(Discussion for experiment 3:)

This experiment aims to determine the dry density of the soil sample.
To be able to calculate the dry density, we first computed the value for the wet density by placing the
soil sample in the cylinder. After making sure that the soil was compacted thoroughly, the length and the inside
diameter of the cylinder was measured. The recorded length and diameter were 98 cm and 2.75 cm

respectively. Using the formula for the volume of the cylinder,V

2
d h
4

, we got the value of 579.96349

cm3.
Furthermore, the mass of the soil was determined to be 72.8 grams. By dividing the mass of the wet
soil sample by its volume, we got the value for the wet density which is 125.525 kg/m3.
After that, the moisture content was also determined. A pinch of soil was acquired from the sample soil.
Then, the mass of the moisture can was measured with the use of a balance. It was found out to be 14.9
grams. Again, the mass of the moisture can was measured but this time with the moist soil sample. The
combined masses of the moisture can and the moist soil sample is 21.9 grams.
The sample was placed in the drying oven that was set at 105 degree Celsius. After approximately one
hour, the sample was removed from the oven and was weighed again. The mass of the dried soil and the
moisture can is 20.8 grams. By subtracting the mass of the moisture can from 20.8 grams, we obtain the mass
of the dry soil which is 5.9 grams.
Furthermore, the mass of the pore water was then calculated by subtracting the mass of the sample
before and after it leaves the drying oven. The result was found out to be 1.1 grams. Using the formula

w=

mass of water
x 100 , the partial water content of the soil sample was determined to be 18.644%.
mass of soil

Finally using the formula

d=

t
1+ w

, the dry density was found out to be 105.7997 kg/m3 .

The dry density of the soil that was computed from this experiment is just the partial water content of
the soil sample. Since it was placed in the oven for only an hour and was not completely dry after taking it out,
there might still be traces of water in the soil. Thus, we cannot conclude that the resulting value is the final dry
density of the soil.