DETERMINATION OF THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF SOIL

Introduction

Soil is a three-phase material that consists of solid particles and voids which are filled with water and
air. The specific gravity (GS) of a soil refers to the ratio of the unit weight of the solid particles to the unit
weight of water. Specific gravity is a significant parameter of soil mechanics since it can be associated
with the soil’s mineral composition and weathering. It is also used to derive several important soil
parameters such as the porosity, the dry and saturated density and the degree of saturation. 

This test covers the determination of the specific gravity of soil after sieving through sieve No. 7.

Objective

-To determine the specific gravity of the soil sample.

Apparatus

1. A density bottle of approximately 50ml capacity.

2. A vacuum desiccator or water bath.
3. A drying oven.
4. A balance readable and accurate to 0.001 grams.
5. A vacuum pump.
6. A glass rod.
7. A wash bottle
8. Distilled water

Preparation of sample

-The soil sample was oven dried and sieved through B.S sieve No.7

Test Procedure

1. The density bottle was dried, cleaned and weighed while empty to get W 1.
2. About 15 grams of the oven dried soil sample was put in the density bottle and collectively weighed
to get W2.
3. Air-free distilled water was added to the sample in the density bottle and air evacuated using a
vacuum desiccator. The bottle and its contents was then weighed to get W 3.
4. The density bottle was then emptied and filled completely with water, wiped dry and weighed to
get W4.
Test Results

Mass of empty bottle (W1) 59.9 g

Mass of bottle + soil (W2) 119.8 g
Mass of bottle + soil + water (W1+W2) 201.7 g
Mass of bottle full of water (W4) 164.3 g
Mass of water used (W3-W2) 81.9 g
Mass of soil used (W2-W1) 60.0 g
Volume of soil (W4-W1)-(W3-W2) 22.6 g

Calculations

The specific gravity is calculated using the formula

W2 - W1
Gs =
(W4 –W1) – (W3-W2)

Gs = 119.8 – 59.9 = 2.65

22.6

Discussion

The specific gravity of the soil sample is found to be 2.65.

The specific gravity of soils is usually between 2.65-2.80 with finer soils having higher values than
coarser ones. Soils containing organic matter and porous particles may have a specific gravity value
below 2.0, while soils having heavy substances may have values above 3.0.

Sources of error in the experiment include incomplete removal of air from the sample, loss of water of
hydration during drying and presence of organic matter which may affect the specific gravity of the soil.

Conclusion

The objectives of the experiment were achieved since we were able to determine the specific gravity for
the soil sample. It was found from the experiment to be 2.65.