METHOD A12T

TENTATIVE METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE RELATIVE

DENSITY SOILS

1. SCOPE

This method covers the determination of the relative density of soils by means of a pycnometer.
When the soil is composed of particles retained on the 4,75 mm sieve, Method B14 should be
followed. When the soil is composed of particles both retained on and passing the 4,75 mm
sieve, the sample must be separated on the 4,75 mm sieve and the appropriate test method used
for the soil must be weighted average of the two values. When the relative density value is to be
used in calculations in connection with the hydrometer portion of particle size analysis of soils, it
is intended that the determination should be done on that portion of the soil which passes the
2,00 mm sieve.

Definition

Relative density is the ratio of the mass in air of a given volume of a material at a stated
temperature to the mass in air of an equal volume of distilled water at the same temperature.

2. APPARATUS

2.1 A pycnometer: Either a volumetric flask having a capacity of at least 100ml or a stoppered
density bottle having a capacity of at least 50 ml (see 5.1). The stopper must be of the same
material as the bottle, and of such size and shape that it can be easily inserted to a fixed depth
into the neck of the bottle; it must also have a small hole through its centre to permit the
emission of air and surplus water.

2.2 A balance: Either a balance accurate to 0,01 g for use with the volumetric flask, or a balance
accurate to 0,001 g for use with the stoppered density bottle.

3. METHOD

3.1 Calibration of pycnometer

3.1.1 The pycnometer must be cleaned, dried, cooled in a desiccator, weighed, and its mass recorded.
Fill the pycnometer with distilled water at room temperature (see 5.2). Determine and record the
mass of the pycnometer and water, W a Measure the temperature of the water, T 1 to the nearest
whole degree.

3.1.2 From the mass Wa determined at the observed temperature T 1 a table of values for mass W b can
be prepared for a series of temperatures that are likely to prevail when mass W a is determined
later (5.3).

These values of W a are calculated as follows:

Wa (at Tx)
= (density of water at T x/density of water at T 1) x (Wa (atT1) – Wf) + Wf

1
where

Wa = masss of pycnometer qand water (g)

Wƒ = mass of pycnometer (g)

T1 = observed temperature of water

Tx = any other desired temperature

3.2 Sample

3.2.1 The soil to be used in the relative density test mayt contain its natural moisture or be
oven-dried. The mass of the test sample after dryin in the oven must be at least 25 g
when the volumetric flask is to be used, and at least 10 g when the stoppered density
bottle is to be used.

3.2.2 Samples containing natural moisture. When the sample contains its natural moisture,
the mass of the soil, W o , must be determined at the end of the test by drying in an oven
at 105 to 110ºC (see 5.4).

Samples of clay soils containing their natural moisture content must be dispersed in
distilled water before being placed in the flask.

3.2.3 Oven-dried samples. When an oven-dried sample is to be used, the sample must be
mass, in an oven 105 to 110 ºC (see 5.4), cooled in a desiccator, and weighed upon
removal from desiccator.

3.3 Procedure

3.3.1 Place the sample in the weighed pycnometer and weigh it again. Add distilled water to
fill the volumetric flask about three-quarters full or the stoppered bottle about half full.
If the sample has been oven-dried, let it soak for at least 12 hours before further testing.

3.3.2 Remove entrapped air by either of the following methods:

(a) Subject the contents to a partial vacuum (air pressure not exceeding 100 mm
Hg).

Subject the contents to reduced air pressure either by connecting the

pycnometer directly to an aspirator or vacuum pump, or by using a bell jar.
Some soils may boil violently when subjected to reduced air pressure. In such
cases it will be necessary to reduce the air pressure at a slower rate or to use a
larger flask.

Or

(b) Boil the contents gently for at least ten minutes while occasionally rolling the
pycnometer to assist in removing the air. Cool the sample to room temperature
before commencing with the test.

3.3.3 Fill the pycnometer with distilled water, clean the outside and dry with a clean, dry
cloth. Determine the mass of the pycnometer and its contents, W b, and the temperature,
Tx, of the contents in ºC.

2
4. CALCULATIONS AND REPORT

4.1 Calculate the relative density (RD) of the soil, based on water at a temperature T x, as
follows:

RD (Tx/Tx) = Wo/(Wo + (Wa – Wb))

Where

Wo = mass of sample of oven-dried soil (g)

Wa = mass of pycnometer filled with water at temperature T x (see 5.6) (g)

Wb = mass of pycnometer filled with water and soil at temperature T x (g)

Tx -= temperature contents of the pycnometer when mass W b was determined (ºC).

4.2 Unless otherwise required, relative density values reported are based on water at 20ºC.
The value based water at 20ºC is calculated from the value based on water at the
observed temperature, T x, as follows:

Relative density Tx/20ºC = K.relative density T x/Tx

Where

K = a number found by dividing the relative density of water at temperature T x by the

relative density of water of 20ºC.

Values for a range of temperatures are given in Table 1.

4.3 When it is desired to report the relative density based on water at 4ºC, such a value may
be calculated by multiplying the relative density value at temperature T x by the relative
density of water at temperature T x.

4.4 When any portion of the original sample of soil is calculated in the preparation of the
test sample, the portion on which the test has been done must be reported.

TABLE 1

Relative density of water and conversion factor K for various temperatures

Temperature Relative density Conversion

3
 (ºC) of water Factor, K
18 0,9986244 1,0004
19 0,9984347 1,0002
20 0,9982343 1,0000
21 0,9980233 0,9998
22 0,9978019 0,9996
23 0,9975702 0,9993
24 0,9973286 0,9991
25 0,9970770 0,9989
26 0,9968156 0,9986
27 0,9965451 0,9983
28 0,9962652 0,9980
29 0,9959761 0,9977
30 0,9956780 0,9974

5. NOTES

5.1 The use of either the volumetric flask or the stoppered bottle is a matter of individual
preference but, in general, the flask should be used when a larger sample is needed than
can be used in the stoppered bottle, owing to the maximum grain size of the sample.

5.2 Kerosene is a better wetting agent than water for most soils and may be used in place of
distilled water for oven-dried samples.

5.3 This method provides a procedure that is most convenient for laboratories that make
many determinations with the same pycnometer. It is equally applicable to a single
determination. Bringing the pycometer and its contents to some designated temperature
when masses Wa and Wb are taken, requires considerable time; it is much more
convenient to prepare a table for mass W a for various temperatures likely to prevail
when mass Wb is taken. It is important that masses W a and Wb be based on water at
the same temperature from 18 to 30ºC are given in Table 1

5.4 Drying of certain soils at 110ºC may bring about loss of moisture of composition or
hydration, and in such cases drying should be done, if desired, in reduced air pressure
and at a lower temperature.

5.5 The minimum volume of slurry that can be prepared by dispersing equipment is such
that a 500 ml flask is needd as the pycnometer.

5.6 Wa must be taken from the table of values of W a, prepared in accordance with 4.2 for
the temperature prevailing when mass W b was measured.

REFERENCE

SABS Method 844