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Spesific Gravity - Thanaa' Marabeh
Spesific Gravity - Thanaa' Marabeh
Spesific Gravity - Thanaa' Marabeh
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Introduction :
The specific gravity of a given material is defined as the ratio of the weight of a
given volume of the material to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water.
In soil mechanics, the specific gravity of soil solids (which is often referred to as
the specific gravity of soil) is an important parameter for the calculation of the
weight-volume relationship.
Theory:
The specific gravity of soil solids is determined by either (a) density bottle or (b)
specific gravity flask or (c) pycnometer. The density bottle is suitable for all types
of soil and it is the accurate method. Whereas the specific gravity flask or
pycnometer methods are only suitable for coarse grained soils.
w1
G.S = w 1+w 2−w 3
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Standard:
Sand 2.63-2.67
Silt 2.65-2.7
Clay 2.67-2.9
Organic soil <2
Objective:
Equipment used:
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Flask Vacuum Pump
Procedures:
1. Determine the mass (g) of the empty can plus its cap.
2. Place the dry soil (100 gm) in the can (Put the sample of soil in the oven at
105-110 Co for 24 hr then weight the dry soil) .
3. Determine the mass of the can and soil (W1).
4. Clean the flask well and dry it, then determine its mass (g).
5. Fill the flask with water up to 500ml.
6. Weight the flask and water (W2).
7. Take the sample of soil and put it in the flask.
8. Remove air from the soil by using:
- Vacuum pump (sand 15-20 minutes & clay 1-4 hours).
- Boling (hot plate stirrer for 15-30 minutes).
9. Weight the flask and water and soil (W3).
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Result :
W1 W2 W3
Mass of soil (kg) Mass of flask and water Mass of flask and water & soil
(kg) (kg)
0.1 0. 867 0. 929
w1
G.S = w 1+w 2−w 3
0.1
= 0.1+0. 867−0.929 = 2.63
Source of error:
1. Human errors.
2. Errors in the device.
3. Errors in the calculation.
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