FACULTY OF CIVIL ANG ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND

GEOMETIC LAB GEOTECHNIC

FULL REPORT
Subject Code Code & Experiment Title Course Code Date Section / Group Name Members
of Group BFC 31703 OPEN ENDED - DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY BY PYCNOMETER
TEST 2 BFF 10TH MAY 2012 SECTION 9 / GROUP 7 MUHAMMAD IKHWAN BIN ZAINUDDIN
(DF100018) 1. NUR EZRYNNA BINTI MOHD ZAINAL (DF100118) 2. MUHAMMAD HUZAIR BIN
ZULKIFLI (DF100040) 3. NUR EEZRA ATHIRLIA BINTI GHAZALI (DF100147) 4. MUHAMMAD NUH
BIN AHMAD ZAIRI (DF100093) 5. ZIRWATUL FAUZANA BINTI CHE JEMANI (DF100027) EN.
AHMAD HAKIMI BIN MAT NOR 17TH MAY 2012

Lecturer/Instructor/Tutor Received Date

Comment by examiner

Received
STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC (SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMETIC FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING UTHM

We, hereby confess that we have prepared this report on our effort. We also admit
not to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.
___________________________ Student Signature Name Date : MUHAMMAD IKHWAN BIN
ZAINUDDIN : 17/05/2012 Name Date Matric No. : DF100018 ___________________________
Student Signature : NUR EZRYNNA BINTI MOHD ZAINAL : 17/05/2012 Matric No. :
DF100118

___________________________ Student Signature Name Date : NUR EEZRA ATHIRLIA BINTI

GHAZALI : 17/05/2012 Name Date Matric No. : DF100147

___________________________ Student Signature : MUHAMMAD HUZAIR BIN ZULKIFLI :

17/05/2011 Matric No. : DF100040

_______________________ Student Signature Name Date : MUHAMMAD NUH BIN AHMAD

ZAIRI : 17/05/2012 Name Date Matric No. : DF100093

_______________________ Student Signature : ZIRWATUL FAUZANA BINTI CHE JEMANI :

17/05/2012 Matric No. : DF100027
OPEN ENDED LAB
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY BY PYCNOMETER TEST

1.0

OBJECTIVE The specific gravity (Gs) of a soil is defined as the ratio between the
unit massesof soil

particles and water. Gs is useful for determining weight-volume relationships. 2.0

INTRODUCTION The pycnometer (from the Greek puknos, meaning "density", also called
pyknometer or specific gravity bottle), is a flask with a close-fitting ground
glass stopper with a fine hole through it, so that a given volume can be accurately
obtained. This enables the density of a fluid to be measured accurately, by
reference to an appropriate working fluid such as water or mercury, using an
analytical balance. If the flask is weighed empty, full of water, and full of a
liquid whose specific gravity is desired, the specific gravity of the liquid can
easily be calculated. The particle density of a powder, to which the usual method
of weighing cannot be applied, can also be determined with a pycnometer. The powder
is added to the pycnometer, which is then weighed, giving the weight of the powder
sample. The pycnometer is then filled with a liquid of known density, in which the
powder is completely insoluble. The weight of the displaced liquid can then be
determined, and thence the specific gravity of the powder. Base on American
Standard Test Method (ASTM D854), these test methods cover the determination of the
specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, by means of a
water pycnometer. When the soil contains particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve,
Test Method C127 shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve
and these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing the 4.75-mm sieve.
The specific gravity of solid Gs is a dimensionless parameter that relates the
density of the soil particles sto the density of water w, or Gs = s/w. The
density of the soil particles s is defined as the mass in air of dry solids Ms at
a stated temperature divided by the volume of the solid Vs at the same stated
temperature, or s= Ms/Vs.
3.0

NEED AND SCOPE OF EXPERIMENT The knowledge of a specific gravity is needed in

calculation of soil properties like void

ratio, dgree of saturation etc. 4.0 THEORY The specific gravity (Gs) of a material
is defined as the ratio of the weight (or mass) of a given volume of the material
to the weight (or mass) of an equal volume of water. In the case of a density
bottle method: A sample of pre-dried soil is placed in a standard density bottle,
of which the mass including the stopper is m1. The combined mass of soil, bottle
and stopper is m2. De-aired, distilled water is a added and the whole vacuumed to
remove air prior to topping up and insertion of the stopper. After drying the
outside of the bottle, stopper, soil and water, m3 is determined. The bottle is
then emptied, refilled with de-aired water only, the exterior again dried and the
mass of bottle, stopper and water, m4 is recorded. Then, Gs = mass of soil
particles mass of an equal volume of water and is found from the expression : Gs =
Where : m2 m1 is the mass of soil sample; m4 m1 is the mass of water contained
by the density bottle; m3 m2 is the mass of water occupying a volume equal to
that of the soil particles. Hence the specific gravity Gs of a soil is calculated
as follows; Gs = Ws Ws + WFW WFS Where Ws is the weight of the dry soil, WFS is
the weight of the flask filled with soil and water and WFW is the weight of the
flask filled with deaired water only. m2 m1 (m4 m1) - (m3 m2)
5.0

APPARATUS

Figure 1 Volumetric Flacks (250 or 500 ml) with stoppers, numbered and calibrated

Figure 2 Distilled deaired water

Figure 3 Weighing Scale accurate to 0.01g

Figure 4 Vacuum Pump

Figure 5 Two types of soils, clay and sand.

Figure 6 Thermometer, ranging from 0 to 500, accurate 0.50 C.

Figure 7 Drying Oven

6.0

PROCEDURE i. Soil samples taken from the sample is dried in an oven with a
temperature of 105-110oC, then cooled in a dryer. ii. Density bottle and stopper
were properly cleaned and dried. iii. The weight of dried bottle with stopper were
weighted and recorded (m1). iv. The oven-dried soil sample cooled in dessicator
about 10 grams was took and poured carefully into the density water. The mass was
recorded (m2). v. The bottle was half-full with poured some distilled water into
it. The bottle without the stopper was keep into the vacuum desiccator for about 1
hour until there is no further loss of air. vi. The bottle was full with distilled
water without any entrapped bubble. The stopped was put.

vii. The full bottle with water, soil samples and stopper were weighted. The mass
was recorded (m3). viii. The bottle was empty and cleaned properly. The entire
bottle was full with distilled water without any trapped air bubbles. ix. The
stopper was put on as in step (iv) and dried from outside. The mass was recorded
(m4). Then the bottle was empty and dried.
7.0

DATA SHEET

Table 1 :
Location:Geotechnic laboratory Soil description : Sample Type : Clay & Silt
Operator : Group 7 Loc. No: Sample No. Depth of Sample : Date Started : 10 / 5 /
2012

Test no. Type of soil Bottle no Mass of density bottle and stopper, g (m1) Mass of
density bottle plus stopper plus oven dry soil, g (m2) Mass of density bottle plus
stopper plus soil plus distilled water, g (m3) Mass of density bottle plus stopper
plus distilled water ,g (m4) Mass of soil sample, g (m2 - m1) Mass of water
contained by the density bottle, g (m4 m1) Mass of water occupying the volume not
occupied by the soil and thus, g (m3 m2) Mass of water occupying a volume equal
to that of the soil particles, g (m4 m1) (m3 m2) Gs = Mass of soil particles
Mass of an equal volume of water

1 Clay 2 30.26 40.26 79.53 73.05 10.00 42.79 39.27

3 Silt

4 29.83 39.83 79.43 73.05 10.00 43.22 39.60

3 28.10 38.10 78.22 72.03 10.00 43.93 40.12

13 28.36 38.36 78.24 72.03 10.00 43.67 39.88

3.52

3.62

3.81

3.79

2.8 Gs = (m2 - m1) (m4 m1) - (m3 m2) AVERAGE SPECIFIC GRAVITY, Gs

2.76

2.6

2.6

2.78
8.0

CALCULATION Clay bottle no 2

Data during experiment: a) Mass of density bottle and stopper, g (m1) = 30.26 b)
Mass of density bottle plus stopper plus oven dried soil, g (m2) = 40.26 c) Mass of
density bottle plus stopper plus soil plus distilled water, g (m3)=79.53 d) Mass of
density bottle plus stopper plus distilled water, g (m4) = 73.05 Calculation after
experiment:

1. Mass of soil sample, g (m2-m1) = 40.26 - 30.26 = 10 2. Mass of water contained

by the density bottle, g (m4-m1) = 73.05 30.26 = 42.79 3. Mass of water occupying
the volume not occupied by the soil and thus, g (m3-m2) = 79.53 40.26 = 39.27 4.
Mass of water occupying a volume equal to that of the soil particles, g (m4-m1) -
(m3-m2) = 42.79 39.27 = 3.52 5. Gs = Mass of soil particles (m2 m1) Mass of an
equal volume of water (m4-m1) - (m3-m2) = 10/3.52 = 2.8 Average Specific Gravity
= Gs / sample = (2.8+2.76) / 2 = 2.78
Silt bottle no 3

Data during experiment: a) Mass of density bottle and stopper, g (m1) = 28.10 b)
Mass of density bottle plus stopper plus oven dried soil, g (m2) = 38.10 c) Mass of
density bottle plus stopper plus soil plus distilled water, g (m3)=78.22 d) Mass of
density bottle plus stopper plus distilled water, g (m4) = 72.03 Calculation after
experiment:

1. Mass of soil sample, g (m2-m1) = 38.10 - 28.10 = 10 2. Mass of water contained

by the density bottle, g (m4-m1) = 72.03 28.10 = 43.93 3. Mass of water occupying
the volume not occupied by the soil and thus, g (m3-m2) = 78.22 38.10 = 40.12 4.
Mass of water occupying a volume equal to that of the soil particles, g (m4-m1) -
(m3-m2) = 43.93 40.12 = 3.81 5. Gs = Mass of soil particles (m2 m1) Mass of an
equal volume of water (m4-m1) - (m3-m2) = 10/3.81 = 2.6 Average Specific Gravity
= Gs / sample = (2.6+2.6) / 2 = 2.6
9.0

DISCUSSION Specific Gravity (Gs) is the second most important parameter in soil
mechanics. It is the

ratio of the unit weight (or density) of soil solids to the unit weight (or
density) of water. Vacuum was use in this while determining the specific gravity of
soils to remove the entrapped air. Water temperature may have a signicant effect
on performance of the gas pycnometer. Therefore, testing should be conducted within
the specied operating temperature range of the apparatus. The specific gravity is
required in calculation of various soil properties such as: i. Void ratio ii.
Degree of saturation iii. Weight-volume relationships The specific gravity of most
common minerals found in soils fall within a range of 2.6 to 2.9. The specific
gravity of sandy soil, which is mostly made of quartz, may be estimated to be about
2.65, whereas for clayey and silty soils, it may vary from 2.6 to 2.9. Soils
containing organic matter and porous particles may have specific gravity values
below 2.0, while soils having heavy substances may have values above 3.0. All four
groups ended up with specific gravity values very close to 2.65. These values fall
into the average specific value range for most soils. 10.0 CONCLUSION The specific
gravity of a substance, designated as Gs, is defined as the ratio of the density of
that substance to the density of distilled water at a specified temperature. Since
it is a ratio, the value of Gs does not depend on the system of units used and is a
numerical value having no units. In soil mechanics, the specific gravity of soil
solids is an important parameter and is a factor in many equations involving
weight-volume relationships. Specific gravity of soil solids refers only to the
solid phase of the three phase soil system, it does not include the water and air
phases present in the void space. For soil solids, Gs may be written as: Gs =
density of the soil solids density of water = mass of soil solids mass of an equal
volume of water
11.0

APPENDIXES PROCEDURES OF BOILING METHOD i) Measure the specific gravity of your

cleared wine sample and record the measurement along side the temperature the
measurement was taken at.

ii) Correct for the temperature difference between the recorded temperature and the
temperature the hydrometer was calibrated at, using the chart values for
hydrometers calibrated at 20oC, and record the true specific gravity of the wine
sample as SG1. iii) Measure out exactly 250ml of the wine sample in a 250 ml
volumetric flask - (see method). iv) Empty the wine out of the volumetric flask
into the distillation flask and employ a couple of distilled water rinses to remove
wine residues from the volumetric flask into the distillation flask. v) Add some
boiling chips to the distillation flask to prevent bumping when boiling the
contents.Caution: do not add the boiling chips once heating has commenced. vi) Set
up apparatus as per diagram using only the boiling flask. A vertical splash head
may be fitted if desired. vii) Apply heat to the bottom of the boiling flask and
boil the wine down to approximately 125ml.If the heat from the burner is to local
or intense, position a tripod and heat diffuser (gauze), to disperse the applied
heat, between the heat source and boiling flask. viii) Allow the wine to cool down
and using a funnel, carefully pour the remaining wine into the same 250ml
volumetric flask used to measure the wine volume at the start. ix) Rinse out the
remaining wine residues with a few rinses of distilled water, into the same
volumetric flask.
x) Top up the contents of the volumetric flask with distilled water close to 250
ml, bring to 20oC in a hot water bath, then top up to the 250ml graduation mark.
Stopper and mix (see method). xi) Use a small amount the collected, diluted
distillate to rinse a clean 250ml measuring cylinder. Then fill a 250ml measuring
cylinder with the distillate. xii) Using an specific gravity hydrometer, measure
the specific gravity of the alcohol depleted wine solution and record your reading.
xiii) Using a thermometer measure the temperature of the solution and record your
reading. xiv) Correct for the temperature difference between the recorded
temperature and the temperature the hydrometer was calibrated at, using the chart
values for hydrometers calibrated at 20oC, and record the true specific gravity of
the alcohol depleted wine solution as SG2. xv) Using the equation below to
calculate the alcohol concentration of you wine sample and record the result.
Alcohol (% v/v EtOH) = (SG2-SG1) / 2.11 * 1000 11.0 REFERENCES
BrajaM.Das, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. Seventh Edition. SI Edition.
Cengage Learning. ASTM D854 , Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil
Solids by Water Pycnometer1 http://mizisystem.blogspot.com/2012/01/lab-report-
specific-gravity.html K.H.Head, MA (Cantab), C.Eng, FICE, FGS, Manual of Soil
Laboratory Testing (volume 1), Second Edition, Pentech Press.
http://infohost.nmt.edu/~Mehrdad/ME420/assets/pdf/SpecificGravity.pdf
http://www.uic.edu/classes/cemm/cemmlab/Experiment%204Specific%20Gravity.pdf
http://www.uta.edu/ce/geotech/lab/Main/SmpLbRprt.pdf