Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan, Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 loc. 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

Laboratory Experiment No. 2

Hydrometer Analysis

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the subject
Geotechnical Engineering I (Soil Mechanics)

Submitted By:

20-06588 | GENTIROY, JOHN KENNETH D.

20-05087 | ACUZAR, EJ RAFAELA M.
20-04722 | DELA CRUZ, JUMMEL R.
20-06771 | LORZANO, CHINKEE M.
20-09198 | MANDIGMA, KARYLLE M.
20-09246 | PUYO, JOAN DENISE B.

Group No. # 1

Submitted To:
Engr. Adrian M. Reyes

October 06, 2022

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I. INTRODUCTION

Hydrometer analysis is governed by the principle of sedimentation which states that

soil particles tend to settle out of a liquid when they encounter another liquid with more
salt concentration. This law states that the settling velocity depends on the viscosity of the
fluid and the size and shape of the particles transported. Moreover, this law takes into
account the idea that larger particles settle more rapidly than smaller particles in a soil-
water suspension. Measuring the number of suspended solids in sedimentation cylinders
allows hydro meters to measure the particle-size distribution of soil.
The hydrometer analysis involves dispersing a small quantity of soil in water to
form a 1L suspension (usually with an agent to neutralize soil particle charges to inhibit
flocculation) and measuring the specific gravity of the suspension at time intervals1.
Periodic readings are critical measurements in this test, this is to determine the volume of
suspended solids in the liquid. The hydrometer instrument is a buoyant glass tube with a
bulb that is calibrated to measure the relative density of liquids. The 152H soil hydrometer,
which can hold up to 55 grams of dry soil in a 1,000 milliliters liquid solution, is used in
this activity to measure the suspension's grams per liter.

Figure 1: Depth of hydrometer with respect to time

The particle-size distribution of soil containing finer particles cannot be performed

using sieve analysis. Therefore, hydrometer analysis is widely used to determine the
particle-size distribution of fine-grained soils (particles from the #200 sieve or 0.075mm
to particles around 0.001mm). To produce a complete gradation curve, the particle-size
distribution curve may be a combination of the data obtained from sieve analysis and
hydrometer analysis by plotting the percent finer (%) versus the grain diameters of the soil
sample of the sieve opening (mm). By doing this, the complete profile of the soil can now
be used to classify the soil sample.

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 The standard reference used in this laboratory activity is the ASTM D422-63
(Reapproved 2007) - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils.

II. OBJECTIVES

● To determine the proportion of the soil particles smaller than 0.075mm (fine-
grained soils)
● To be able to plot the particle size distribution curve of the soil sample based on the
data obtained upon conducting the hydrometer analysis.
● To classify whether the soil sample is well-graded, poor-graded, or gap-graded.

III. METHODOLOGY

Materials:

ASTM 152-H Hydrometer Spatula

Weighing Scale Soil Sample (passing #200 sieve)

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Graduated Cylinder Distilled water

Balloon
Sodium
Hexametaphosphate

Beaker Timer

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Procedure:
1. Place the 35g oven-dried soil sample passing #200 sieve in a beaker. Add 125 mL
solution (water and hexametaphosphate) into the beaker and mix and stir
thoroughly until completely combined. And let it rest for at least 10 mins.

2. Pour the distilled water into the graduated cylinder and fill the cylinder until it
reaches the mark. Note that the mixture of soil sample together with the solution of
sodium hexametaphosphate and distilled water will fill the graduated cylinder
exactly 1 liter.

3. Once 10 mins has passed, add the mixture of soil sample and the solution of sodium
hexametaphosphate into the graduated cylinder.

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4. Using the rubber balloon, cover the top of the graduated cylinder. To do this, inflate
the balloon and put it at the mouth of the cylinder, slowly deflate the balloon while
pushing it towards the cylinder.

5. Using the palm of your hand, secure the top of the graduated cylinder covered with
a rubber balloon. Flip the graduated cylinder upside down and back upright for 1
minute. Make sure that the cylinder must be turned upside down roughly 30 times.

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6. Once 1 minute has passed, put the graduated cylinder on the table and remove the
balloon. Ready the timer and slowly put the hydrometer in the cylinder. Set the
timer for 1 minutes and once done, record the reading. Slowly remove the
hydrometer, make sure to clean and remove possible particles that stick into the
hydrometer by gently spinning it.

7. Record the readings after elapsed time of 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 8 minutes, 15

minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes

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IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Sieve analysis cannot determine the particle size distribution of soil with a
considerable number of smaller particles (silt and clay). A common approach for
determining the distribution of soil particle sizes from the #200 (0.075 mm) sieve to around
0.001 mm is the hydrometer analysis.

After conducting the procedure, the following data is obtained:

Elapsed Hydrometer K L (cm) D (mm) 𝑪𝑻 Percent Percent

Time Reading Finer in Finer in
(min) (mm) suspension solution

2 19.5 0.01332 13.1 0.0341 +0.40 91.6% 2.8762%

5 18 0.01332 13.3 0.0217 +0.40 85.6% 2.6878%

8 17.5 0.01332 13.4 0.0172 +0.40 83.6% 2.625%

15 17 0.01332 13.5 0.0126 +0.40 81.6% 2.5622%

30 15.5 0.01332 13.75 0.009 +0.40 75.6% 2.3738%

60 13.5 0.01332 14.1 0.0065 +0.40 67.6% 2.1226%

Table 1. Acquired data

Table 1 shows the calculation of the necessary data for the experiment based on the
recorded hydrometer reading. It can be observed that the hydrometer reading in the
conducted experiment decreases as the elapsed time increases. On the other hand, the value
of (K), 0.01332, was derived from the Table 4 Values of K for Use in Equation for
Computing Diameter of Particle in Hydrometer Analysis in the laboratory manual. Since
the specific gravity used for this specific experiment is 2.65 at 22 degrees Celsius, K is
equal to 0.01332. Additionally, the effective hydrometer depth (L) was based on Table 3
Variations of L with Hydrometer Reading - ASTM 153H Hydrometer. The value of
correction factor (Ct) was given on the Table 5 Temperature Correction Factors, where the
22-degree Celsius temperature corresponds to +0.40.

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Calculate the Equivalent Particle Diameter
The diameter of each reading was calculated as follows:

𝑳 (𝒄𝒎)
𝑫 (𝒎𝒎) = 𝑲√
𝒕 (𝒎𝒊𝒏)

𝟏𝟑.𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝟑.𝟓 𝒄𝒎
𝑫𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝑫𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝟏𝟓 𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝟐 𝒎𝒊𝒏

𝑫𝟐 = 0.0341 𝑫𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟔

𝟏𝟑.𝟑 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝟑.𝟕𝟓 𝒄𝒎
𝑫𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝑫𝟑𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√
𝟓 𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝟑𝟎 𝒎𝒊𝒏

𝑫𝟓 = 0.0217 𝑫𝟑𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟗

𝟏𝟒.𝟏 𝒄𝒎
𝟏𝟑.𝟒 𝒄𝒎 𝑫𝟔𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝟔𝟎 𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝑫𝟖 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝟖 𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝑫𝟔𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟓
𝑫𝟖 = 0.0172

Calculate the Corrected Hydrometer Reading

Based on Table 3, since the temperature is 22 degree Celsius, the value of temperature
correction factor (Ct) is +0.40. On the other hand, given on the Table 4, the correction factor (a)
for unit weight of solid is given as 1.00 corresponding to specific gravity of 2.65. During the
experiment, the group recorded a value of -3 of the zero correction which will be utilized to get
the corrected hydrometer reading.
The following formula is used to determine the value of a corrected hydrometer reading:
𝑹𝒄 = 𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑼𝑨𝑳 − 𝒛𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 + 𝑪𝑻

𝑹𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒 𝑹𝑪𝟏𝟓 = 𝟏𝟕 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒

𝑹𝑪𝟐 = 22.9 mm 𝑹𝑪𝟏𝟓 = 20.4 mm

𝑹𝑪𝟓 = 𝟏𝟖 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒 𝑹𝑪𝟑𝟎 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒

𝑹𝑪𝟓 = 21.4 mm 𝑹𝑪𝟑𝟎 = 18.9 mm

𝑹𝑪𝟔𝟎 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒

𝑹𝑪𝟖 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒
𝑹𝑪𝟔𝟎 = 16.9 mm
𝑹𝑪𝟖 = 20.9 mm

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Calculate the Percent Finer in Suspension
After calculating the corrected hydrometer reading, the percent finer in suspension can then
𝑹𝑪 (𝒂)
be calculated using the formula: 𝑷 = (100), where Ws denotes the weight of the soil
𝑾𝑺

sample in grams; the collected soil from the sieve analysis experiment was 25 grams.

𝑹𝑪 𝒙 𝒂
𝑷 = (100)
𝑾𝑺

𝟐𝟐.𝟗 (𝟏) 𝟐𝟎.𝟒 (𝟏)

𝑷𝟐 = (100) 𝑷𝟏𝟓 = (100)
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓

𝑷𝟐 = 91.6% 𝑷𝟏𝟓 = 81.6%

𝟐𝟏.𝟒 (𝟏) 𝟏𝟖.𝟗 (𝟏)

𝑷𝟓 = (100) 𝑷𝟑𝟎 = (100)
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓

𝑷𝟓 = 85.6% 𝑷𝟑𝟎 = 75.6%

𝟐𝟎.𝟗 (𝟏) 𝟏𝟔.𝟗 (𝟏)

𝑷𝟖 = (100) 𝑷𝟔𝟎 = (100)
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓

𝑷𝟖 = 83.6% 𝑷𝟔𝟎 = 67.6%

Calculate the Percent Finer in Solution

𝑷𝒙 𝑭𝟐𝟎𝟎
Furthermore, the formula for calculating the percent finer in a solution is: 𝑷𝑨 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎

where F200 denotes the percent finer of #200 sieve as a percent; the calculated percent
finer from the sieve analysis was 3.14%.

𝑷 𝒙 𝑭𝟐𝟎𝟎
𝑷𝑨 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝟗𝟏.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒 𝟖𝟏.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒

𝑷𝑨𝟐 = 𝑷𝑨𝟏𝟓 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑷𝑨𝟐 = 2.8762% 𝑷𝑨𝟏𝟓 = 2.5622%

𝟖𝟓.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒 𝟕𝟓.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒

𝑷𝑨𝟓 = 𝑷𝑨𝟑𝟎 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑷𝑨𝟓 = 2.6878% 𝑷𝑨𝟑𝟎 = 2.3738%

𝟖𝟑.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒 𝟔𝟕.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒

𝑷𝑨𝟖 = 𝑷𝑨𝟔𝟎 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑷𝑨𝟖 = 2.625% 𝑷𝑨𝟑𝟎 = 2.1226%

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 Figure 2. Grain-Size Distribution Curve

Figure 1 represents the "Grain-Size Distribution Curve" based on the gathered data.
This graph illustrates the correlation between the percentage finer and the grain size (mm). In
order to plot this distribution curve, the calculated percent finer and the diameter is inserted to
the excel. The orange plotted section is from the previous sieve analysis experiment. On the
other hand, the blue plotted section represents the hydrometer analysis.

V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

Hydrometer Analysis assesses the size of soil particles by measuring how quickly they
leave a liquid in suspension. It establishes the grain size distribution curve of samples that are
too tiny to be assessed using sieves. With the continuous stirring of soil samples mixed in a
solution with Sodium Hexametaphosphate in a given total time of 1 hour, including initial
readings, the group acquired the principal objective of determining the proportion of the soil
particles that are smaller than 0.075mm. Also, the group was able to illustrate the grain size
distribution of the soil sample by the obtained experimental data.

However, like any experiment, additional modifications are required to account for the
possibility of uneven mixing mistakes. Furthermore, issues such as improper measurement of
dispersion agents may alter the solution and impact the overall reading of the experiment. From
the performed experiment, a correction of +4 was added, given that the reading of -3 in the

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 hydrometer was distinguished. Thus, calibration of the hydrometer is a vital task that should
be taken because not all hydrometer instruments will read 0 when drenched in water.

Given those considerations and achieved data, it is evident that the group successfully
performed the hydrometer analysis experiment. As each group member understood the
efficient determination of particle size distribution in a soil sample, it is recommended to be
cautious of performing each specific procedure. It is necessary to take significant corrections
to attain precise results within the experiments.

VI. REFERENCES

Bowles, J. (1992). Physical and Geotechnical Properties of Soils (International Student Edition).
McGRAW-HILL, Inc. Retrieved from: (1) Bowles-Physical-and-Geotechnical-Properties-of-
Soils.pdf | Lukman Hakim - Academia.edu

VII. APPENDIX

Raw Data

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 Data Sheet

Location: Soil Laboratory, Batangas State University – Alangilan Campus

GPS Coordinates: 13.784153445883634, 121.07439706598034
Recorded By: Karylle Mandigma & Joan Denise Puyo
Date: September 29, 2022

Elapsed Hydrometer Percent Percent

Time Reading K L (cm) D (mm) 𝑪𝑻 Finer in Finer in
(min) (mm) suspension solution

2 19.5 0.01332 13.1 0.0341 +0.40 91.6% 2.8762%

5 18 0.01332 13.3 0.0217 +0.40 85.6% 2.6878%

8 17.5 0.01332 13.4 0.0172 +0.40 83.6% 2.625%

15 17 0.01332 13.5 0.0126 +0.40 81.6% 2.5622%

30 15.5 0.01332 13.75 0.009 +0.40 75.6% 2.3738%

60 13.5 0.01332 14.1 0.0065 +0.40 67.6% 2.1226%

Table 1. Acquired data

Calculate the Equivalent Particle Diameter

𝟏𝟑.𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝟑.𝟓 𝒄𝒎
𝑫𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝑫𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝟏𝟓 𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝟐 𝒎𝒊𝒏

𝑫𝟐 = 0.0341 𝑫𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟔

𝟏𝟑.𝟑 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝟑.𝟕𝟓 𝒄𝒎
𝑫𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝑫𝟑𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√
𝟓 𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝟑𝟎 𝒎𝒊𝒏

𝑫𝟓 = 0.0217 𝑫𝟑𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟗

𝟏𝟒.𝟏 𝒄𝒎
𝟏𝟑.𝟒 𝒄𝒎 𝑫𝟔𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝟔𝟎 𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝑫𝟖 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟐√ 𝟖 𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝑫𝟔𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟓
𝑫𝟖 = 0.0172

Calculate the Corrected Hydrometer Reading

𝑹𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒 𝑹𝑪𝟖 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒
𝑹𝑪𝟐 = 22.9 mm 𝑹𝑪𝟖 = 20.9 mm

𝑹𝑪𝟓 = 𝟏𝟖 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒 𝑹𝑪𝟏𝟓 = 𝟏𝟕 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒

𝑹𝑪𝟓 = 21.4 mm 𝑹𝑪𝟏𝟓 = 20.4 mm

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𝑹𝑪𝟑𝟎 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒 𝑹𝑪𝟔𝟎 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟓 𝒎𝒎 − (−𝟑𝒎𝒎) + 𝟎. 𝟒
𝑹𝑪𝟑𝟎 = 18.9 mm 𝑹𝑪𝟔𝟎 = 16.9 mm

Calculate the Percent Finer in Suspension

𝟐𝟐.𝟗 (𝟏) 𝟐𝟎.𝟒 (𝟏)
𝑷𝟐 = (100) 𝑷𝟏𝟓 = (100)
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓

𝑷𝟐 = 91.6% 𝑷𝟏𝟓 = 81.6%

𝟐𝟏.𝟒 (𝟏) 𝟏𝟖.𝟗 (𝟏)

𝑷𝟓 = (100) 𝑷𝟑𝟎 = (100)
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓

𝑷𝟓 = 85.6% 𝑷𝟑𝟎 = 75.6%

𝟐𝟎.𝟗 (𝟏) 𝟏𝟔.𝟗 (𝟏)

𝑷𝟖 = (100) 𝑷𝟔𝟎 = (100)
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓

𝑷𝟖 = 83.6% 𝑷𝟔𝟎 = 67.6%

Calculate the Percent Finer in Solution

𝟗𝟏.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒 𝟖𝟏.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒
𝑷𝑨𝟐 = 𝑷𝑨𝟏𝟓 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑷𝑨𝟐 = 2.8762% 𝑷𝑨𝟏𝟓 = 2.5622%

𝟖𝟓.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒 𝟕𝟓.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒

𝑷𝑨𝟓 = 𝑷𝑨𝟑𝟎 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑷𝑨𝟓 = 2.6878% 𝑷𝑨𝟑𝟎 = 2.3738%

𝟖𝟑.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒 𝟔𝟕.𝟔 𝒙 𝟑.𝟏𝟒

𝑷𝑨𝟖 = 𝑷𝑨𝟔𝟎 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑷𝑨𝟖 = 2.625% 𝑷𝑨𝟑𝟎 = 2.1226%

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Table 2. Variations of L with Hydrometer Reading – ASTM 153H Hydrometer

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Table 3. Values of K for use in the Equation for Computing Diameter of Particle in
Hydrometer Analysis

Table 4. Temperature Correction Factors, CT

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 Table 5. Correction Factors a, for Unit Weight of Solids

Individual Summary

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTION

● Appendix
Kenneth ● Preparation of the materials
● Organizing of the paper

● Preparation of the needed materials

● Recorder
Joan
● Results and Discussion
● Observer

● Methodology
JM ● Executes the procedure
● Preparation of materials

• Preparation of the needed materials

EJ • Conclusion and Recommendation
● Documentation

• Introduction and Objectives

• Recorder
Karylle
● Documentation
● Observer

• Preparation of needed materials

Chinkee • Hydrometer reader
● Results and Discussion

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