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De La Salle University

Civil Engineering Department


Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 1



Lab Report
Experiment no. 10
Sand Cone Field Density













Submitted by:
Abigail Marie R. Lorico
11144742
Section EJ1


I. Objectives
The purpose of the experiment is to determine the dry unit weight of the soil sample
when it is both compacted in a fill and undisturbed in the ground. The soil density is used
to assess the strength of the soil being used or used for field compaction in analyzing
contract specifications.
II. Data

Table no. 1 Data in the lab and at the field
Obtaining the unit weight of the sand used

Mass of jar + cone , M1 2.04 kg
Mass of jar + cone+ Sand, M2 8.45 kg
Mass of jar + cone + water, M10 5.90 kg
Mass of water, M11 3.86 kg
Temperature, T 27.5 degree Celsius
Volume of the jar, V1 3816.1086 m3
Dry unit weight, d (sand) 1.6797 kg/m3
Calibration cone
Mass of plastic Gallon+Cone+Sand (before use), M3 8.45 kg
Mass of plastic Gallon+Cone+Sand (after use), M4 6.77 kg
Mass of the sand to fill the cone,
1.68 kg
Results from field tests
Mass of plastic Gallon+Cone+Sand (before use), M5 6.4 kg
Mass of plastic Gallon+Cone+Sand (after use), M6 2.4 kg
Volume of hole, V2 1.3812 m3
Mass of can, M7 27.3 g
Mass of can + wet soil from the field, M8 47.0 g
Mass of can + dry soil after 24hrs, M9 42.9 g
Moist unit weight of the soil in the field, t (in-situ soil) 2.9684 kg/m3
Water content in the field, w(%) 26.2821%
Dry unit weight in the field, d (in-situ soil)
2.3506 kg/m3




III. Computation and Graphs

Refer to the data table for the values
Volume of Water/ jar
V1 = M10 x 996.373
Dry unit weight,
d (sand) = (M2 - M1) / V1
Mass of the sand to fill the cone,
Mc = M3- M4
Volume of hole,
V2 = (M5-M6-Mc)/ d (sand)
Moist unit weight of the soil in the field,
t (in-situ soil) = (M8 - M7) / V2
Water content in the field,
w(%)= (M8 - M9) / (M9- M7)*100
Dry unit weight in the field,
d (in-situ soil) = [t (Row 14)]/ [1+ w(%) / 100]

IV. Discussions (must include observation of specimens and verification of test results)

The moisture content computed was roughly 26%. In some sites, I have read that
the average water content is 25%, for sand cone method with a depth of 4 inches. The
actual moisture content is quite close.

The values of the dry unit weight at the lab and at the natural ground should be
similar. But the value computed from the excavated soil is way larger. First unit weight
was 1.68 and the other one is 2.35. This data is some in accurate. One factor of error that
contributed was that the volume of the soil from the excavation is not exactly the same
as the one in the cone. Digging a cone-shape hole on the ground is not that easy. The soil
that was used on the field was wet. It was a bit sticky. The particles of the soil attached.


V. Conclusion
The dry unit weight was determine through the data gathered on the field
and the data recorded at the lab. Comparing the two unit weight show how soil
characteristics differ from the one compacted in fill and on a natural ground.

VI. Recommendation
Always read the procedures before every experiment. Note which step goes first
and which can be last. For time efficiency, everyone must do something. Teamwork,
one may weigh, the other may observe, take notes or clean. With a big group the tasks
with be much easier and many can be able to track the time when to read the
measurements.

VII. Reference

ASTM, 1998 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, West Conshohoocken, PA, 1998.
Copyright, American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Habor Drive,
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.Reprinted with permission.
Joseph E. Bowles, Engineering Properties of Soils and Their Measurement, 2d ed.,
McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1978.
Determining the Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method.
Retrieved from :
https://worldtracker.org/media/library/College%20Books/Soil%20Properties/6e/C
hapter14.pdf
Density of Water. Retrieved from: http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_water.htm

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