Specific Gravity Test PDF

Specific Gravity Test
Abstract
This lab is performed to determine the specific gravity of soil by using a pycnometer. Specific
gravity of the soil is used in the phase relationship of air, water and soil solid in a given volumes
of a soil. Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of the unit volume of the soil at a stated
temperature to the mass of the same volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.
I. Standard reference
ASTM D854-00 standard test for specific gravity of soil solid by water pycnometer.
II. Materials
• Pycnometer
• Balance
• Spoon, Funnel
III. Methodology
1. Here we used the method B.

2. Place the sample of the soil (dry soil and fine) which is pass through the sieve No # 10
in the pycnometer. Determined and record the mass of dry soil solid say M1.
3. We add distilled water to fill about half to three-fourth of the pycnometer soak the
sample for 10 minute and shake it.
4. Apply it for vacuumed to remove the entrapped air in the form of bubble.
5. Fill the pycnometer with distilled water up to the mark clean the interior surface of the
pycnometer with clean dry cloth. Determine the weight of the pycnometer and of the
distilled water with in it say M2.
6. Empty the pycnometer and clean it then fill with distilled water (up to the mark).
Clean the exterior surface of the pycnometer with a clean, dry cloth. Determine the
mass of the pycnometer and distilled water say as M3.
7. Empty the pycnometer and clean it.
1
IV. Data and Results
Calculate the specific gravity of the soil by using the following formula.
𝑀1
Specific gravity 𝐺𝑠 =
(𝑀1+𝑀3)−(𝑀2)
Where
M1: mass of the soil solid.
M2: mass of pycnometer + soil solid + distilled water.
M3: mass of pycnometer + distilled water.
Table 1 Specific gravity test results

Mass of Mass of
Mass of pycnometer + pycnometer Specific Room Specific
the soil soil solid + + distilled Gravity Temperature K gravity at
solid (M1) distilled water. water. (Gs) (°) 20°C
(M2) (M3)
50.52 676.10 644.41 2.683 26 0.9986 2.679
V. Analysis and Discussion

Specific Gravity (Gs) is the second most important parameter in soil mechanics. It is the
ratio of the unit weight (or density) of soil solids to the unit weight (or density) of water.
Vacuum was use in this while determining the specific gravity of soils to remove the entrapped
air. Water temperature may have a significant effect on performance of the gas pycnometer.
Therefore, testing should be conducted within the specified operating temperature range of the
apparatus. The specific gravity is required in calculation of various soil properties such as:
i. Void ratio
ii. Degree of saturation iii.
iii. Weight-volume relationships
The specific gravity of most common minerals found in soils fall within a range of 2.6 to 2.9.
The specific gravity of sandy soil, which is mostly made of quartz, may be estimated to be
about 2.65, whereas for clayey and silty soils, it may vary from 2.6 to 2.9. Soils containing
organic matter and porous particles may have specific gravity values below 2.0, while soils
having heavy substances may have values above 3.0. All four groups ended up with specific
gravity values very close to 2.65. These values fall into the average specific value range for
most soils.
2
VI. Conclusions and Recommendations
The specific gravity of a substance, designated as Gs, is defined as the ratio of the density of
that substance to the density of distilled water at a specified temperature. Since it is a ratio, the
value of Gs does not depend on the system of units used and is a numerical value having no
units.
After thorough analysis, it is concluded that the soil sample can be named sand.
VII. References
1. BrajaM.Das, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. Seventh Edition. SI Edition.

Cengage Learning.
2. ASTM D854 , Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water
Pycnometer1
3. http://mizisystem.blogspot.com/2012/01/lab-report-specific-gravity.html
4. K.H.Head, MA (Cantab), C.Eng, FICE, FGS, Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing
(volume 1), Second Edition, Pentech Press.
5. http://infohost.nmt.edu/~Mehrdad/ME420/assets/pdf/SpecificGravity.pdf
3
VIII. Appendices

Specific Gravity Test PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Specific Gravity Test PDF

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

Specific Gravity Test PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Specific Gravity Test

1. Here we used the method B.

7. Empty the pycnometer and clean it.

Table 1 Specific gravity test results

50.52 676.10 644.41 2.683 26 0.9986 2.679

V. Analysis and Discussion

1. BrajaM.Das, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. Seventh Edition. SI Edition.

You might also like

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