FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
COURSE BASIC SOIL MECHANICS

COURSE CODE ECG303

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN ENDED

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 1)

TITLE Particle Density Test

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are
guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to
the students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. It is hoped that the
activity will slowly introduce and inculcate independent learning amongst students and
prepare them for a much harder task of open-ended laboratory activities.
In this laboratory session, students will be introduced on how to determine the particle
density and specific gravity of soil.

1.2 Objective
The objective of the test is:
 To determine the specific gravity of soil using density bottle.

PREAMBLE
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1.Conduct the laboratory experiment and being exposed theoretically to other
alternative methods of particle density testing.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

There are three tests for the measurement of particle density. These have different
applications, which may be summarized as follows:
1. Density bottle method – for fine-grained soils
2. Gas jar method – for most soils including those containing gravel-sized particles
3. Pycnometer method – for use in a site laboratory on medium and coarse
grained soils
The first two are the usual laboratory methods. The third is useful as a simple on-site
procedure where full laboratory facilities are not available and when a result of lower
accuracy is acceptable.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG Dis- March 2015

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

2.0 Problem Statement

Specific gravity Gs is defined as the ratio of the weight of a certain volume of soil solids
PROBLEM to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at a constant temperature.. As a
STATEMENT group you are given a set of samples to determine the particle density of the soil.
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

 Density bottle with stopper having capillary hole at its centre

 Wash bottle
 De-aired distilled water
 Alcohol
 Ether balance
 Vacuum sets
 Constant temperature water bath

3.2 Procedures

1. Clean and dry the density bottle and stopper properly.

2. Weigh the dried bottle with stopper and record the mass (m1).
3. Take about 10 - 20 gm of oven-dried soil sample cooled in dessicator. Pour it
carefully into the density bottle. Weigh the bottle with soil and stopper. Record
the mass (m2).
4. Pour about 10 ml de-aired distilled water in the bottle to soak the soil. Leave it
for a period of 2 to 10 hours.
5. Pour some more distilled water to make the bottle half full. Remove the
entrapped air by applying partial vacuum.
WAYS AND 6. Pour some more distilled water into the bottle and fill it completely without any
MEANS entrapped bubble. Put the stopper on.
7. Keep the bottle on the stand in constant temperature water bath for one hour.
8. Take out the bottle from water bath. Wipe it clean and dry from outside. If the
capillary of the stopper is not full, fill it with drops of distilled water. Again make
sure the bottle and stopper are clean dry.
9. Weigh the bottle filled with water and soil samples with stopper. Record the
mass (m3).
10. Empty the bottle and clean it properly. Fill the bottle entirely with distilled water.
Make sure there are not entrapped air bubbles, or otherwise the partial vacuum
has to be used.
11. Put on the stopper and wipe the bottle dry from outside. Now weigh and record
the mass (m4). Again empty the bottle and dry it up properly.
12. Repeat the steps 2 to 11 for two observations to obtain an average Gsof the
sample.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG Dis- March 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
3.3 Data Acquisition

The specific gravity G of the soil, G = (W2 – W1) / [(W4-1)-(W3-W2)]

The specific gravity should be calculated at a temperature of 27oC and reported to the
nearest 0.01. If the room temperature is different from 27oC, the following correction
should be done:-
G’ = kG
where,
G’ = Corrected specific gravity at 27oC
k = [Relative density of water at room temperature]/ [Relative density of water at 27oC].
A sample proforma for the record of the test results is given below. Relative density of
water at various temperatures is taken from table here.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY DATA SHEET

Determination No.
S. No. Description
I II III
0
1 Temperature in C
2 Weight of bottle (W1) in g
3 Weight of bottle + Dry soil (W2) in g
4 Weigh of bottle + Soil + Water (W 3) in g
5 Weigh of bottle + Water (W4) in g
6 Specific Graviti, G
0
7 Average G (at 31 C)
0
8 Corrected G (at 27 C)

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG Dis- March 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

RESULTS The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory 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.