Soil ParticleDensity

EN
ECG263
SOIL ENGINEERING
PD
LABORATORY
AM
Particle Density
IH
Determination
ID
ZA
www.uitm.edu.my
Course Outcomes
EN
CO1 : Demonstrate investigation method related to soil
PD
engineering using standard tests and measurements.
CO2 : Show appropriate techniques to soil engineering
AM
problem with an awareness of the limitations.
CO3 : Perform teamwork skills in task related to soil
engineering.
IH
ID
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Programme Outcomes
EN
PO4 : Conduct investigations of well-defined problems;
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locate and search relevant codes and catalogues, conduct
standard tests and measurements
AM
PO9 : Function effectively as an individual, and as a
member in diverse technical teams.
IH
ID
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Introduction
EN
The laboratory activity refers to condition where the
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problem and ways & means are guided and given to the
students.
AM
However, the answers to the assignment are left to the
students to solve using the group creativity and
innovativeness.
IH
It is hoped that the activity will slowly introduce and
inculcate independent learning amongst students and
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prepare them for a much harder task of open-ended

laboratory activities.
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Introduction
EN
In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the
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usage of sieving tests to determine the particle density of
soil.
AM
IH
ID
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Objective
EN
The objective is to determine the particle density of soil
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using the density bottle method.
AM
IH
ID
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Learning Outcomes
EN
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
PD
conduct the laboratory experiment of the particle density
experiment.
AM
Analyse data correctly and present in typical format.
Work in a group to produce technical report.
IH
ID
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Determination
of Particle Density
EN
PD
AM
IH
ID
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNNilk-OKaw
Determination
of Particle Density
EN
PD
AM
IH
ID
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3gAuLIdFww
Determination
of Particle Density
EN
PD
AM
IH
ID
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Particle Density – Density Bottle Method

Determination
of Particle Density
EN
PD
AM
IH
ID
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Particle Density – Pyknometer Method

Determination
of Particle Density
EN
PD
AM
IH
ID
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Particle Density – Gas Jar Method Method

Determination
of Particle Density
EN
Water for cleaning Preparation of density
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bottle
Wash all three bottles
AM
thoroughly.
Rinse with alcohol.
IH
Alcohol for rinsing
ID
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Particle Density @ Specific
Gravity Test Procedure
EN
Use warm air blower for Preparation of density
PD
fast drying bottle
Dry by blowing warm air.
AM
IH
ID
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EN
Preparation of density
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Switch on the vacuum bottle
pump Cool them in the desiccator.
AM
IH
ID
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EN
Preparation of density
PD
bottle
Weigh the mass of each bottle
with the stopper until to the
AM
nearest 0.001 g (m1).
In this lab, the analytical
balance is preferred to be
IH
used.
Repeat the process of cooling
and weighing the bottles until
ID
all bottles has been dried

properly and give a constant
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weight.
EN
Preparation of sample
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Take around 100-150 g of soil
sample.
AM
Sieve the soil sample through
2 mm sieve.
Collect 30 g of soil sample for
the particle density test.
IH
Sieve Size 2 mm
ID
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EN
PD
Dry the sample in the oven at
105Oc for 24 hours.
AM
IH
ID
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EN
PD
Switch on the vacuum After oven drying, let the soil to
cool in the desiccator.
pump
AM
This is to ensure that it is
completely dry.
IH
ID
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EN
PD
Divide into almost an Divide the soil into 3 ie. 3
smaller soil samples for 3
equal portion ie.  10 g
bottles.
AM
for each testing
IH
ID
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EN
Placing soil sample in the
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bottle
For precaution use rubber
gloves or rubber coated tongs.
AM
Use also a dedicated spatula
to transfer the soil carefully into
each bottle.
IH
Repeat process for the 2nd and
3rd bottle.
ID
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EN
Placing soil sample in the
PD
bottle
together with the soil to the
AM
3rd bottle.
IH
ID
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EN
Adding water & Applying
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vacuum
Add water carefully using a
wash bottle.
AM
Pour or squeeze the water to
the side of the bottle slowly
without agitating the soil.
IH
The water than slowly flows
from the side of the bottle and
gradually fills up the bottle with
ID
minor disturbance to the soil.

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EN
PD
vacuum
The amount of water to be
added is just enough to cover
AM
the soil.
Do not exceed the half way
mark of the bottle.
IH
3rd bottle.
ID
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EN
PD
Switch on the vacuum vacuum
pump Place the bottles with the
mixture in the desiccator for at
AM
least 1 hour (or more).
In this process the bottle
stopper is not fasten to the
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bottle.
The vacuum will create a
bubbling effect to the soil
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mixture.
The process is continued until
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no more bubble can be seen

through the vacuum process
(more than 1 hour).
EN
PD
Switch off the vacuum vacuum
pump Switch off the vacuum pump.
AM
Release the vacuum pressure.
Remove the desiccator lid and
put it at the side.
IH
ID
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EN
*at this stage the bottles Removal of air & Applying
PD
are still in the desiccator vacuum
Stir the mixture carefully using
a stirring rod.
AM
IH 3rd bottle.
ID
ZA
EN
*at this stage the bottles Removal of air & Applying
PD
are still in the desiccator vacuum
Use a small amount of water to
wash the bottle.
AM
Some soil particles may stick
to the wall of the bottle during
the stirring of the mixture.
IH
3rd bottle.
ID
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EN
Removal of air & Applying
PD
Switch on the vacuum vacuum
pump Re-apply the vacuum to the
mixture.
AM
Repeat the process of stirring,
adding water to wash the bottle
and vacuum process until no
IH
more air bubbles appeared in
the mixture.
The vacuum process can be
ID
left overnight to ensure better

results.
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EN
Adding more water & Water
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bath
Remove all the bottles from the
desiccator.
AM
Add some more water until it
IH fills up the whole bottle.
ID
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EN
PD
bath
Insert the stopper.
AM
3rd bottle.
IH
ID
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EN
PD
bath
Transfer the bottles into a
constant temperature water
AM
bath at 40OC.
OC
The level of water should
immersed the bottles up to the
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neck level.
Leave the bottles in the
temperature bath for 1 hour.
ID
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EN
PD
bath
Add some water if there are
any decrement observed in the
AM
mixture.
OC
The wash bottle tip is placed
on top of the stopper.
IH
Squeeze the water bottle
slowly on top of the stopper.
ID
The water will be added

through the capillary vent of
the stopper.
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EN
Weighing the mixture
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Remove the bottles from the
water bath and wipe it clean
using a dry cloth.
AM
Be extra careful when wiping
and drying the bottles.
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3rd bottle.
ID
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EN
PD
together with the soil and water
mixture to the nearest 0.001 g
AM
(m3).
3rd bottle.
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ID
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EN
Weighing the bottle with
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liquid (water only)
Remove all the mixture from
the bottle.
AM
Clean it thoroughly.
Refer the earlier steps in
terms of cleaning aspects.
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Fill up the bottle with water.
ID
3rd bottle.
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EN
PD
liquid (water only)
Insert the stopper.
AM
3rd bottle.
IH
ID
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EN
PD
liquid (water only)
Transfer the bottles into a
constant temperature water
AM
bath at 40OC.
OC
The level of water should
immersed the bottles up to the
IH
neck level.
Leave the bottles in the
temperature bath for 1 hour.
ID
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EN
PD
liquid (water only)
Add some water if there are
any decrement of water
AM
observed in the bottles.
OC
The wash bottle tip is placed
on top of the stopper.
IH
Squeeze the water bottle
slowly on top of the stopper.
ID
The water will be added

through the capillary vent of
the stopper.
ZA
EN
PD
liquid (water only)
Remove the bottles from the
water bath and wipe it clean
AM
using a dry cloth.
Be extra careful when wiping
and drying the bottles.
IH
3rd bottle.
ID
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EN
PD
together with the water to the
AM
IH 3rd bottle.
ID
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EN
Calculation
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Recap :
Mass of Bottle with stopper
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(m1)
+ dry soil (m2)
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+ soil + water (m3)
Mass of bottle with stopper +
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water only (m4)

Room temperature 30OC
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C = Achieved Lab
Results
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Correction at 27OC Calculation
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Refer for the values from the
table:
A = Relative density of
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water at room
Gs’ = C x (A  B)
temperatureIH = 2.66 x (0.995676  0.996542)
= 2.66 x 0.99913099
B = Relative density of = 2.657688
water at 27OC = 2.657 (3 decimal places)
ID
temperature
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Gs’ = C x (A  B) 20
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PD
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ID
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ID
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PD
EN

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EN

prepare them for a much harder task of open-ended

Particle Density – Density Bottle Method

Particle Density – Pyknometer Method

Particle Density – Gas Jar Method Method

all bottles has been dried

minor disturbance to the soil.

no more bubble can be seen

left overnight to ensure better

The water will be added

The water will be added

water only (m4)

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