Group5 Exp2 PDF

MAPUA UNIVERSITY
INTRAMUROS, MANILA
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 (SOIL MECHANICS)
EXPERIMENT 2:
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF SOIL SOLIDS
SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. HENRY FLORENDO
SUBMITTED BY:
ADDURU, Andre
DE LEON, Liam Marie B.
FOJAS, Bryle
MAGBITANG, Patricia Ann A.
SAULOG, Kiana Venise
TAYO, Jaren Dave
ZAPATA, Mark Angelo
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
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I. PROCEDURE
In the computation of the specific gravity of a soil from laboratory data, the weight of the
pycnometer filled with distilled water at the rest temperature will be needed. This value is usually taken
from a plot of temperature versus weight of bottle plus water. The plot, or calibration curve, can be
determined either by experimental or by theoretical means:
I. Bottle Calibration
A. Experimental Procedure
This procedure consists of obtaining at least three sets of concurrent temperature and weight
measurements about 4 degrees apart and within the temperature range of 20 degrees to 30 degrees. Each
set, representing the coordinates for a point on the calibration curve, is obtained as follows:
1. To a clean pycnometer add de-aired distilled water at room temperature until the bottom of the
meniscus is at the calibration mark.
2. Carefully dry the outside of the bottle and the inside of the neck above the water surface
3. Weigh the bottle plus water in a balance sensitive to 0.01g.
4. Measure the water temperature to 0,1 degrees. Hold the tip of the thermometer at different
elevations within the water to see if the temperature is uniform. The recorded temperature is taken
with the thermometer inserted to the depth at which the thermometer is designed to read. (This
depth is usually marked on the thermometer.)
5. If the temperature is non-uniform, place the thumb over the open end of the bottle and turn it
upside down and back to mix the water thoroughly for a temperature observation.
6. Heat the bottle of water slightly by placing it in a warm water bath and repeat steps 2-5, each time
removing enough water to bring the meniscus down to the calibration mark. Repeat this
procedure until enough points are obtained to plot the calibration curve as shown in Figure 1.
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II. COMPUTATION
Equation:
Experimental
W sGT
Gs = W s −W 1 +W 2
where:
GT = specific gravity of distilled water at temperature T (see Table 1)
W s = oven-dry weight of soil sample (grams)
W 1 = weight of pycnometer bottle, soil and water (grams)
W 2 = weight of pycnometer bottle plus water (from calibration curve in grams)
Sample Computation (Trial 1):

50(0.9963)
Gs = 50−187.65+156.25 = 2.68
Theoretical
a. Points for Calibration Curve
W 2 = W B + V B (1 + ΔT * ε)(γ T − γ A )
Where:
W 2 = weight of pycnometer bottle and water (grams)
W B = Weight of clean dry pycnometer bottle (grams)
V B = Calibrated volume of pycnometer bottle at T c (ml)
ΔT = T − T c ( ° C)
T = Temperature in ° C at which W 2 is desired
T c = Calibration temperature of pycnometer bottle (usually at 20 ° C)
ε = Thermal coefficient of cubical expansion for pyrex glass = 0.100 x 10-4 per ° C
γ T = Unit weight of water at temperature T (see Table 1)
γ A = Unit weight of water at temperature T and atmospheric pressure = 0.0012 gram/cc

W 2 = 57.33 + 100(1 + (30 − 28)(0.1 × 10−4 ))(0.9963 − 0.0012) = 156.84 g
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b. Specific Gravity of Soil
W sGT
Gs = W s −W 1 +W 2
where:
GT = specific gravity of distilled water at temperature T (see Table 1)
W s = oven-dry weight of soil sample (grams)
W 1 = weight of pycnometer bottle, soil and water (grams)
W 2 = weight of pycnometer bottle plus water (from calibration curve in grams)

50(0.9963)
Gs = 50−187.65+156.84 = 2.59
III. TABLE/DATA
A. Calibration of Pycnometer
1. Experimental Procedure
Determination No. 1 2 3 4
Weight bottle + water +, W2 , in g 156.25 160.80 156.70 156.25
Temperature, T, in ( ° C) 28 27 29 30
2. Theoretical Procedure
Weight of bottle, WB , g --- 57.33 Cubical expansion for glass in 1/ ° C, ε , --- 0.10 × 10-4
Temperature of calibration Tc , in ° C --- 30 Unit weight of air γ A, in g/cc --- 0.0012
Volume of bottle Tc , VB in cc --- 100
Trial No. 1 2 3 4
Temperature, T, in ( ° C) 28 27 29 30
Unit weight of water at T , γ T , in g/cc 0.9963 0.9965 0.9960 0.9957
W2 = WB + VB (1+ Δ T* ε )( γ T - γ A), in g 156.84 156.86 156.81 156.78
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A. Specific Gravity Determination
Trial No. 1 2 3 4
Wt. bottle + water + soil (grams) 187.65 191.37 188.83 187.71
Temperature ( ° C) 28 27 29 30
Weight of bottle + water (grams) 156.25 160.80 156.79 156.63
Weight of dry pycnometer bottle (grams) 57.33 61.58 57.71 57.71
Weight of container + dry soil (grams) 120.75 116.74 167.57 167.57
Weight of dry soil (grams) 50 50 50 50
Specific gravity of water (from table) 0.9963 0.9965 0.9960 0.9957
Specific gravity of soil 2.59 3.22 2.77 2.61
Average specific gravity of soil 2.80
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IV. FIVE(5) QUESTIONS
1. Define specific gravity of soil?
The specific gravity of a soil refers to the ratio of the solid particles’ unit weight to the unit
weight of water. It should not be confused with the soil density since it is a dimensionless unit and
expresses the ratio of two particular densities. Specific gravity is a significant parameter of soil mechanics
since it can be associated with the soil’s mineral composition and weathering. It is also used to derive
several important soil parameters such as the porosity, the dry and saturated density and the degree of
saturation.
Generally, the specific gravity usually falls between 2.65 to 2.80 with coarse soils having lower
specific gravities than fine-grained soils. Knowing the specific gravity of soils helps engineers understand
how porous the soil is or how many voids it contains. It also indicates how saturated the soil is with water.
They use this technique to measure vital calculations that are needed to support a structure.
2. What are typical values of the specific gravity of soils?
In defining specific gravity of soil mass of solids for a given volume is considered. We know soil
is a heterogeneous material having different particles in same soil mass of our concern. Different particles
have different specific gravity. So, when we said that specific gravity of soils is 2.65, we are defining an
average specific gravity of all solids present in soil mass. Specific gravity of soil is a very important
parameter which is used to determine particle size and void ratio. The usual values of specific gravity of
soils lie in between 2.65 to 2.80. This is a unit less parameter. The smaller values stand for soils of
coarse-grained particles.
3. What can you use to measure specific gravity of material lighter than water?
The specific gravity of a liquid is the relative weight of that liquid compared to an equal volume
of water. The specific gravity of water is de facto 1. Liquids that are lighter than water have a specific
gravity less than 1 and those heavier than water have a specific gravity greater than 1. Specific gravity is
dependent on the temperature, and most of the values found in the literature refer to STP conditions.
Two methods are commonly used for determining the specific gravities of liquids. One method
uses the hydrometer, an instrument that gives a specific gravity reading directly. A second method, called
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the bottle method, uses a specific-gravity bottle when a flask is made to hold a known volume of liquid at
a specified temperature, usually 20°C. The bottle is weighed, filled with the liquid whose specific gravity
is to be found, and weighed again. The difference in weights is divided by the weight of an equal volume
of water to give the specific gravity of the liquid. For gases a method essentially the same as the bottle
method for liquids is used.
4. Why do we use vacuum while determining the specific gravity of soils?
In determining the specific gravity of soils, vacuum is used to remove the entrapped air. The soil
sample to be tested for specific gravity must be completely free from lumps. Partially vacuum and
shaking methods were used to remove the air out from the sample while air bubbles were released from
the sample by shaking the flask. Partially vacuum method is used to inhale the air out from the sample
while air bubbles were released from the sample by shaking the ﬂask. By introducing this method, it may
accelerate the testing period on determining the speciﬁc gravity compared to the standard
pycnometer/density bottle test.
5. What is the effect of water temperature on the determination of the specific gravity of soils?
Water temperature can affect specific gravity of soils. It is because when using water as a
reference for establishing specific gravity, it is almost always assumed that the water is at 4°C, when it's
densest. Water itself becomes less dense as it becomes warmer until it evaporates and becomes steam
vapor at boiling point. As the water temperature increases, its weight decreases and this in turn reduces
the specific gravity of soils. Therefore, the water temperature is indirectly proportional to the specific
gravity of soil.
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V. DISCUSSION
The specific gravity of a solid substance is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of material to
the weight of an equal volume of water at 20°C. In effect, it tells how much heavier or lighter the material
is than water. For exact analysis, the specifications require distilled or demineralized water and all
measurements of water and solids should be made at stated temperatures. In dealing with soils testing, the
value of specific gravity is necessary to compute the soil’s void ratio and for determining the grain-size
distribution in hydrometer analysis. A soil’s specific gravity largely depends on the density of the
minerals making up the individual soil particles. The term specific gravity of soil actually refers to the
specific gravity of the solid matter of the soil, which is designated Gs. The relative low Gs value of the
soil implies that a high content of organic matter was presented in it. Thus, the density calculation of the
sample, based on the soil’s total weight, would be affected. The density calculation would be affected, as
a considerable portion of organic matter presented in the soil sample would float after water is added to it.
Hence, the actual weight of the soil would be less than the one measured. A lower Gs value for the soil is
reasonable due to the high amount of organic matter presented in it. This will affect the weight of the soil
and will decrease its density.
There are many different ways that engineers can learn about the properties of soil at a
construction site. Testing the specific gravity of soils is one of the most important. The specific gravity of
soil solids refer to the mass of solids in the soil compared to the mass of water at the same value.
Furthermore, the Pycnometer is the equipment used for determination of specific gravity of soil particles
of both fine grained and coarse grained soils. The determination of specific gravity of soil will help in the
calculation of void ratio, degree of saturation and other different soil properties.
Knowing the specific gravity of soils helps engineers understand how porous the soil is or how
many voids it contains. It also indicates how saturated the soil is with water. Furthermore, engineers use
these measurements to perform important calculations that predict whether the soil at a site will be stable
enough to support a structure and allow proper damage.
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VI. CONCLUSION
By having conventional Geotechnical Engineering knowledge, it is clear that most of the soils have
the value of specific gravity lying between 2.65 to 2.80 in a unit volume coarse-grained soils. As soil
consists of a large particle size, soil has less mass and more voids while in the same volume, fine grained
soils have more mass and less voids. Therefore by doing this experiment concepts can be applied
throughout Civil Engineering expertise from which the coarse grained soils have lower value of specific
gravity than fine grained soils, figuring ground structure principal objectives and analysis to foundation
building and design.
Similarly if organic matter is present in the soil then because of organic matter being less dense
than the soil, weight of soil mass will become less and the value of a specific gravity will be
comparatively lesser than the soil which does not have organic matter into it. Soils with heavier elements
like iron or metal also have structures that have higher weight in a given volume hence soil solids will
have higher volume of specific gravity.
In addition, the particular gravity is pertinent in finding out the degree of immersion. Particular
gravity of soils is valuable in finding out the degree of immersion voids proportion and unit weight of
damp soils. The unit weight is required in calculation of weight settlement and soundness issues in soil
engineering. Lastly, knowing the specific gravity of soil helps engineers understand how permeable the
soil is or how numerous voids it contains. It moreover demonstrates how saturated the soil is with water.
Engineers use these estimations to perform imperative calculations that foresee whether the soil at a
location will be steady sufficient to back a structure and permit appropriate drainage.
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MAPUA UNIVERSITY

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 (SOIL MECHANICS)

Sample Computation (Trial 1):

Sample Computation (Trial 1):

Sample Computation (Trial 1):

Weight bottle + water +, W2 , in g 156.25 160.80 156.70 156.25

Temperature of calibration Tc , in ° C --- 30 Unit weight of air γ A, in g/cc --- 0.0012

Volume of bottle Tc , VB in cc --- 100

Unit weight of water at T , γ T , in g/cc 0.9963 0.9965 0.9960 0.9957

W2 = WB + VB (1+ Δ T* ε )( γ T - γ A), in g 156.84 156.86 156.81 156.78

Wt. bottle + water + soil (grams) 187.65 191.37 188.83 187.71

Weight of bottle + water (grams) 156.25 160.80 156.79 156.63

Weight of dry pycnometer bottle (grams) 57.33 61.58 57.71 57.71

Weight of container + dry soil (grams) 120.75 116.74 167.57 167.57

Weight of dry soil (grams) 50 50 50 50

Specific gravity of water (from table) 0.9963 0.9965 0.9960 0.9957

Specific gravity of soil 2.59 3.22 2.77 2.61

Average specific gravity of soil 2.80

2. What are typical values of the specific gravity of soils?

4. Why do we use vacuum while determining the specific gravity of soils?

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