Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contents........................................................................................................................1
1. THE DETERMINATION OF THE GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN SOILS BY
MEANS OF THE HYDROMETER ...............................................................................2
Objective:..................................................................................................................2
Description:...............................................................................................................2
2. Flow Chart.................................................................................................................3
3. Apparatus..............................................................................................................4
4. Method..................................................................................................................5
5. Results..................................................................................................................6
5.1. Test results.........................................................................................................6
Coarse sand:.........................................................................................................6
Fine sand:..............................................................................................................6
Silt: ......................................................................................................................6
Clay: ....................................................................................................................7
Percentage silt + clay in total sample:...................................................................7
Percentage passing the 0.075mm sieve in total sample:......................................7
5.2. Calculations:.......................................................................................................7
6. Interpretation of Results........................................................................................8
7. Recommendations................................................................................................8
8. Conclusion............................................................................................................8
9. Appendices...........................................................................................................9
Objective:
To determine the soil distribution of the various particle sizes using a hydrometer, and
analyzing this information on completion.
Description:
This method covers the quantitative determination of the distribution of particle sizes in soils
by means of a sedimentation process (downward movement of small suspended particles by
gravity), based on Stokes Law, by using a specially calibrated hydrometer.
2. Flow Chart
Aim:
Apparatus:
Test Procedure:
3. Apparatus
A bouyoucos cylinder.
A bouyoucos hydrometer.
A stop watch.
Sodium silicate.
4. Method
Mix contents thoroughly with a dispersing apparatus for approximately 15 minutes and
pour this suspension into the Bouyoucos cylinder.
Fill the cylinder with distilled water to the 1205ml mark with the hydrometer inside the
cylinder.
Remove the hydrometer and place the cylinder in a constant temperature bath at 20C
When the content is at 20C, shake the cylinder end over end until a homogenous
suspension is obtained.
Return the cylinder to the water bath and start the stopwatch.
After 1 Hour, the hydrometer is inserted and a reading is recorded to the nearest 0.5.
Simultaneously the temperature of the content is also recorded using a thermometer.
A 40 second reading is then done following the same procedure done in the previous
step along with the temperature.
Lastly, an 18 second reading is taken in the same way along with the temperature.
C (Clay)
40 second reading -
18 second reading -
5. Results
Actual Hydrometer
Reading
60
60
10
Temperature (C)
21.5 C
21.5 C
21.5C
Effective Depth,
L (cm)
6.5 cm
6.5 cm
14.7 cm
The soil mortar is divided into four fractions (expressed as percentages of the soil mortar)
Coarse sand:
P1 =
Sm S f
Sm
36.604 20.794
= 0.432 %
36.604
Fine sand:
P2 =
S f (100 F )
Sm
P2 =
20.794(100 60)
= 22.723 %
36.604
Silt:
P3 =
S f (F C )
Sm
P3 =
Clay:
P4 =
P4 =
CSf
Sm
10 20.794
= 5.681 %
36.604
Sf
100
P5 = 60
20.794
= 12.476%
100
Sf
100
20.794
= 12.476 %
100
5.2. Calculations:
D=
L
t
18s
0.013484
6 .5
= 0.0628 mm
0 .3
40s
0.013484
6 .5
= 0.04210 mm
0.6667
60min
0.013484
14.7
= 0.00667 mm
60
6. Interpretation of Results
The results indicate that the soil sample is not very well graded.
7. Recommendations
My recommendations are that the hydrometer should be replaced as it is clear from carrying out
the practical that the hydrometer is defective.
8. Conclusion
The hydrometer test measures the density of these grains and their terminal velocity as they fall
through the solution. These values allow the diameter of the soil grains to be calculated, thus
providing the percentage of particles in the sample that exceed a given size.
9. Appendices