Experiment No: 1

To Find Out Moisture Content Of Soil By Oven Drying Method

Standard Designation:

ASTM D 2216 IS: 2720 (Part II) – 1973.

Scope and Use:

This method covers the laboratory determination of the moisture content of

a soil as a percentage of its oven-dried weight. In almost all soil tests natural moisture
content of the soil is to be determined. The knowledge of the natural moisture content is
essential in all studies of soil mechanics. To sight a few, natural moisture content is used
in determining the bearing capacity and settlement. The natural moisture content will
give an idea of the state of soil in the field.

Moisture content testing is used to provide quality-control information that can

be used as a guide during construction on whether water needs to be added or removed
from the soil.

Moisture Content:

Moisture content is the ratio of the mass of water in a sample to the mass
of solids in the sample, expressed as a percentage.
We can find water content by given formula.

Weight of Water
Water Content= ×100
Weight of Soil Solid
Apparatus:

i. Oven.
ii. Weighing balance.
iii. Air-tight container.
iv. Soil samples.

Pictures:
 W2 W3 W1

Procedure:
1. Take 3 containers and weight them on weight balance one by one. These weights
will be W1.
2. Fill these containers with soil from the field. Generally, we need 10-200g of soil to
find moisture content.
3. Then weight the containers along with soil one by one. This weight will be W2.
4. Place these sample along with soil into oven of 110 ±50 C for 24 hours.
5. Then weight the oven dried containers. This weight will be W3.
6. Then find the water content by formula
W 2−W 3
Water Content= × 100
W 3−W 1

Observation and Calculations:

Sr Description Reading
# s
1 Container Number 1
2 Mass of empty container, W1 13.5g
3 Mass of Soil + container, W2 43.5g
4 Mass of oven Dry Soil + container, W3. 42.35g
5 Mass of Dry Soil W4=(W3-W1) 28.85g
6 Mass of water W5= (W2-W3) 1.15
7 Moisture Content=W5/W4*100 3.98%
Result:

The moisture content of sample = 3.98%

Remarks:

This test is used to find the moisture content of soil so that we find the strength and load
bearing capacity of soil for making any construction work.

Experiment No:2
Determination of Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer.

Standard Designation:
ASTM-D- 854
Scope and use:
These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids that pass the
4.75-mm sieve, by means of a water Pycnometer.
The specific gravity of a soil solids are used in calculating the phase relationships of soils,
such as void ratio and degree of saturation.
The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculate the density of the soil solids. This is
done by multiplying its specific gravity by the density of water (at proper temperature).
Theory:
The specific gravity of any substance is defined as the unit weight of the material divided by
the unit weight of distilled water at4 ℃ .
Specific gravity (GS ) can be defined as the weight of the soil solids divided by the weight of
the same volume of water (displaced by the soil solids).

s
Gs =
w

Where,

s = unit weight of soil solids only

w = unit weight of water at 4 ℃

or,

Ws / V
Gs =
Ww / V

Where,

Ws = weight of soil solids

Ww = weight of water
V = volume of soil = volume of water

Note: This test is applicable for soil particles smaller than 4.75 mm in size.

Table 1. Range of Gs for Different Soil Types

Soil type Range of Gs

 Sand 2.63-2.67
Silts 2.65-2.7
Clay and silty clay 2.67-2.9
Organic soil 1 -2.6

Apparatus and materials:

 Water and pycnometer

 Weighing balance
 Drying oven
 Air removal system
 Thermometer
 Insulated container
 Funnel
 Sieve no.4
 Pycnometer filling bottle
 Spoon
 Inorganic soil sample

Diagrams:
Procedure:

1. Take Pyconometer and wash it with water until no dirt particles are in it.
2. Now Weight the Pyconometer on Electronic Balance and mark it as W1.
3. Fill the Pyconometer with 10 to 20 g of Soil Sample and weight it. Mark it as W2.
4. Unscrew the cap and add distilled water (or taped H2O) to the Pycnometer so as to
cover the soil. It is about two-thirds full. Screw on the cap. Shake well the contents.
5. Now Fill the Pycometer containing Soil Sample up-to the top with Water and weight
it. Mark it as W3.
6. Fill the Pyconometer completely up-to the Top with water and weight it. Mark it as
W4.
7. Make sure there’s no leakage of water from the Pyconometer.

Formula:
w 2−w 1
Specific Gravity (Gs) = ( w 4−w 1 )−(w 3−w 2) × 𝛂

W1 = Weight of empty Pyconometer

W2 = Weight of Pyconometer and soil sample

W3 = Weight of Pyconometer and soil sample filled with water upto top

W4 = Weight of Pyconometer filled with water upto top level

𝛂 is Temperature Co-efficient
Temperature Co-efficient

Temperature ℃ 𝛂
4 1.0000
15 0.9999
20 0.9982
25 0.9971
30 0.9957
35 0.9941

Calculations:

W1 = 614.5g

W2 = 661.5g

W3 = 1593.2g

W4 = 1563.7g

Temperature 35℃
661.5−614.5
Gs = ( 1563.7−614.5 ) −(1593.2−661.5) × 0.9941

Gs = 2.686

Result:

Specific gravity of soil sample is 2.68 which means the sample falls in the category of Silts
with Gs range 2.65-2.70.

Experiment No:3
Particle size analysis of coarse grain soil using set of sieves
Standard Designation:
ASTM D 6913M

Scope:

This test strategy is utilized to isolate particles into various sizes .Soil consists of particles with
various shapes and sizes. This test method is used to separate the particles into size ranges and to
determine quantitatively the mass of particles in each range. These data are combined to determine the
particle-size distribution (gradation). This test method uses a square opening sieve criterion in
determining the gradation of soil between the 3-in. (75mm) and No. 200 (75-µm) sieves. .

Coefficient of Consistency:
The coefficient of uniformity, CU is a crude shape parameter and is calculated using the following equation
CU= D60/D10
So, when Cu is greater than 4 to 6, it is understood as a well graded soil and when the Cu is less than 4, they
are considered to be poorly graded or uniformly graded.

Coefficient of Curvature:

The coefficient of curvature, Cc is a shape parameter and is calculated using the following equation
CC= (D30)2/D10*D60

Where, D60 is the grain diameter at 60% passing, D30 is the grain diameter at 30% passing, and D10 is the
grain diameter at 10% passing.

Apparatus:
• Sieve

• Nest of sieves

• Pan

• Sieve shaker

Procedure:

1. Take a sample of granular soil including both coarse and fine particles of about 500g.

2. Place the sieves in descending order such that pan is at bottom.

3. Pour all of the sample carefully on No.4 sieve(4.75mm) and start shaking it. If you have sieve shaker
available then use it for shaking otherwise shake manually for a minimum period of 5 minutes.

4. After shaking sufficiently, separate the sieves one by one and note the weight of sample present in
this sieve.

5. By these sieves note the weight of passing materials.

 6. Plot the graph between cumulative percentage passing and sieve diameter.

7. Find the coefficient of curvature and uniformity.

Observation and calculations:

Total soil sample= 1059g.

Sieve Size Diameter or Soil weight Percentage Cumulative Cumulative

Sieve Retain of soil percentage percentage
opening E Retain Retain Passing
(mm) (g) (E/T)x100
3/4” 20 82.2 7.76204 7.76204 92.23796
3/8” 9.5 212.2 20.03777 27.79981 72.20019
#4 4.75 172.4 16.27951 44.07932 55.92068
#10 2.00 266.6 25.17469 69.25401 30.74599
#40 0.420 231.3 21.84136 91.09537 8.904627
#200 0.075 56.6 5.372993 96.46837 3.531634
Pan - 36.4 3.437205 99.90557 0.094429

Graph:

CU=

CC=

Remarks:

Precautions:
Make sure that total weight of soil after sieve shaking is nearly equal to the weight of total soil sample
before shaking.

Result:

Experiment No:4
Determination of Liquid Limit of Soil using Casagrande‟s
Apparatus
Standard Designation:
ASTM D 4318
BS 1377 (Fall Cone Method)
Liquid Limit:
Water content at which 25 blows of Casagrande’s apparatus close a standard roof (cut) along
a length of half inch.
Scope and Use:
These test methods shield the purpose of the liquid limit, plastic limit, and the plasticity
index of soils. The methods described here-in are performed only on that portion of a soil
that passes the 425-μm (No. 40) sieve.
These test methods are used as an important part of numerous engineering sorting systems to
characterize the fine -grained portions of soils and to specify the fine-grained fraction of
production materials.

Pictures:
Apparatus:
 Casagrande apparatus
 Soil sample
 Weighing balance
 Container for moisture content
 Drying oven
 Grooving tool
Procedure:
1. Take a sample of Soil and a little amount of water in it.
2. Mix the Soil Sample using Spatula.
3. Now Add the Soil Sample inside the Brass Cup in such a way that it remains horizontal
(after checking through Specula).
4. Leveled layer should be 10mm in Height.
5. Cut the Soil Sample into two parts equally from 2mm thick end of grooving tool.
6. Make sure Cup is 1 cm above from Rubber Block.
7. Give suitable number of drops at a rate of 2 drops per second to the Brass Cup such that
the distance of 2mm between two parts is no more.
8. After finishing, take a small amount of soil from the sample inside the Brass and put it
inside the container.
9. Weight the empty container and mark it as W1.
10.Also weight the same container containing wet soil and mark it as W2.
11.Put the container inside the oven for 24 hours.
12.After that, Weight the Container having dry soil and mark it as W3.
13.Determine the weight of water by subtracting dry mass from the wet mass.
14.Also weight the Soil Solids by subtracting weight of empty container from dry soil
container.
15.For Calculating Moisture Content of Soil, Use Following Formula:
Ww
1. Moisture Content w = Ws × 100
16.Count the Number of Blows.
17.Repeat the Whole Procedure by adding more Water.
18.Give 04 Trials i.e. Solid Soil – Semi Solid Soil – Plastic Soil –Wet Soil
19.Plot Graph with Number of Blows on x-axis and Moisture Content on y-axis.

Table & Calculations:

Sr. Description Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial
no 3
1 Mass of empty container(g) 15.3 12 11.9
 2 Mass of container + Wet soil(g) 31.9 23.3 21
3 Mass of container + dry soil(g) 27.93 20.76 18.9
3
4 Mass of dry soil Ms = M3-M1(g) 12.63 8.76 9.1
5 Mass of Water Mw = M2-M3(g) 3.97 2.54 2.07
6 Moisture Content 31.43% 28.9% 22.7
%
7 No. of blows 13 24 30

Pictures:
Weight of container and dried soil

Graph:

Liquid limit = 27%

Results and discussion:

Liquid Limit or the moisture content essential to change the soil from plastic to liquid state is
__27%___.
Liquid Limit is cast-off to calculate the plasticity index which is very important stuff of soil.
It displays the amount of water at which the soil will persist in plastic state.
Experiment No:5

Determination of Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of a given Soil Sample

Standard Designation:

ASTM D4318

AASTHO T-90-96

BS 1377-2:1990

Objective:

 To determine the samples of soil which the limit between plastic state and semi plastic
state.
 To determine the moisture content at which the soil is in a plastic state.

Plastic Limit:

The plastic limit is defined as the moisture content where the thread breaks apart at a
diameter of 3 mm (about 1/8 inch). A soil is considered non-plastic if a thread cannot be
rolled out down to 3 mm at any moisture possible.

The plastic limit (PL) is determined by rolling out a thread of the fine portion of a soil on a
flat, non-porous surface. If the soil is at moisture content where its behavior is plastic, this
thread will recall its shape down to a very narrow diameter. As the moisture content drops
due to evaporation, the thread will arise to break apart at larger diameters.

Plasticity index:

The plasticity index (PI) is a amount of the plasticity of a soil. The plasticity index is the size
of the variety of water contents where the soil displays plastic properties. The PI is the
difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit (PI = LL-PL). Soils with a high PI tend
to be clay, those with a lower PI tend to be silt, and those with a PI of 0 (non-plastic) tend
to have little or no silt or clay.
Scope:

This test method covers the purpose of the plastic limit and plasticity index of soils. The
liquid and plastic limits of soils are frequently referred the as the Atterberg limits.

Significance &use:

This testing method is used as an essential part of several engineering arrangements

systems to characterize the fine-grained parts of soils and to specify the fine-grained
fraction of construction materials. The liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index of soils
are also used extensively, either individually or together, with other soil properties to
associate with engineering behavior such as compressibility, permeability, compatibility,
shrink-swell and shear strength.

Apparatus and materials:

 Beaker for storing water

 Dish for soil mixing
 Spatula for paste preparation
 Glass plate for preparing thread
 3mm needle
 Container for moisture content
 Plastic limit test set
 Drying oven
 Weighing balance
 Sieve no#40(0.425mm)
 Soil sample

Preparation of material:

Select a 20g or more portion of soil from the material after passing the soil sample through
the sieve #40 (0.425). And add some water in this material to form the paste. This sample
should be dry enough so that it will not be muggy.
Procedure:

1. First of all, collect the soil sample from field.

2. Then Pass the soil sample from sieve #40 (0.425).
3. Then take the 20g sample model for testing and make it paste.
4. Make ellipsoidal shape of sample.
5. Roll the test specimen between the palm and fingers on the ground glass plate to from
a thread of uniform diameter.
6. Thread should be of uniform diameter
7. Continue rolling the thread until it reaches a uniform diameter of 3mm.
8. When the thread becomes a diameter of 1/8 in. reform it into a ball.
9. Knead the soil for a few minutes to reduce its water content slightly.
10.If it crumbles before or after 3mm diameter repeat the experiment.
Pictures:

Observations and Calculations:

Wet weight of threads = 6g

Oven dry weight of threads = Ms = 4.90g

Mass of water = Mw = 1.10g

Mw
Moisture Content = Ms × 100

Moisture content =18.3%

 Plastic Limit =18.3%
Liquid Limit (from Exp 4) =27%

Plasticity Index = Liquid Limit - Plastic Limit

PI = 27-18.3
PI = 8.7%
Precautions:
 We cannot roll the soil paste on the surface of the table but just can rolled on our palm to
avoid further loss of moisture.
 Gradual drying of the soil is affected by otherwise rolling and molding, not by continual
rolling, either as a ball or as threads, which produces a dried scab.
 With soils that are slightly plastic it is often difficult to obtain the correct decaying
condition.

Remarks:

It is suitable to carry out the test on a portion of the prepared material prepared for one of
the liquid limit test procedures. The plasticity index gives hint of, among other things, the
decrease in moisture content required to change a soil from a liquid to a semisolid state. It
gives the range in moisture at which a soil is in a plastic state. The plasticity index may be
considered as a amount of the cohesion

controlled by a soil.

Experiment No:9

To perform Standard compaction test and to obtain Moisture-Density relationship for

given compactive effect on particular soil

Designation:

ASTM D 1557

Scope:

These test methods cover the determination of the dry density of the soil and optimum
moisture content.

Significance and Use:

This laboratory test generally consists of compacting soil at known moisture content into a
cylindrical mold of standard dimensions using a comp active effort of controlled magnitude.
The soil is usually compacted into the mold to a certain amount of equal layers, each
receiving a number of blows from a standard weighted hammer at a specified height. This
process is then repeated for various moisture contents and the dry densities are determined
for each. The graphical relationship of the dry density to moisture content is then plotted to
establish the compaction curve. The maximum dry density is finally obtained from the peak
point of the compaction curve and its corresponding moisture content, also known as the
optimal moisture content.

Optimum Water Content

The optimum water content is the water content that results in the greatest density for a
specified comp active effort.

Methods of Compaction tests

Method Blows Diameter of Layers Material

Mold
A 25 4” 3 Passing #4
sieve
B 25 4” 5 Passing 3/8”
sieve
C 56 6” 5 Passing ¾”
sieve

Apparatus:

 Mold.
 Manual rammer.
 Drying oven .105-115 c.
 Extruder.
 Weighing balance
 Soil sample.
 #4 sieve.
 Moisture can.
 Graduated Cylinder.
 Straight edge.
Procedure:
 1. Take Air Dried Soil and Pass it from Sieve # 4.
2. Take 3kg of Air Dried Soil Sample and add 3% (i.e. 90g) on Each Trial.
3. Since Density of Water is 1 g.cm^3 thus take Volume of Water equal to 90
cm^3.
4. Add Moisture content to Soil and Mix it Properly.
5. On Each Trial, Make 03 Layers of Soil Sample that is mixed with Water and
Give 25 Blows on Each Layer.
6. On Each Trial, Take Sample for Moisture Content.
7. Make Sure to trim both sides of Mould before taking weight of Mould + Soil
after each trial.
8. Extrude the Soil from the Mould
9. On Every Next Trial, Increase Moisture Content and Mix it with Soil.
10.Calculate Bulk Density/Unit Weight of Soil.
11.Also Calculate Dry Density of Soil.
12.Calculate Original Moisture Content at each Trial.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Trial 1 2 3 4 5
Wt. of Can 16.6 13.7 13.6 13.7 17
Can+ wet soil 37.5 30.8 26 30.3 42.5
Can + dry Soil 36.24 29.26 24.54 27.94 38.67
Wt. of water 1.26 1.54 1.46 2.36 3.83
Wt. of dry Soil 19.64 15.56 10.94 14.24 21.67
Moisture 6.41% 9.93% 13.34% 16.57% 17.67%
content (%)

Density

Wt. of 5252.8 5316.3 5499.9 5603.1 5560

soil+mold
Wt. of mold 3686.2 3686.2 3686.2 3686.6 3686.6
 Wt. of soil in 1566.6 1630.1 1813.7 1916.9 1873.8
mold
Wt. of soil (kN)
Bulk
density(kN/m^3
)
Dry Density
(kN/m^3)

d(m) A(m2)
h(m) V(m3)
RESULTS

Dry density Moisture Content

Maximum
For plotting zero air void curve

Moisture
Content
(%)
rd(kN/m3
)
(S=100%)
rd
(kN/m3)
(S=90%)
Pictures:
Remarks:

Determination of In Place Soil Density by Core Cutter Method

Designation: ASTM D 2937

Scope:

This method covers the determination of the in-situ density of compacted soils by using core cutter.

Significance & Use:

The dry density of soil is an important factor for determining the compactness of
the soil. The field density test are conducted for determining the in place density
of soil.
The dry density of a soil sample is typically related to the presence of voids in the
given sample under a given condition. The relation between the water content and
dry density is inversely proportional to a certain extend this is because the dry
Cylindrical Core Cutter
density increases with the decrease in the water content.
Apparatus: Cylindrical Core Cutter, Steel Rammer, Steel Dolly, Weighing Balance.
Procedure:

1. From <3’ Depth of Soil, take Soil Sample.

2. Drive Core Cutter from the Height of 13 mm or 0.5” after placing Dolly on it.
3. Excavate the Surrounding Soil and Take out the Core Cutter.
4. Trim the Upper and Lower End of the Core Cutter.
5. Weight the Core Cutter filled with Soil.
6. Take Sample of the Soil from the Core Cutter and Find its Moisture Content.
7. Determine Area Ratio, Bulk Density and Dry Density of Soil.

Observations & Calculations:

Table 01:

Weight of Core Cutter = W1 1615.3g

Weight of Core Cutter + Wet Soil =W2 3150.8g

Wet Soil = W3 = W2-W1 1535.5g

External Diameter of Core Cutter

 Internal Diameter of Core Cutter 4.5in

Depth 4in
Volume of Core Cutter = Volume of Soil 63.615in

Bulk Density of Soil = d = W3/V 24.137g\in

Moisture Content 24.458%

Dry Density of Soil = d/1+w 14.454

Area Ratio = ((Do^2 - Di^2)/Di^2) * 100

Table 02:

Container No.
15.11g 13.91
Weight of Empty Container = W1
37.5g 68.8
Weight of Empty Container + Wet Soil =
W2
33.1g 59.7
Weight of Empty Container + Dry Soil
=W3
Weight of Water = Ww = W2-W3 4.4 9.1

17.99 45.79
Soil Soilds Weight = Ws = W3-W1
24.45 19.81
Moistiure Content =w = (Ww/Ws) * 100

Average Moisture Content = 22.13%

Limitations:

1. Core Cutter can’t be driven into Hard Soil.

2. Can’t be used for Organic soil as Soil will be compressed on pressing core cutter into the soil.
3. Cannot be used for Soil having low plasticity as its density will not remain same.
4. Cannot be used for soil having gravel (Particle of Soil Size > 4.75 mm) as voids will be present and density
varies.

Precautions:

1. Core cutter method of determining the field density of soil is only suitable for fine grained soil
2. Before lifting the core cutter, soil around the cutter should be removed to minimize the disturbances.
To Obtain Approximate Grain Size Distribution of Soils whose Appreciable Quantity
Pass through No. 200 Sieve

Scope: Hydrometer test is based on the principal that grains of different sizes fall through a liquid at different velocities.
This law is called Stocks Law.

Significance & Use:

To obtain the velocity of fall of particles, the Hydrometer is used. This is a device originally developed to read specific of
a solution but, by altering the scale, it can be made to measure other values.

The hydrometer is usually a type 152H (ASTM designation) and is calibrated to read grams of soil of value Specific
Gravity (Gs) =2.65 in 1.000cu-cm of suspension as long as no more than 60 gm. of soil is involved.

Apparatus: Hydrometer (152-H), Soil dispersion Device (malt mixer) & Thermometer, Sedimentation Cylinder (1000
Cu-Cm cylinder), also termed as Hydrometer Jar, Dispersion Agent (Sodium Hexametaphosphate), trade name
Calgon, OR Sodium Silicate, also known as Water Glass.

Procedure:

1. Take exactly 50 gm. of oven-dry well pulverized soil and mix with 125 Cu-Cm of 4% sodium
Metaphosphate solution.
2. Allow the mixture to stand for about 1 hour (ASTM suggest 16 hours for clayey soils). Transfer the mixture to malt
mixer cup and add tap water until the cup is two-third full. Mix for 3 to 10 minutes.
3. Transfer all the contents to the sedimentation cylinder, being careful not to lose any material. Add the tap water to
fill the cylinder to the mark of 1000Cu-Cm.
4. Prepare a controlled jar of tap water with 125 Cu-Cm of 4% sodium Metaphosphate solution or with same
amount of sodium silicate solution as used in first step above.
5. Take a No. 12 rubber stopper and cap the cylinder of soil suspension. Carefully agitate for at least 1 min.
6. Set the jar down, remove the stopper. Immediately insert the hydrometer and take hydrometer readings at
elapsed time of 2, 3 and 4 minutes. Also take temperature reading.
7. Place the hydrometer and thermometer into the control jar (which should be within 1 degree of Celsius of soil
suspension).
8. Take a meniscus reading from the control jar.
9. Replace the No.12 stopper and re-agitate the suspension.
10. Take another readings of hydrometer at 1, 2, 3 and 4 min of elapsed time.

11. of Celsius of soil suspension).

12. Take a meniscus reading from the control jar.
13. Replace the No.12 stopper and re-agitate the suspension.
14. Take another readings of hydrometer at 1, 2, 3 and 4 min of elapsed time.

15. When agreement is reached between the pair of readings, once more shake the mixture and take hydrometer
readings at elapsed time of 1, 2, 3 and 4 min. and compare it with previous accepted pair of 4 min reading.
16. If good agreement is obtained, use the previously accepted pair of readings as the first four readings and collect
additional hydrometer and temperature readings at elapsed times of 8,15 and 30 minutes. Followed by 1, 2, 4, 8,
16, 24 and 96 hours.
17. Terminate the test prior to 96 hrs. Of elapsed time if the hydrometer reading drops below 5. The hydrometer is
stored in the control jar during the series of readings except when the actual readings are being taken.

Observations & Calculations:

Hydrometer No: 152

Gs of solids: 2.70

Dispersing agent: sodium hexaphosphate

Amount: 5g in 125ml

Zero correction: +4

a: 0.99

Note: Typical values of ‘a’ are given in Table – 2

Meniscus Correction: 1

Weight of soil Ws: 56g

1. Corrected hydrometer Reading (Rc):
RC = Ractual – Zero correction + C1
2. Percent Finer:
Case: 01:

After correct hydrometer reading has been obtained, the percent finer can be computed by simple Proportion (if Gs= 2.64)
as:

Percent finer = 𝑹𝒄/𝑾𝒔 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟎

Where;
Rc- Corrected hydrometer Reading (grams of soil in suspension at some elapsed time t) Ws- Weight
of original soil sample placed in suspension gm.
Case 02:

The percent finer when Gs≠2.65 is computed as:

Percent finer = (𝑹𝒄 * a)/𝑾𝒔 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟎 %

Note: Typical values of ‘a’ are given in Table – 2

3. Computation for Diameter D:
For computational purposes equation-2 is written using ‘L’ in centimeters and ‘t’ in minutes to obtain D
in millimeters as follow:
𝐷=(𝐿/𝑡)^(1/2)

Note: Value of K can be obtained from table 4.

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS - HYDROMETER METHOD

Actual Corrected Hydrometer

Elapsed Hydromet Hydromet L
Corrected
Time of Temp. % (from
Date Time er er Only for
reading (°𝑪) Finer Table
(minutes) Reading Reading Meniscus
5)
‘Ro’ ‘Rc’ (R)
8-3-19 9:00 0 0 0 0 0
8-3-19 9:01 1 28 20.5 19 37.62 21.5 12.8 1
8-3-19 9:02 2 28 16.5 15 29.7 17.5 6.7 6
8-3-19 9:03 3 28 14 12.5 24.75 15 4.6 4
8-3-19 9:04 4 28 13 11.5 22.77 14 3.5 3
8-3-19 9:08 8 28 10 8.5 16.83 11 1.375 1
8-3-19 9:15 15 28 8 6.5 12.87 9 0.6 0
8-3-19 9:30 30 28 6 4.5 8.91 7 0.233 0
8-3-19 10:00 60 28 5 3.5 6.93 6 0.1 0
8-3-19 11:00 120 28 4 2.5 4.05 5 0.042 0

Remarks:

1. Consistent readings indicate a uniform mixture of soil water suspension.

2. Time beyond the first 2
hours of readings are
approximate and are
set to give a reasonable
spread of plotted points
for the percent finer vs.
grain size (diameter)
curve.