FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
COURSE BASIC SOIL MECHANICS

COURSE CODE ECG303

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0

CATEGORY TRADITIONAL

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 0

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 4)

TITLE Particle size distribution of fine soil (hydrometer test)

1.1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to provide the
avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and inculcate creativity
and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem, ways & means and answers
are provided to the students. However it is still necessary especially to first and second
year students.

In this laboratory activity students will be 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.

1.2 Objective
PREAMBLE The objective of the test is:
To determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Identify the correct apparatus to carry out hydrometer test.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

Distribution of grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil such as
permeability, strength, expansivity 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 µm.

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 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

2.0 Problem Statement

PROBLEM To measure the grain size distribution, hydrometer test is normally used for fine particle
STATEMENT where the grain size is in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 µm. As a group you are given
a set of samples to test to determine its grain size distribution.
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

• 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 to make 1 Litre).

3.2 Procedures

1. Take the fine soil from the bottom pan of the sieve set, place it into a beaker,
and add 125 mL of the dispersing agent (sodium hexametaphosphate (40 g/L))
solution. Stir the mixture until the soil is thoroughly wet. Let the soil soak for at
WAYS &
least ten minutes.
MEANS
2. While the soil is soaking, add 125mL of dispersing agent into the control
cylinder and fill it with distilled water to the mark. Take the reading at the top of
the meniscus formed by the hydrometer stem and the control solution. A
reading less than zero is recorded as a negative (-) correction and a reading
between zero and sixty is 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). Shake the control cylinder in such a way that the contents are mixed
thoroughly. Insert the hydrometer and thermometer into the control cylinder and
note the zero correction and temperature respectively.
3. Transfer the soil slurry 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. Immediately transfer the soil slurry into the empty sedimentation cylinder. Add
distilled water up to the mark.
5. Cover the open end of the cylinder with a stopper and secure it with the palm of
your hand. Then turn the cylinder upside down and back upright for a period of
one minute. (The cylinder should be inverted approximately 30 times during the
minute.)
6. Set the cylinder down and record the time. Remove the stopper from the
cylinder. After an elapsed time of one minute and forty seconds, very slowly and
carefully insert the hydrometer for the first reading. (Note: It should take about
ten seconds to insert or remove the hydrometer to minimize any disturbance,

©FKA, UiTM, PASIR GUDANG Dis-March 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
and the release of the hydrometer should be made as close to the reading
depth as possible to avoid excessive bobbing).
The reading is taken by observing the top of the meniscus formed by the
suspension and the hydrometer stem. The hydrometer is removed slowly and
placed back into the control cylinder. Very gently spin it in control cylinder to
remove any particles that may have adhered.
8. Take hydrometer readings after elapsed time of 2 and 5, 8, 15, 30, 60 minutes
and 24 hours.

3.3Data Results and Calculations

1. Apply meniscus correction to the actual hydrometer reading.
2. From Table 1, obtain the effective hydrometer depth L in cm (for meniscus
corrected reading).
3. For known Gs of the soil (if not known, assume 2.65 for this lab purpose), obtain
the value of K1 from Table 2.
4. Calculate the equivalent particle diameter by using the following formula:
D = K1
5. Where t is in minutes, and D is given in mm.
6. Calculate modified hydrometer reading as follows:
7. Rd = R’h–R’ o
8. Where R’o= hydrometer reading in the dispersant solution
9. Calculate percent finer as follows:
R
K=K x 100
m
100ρ
K =
ρ −1
10. Wherem is the weight of the soil sample in grams.’
11. Plot the grain size curve D versus the adjusted percent finer on the semi
logarithmic sheet.

©FKA, UiTM, PASIR GUDANG Dis-March 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
3.4 Data Acquisition

Test Date: __________

Tested By: __________
Hydrometer Number (if known): _________
Specific Gravity of Solids: ________
Dispersing Agent: _________
Weight of Soil Sample: _________gm
Zero Correction: _________
Meniscus Correction: _________

Elapsed Temp Hydrometer True Effective Particle Modified % finer than

time,t T Reading reading, depth, diameter reading, D,
(°C) R’h Rh= Hr D (mm) Rd=R’h- k (%)
R’h+Cm (mm) R’₀
0
1
2
4
8
15
30
60
120
240
480
1440
2880

©FKA, UiTM, PASIR GUDANG Dis-March 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
Table 1:Values of effective depth, L

Table 2: Values of K1
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results highlighting
RESULTS the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of the set-out output
to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

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