TABLE OF CONTENT

No
1.
1
1.
2
1.
3
1.
4
2.
0
3.
1
3.
2
4.
1
4.
2
4.
3
4.
4
4.
5

Content

Page

Introduction

Objective

Learning Outcomes

Theoretical Background

2-3

Problem Statement

Apparatus

Procedure

3-4

Observation and Calculations

5-6

Data Result

Discussion

Conclusion

Reference

BASIC SOIL MECHANICS

EXPERIMENT TITLE: PARTICLE DENSITY TEST

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are guided
and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the students to
solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. It is hoped that the activity will slowly
introduce and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them for much
harder task 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:

To determine the specific gravity of soil using density bottle.

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 ste 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.

2.0 Problem Statement

Specific gravity,

Gs

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. As a group you are
given a set of samples to determine the particle density 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

Density bottle with stopper having capillary hole at its center

Wash bottle
De-aired distilled water
Ether Balance
Vacuum sets
Constant temperature water bath

3.2 Procedure
1. The density bottle and stopper is cleaned and dried properly.

2. The dried bottle with stopper is weighed and the mass is being recorded ( m 1 ).

3. 10 20gm of oven-dried soil sample that cooled in dessicator is poured carefully into the
density bottle. The bottle with soil and stopper is weighed and the mass is being
recorded ( m 2 ).
4. About 10ml de-aired distilled water is poured in the bottle to soak the soil and left for a
period of 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Some more distilled water is poured to make the bottle half full. The entrapped air is
removed by applying partial vacuum.
6. Some more distilled water is poured into the bottle completely without any entrapped
bubble with the stopper on.
7. The bottle is kept on the stand in constant temperature water bath for 5 to 10 minutes.
8. The bottle is then taken out from water bath and wiped clean and dry from the outside.
The capillary of the stopper is filled with drops of distilled water if it is not full.
9. The bottle filled with water, soil samples and stopper is weighed and the mass is
recorded ( m 3 ).
10. The bottle is empty and cleaned properly. The bottle is then entirely filled with distilled
water till there are no entrapped air bubbles.
11. The stopper is put and the bottle is dried from the outside. Then it is weighed and the
mass is recorded ( m 4 ).
12. Steps 2 to 11 are repeated for two observation to obtain an average

Gs

of the

sample.

4.1 Observation and Calculations

Given formula of corrected specific gravity at 27 C, G is:
G = kG
Where

K=

( Relative density of water at room temperature)

(Relative density of water at 27 C)
0.998623
0.996542

= 1.002088

Determination No:

I.

Specific Gravity , G =

m2m1
[ ( m4m1 ) ( m3m2 ) ]
=

39.16029.433
[ ( 79.74729.433 ) ( 85.51839.160 )]

= 2.46
Corrected G at 27 C, G = kG
= (1.002088)( 2.46)
= 2.47
II.

Specific Gravity , G =

m2m1
[ ( m4m1 ) ( m3m2 ) ]

38.21728.590
[ ( 79.17928.590 ) ( 84.90338.217 ) ]

= 2.47
Corrected G at 27 C, G = kG
= (1.002088)(2.47)
= 2.48
5

III.

Specific Gravity , G =

No

m2m1
[ ( m4m1 ) ( m3m2 ) ]
Description

Determination No.
I

1
2

Temperature in C

Weight of bottle + Dry soil

Weight of bottle + Soil + Water

Weight of bottle

(m1) in g
(m 2) in g
(m3)

in

29.433

II
18
28.590

III
28.011

39.160

38.217

38.099

85.518

84.903

84.071

79.747

79.179

78.125

2.46

2.47

2.44

g
5

Weight of bottle + Water

Specific Gravity, G

Average Specific Gravity (at 18 C)

Corrected G (at 27 C)

(m4 ) in g

2.46
2.47

2.46

2.45

38.09928.011
[ ( 78.12528.011 ) ( 84.07138.099 ) ]
= 2.44
Corrected G at 27 C, G = kG
= (1.002088)(2.44)
= 2.45

Average Specific Gravity (at 18 C) =

2.46 +2.47+2.44
3

= 2.46

4.2 Data Result

4.3 Discussion
The formula of particle density,

is defined as:

s =Gs w
Where

Gs is the specific gravity of the soil which defined as:

G s=

mass of soil
mass of water displaced by soil

Since the density of water,

is taken as 1.00 Mg/ m

be calculated directly from the equation for

Gs

, so the value for

of a soil can

which meant that the value is same but

different in units.
The density bottle with the stopper used in this experiment is especially for the determination for
the particle density of the fine soil whereas for coarse soil, a 500ml or 1000ml container is used.

4.4 Conclusion
Based on the experiment, data have been collected and being calculated to obtain the value of
particle density of the soil tested. The experiment also being repeated thus the agreeable value
gained from the average of the three final data. Thus the particle density of the soil tested is
2.46 Mg/ m

hence satisfying the objective of the experiment which is to determine the

particle density by using density bottle.

4.5 Reference
7

Whitlow, Roy, 2004, Prentice Hall, Basic Soil Mechanics Fourth Edition.
A Guide to Soil Mechanics, Bolton, Malcolm, Macmillan Press, 1979
Terzaghi, K., Peck, R.B., Mesri, G. (1996) Soil mechanics in Engineering Practice, Third

Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Mitchell, J.K., and Soga, K. (2005) Fundamentals of soil behavior, Third edition, John

Wiley and Sons, Inc.

http://www.d.umn.edu/~pfarrell/Soils/Soil%20Lab%20Files/BULK%20DENSITY
%20LAB.htm