Dr.

Ghuman and Gupta Geotech Consultants

In house Calibration of Hydrometer
STEP 1: Determination of sectional area of measuring cylinder in which the
hydrometer is to be used
1. Diameter of measuring cylinder = 6.7 cm
2. Sectional area of measuring cylinder = 35.3 cm 2
STEP 2: Determination of Effective Depth
1. Twice the length from neck of bulb to its centre volume = 16 cm
2. Determination of volume of hydrometer bulb (from the mass of the
hydrometer) = 64 ml
3. Substituting in the equation
HR = H 1 +

1
2

(h VhA )

HR = Effective Depth
H1 = Length from neck of bulb to graduation Rh in cm
H = Twice the length from neck of bulb to its centre volume in cm
Vh = Volume of hydrometer bulb
A = Area of measuring Cylinder in cm2`
Hydromet
er
Reading
Rh
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
-5

Distance from the lowest

calibration mark on the
stem of the hydrometer to
each of the other measured
calibration marks (Rh)
[A] (cm)

Distance from
the neck of the
bulb to the
nearest
calibration mark
[B] (cm)
1.4

H1
Col A + Col
b