1.

1 Introduction

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to provide the
avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and inculcate creativity and
innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem, ways & means and answers are
provided to the students. However, it is still necessary especially to first- and second-year
students. It is hoped that the activity will slowly introduce and inculcate independent learning
amongst students and prepare them for a much harder task of open-ended laboratory
activities.
In this laboratory session, students will be introduced on how to determine the particle
density and specific gravity of soil.

1.2 Objective

The objective of the test is:

1) To determine the particle density & specific gravity of soil using density bottle.
2) To determine the moisture content of soils.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:

1. Conduct the laboratory experiment and being exposed theoretically to other alternative
methods of particle density testing.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format 3. Work in a group to produce
technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

There are three tests for the measurement of particle density. These have different
applications, which may be summarized as follows:

1. Density bottle method - for fine-grained soils

2. Gas jar method for most soils including those containing gravel sized particles.
3. Pycnometer method - for use in a site laboratory on medium and coarse-grained soils

The first two are the usual laboratory methods. The third is useful as a simple on-site
procedure where full laboratory facilities are not available and when a result of lower
accuracy is acceptable. Water is present in the most naturally occurring soils. Moisture
content is required as a guide to classification of natural soil and as a control criterion in a
recompacted soil and is measure on samples used for most field and laboratory test.

2.0 Problem Statement

Specific gravity G is defined as the ratio of the weight of a certain volume of soil solids to the
weight of an equal volume of distilled water at a constant temperature. Moisture content, w %
is the amount of water expressed as a proportion by mass of the dry solid particles that has
profound effect on soil behaviour. As a group you are given a set of samples to determine the
particle density and moisture content of the soil

The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and subsequently analyse
the data and present it in a proper technical format.

3.1 Apparatus
Particle Density:

 Density bottle with stopper having capillary hole at its centre.

 Wash bottle
 De-aired distilled water
 Alcohol
 Ether balance
 Vacuum sets
 Constant temperature water bath
 Moisture Content
 Specimens
 Containers
 Weighing Balance
 Oven

3.2 Procedures

Particle Density

1. Clean and dry the density bottle and stopper properly.

2. Weigh the dried bottle with stopper and record the mass (m₁).
 3. Take about 10 20 gm of oven-dried soil sample cooled in desiccator. Pour it carefully
into the density bottle. Weigh the bottle with soil and stopper. Record the mass (m2).
4. Pour about 10 ml de-aired distilled water in the bottle to soak the soil. Leave it for a
period of 2 to 10 hours.
5. Pour some more distilled water to make the bottle half full. Remove the entrapped air
by applying partial vacuum.
6. Pour some more distilled water into the bottle and fill it completely without any
entrapped bubble. Put the stopper on.
7. Keep the bottle on the stand in constant temperature water bath for one hour.
8. Take out the bottle from water bath. Wipe it clean and dry from outside. If the
capillary of the stopper is not full, fill it with drops of distilled water. Again, make
sure the bottle and stopper are clean dry.
9. Weigh the bottle filled with water and soil samples with stopper. Record the mass (m)
10. Empty the bottle and clean it properly Fill the bottle entirely with distilled water.
Make sure there are not entrapped air bubbles, or otherwise the partial vacuum must
be used.
11. Put on the stopper and wipe the bottle dry from outside. Now weigh and record the
mass (ma). Again, empty the bottle and dry it up properly.
12. Repeat the steps 2 to 11 for two observations to obtain an average G, of the sample.

Moisture Content of Soils

1. Clean and dry the container and weight it (M1). Take a sample at least 30 g of wet soils.
2. Place loosely the wet soil in the container.
3. Using the balance, both container number and the mass are recorded on the data sheet.
4. Then obtain the mass container and wet soil (M2). Place the container and wet soil in an
oven and then dry the soils overnight (for 12 to 16 hours) at the temperature of 110°C ± 5°C.
5. Remove the container and dry soil from the oven and allow the whole to cool. Use a
balance to obtain the mass of the container and dry soil (M3).
3.3 Data Acquisition

Particle Density & Specific Gravity

The particle density, ps of the soil, ps = (M2-M1)/[(M4-M1)-(M3-M2)]

The specific gravity, Gs of the soil, G = ps/pw water. Where pw is density of water
The specific gravity should be calculated at a temperature of 27°C and reported to the nearest
0.01. If the room temperature is different from 27°C, the following correction should be
done: -
G’s = kGs
where,
G=kG
G, Corrected specific gravity at 27°C
k = [Relative density of water at room temperature]/ [Relative density of water at 27°C).
Relative density of water at various temperatures is taken from Table 1.1