DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY

OBJECTIVE
Determine the specific gravity of soil fraction passing 4.75 mm I.S sieve.

NEED AND SCOPE

The knowledge of specific gravity is needed in calculation of soil properties like void ratio,
degree of saturation etc.
The specific gravity of a soil is used in calculating the phase relationships of soils, such as
voids ratio and degree of saturation.
The specific gravity of soil is used to calculate the density of the soil solids. This is done by
multiplying its specific gravity by the density of water (at proper temperature).

DEFINITION
The specific gravity of a material is defined as the ratio of the mass of a unit volume of a
material to the mass density of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Volumetric flask (500 ml) with stopper having pipe hole or Density Bottle.
Thermometer graduated in 0.5oC division scale.
Balance sensitive to 0.01 g.
Distilled water.
Thermal Plate to remove air voids (and/or vacuum pump or aspirator)
Evaporating dishes
Plastic squeeze bottle
Drying oven

PROCEDURE
Specific gravity of soil is determined by both density bottle and Volumetric Flask. Both have
the same procedure but amount of dry soil may differ. Here is procedure for determining
specific gravity by density bottle.
1. Clean and dry the density bottle.
2. Weigh the empty bottle with stopper (W1)
3. Take about 10 to 20 gm of oven soil sample which is cooled in a desiccator. Transfer it to
the bottle. Find the weight of the bottle and soil (W2).
4. Put 10ml of distilled water in the bottle to allow the soil to soak completely. Leave it for
about 2 hours.
5. Again fill the bottle completely with distilled water put the stopper and keep the
bottle under constant temperature water baths 0r thermal plates to remove air voids.
6. Take the bottle outside and wipe it clean and dry note. Now determine the weight of the
bottle and the contents (W3).
7. Now empty the bottle and thoroughly clean it. Fill the bottle with only distilled water and
weigh it. Let it be (W4). Repeat the same process for 2 to 3 times, to take the average.

OBSERVATIONS
S. No.

Observation Number

Weight of density bottle (W1 g)

Weight of density bottle + dry soil

(W2 g)

Weight of bottle + dry soil + water

at temperature T x0 C (W3 g)
Weight of bottle + water (W4 g) at
temperature Tx0 C

Specific gravity G at Tx0 C

Average specific gravity at Tx0 C

CALCULATIONS
Specific Gravity of soil =

( w 2w 1)
( w 4w1 )(w 3w 2)

Where K is temperature correction factor.

Relative density of water and correction factor (K) at various

temperatures
Temp
C
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0

Relative
Density
0.99862
0.99843
0.99823
0.99802
0.99780
0.99757
0.99733
0.99708
0.99682
0.99655
0.99627
0.99598
0.99568
0.99537
0.99505

Correction Factor
(K)
1.0004
1.0002
1.0000
0.9998
0.9996
0.9993
0.9991
0.9988
0.9986
0.9983
0.9980
0.9977
0.9974
0.9971
0.9968

NOTE: Data obtained from ASTM. Correction factor, K, is

found by dividing the relative density of water at the test
temperature by the relative density of water at 20C.

The value of K May also be Calculated by the following formula.

A soils specific
gravity
largely depends on the density of the minerals making up the individual soil particles.
However, as a general guide, some typical values for specific soil types are as follows:
The specific gravity of the solid substance of most inorganic soils
varies between 2.60 and 2.80.
Tropical iron-rich laterite, as well as some lateritic soils, usually
have a specific gravity of between 2.75 and 3.0 but could be
higher.
Sand particles composed of quartz have a specific gravity ranging
from 2.65 to 2.67.
Inorganic clays generally range from 2.70 to 2.80.
Soils with large amounts of organic matter or porous particles
(such as diatomaceous earth) have specific gravities below 2.60.
Some range as low as 2.00.

SAFETY & PRECAUTIONS

Soil grains whose specific gravity is to be determined should be completely dry.
If on drying soil lumps are formed, they should be broken to its original size.
Inaccuracies in weighing and failure to completely eliminate the entrapped air are the
main sources of error. Both should be avoided.