Soil Mechanics -Lab

Lab no. 2 - Particle Size Analysis (Hydrometer Method)

Part A: Instruction

i. Watch “Hydrometer Test -1” video starting from 6 min 40 sec.

ii. Read ASTM D422-63 (2007).
iii. Complete part C by listing the apparatus required for the test. (Read section 3 and 4 of the
ASTM D422-63)
iv. Complete part D by filling the blank spaces. (Read section 4, 9, 10 and 11 of the ASTM
D422-63).
v. Complete part E by calculating percent finer and soil particle’s diameter for hydrometer 152
H by using the provided information in this report and the data from Table 1. Present the
sample calculation for one test data set. (Read section 14, 15 of the ASTM D422-63 and
watch “Hydrometer test – 2” video.
* Note: “Hydrometer test – 2” video has not used the correction factors for calculation.
vi. Complete part F by listing the sources of error during the experiment and potential
approaches to improve accuracy.
vii. Submit the completed handout in the “Lab no. 2 – Hydrometer test” drop-box created in e-
learning on or before 5 P.M by 09/18/2020.

Part B: Overview

Hydrometer analysis is a widely used method for obtaining an estimate of soil particles'
distribution, having sizes from 0.075 mm (passing no. 200 sieves) to around 0.001 mm. We can
plot a percent finer vs. grain size semi-log graph from this test data. Also, soil classification can
be performed from this test data.
 Soil Mechanics -Lab

Part C: Apparatus

Part D: Procedure
1. Weigh _____ g of air-dried soil sample which mostly has the clay and silts. Weigh 100 g of
soil when it has mostly sand in it.
2. Prepare ____ g of sodium hexametaphosphate per liter of the solution.
3. Place the sample in the 250 ml beaker and cover with _____ ml of sodium hexametaphosphate
solution. Stir until the soil is thoroughly wetted. Allow soaking for at least _____ h.
4. At the end of the soaking period, disperse the sample further, using either stirring apparatus A
or B. If mixing apparatus A is used, transfer the soil-water slurry from the beaker into the
_____, washing any residue from the beaker into the cup with distilled or demineralized water.
Add distilled or demineralized water, if necessary, so that the cup is more than half full. Stir
for _____ min.
5. Transfer the soil-water slurry to the glass sedimentation cylinder and add _____ or _____
water until the total volume is 1000 ml.
6. Turn the cylinder upside down and back using _____ or _____ in the open end for the period
of _____ min to mix the slurry properly.
7. In the end, take cylinder in a convenient location and take the hydrometer readings at the
interval of 2, _____, _____, 30,60, _____ and 1440 min depending upon the sample.
8. Before taking hydrometer reading, insert the hydrometer carefully for about _____ to _____ s.
9. After recording the reading, carefully remove the hydrometer and place it with a spinning
motion in a graduate of clean _____ or _____ water.
10. After each reading, take the _____ of the suspension by inserting the thermometer into the
suspension.
11. After taking the final hydrometer reading, transfer the suspension to a _____ sieve and wash
with tap water until the wash water is clear. Transfer the material on the No. 200 sieve to a
suitable container, dry in an oven at _____ to _____ °C and make a sieve analysis of the portion
retained.
 Soil Mechanics -Lab

Part E: Calculation
Given, Specific gravity of the soil particle, Gs = 2.65
Oven dry mass of soil in total test sample represented by the mass of soil dispersed = 50 g
Hydrometer reading with composite correction applied, R = R1 + FT – FZ
Zero correction factor, FZ = 6
Temperature correction factor, FT = - 4.85 + 0.25×t
*Note: Actual temperature of the test may not be 20°C. so temperature correction factor is required.
Also, t = temperature.
Actual hydrometer reading, R3 = R1 + FM
*Note: Actual hydrometer reading is corrected reading for determination of effective length
Meniscus correction, FM = 1
Table 1. Hydrometer Reading Test Data Set
Time Actual
Temperature Hydrometer
(T), R P, % hydrometer L, cm K D, mm
(t), °C Reading (R1)
min reading, R3

2 23 29

4 23 27

6 23 25

8 23 23

15 23 21

30 23 18

Part F: List the sources of errors and potential approaches to improve the accuracy