AG126-2019-RRAO

Experiment 1

DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY OF SOIL AND SOIL

MOISTURE CONTENT BY THE CORE METHOD
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Bulk density is a measure of the weight of the soil per unit volume (g/cc), usually given on an
oven-dry (110 °C) basis. Variation in bulk density is attributable to the relative proportion
and specific gravity of solid organic and inorganic particles and to the porosity of the soil.
Most mineral soils have bulk densities between 1.0 and 2.0. Although bulk densities are
seldom measured, they are important in quantitative soil studies, and measurement should be
encouraged. Such data are necessary, for example, in calculating soil moisture movement
within a profile and rates of clay formation and carbonate accumulation. The determination
usually consists of drying and weighing a soil sample, the volume of which is known (core
method) or must be determined (clod method and excavation method). These methods differ
in the way the soil sample is obtained and its volume determined.

APPARATUS
1. A cylindrical steel core cutter approximately 75 mm long and 75 mm internal diameter
with wall thickness approximately 3 mm, bevelled at one end to 15 mm. The cutter should be
adequately lubricated to decrease friction and adhesion with grease or oil. If the lubricant is
present in trace amounts only, it will not affect the physical measurement
2. Metal knife or a spatula
3. A steel dolly of diameter to suit the core cutter plus a 10 kg steel drop hammer, mallet or
sledge hammer
4. Balance
5. Drying oven

PROCEDURE
1. Expose approximately 300 mm square of the soil layer to be tested. Place the steel dolly on
top of the cutter and hammer the latter into the soil layer until the top edge of the cutter is a
few millimetres below the soil surface.
2. Take care not to rock the core cutter. Repeat with other cores in close proximity so as to
obtain sufficient replicates.
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3. Dig out the core samples, taking care not to damage them. Trim the ends of the core level
with the ends of the cutter by means of a spatula and steel straight edge. Reject those that are
not completely filled with soil.
4. If the cores are satisfactory, pack them in loose soil in aluminium boxes. Two or three
cores may be placed in aluminium box but, in this case, wrap each core in aluminium foil.
Transfer back to the laboratory in an insulated box packed with foam or vermiculite.
5. For subsurface samples, dig a pit of the necessary size and depth, and sample as above. If
desired, samples may be taken from the wall of the pit.
6. Open the lid of the aluminium box and dry to constant weight at 105 °C in oven. Several
days may be required.
7. Weigh the dry soil with the aluminium box and then the aluminium box separately.
8. Calculate the internal volume of the core cutter, in cubic centimetres from its dimensions
measured to the nearest 0.5 mm.

OBSERVATIONS
Weight of moist soil with core cutter and covers =
Weight of dry soil with core cutter and covers =
Weight of core cutter with covers =
Diameter of core cutter (cm) =
Height of core cutter (cm) =

CALCULATIONS
Mass of dry soil = (Weight of dry soil with core cutter and covers) - weight of core cutter
with cover

Mass of wet soil= (Weight of wet soil with core cutter and cover)- weight of core cutter and
cover

Volume of the soil core = π x radius2 x height

AG126-2019-RRAO

Bulk Density (BD)

Mass of dry soil (g)
BD (Mg/ m3) = ------------------------
Volume of core (cm3)

(Report Bulk Density in Mg/m³ (equivalent to g/cm³) on an oven-dry basis to the nearest 0.01
Mg/m³)

Soil Moisture Content (SMC)

Mass of wet soil - Mass of dry soil (g)

SMC% = --------------------------------------------- x 100
Mass of dry soil (g)

Gravimetric Water Content

Mass of wet soil (g) - Mass of dry soil (g)

Өg (g/g) = ---------------------------------------------
Mass of dry soil (g)

(Report Gravimetric Water Content on oven-dry basis to the nearest 0.5 g/g)

Volumetric Water Content

Bulk density of soil (g/cm3)

3 3
Өv (cm /cm ) = Өg x --------------------------------
Density of water (g/cm3)