Appendix A.

Free Swell Index Test

Based on IS 2720 “Indian standard methods of test for soils, part 40: determination of free swell index of soils”

Apparatus:

1. Graduated cylinders (glass, two 100-mL capacity)

2. Sieve no. 40 (0.425-mm)
3. Oven with temperature control
4. Stirring rod (glass)

Procedure:

1. Oven-dry the soil sample to constant massat 110±5ºC.

2. Weigh two 10 g of oven-dried soil sample passing sieve no. 40 (0.425 mm).
3. Pour each 10-g soil specimen in each of the two 100-mL glass graduated cylinders. Fill one cylinder
with distilled water and the other with kerosene up to the 100-mL mark.
4. Remove entrapped air by gentle shaking or by using a glass stirring rod.
5. Allow the soil to settle in the cylinders for a minimum of 24 hours to attain equilibrium state of
volume.
6. Read the final volume of soils in each of the cylinders and compute for the free swell index using the
following equation:

𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑘
𝐹𝑆𝐼 = × 100
𝑉𝑘

Where:
FSI = Free swell index, %
Vd = Volume of the soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing distilled
water, mL
Vk = Volume of the soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing kerosene, mL

Note: If the soil is highly swelling, the sample size may be reduced to 5 g each or alternatively, use a 250-
mL capacity glass graduated cylinder.