FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE SOIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECG263

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 2)

TITLE Moisture Content of Soils & Particle Density Test

1.1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to
provide the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities
and inculcate creativity and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where
problem, ways & means and answers are provided to the students.
However it is still necessary especially to first and second year students. 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 particle density & specific gravity of soil using
density bottle.
• To determine the moisture content of soils.
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
©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG OCT20 – FEB21
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
and when a result of lower accuracy is acceptable.
Water is present in the most naturally occurring soils. Moisture content is
required as a guide to classification of natural soil and as a control criterion
in a recompacted soil and is measure on samples used for most field and
laboratory test.

2.0 Problem Statement

Specific gravity Gs is defined as the ratio of the weight of a certain volume
of soil solids to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at a constant
temperature. Moisture content, ω % is the amount of water expressed as a
PROBLEM
proportion by mass of the dry solid particles that has profound effect on soil
STATEMENT
behaviour. As a group you are given a set of samples to determine the
particle density and moisture content 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
Particle Density
• Density bottle with stopper having capillary hole at its center
• Wash bottle
• De-aired distilled water
• Alcohol
• Ether balance
• Vacuum sets
• Constant temperature water bath
Moisture Content
• Specimens
• Containers
• Weighing Balance
• Oven

3.2 Procedures
Particle Density
WAYS AND MEANS 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.
6. Pour some more distilled water into the bottle and fill it completely
without any 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

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG OCT20 – FEB21

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
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
Gs of the sample.

Moisture Content of Soils

1. Clean and dry the container and weight it (M1). Take a samples
at least 30 g of wet soils.
2. Place loosely the wet soil in the container.
3. Using the balance, both of the container number and the mass
are recorded on the data sheet.
4. Then obtain the mass container and wet soil (M2). Place the
container and wet soil in an oven and then dry the soils
overnight (for 12 to 16 hours) at the temperature of 110°C ± 5°C.
5. Remove the container and dry soil from the oven and allow the
whole to cool. Use a balance to obtain the mass of the container
and dry soil (M3).

3.3 Data Acquisition

Particle Density & Specific Gravity

The particle density, ρs of the soil, ρs = (M2 – M1) / [(M4-M1)-(M3-M2)]

The specific gravity, Gs of the soil, Gs = ρs / ρw ……. Where ρw is density of

water.
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:-

Gs’ = kGs
where,
Gs’ = Corrected specific gravity at 27oC
k = [Relative density of water at room temperature]/ [Relative density of
water at 27oC].
Relative density of water at various temperatures is taken from Table 1.1

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG OCT20 – FEB21

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

Table 1.0 : Particle Density Data Sheet

Preparation Method:
Density bottle no. #
Mass of density bottle + stopper (g) M1
Mass of density bottle + stopper + M2
dry soil (g)
Mass of density bottle + stopper + M3
soil + water (g)
Mass of density bottle + stopper + M4
full of water (g)

Mass of dry soil used (g) M2 - M1

Mass of water used (g) M3 - M2
Mass of water to fill density bottle M4 -M1
(g)
Temperature (°C) Tx
Particle density of soil (g/cm3) ρs
Average Particle density (g/cm3) ρs
Specific Gravity Gs
Corrected Specific Gravity (at 27°C) Gs’

Table 1.1: Relative Density of Water

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG OCT20 – FEB21

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

Moisture Content

Table 1.2: Moisture Content Data Sheet

Container no. no. 1 2
Mass of container (g) M1
Mass of wet soil + container M2
(g)
After oven-dried
Mass of dry soil + container M3
(g)
Mass of moisture (g) M2 – M3
Mass of dry soil (g) M3 – M1
Moisture content, % ω
Average Moisture content ωave

Moisture content, ω% = [M2 – M3 / M3 – M1] x 100%

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Result
1. Attach the table of the result.
2. Show the detailed calculation in determining the Particle Density, Specific
RESULTS Gravity and Moisture Content.

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.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG OCT20 – FEB21

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

APPENDIX 1
Table 1.0 : Particle Density Data Sheet

Preparation Method:

Density bottle no. # 1 2

Mass of density bottle + stopper (g) M1 32.30 32.40
Mass of density bottle + stopper + M2 42.50 42.50
dry soil (g)
Mass of density bottle + stopper + M3 137.90 137.60
soil + water (g)
Mass of density bottle + stopper + M4 131.65 131.40
full of water (g)

Mass of dry soil used (g) M2 - M1

Mass of water used (g) M3 - M2
Mass of water to fill density bottle M4 -M1
(g)
Temperature (°C) Tx 31 31
3
Particle density of soil (g/cm ) ρs
Average Particle density (g/cm ) 3
ρs
Specific Gravity Gs
Corrected Specific Gravity (at 27°C) Gs’

Moisture Content

Table 1.2: Moisture Content Data Sheet

Container no. no. 1 2

Mass of container (g) M1 29.05 30.75
Mass of wet soil + container M2 59.15 60.95
(g)
After oven-dried
Mass of dry soil + container M3 56.65 58.00
(g)
Mass of moisture (g) M2 – M3
Mass of dry soil (g) M3 – M1
Moisture content, % ω
Average Moisture content ωave

Moisture content, ω% = [M2 – M3 / M3 – M1] x 100%

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG OCT20 – FEB21