Specific Gravity of Soil (fine aggregate (sand)) Test by Pycnometer Method.

Specific gravity is Defined as the density of the soil solids to the density of water.

The Pycnometer is used for determination of specific gravity of soil particles of both fine
grained and coarse-grained soils.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the specific gravity of fine aggregate

Description

specific gravity is frequently used to solve for the various phase relationships, such as void
ratio, porosity, and degree of saturation.

Specific gravity is also required in the calculations associated with the grain size analysis,
the consolidation, and compaction (Standard Proctor Test and Modified Proctor Test).

Apparatus.
1. Pycnometer. The major measuring equipment in this test is Pycnometer. This is a glass
jar of 1 litre capacity that is fitted at its top by a conical cap made of brass.

2.Weighing balance, with an accuracy of 1g.

3.Tap Water and Filter paper

Procedure.
1. Weigh the empty and dry Pycnometer and record the weight as W1.
2. Take about 500 grams of oven dried soil and put it into the Pycnometer.
3. Now weigh the Pycnometer and dry soil and record the weight as W2.
4. Add water in the Pycnometer until about it is two thirds full. Gently and carefully
agitate the mixture.
5. Add some more water in the Pycnometer until the bottom of the meniscus is exactly at
the volume mark. Shake well the contents. to remove the entrapped air, Weigh the
Pycnometer and record it as W3.
6. Empty the pycnometer and wash it. Then fill it with water up to the mark and weigh as
W4.
7. Repeat the above Procedure three times.

Observations and Calculations.

Note:
1. wt. = weight.
2 gm = gram.
3 G = Specific Gravity of Soil.
𝑊 −𝑊
G =(𝑊 −𝑊 2)−(𝑊1 −𝑊 )
2 1 3 4

Wt. of empty Pycnometer (W1) = 610.74 gm

Wt. of Pycnometer + Soil (W2) = 1110.74 gm

Wt. of Pycnometer + Soil + Water (W3) =1816.53 gm

Wt. of Pycnometer + Water (W4) =1510.45 gm
G=2.57
Result: the specific gravity of fine aggregate is 2.57
Inference:
The specific gravity of aggregates normally used in road construction ranges from
about 2.5 to 3.0 with an average of about 2.68.
Water Absorption of Fine Aggregates (sand)
Objective:
This test helps to determine the water absorption of fine aggregates
The apparatus:

Wire basket – perforated,

Dry soft absorbent cloth

Shallow tray and

Oven.

Procedure to determine water absorption of Aggregates.

I) The sample should be thoroughly washed to remove finer particles and dust, drained
and then placed in the wire basket and immersed in distilled water at a temperature
between 22 and 32oC.
ii) After immersion, the entrapped air should be removed by lifting the basket and allowing
it to drop 25 times in 25 seconds. The basket and sample should remain immersed for a
period of 24 hrs afterwards.

iii) The basket and aggregates should then be removed from the water, allowed to drain
for a few minutes, after which the aggregates should be gently emptied from the basket
on to one of the dry clothes and gently surface-dried with the cloth transferring it to a
second dry cloth when the first would remove no further moisture. The aggregates should
be spread on the second cloth and exposed to the atmosphere away from direct sunlight
till it appears to be completely surface-dry. The aggregates should be weighed (Weight
‘W’).

iv) The aggregates should then be placed in an oven at a temperature of 100 to 110 oC for
24hrs. It should then be removed from the oven, cooled and weighed (Weight ‘𝑤𝑑 ’).
𝒘−𝒘𝒅
Formula used is Water absorption = × 100
𝒘𝒅
W = wet weight =263.64 gm
𝑤𝑑 =dry weight=262.12 gm
Water absorption = 0.5837(%)
Result: the determination of water absorption fine aggregate is 0.5837 %
Inference:
Water absorption shall not be more than 0.6 per unit by weight.