INTRODUCTION

In this laboratory activity students has been exposed to the usage of hydrometer test to determine the
particle size distribution of a given soil sample. For soil samples containing fine-grained particles, a
wet sieving procedure is first carried out and test is conducted to determine the combined clay/silt
fraction percentage. The combined clay/silt fraction is determined from the weight difference and
expressed as a percentage of the total sub-sample weight. The test is in accordance to BS 1377-2:1990
test 9.2.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the test is:
To determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample (fine soil).
BASIC CONCEPT
Hydrometer method is used to determine the particle size distribution of fine-grained soils passing
75clip_image001 sieve. The hydrometer measures the specific gravity of the soil suspension at the
centre of its bulb. The specific gravity depends upon the mass of solids present, which in turn depends
upon the particle size. The particle size (D) is given by:

p
nHr
D=0.005531 ( s1)t (mm)

Where

Rd =R'hR 'o
The percentage finer than the size D is given by

100 ps
K= m ( p 1 )
s

Rd ( )

Distribution of grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil such as permeability, strength,
expansively etc. It is also required in the classifying the soil. Measurement of grain size distribution
depends on the size of the grains i.e. larger than 0.075 mm or in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 m.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
To measure the grain size distribution, hydrometer test is normally used for fine particle where the
grain size is in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 m. As a group you are given a set of samples to test
to determine its grain size distribution.
A wet sieving test was conducted on 1kg of the air-dried soil sample to determine the particle size
distribution of the coarse materials. The results of the wet sieving test were given in form PS1. The
hydrometer sedimentation test was then conducted in the laboratory to obtain the particle size
distribution of the fine portion of the soil sample.
The group has been carry out the test following the procedures outline and subsequently analyse the
data and present it in a proper technical format.
APPARATUS

Balance

Set of sieves

Cleaning brush

Sieve shaker

Mixer (blender)

Hydrometer

Sedimentation cylinder

Control cylinder

Thermometer

Beaker

Timing device.

And other accessories which include evaporating dish, corrosion resistant tray, calgon (33g of
sodium hexametaphosphate and 7g of sodium carbonate in distilled water.

PROCEDURES
1. The fine soil from the bottom pan of the sieve set was taken and placed into a beaker, and 125
mL of the dispersing agent (sodium hexametaphosphate (40 g/L)) solution has been added.
The mixture stirred until the soil is thoroughly wet. The soil leave to soak for at least ten
minutes.
2. While the soil was soaking, 125mL of dispersing agent has been added into the control
cylinder and filled it with distilled water to the mark. The reading at the top of the meniscus
formed by the hydrometer stem and the control solution was taken. A reading less than zero is
recorded as a negative (-) correction and a reading between zero and sixty are recorded as a
positive (+) correction. This reading is called the zero correction. The meniscus correction is
the difference between the top of the meniscus and the level of the solution in the control jar
(Usually about +1). Control cylinder was shake in such a way that the contents are mixed
thoroughly. The hydrometer and thermometer was inserted into the control cylinder and noted
3.

the zero correction and temperature respectively.

Then the soil slurry transferred into a mixer by adding more distilled water, if necessary, until

mixing cup is at least half full. Then mix the solution for a period of two minutes.
4. The soil slurry transferred immediately into the empty sedimentation cylinder. Distilled water
was added up to the mark.
5. The open end of the cylinder covered with a stopper and secures it with the palm by hand.
Then cylinder was turn upside down and back upright for a period of one minute. (The
cylinder has been inverted approximately 30 times during the minute.)
6. The cylinder was sated down and the time was recorded. The stopper has been removed from
the cylinder. After an elapsed time of one minute and forty seconds, very slowly and carefully
the hydrometer was inserted to take the first reading.
7. The reading is taken by observing the top of the meniscus formed by the suspension and the
hydrometer stem. The hydrometer was removed slowly and placed back into the control
cylinder. Then Very gently it was spin in control cylinder to remove any particles that may
have adhered.
8. The hydrometer readings were taken after elapsed time of 2 and 5, 8, 15, 30, 60 minutes and
24 hours.

CONCLUSION
Based on our the experiment, the hydrometer method is using to calculate the grain size of
distribution of a soil sample (fine soil) and it also can be used to measure the specific gravity of soil,
which in turn depends upon the particle size. From our result, we conclude that the temperature and
the hydrometer reading is the direct relationship which is, when the temperature is decrease, the
hydrometer reading also decrease. Based on data we got, we assume that the reading of the
hydrometer is affected by time. More time is taken, less reading of the hydrometer recorded. Then, we
obtain that the result is seemed to be fall to what is target or anticipated by assume the time intervals
and the reading in the hydrometer. Next, the human error and hydrometer error occurs when running
this experiment. The different size of grains in the sample causes the error because the bigger particle
is floated faster than the smaller size of particle. Other error is the air bubble floating at the top of
surface also disturbed and screw up to get the reading in meniscus. Other errors is occurs when put in
and out the hydrometer from the cylinder may disorder the particle and causes the disturbance in
getting the specific or accurate reading.

DISCUSSION
For classification of soil for engineering purposes, we both to know the distribution of the
grain sizes in given soil mass especially the one obtain from the construction site or burrow
pits. Particle size distribution test, also known as sieve analysis test is method used to
determine the grain (granular) size distribution of soil samples. Grain size analysis is widely
used in engineering classifications of soils.
Therefore, the grain size analysis method is mainly composed of two methods called the
sieve analysis and hydrometer analysis. From the previous experiment, it was found that the
sieve analysis is very much applicable to soil particles having sizes ranging from 3.35mm to
0.063microns. In the most cases finer soils are present in soil samples. These samples are of
sizes less than 0.063microns. For these cases, the hydrometer analysis is employed. This
method is a combination of sieving and sedimentation analysis. The hydrometer analysis is
designed to sink into the suspension until the bulb is totally immersed, and the stem protrudes
above the surface of the suspension. It is because the length of stem that protrudes above the
surface is a function of the density of the suspension, more of the stream protrudes for denser
suspensions. It is thus possible to calibrate the hydrometer to read various densities. Soil
hydrometers are typically calibrated to read in gram per litter (g/l). Hence, an appropriate
hydrometer can be inserted into a suspension and a reading taken to obtain the average
concentration of the solids in the fluid displaced by the hydrometer analysis because the

hydrometer analysis calibration is affected by temperature and the specific gravity of solids,
these factors will have to be taken into account during the experiment.
The Stokes Law is the primary basic of the hydrometer analysis method. This law assumes
that the dispersed soil particles of different shapes and sizes settle in water due to its own
weight as non-interacting spheres. It follows the principle that as the grain size will becomes
bigger, its meaning the greater weight it has, the faster it will settle to the bottom of the
container as it is imposed in a viscous fluid. The grain diameter can also be calculated
through the knowledge of the distance and time of fall principle. The hydrometer analysis is
used to determine the specific gravity of density of the suspension. Thus, this entails the
acquisition of the percentage of particles of a certain equivalent particle diameter was
calculated.
The hydrometer analysis is a process of grain size determination that usually takes 78 hours.
Due to some constraints, we had only performed a part of the whole experiment (24 hours).
As we had done the part of the experiment, some observations were still inferred. There is
really a need to take the temperature of the suspension from each time interval because this
imposes certain effects on the condition of soil and water being considered. It is important
that we employ patience in the performance of this experiment since we need to wait and
observed carefully while performing this experiment. It was also clearly seen and proven that
those particles larger in size settled faster than those smaller particles. We had observed that
the weight factor of the particles is really the principal consideration in this experiment.
Lastly, it was also very essential to assign certain persons to look after the temperature and
hydrometer analysis to ensure consistency in accurate reading.
Besides, the hydrometer analysis is having known the grain size of soil particles. Its will be
able to determine the corresponding treatment to be done in soil (most especially at times
needed to increase the strength of soil). In this experiment, the information gathered through
the grain size distribution has been employed for the design of structure. The results we had
gathered showed the direct relationship between temperature and the hydrometer analysis
reading. As temperature decreases, the reading on the hydrometer seemed to go down as well.
By considering time intervals and readings in the hydrometer, we can say that our obtained
results seemed to fall to what is prescribed or expected. Considering our data, the longer the
time is the lower the reading in the hydrometer becomes. This will to show that particles
begin to settle down in the cylinder. Thus, the imposed a decrease in the reading in the
hydrometer analysis.

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion based on my experiment, the hydrometer analysis is used to determine the
grain size distribution for the fraction of soil that is smaller than 0.063mm of diameter from
sieves analysis. Finer soil particles are dispersed by soaking the soil sample in a dispersing
agent and by rapid stirring to neutralize the charges between the soil particles. During this
experiment, its used a type of 152H hydrometer calibrated to give the mass of solids with
specific gravity equal to 2.65 in suspension. Therefore, as particles get larger, the variance
from spherical increase, a minor error will be caused.
There are many sources of error in this experiment that will occur.
The human error in reading and recording hydrometer readings and instrumental error are
two sources of error that was caused during this experiment. The rough insertion of the
hydrometer adds error since it introduces disturbance to the soil mix, causing turbulence.
Moreover, the different size of grains in the sample introduces error since the bigger particles
will flocculate faster than the smaller sizes and cause disturbance. Air bubbles floating on top
of the liquid contributed to some error as well in reading the meniscus. Another error for this
experiment may include the surface tension on the hydrometers rod. This may change how
the hydrometer sinks into the solution. Also the placing and removing the hydrometer from
the cylinder may disrupt some of the displacement of the particles of the soil water causing
false reading.
But , the employment of three different corrections namely as the meniscus correction,
temperature correction and the dispersing agent. Addition of dispersing agent increases the
density of solution. Hence, it will have more drag on the hydrometer hence the reading will
increase. The dispersing agent correction is always negative reading. This correction can
really improve the results. These corrections reduced the errors of some factors observable in
the performance of the experiment. By having this, we can assure the accurate results.