects of
Uses some evidence to create a
observation but lack of detailed
statement showing knowledge analysis
gained

Detailed discussion of all aspects of Discussion of most aspects of Discussion of some aspects of
experiment, results, suggestions, experiment, results, suggestions, experiment, results, suggestions,
Conclusion flaws, etc. and links to other relevant flaws, etc. but lacking links to other flaws, etc. but lacking links to
science. relevant science. other relevant science.

Other Comments/Observations:
Total Score

Rating = (Total Score)*100/30

11. References:
 American Society for Testing and Materials (1999). Standard Test Method for Laboratory
Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass (D2216). Pennsylvania:
ASTM International
 American Society for Testing and Materials (1999). Standard Test Methods for Laboratory
Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens (D7263–09). Pennsylvania: ASTM
International
 American Society for Testing and Materials (1999). Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity
of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer (D854 − 14). Pennsylvania: ASTM International
 Murthy, V.N.S. (2011). Textbook of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Singapore:
Alken Company
 TIP Soil Mechanics Lab Manual
 Soil Mechanic Lab Manual by Braja Das

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY PLEDGE

I swear on my honor that I did not use any appropriate aid, nor give such to others, in getting my assigned
questionnaire for this course activity. I fully understand that cheating and/or plagiarism is a major offense, as
stated in Section 15 of the TIP Student Manual and TIP Memorandum No. P-04, s. 2017-2018. I will
wholeheartedly accept the consequences and sanctions that will be imposed on me appropriately once I have
committed such acts.

_______________________________________
SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED NAME