University of Maine Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CIE 366 Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Hydrometer

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* Hydrometer Calibration *

The following calibration accounts for two corrections in one factor (Cwater) :
(a) the water not being distilled and containing defloc agent
(b) the reading of the top of the meniscus.

1. Add 10 ml of deflocculating agent to the hydrometer jar

2. Fill the jar with tap water to the 1000 ml mark (top of meniscus).
3. Record the temperature of the water. (should be 18-25 deg C)
Temp = (deg C)
4. From the table on the water properties sheet, find the theoretical specific gravity at that temperature.
Temperature Gs(theoretical)
(deg C) =Gs/Gs@20degC
18 1.0004
19 1.0002
20 1.0000
21 0.9998
22 0.9996
23 0.9993
24 0.9991
25 0.9989 Gs(theoretical) =

5. Slowly (10-15 seconds) insert the hydrometer into the water. Allow it to settle.
6. Read the top of the meniscus. Gs(actual) =
7. Calculate the correction factor:
CF = Gs(theoretical) - Gs(actual) =
8. Dump the water out.
 University of Maine Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CIE 366 Soil Mechanics Laboratory
Hydrometer

* Hydrometer Test *

1. Hand mix the soil (approximately 50 gms) with water and 10 ml of deflocculating agent to a thin paste.
2. Transfer the mixture to the dispersion cup and add water to make the cup half full.
3. Mix the suspension in the dispersing apparatus for 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the suspension to the hydrometer jar and fill with water.
5. Mix the soil and water by placing the rubber membrane over the open end of the jar and rotating
the jar upside down and back for one minute.
6. Slowly (10-15 seconds) insert the hydrometer into the water and start timing.
7. Take readings at total elapsed times of 1/2, 1 and 2 minutes - record below.
8. After taking the three readings remove the hydrometer.
9. Record the temperature of the suspension.
10. Re-mix for a minute as in step 5.
11. Slowly (10-15 seconds) insert the hydrometer into the water and re-start timing.
12. Take hydrometer and temperature readings at total elapsed times of
2 (again), 4, 8, 15, 30, 60 minutes then 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 hr.
NOTE: remove the hydrometer after each reading.
make sure the hydrometer is dry before each insertion and reading
elapsed times below are approximate - record actual reading time

Elapsed Actual Corrected Depth Viscosity equivalent

Date / time time Temp Reading Reading Adjustment Adjustment grain diam.
t R Rc K1 Kn D
(min) (deg C) (mm)
0.50
1.00
2
2
4
8
15
30
60
120
240
480
960
1440

13. Transfer the suspension to drying pan and oven dry to determine the weight of dry soil.
Mdry = g
14. Perform calculations. (see next sheet)
Kg =
15. Plot grain size distribution (like wet sieve).

What fraction of the sample was silt and what fraction was clay sized particles?
nics Laboratory

nt to a thin paste.

and rotating

% passing

N
(%)
 University of Maine Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CIE 366 Soil Mechanics Laboratory
Hydrometer

* Hydrometer Calculations *

Corrected Reading (Rc)

a correction from the calibration performed
Rc = Ri - 1 + CF

Depth Adjustment (K1)

a correction to adjust the depth that the hydrometer bulb reads at

Ri K1 0.80
0.99 0.77
1.00 0.73 0.75 f(x) = - 4.4857142857x + 5.2146666667
1.01 0.68 R² = 0.9923773737
1.02 0.65 0.70
Depth Adjustment (K1)

1.03 0.60
1.04 0.54 0.65

0.60

0.55

0.50

0.45

0.40
0.98 0.99 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05

Actual Reading (Ri)

Viscosity Adjustment (Kn)

a correction for the change in viscosity from temperature other than 20 deg C

viscosity of
Temperature water
(deg C) m
18 0.01060
m
19 0.01034 Kn =
20 0.01009 0.01009
21 0.00984
22 0.00961
23 0.00938
24 0.00916
25 0.00895

Specific Gravity Adjustment (Kg)

a correction for the specific gravity of the soil not being 2.65

1.65
Kg =
Gs( soil ) - 1
Gs( soil) = Specific gravity of the soil tested
Assume Gs(soil) = 2.78 for the clay tested

The Equivalent Grain Diameter (D) can then be calculated using:

(don't use this equation…

it just shows complete theory)

To simplify, the following assumptions are made:

m = viscosity of water at 20 0 C = 0.01009 poise

z = depth of hydrometer jar = 32.5 cm
gs = unit weight of soil = 2.65 g / cm 3
gw = unit weight of water at 20 0 C = 0.9982 g / cm 3

…resulting in the following:

1
D = 0.0780 × K1 × Kg × Kn (use this equation to calculate D)
t
K1 = depth adjustment
Kn = viscosity adjustment
Kg = specific gravity adjustment
t = elapsed time (min)

The % passing (N) can then be calculated:

Gs( soil ) V
N= × × gw × Rc × P
Gs( soil ) - 1 Mdry
Gs( soil ) = specific gravity of the soil tested
V = volume of suspension = 1000 ml
Mdry = oven dry weight of soil in suspension
gw = unit weight of water at calibration temp.
Rc = corrected reading
P = percent of total specimen in hydrometer

Assume Gs(soil) = 2.78 for the clay tested

P = 100% for this test, but sometimes only part of a whole specimen is tested
 unit weight
Temperature of water
(deg C) gw
18 0.9986
19 0.9984
20 0.9982
21 0.9980
22 0.9978
23 0.9978
24 0.9976
25 0.9973
 Grain Size Distribution
100% 2

90%

80%

70%

60%
% passing

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% 1
0.100 0.010 0.001

grain diameter (mm)

Standard Sieve Size data for plot
No. size % passing
(US std) (mm)
200 0.075 0%
0.075 100%