Week 3 (2) - HYDROMETER (Level 0)

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

LABORATORY MANUAL
COURSE BASIC SOIL MECHANICS
COURSE CODE ECG303
LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0
CATEGORY TRADITIONAL
DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 0
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 3)
TITLE Particle size distribution of fine soil (hydrometer test)
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.
In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of hydrometer

test to determine the particle size distribution of a given soil sample.For soil
samples containing fine-grained particles, a wet sieving procedure is first carried
out and test is conducted to determine the combined clay/silt fraction
percentage. The combined clay/silt fraction is determined from the weight
difference and expressed as a percentage of the total sub-sample weight. The
test is in accordance to BS 1377-2:1990 test 9.2.
PREAMBLE 1.2 Objective

The objective of the test is:
To determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample (fine soil).
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Identify the correct apparatus to carry out hydrometer test.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.
1.4 Theoretical Background

Distribution of grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil such as
permeability, strength, expansivity etc. It is also required in the classifying
the soil. Measurement of grain size distribution depends on the size of the
grains i.e. larger than 0.075 mm or in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 m.
FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

LABORATORY MANUAL
2.0 Problem Statement

To measure the grain size distribution, hydrometer test is normally used for fine
particle where the grain size is in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 m. As a
group you are given a set of samples to test to determine its grain size
distribution.
PROBLEM
STATEMENT A wet sieving test was conducted on 1kg of the air-dried soil sample to
determine the particle size distribution of the coarse materials. The results of the
wet sieving test were given in form PS1. The hydrometer sedimentation test
was then conducted in the laboratory to obtain the particle size distribution of the
fine portion of the soil sample.
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
Balance
Set of sieves
Cleaning brush
Sieve shaker
Mixer (blender)
Hydrometer
Sedimentation cylinder
Control cylinder
Thermometer
Beaker
Timing device.
and other accessories which include evaporating dish, corrosion
resistant tray, calgon (33g of sodium hexametaphosphate and 7g
WAYS & MEANS of sodium carbonate in distilled water to make 1 Litre).
3.2 Procedures
1. Take the fine soil from the bottom pan of the sieve set, place it into a
beaker, and add 125 mL of the dispersing agent (sodium
hexametaphosphate (40 g/L)) solution. Stir the mixture until the soil is
thoroughly wet. Let the soil soak for at least ten minutes.
2. While the soil is soaking, add 125mL of dispersing agent into the
control cylinder and fill it with distilled water to the mark. Take the
reading at the top of the meniscus formed by the hydrometer stem and
the control solution. A reading less than zero is recorded as a negative
(-) correction and a reading between zero and sixty is recorded as a
positive (+) correction. This reading is called the zero correction. The
meniscus correction is the difference between the top of the meniscus
and the level of the solution in the control jar (Usually about +1). Shake
the control cylinder in such a way that the contents are mixed
FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

LABORATORY MANUAL
thoroughly. Insert the hydrometer and thermometer into the control
cylinder and note the zero correction and temperature respectively.
3. Transfer the soil slurry into a mixer by adding more distilled water, if
necessary, until mixing cup is at least half full. Then mix the solution for
a period of two minutes.
4. Immediately transfer the soil slurry into the empty sedimentation
cylinder. Add distilled water up to the mark.
5. Cover the open end of the cylinder with a stopper and secure it with the
palm of your hand. Then turn the cylinder upside down and back
upright for a period of one minute. (The cylinder should be inverted
approximately 30 times during the minute.)
6. Set the cylinder down and record the time. Remove the stopper from
the cylinder. After an elapsed time of one minute and forty seconds,
very slowly and carefully insert the hydrometer for the first reading.
(Note: It should take about ten seconds to insert or remove the
hydrometer to minimize any disturbance, and the release of the
hydrometer should be made as close to the reading depth as possible
to avoid excessive bobbing).
The reading is taken by observing the top of the meniscus formed by
the suspension and the hydrometer stem. The hydrometer is removed
slowly and placed back into the control cylinder. Very gently spin it in
control cylinder to remove any particles that may have adhered.
8. Take hydrometer readings after elapsed time of 2 and 5, 8, 15, 30, 60
minutes and 24 hours.
3.3Data Results and Calculations
1. Apply meniscus correction to the actual hydrometer reading.

2. From calibration equation, obtain the effective hydrometer depth, Hr in
mm (for hydrometer corrected reading).
3. For known Gs of the soil (if not known, assume 2.65 for this lab purpose),
obtain the value of K1 from Table 2.
4. Calculate the equivalent particle diameter by using the following formula:
Hr
D = 0.005531( (mm)
1)
5. Where t is in minutes, and D is given in mm.

6. Calculate modified hydrometer reading as follows:
7. Rd = RhRo
8. Where Ro= hydrometer reading in the dispersant solution
9. Calculate percent finer as follows:
100s
= (%)
m(s 1)
10. Wherem is the weight of the soil sample in grams.

11. Calculate the adjusted percentage passing and plot the grain size curve
D versus the adjusted percent finer on the semi logarithmic sheet.
3.4 Data Acquisition
FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

LABORATORY MANUAL
FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

LABORATORY MANUAL
4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
RESULTS highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy
of the set-out output to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.
FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

Week 3 (2) - HYDROMETER (Level 0)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Week 3 (2) - HYDROMETER (Level 0)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Week 3 (2) - HYDROMETER (Level 0)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

COURSE CODE ECG303

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 0

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 3)

TITLE Particle size distribution of fine soil (hydrometer test)

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of hydrometer

PREAMBLE 1.2 Objective

1.4 Theoretical Background

FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

2.0 Problem Statement

FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

3.3Data Results and Calculations

1. Apply meniscus correction to the actual hydrometer reading.

5. Where t is in minutes, and D is given in mm.

10. Wherem is the weight of the soil sample in grams.

3.4 Data Acquisition

FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

FKA Dis 2016 - Apr 2017

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.