Dept of Civil Engg.

Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune

Part Time Degree Course in Civil Engineering

Page No.
Dept of Civil Engg. Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune

Determination of Specific Gravity (By Pycnometer)

Experiment No. Evaluation
Date of Experiment Timely / late / Attendance /2
Signature of Teacher Performance /2
with date Understanding /3
Lab Quiz /2
Remarks Neatness /1
/ 10
Aim: To determine the specific gravity of soil grains by pycnometer.
Reference: I.S. 2720 (Part II & III)
Theory: The Specific gravity of solid particles (G) is defined as the ratio of the mass of
given volume of soils to the mass of equal volume of distilled water at 4ْ C. Both weights
are taken in air.
G= ρs/ρw
The mass density of water ρw at 4ْ C is 1 g/ml. The specific gravity of solids for most
natural soils falls in range of 2.65 to 2.80, the smaller values are of the coarse grained
soils. The specific gravity of the different particles in a soil mass may not be the same.
Whereas, when the specific gravity of the soil mass is indicated, it is the average value of
all the solid particles present in the soil mass.
Mass Specific Gravity (GM): It is defined as ratio of the mass density of the soil to the
mass density of the water
GM= ρ/ρw
The value of the mass specific gravity of a soil is much smaller than the value of specific
gravity of solids. The mass Specific gravity is also known as apparent specific gravity.
Absolute specific gravity (Ga): The soil solids are not perfect solids but contain voids.
Some of these voids are permeable through which water can enter, whereas others are
impermeable. Since permeable voids get filled when the soil is wet, these are in reality a
part of voids space in the total mass & not a part of soil solids. The remaining volume is
true or absolute volume of solids.
The mass density of absolute solids is used for determination of the absolute specific
gravity of solids.
Ga= (ρs)a/ρw
The absolute specific gravity is not of much practical use, as it is
difficult to differentiate between the permeable & impermeable voids
The specific gravity of solid particles can be determined in the laboratory
using following methods.
1) Density Bottle Method 4) Pycnometer Method
2) Gas Jar Method 5) Shrinkage Limit Method

Part Time Degree Course in Civil Engineering

Page No.
Dept of Civil Engg. Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune

3) Measuring Flask Method 6) Voluminometer

Density bottle method is suitable for fine grained soils, with more than 90%
passing through 2mm-I.S. sieve. This method is also used for medium & coarse grained
soils if they are pulverized such that the particles pass through 2mm- I.S. sieve.
Pycnometer method is used for all types of soils, but is more suitable for medium
grained soils (Sand), with more than 90% passing through 20mm I.S. Sieve & for Coarse
grained soils with more than 90% passing through 40mm I.S. Sieve.
Measuring flask method is suitable for the fine grained and medium grained soils.
Specific gravity of very coarse fraction i.e., gravels, pebbles is calculated by using
voluminometer.

Applications: Specific gravity of soil grains is an important property & is used in

calculating void ratio, porosity, and degree of saturation if density & void ratio are
known. Its value helps to some extent in indication & classification of soils. It gives an
idea about the suitability of soil as a construction material, higher value of specific
gravity gives more strength for roads & foundations. It is used in computing the soil
particle size by hydrometer analysis. It is also used in estimating the critical hydraulic
gradient in soil when a soil boiling condition is being studied and in zero air void
calculations in the compaction theory of soils.
Its value ranges as follows: -
Coarse grained soils: 2.6 to 2.7.
Fine grained soils: 2.7 to 2.8.
Organic soils: 2.3 to 2.5.
Specific gravity of soil grains,

Mass of dry soil ( M 2 - M1 )

Gs = =
Mass of equal volume of water (M 2 - M1 ) − ( M 3 - M 4 )
Where, M1 represents mass of the empty pycnometer
M2 represents mass of the pycnometer + dry soil
M3 represents mass of the pycnometer + dry soil + water
M4 represents mass of the pycnometer + water
Mass of soil grains Ms = M2 - M1
Mass of equal volume of distilled water
= (M2 - M1) – (M3 –M4)
Apparatus:
i. Pycnometer
ii. Weighing balance (accuracy 1g)
iii. Oven (interior of non corroding material, thermostatically controlled)
iv. Desiccator.
v. Glass rod
vi. Vacuum pump
vii. 4.75 mm I.S sieve.
viii. Distilled water.

Part Time Degree Course in Civil Engineering

Page No.
Dept of Civil Engg. Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune

Procedure:
i. Clean the pycnometer & dry it. Find the Mass of the pycnometer, brass cap &
washer, accurate to (M1) g.
ii. Take about 200 g to 400 g of oven-dried soil & put it in the pycnometer.
iii. Weigh the pycnometer plus soil etc (M2).
iv. Fill the pycnometer to half its height with distilled water & mix it thoroughly with
glass rod. Add more water & stir it. Replace the screw top and fill the pycnometer
flush with the hole in the conical cap. Dry the pycnometer from outside, & weigh
it (M3)
v. Empty the pycnometer; clean it thoroughly & fill it with distilled water, to the
hole of the conical cap and weigh it (M4)
vi. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for 2 or more determinations of specific gravity.
Observation Table:
Determination No. 1 2 3
Pycnometer No.
Mass of Pycnometer (M1) g
Mass of pycnometer. + dry soil (M2) g
Mass of pycnometer + dry soil +water (M3) g

Mass of pycnometer + water (M4) g

Specific Gravity (Gs)
Average Specific Gravity

Calculations:
The specific gravity is calculated from the equation

Mass of dry soil ( M 2 - M1 )

Gs = =
Mass of equal volume of water (M 2 - M1 ) − ( M 3 - M 4 )

Result: The Average Specific Gravity of a given soil sample is, Gs = ________%

Part Time Degree Course in Civil Engineering

Page No.
Dept of Civil Engg. Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune

Questionnaire:
1. Explain what Specific Gravity of material is.
2. What is the significance of specific gravity of soil in civil engineering?
3. What is the principle of pycnometer method of determination of specific gravity of
soil?
4. What is the reason of using conical brass cap in pycnometer?
5. Which are the other tests by which you can determine specific gravity?
6. What are the applications/uses of specific gravity?

Part Time Degree Course in Civil Engineering

Page No.