COURSE

BASIC SOIL MECHANICS

COURSE CODE

ECG303

LEVEL OF OPENNESS

CATEGORY
DEGREE OF OPENENDED ( % )
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY

PARTIALLY OPEN ENDED

TITLE

66
1 WEEK ( WEEK 3 )

Particle Density Test

PREAMBLE
1.1 Introduction
Level 2 laboratory activities refer to the condition where only
the problem is
guided and given. Students are required to find the ways &
means and provide the answers to the given assignment
using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity
will enable the students to appreciate independent learning
and prepare them for a much harder task of open ended
laboratory activities.
In this laboratory session, students will be introduced on how
to determine the particle density and specific gravity of soil.
1.2 Objective
The objective of the test is :
To determine the specific gravity of soil using density
bottle.
1.3 Learning Outcome
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able
to :
1. Conduct the laboratory experiment and being exposed
theoretically to other alternative methods of particle
density testing.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format.
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.
1.4 Theoretical Background
There are three tests for the measurement of particle density.
These have different applications, which may be summarized
as follows :
1. Density bottle method for fine-grained soils
2. Gas jar method for most soils including those containing

gravel-sized particles
3. Pycnometer method for use in a site laboratory on
medium and coarse grained soils
The first two are the usual laboratory methods. The third is
useful as a simple on-site procedure where full laboratory
facilities are not available and when a result of lower
accuracy is acceptable.

PROBLEM
STATEMENT

2.0 Problem Statement

Specific gravity Gs is defined as the ratio of the weight of a
certain volume of soil solids to the weight of an equal volume
of distilled water at a constant temperature. As a group you
are given a set of samples to determine the particle density of
the soil.
The group must carry out the test following the procedures
outline and subsequently analyse the data and present it in a
proper technical format.

3.1 Apparatus
Density bottle with stopper, sample soil, vacuum sets,
distilled water, weighing balance

WAYS AND
MEANS

3.2 Procedure
1. The density bottle and stopper was cleaned and dried
properly.
2. The dried density bottle with stopper is weighed