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. Lastly, to reduce these error, we can use the meniscus
correction, the dispersing agent correction and the temperature correction .So we can get the accurate
result.