NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY

NAME: Wilmer R. Fernandez DATE: May 3, 2021

GROUP #: 3 SECTION: ESE181

EXPERIMENT # 5
HYDROMETER ANALYSIS

Standard Reference: ASTM D-422 – PARTICLE SIZE ANALYSIS OF SOILS

(HYDROMETER)

I. INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, hydrometer analysis of soil will be use. According to

Suryakanta (2015), In geotechnical engineering, hydrometer analysis is primarily used
to determine the particle size distribution of a fine-grained soil. It is specifically for soil
particle sizes that are less than approximately 0.075 mm in diameter.

Moreover, hydrometer analysis is based on Stokes law named after George

Gabriel Stokes, which claims that the velocity at which a particle settles while
suspended, all other factors being equal, is determined by the shape, weight, and size
of the grain. In case of soil, it is assumed that the soil particles are spherical and have
the same specific gravity. We can say that larger particles will settle more quickly than
finer ones in a soil-water suspension. By measuring suspended solids in
sedimentation cylinders, hydrometers are able to measure a soil’s particle-size
distribution.
 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY
II. OBJECTIVES
➢ To determine the particle-size distribution of a sample.
➢ To determine the percent finer and the diameter in millimetre or the
particle size of the soil.

III. APPARATUS/EQUIPMENT

APPARATUS/EQUIPMENT FUNCTION
Device for measuring some characteristics of
a liquid, such as its density (weight per unit
volume) or specific gravity (weight per unit
volume compared with water). The device
consists essentially of a weighted, sealed,
long-necked glass bulb that is immersed in
the liquid being measured; the depth of
flotation gives an indication of liquid density,
and the neck can be calibrated to read
density, specific gravity, or some other related
HYDROMETER characteristic.
A weighing scale (or weighing balance) is a
device to measure weight or mass. These are
also known as mass scales, weight scales,
mass balance, weight balance, or simply
scale, balance, or balance scale.

WEIGHING SCALE
A beaker is generally a cylindrical container
with a flat bottom. Most also have a small
spout (or "beak") to aid pouring, as shown in
the picture. Beakers are available in a wide
range of sizes, from one milliliter up to several
liters.
BEAKER
A laboratory appliance used to mix,
crush, purée or emulsify substances. A
stationary blender consists of a blender
container with a rotating metal blade at the
bottom, powered by an electric motor that is in
the base.

MALT MIXER
 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY
Measuring cylinder is a piece
of laboratory apparatus used to measure the
volume of a liquids, chemicals or solutions
during the lab daily work.
Graduated cylinders are more precise and
accurate than the common laboratory flasks
and beakers.

CYLINDER
Used to measure the boiling point and
freezing point during science experiments. It
is also used to measure the temperature of
substances.

THERMOMETER
Can be used up to 99.9 °C. When temperature
is above 100 °C, alternative methods such as
oil bath, silicone bath or sand bath may be
used.

CONSTANT TEMPERATURE BATH

DEFLOCCULATING AGENT

An agent that prevents fine soil particles or

clay particles in suspension from
coalescing to form flocs.
 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY
SPATULA

In laboratories, spatulas and

microspatulas are small stainless steel
utensils, used for scraping, transferring, or
applying powders and paste-like chemicals
or treatments. Many spatula brands are
also resistant to acids, bases, heat, and
solvents, which make them ideal for use
with a wide range of compounds.

BALANCE

Laboratory balances from a general

standpoint measure the mass of an object,
in the laboratory they are used to measure
solids, liquids, tissue, they have a wide
range of uses in virtually
any laboratory including clinical, research
and environmental settings.

PLASTIC SQUEEZE BOTTLE

Plastic wash bottle is a squeeze bottle

made of low density polyethylene (LDPE)
whose contents can be forced out
through a narrow hole at the top by
squeezing the bottle.
Glass wash bottle is a bottle fitted with
two glass tubes pass through the cap, so
that on blowing into one of the tubes a
stream of water issuing from the other
may be directed upon anything to be
washed or rinsed, as a precipitate upon
a filter.
DISTILLED WATER

Distilled water is a type of purified

water that has had both contaminants
and minerals removed. Purified
water has had chemicals and
contaminants removed, but it may still
contain minerals.
 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY
NO. 12 RUBBER STOPPER

A laboratory rubber stopper or

a rubber bung or a rubber cork is mainly
used in chemical laboratory in combination
with flasks and test tube and also
for fermentation in winery. Generally,
in laboratory, the sizes of rubber
stopper can be varied up to approximately
16 sizes and each of it is specific to certain
type of container. As the rubber stopper is
used in many experiment, some specific
experiment requires a specific material. For
example, the M35 Green Neoprene is
for chemical resistance. For
food fermentation, M18 white natural gum
is preferred. For high temperature
application, red or white silicone
rubber stopper should be used.
 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY

IV. PROCEDURE

Particle Size Analysis: Hydrometer Analysis

ASTM-152H - Hydrometer
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMX_bkjFZ-o

1. Take 50 g of oven-dry, well-pulverized soil in a beaker.

2. Prepare a deflocculating agent. Usually, a 4% solution of sodium hexamethaphosphate

(Calgon) is used. This can be prepared by adding 40 g of Calgon in 1000 cc of distilled
water and mixing it thoroughly.
 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY

3. Take 125 cc of the mixture prepared in Step 2 and add it to the soil taken in
Step 1. This should be allowed to soak for about 8 to 12 hours.

4. . Mix the solution well.

 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY

5. Put the cylinder (from Step 4) in a constant temperature bath. Record the
temperature of the bath, T (in °C).
6. Put the hydrometer in the cylinder (Step 5). Record the reading. (Note: The top of
the meniscus should be read). This is the zero correction (Fz), which can be +ve
or -ve. Also, observe the meniscus correction (Fm).

7. Using a spatula, thoroughly mix the soil prepared in Step 3. flour it into the mixer.
Note: During this process, some soil may stick to the side of the beaker. Using
the plastic squeeze bottle filled with distilled water, wash all the remaining soil in
the beaker into the mixer cup.

8. Add distilled water to the cup to make it about two-thirds full. Mix it for about two
minutes using the mixer.

9. Pour the mix into the second graduated 1000cc cylinder, Make sure that all of the
soil solids are washed ut of the mixer cup. fill the graduated cylinder with distilled
water to bring the water level up to the 1000-cc mark.
 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY

10. Secure a No.12 rubber stopper on the top of the cylinder (Step 9). Mix the soil-
water well by turning the soil cylinder upside down several times.

11. Put the cylinder into the constant temperature bath next to the cylinder described
in Step 5. Record the time immediately. This is cumulative time t=0. Insert the
hydrometer into the cylinder containing the soil-water suspension.

12. Take hydrometer readings at cumulative times t = 0.25 min., 0.5 min., 1 min.,
and 2 min. Always read the upper level of the meniscus.

13. Take the hydrometer out after two minutes and put it into the cylinder next to it
(Step 5).

14. Hydrometer readings are to be taken at time t = 4 min., 8 min., 15 min., 30 min.,
1 hr., 2 hr., 4 hr., 8 hr., 24 hr. and 48 hr. For each reading, insert the hydrometer into
the cylinder containing the soil-water suspension about 30 seconds before the
reading is due. After the reading is taken, remove the hydrometer and put it back into
the cylinder next to it (Step 5).