Answers to Questions

1. Define specific gravity of soil.

The specific gravity of a material is defined as the ratio of the mass of a unit

volume of a material to the mass density of gas-free distilled water at a stated

temperature.

2. What are typical values of specific gravity for soils?

Soil Type Range of Gs
Sand 2.63 – 2.67
Silty Sand 2.67 – 2.70
Silts 2.65 – 2.70
Silty Clay 2.67 – 2.80
Clay 2.70 – 2.80
Organic Soil 1+ to 2.60
3. What can you use to measure specific gravity of material lighter than water?

Archimedes Principle can be used to measure specific gravity of material lighter

than water.

4. Why do we use vacuum while determining the specific gravity of soil?

To remove air from the soil is the use of vacuum in determining the specific

gravity of soil.

5. What is the effect of water temperature on the determination of the specific of

soils?

Unlike density, specific weight is not absolute. It depends upon the value of the

gravitational acceleration, which varies with location. A significant influence upon

the value of specific gravity is the temperature of the material.

Introduction
 This experiment is about specific gravity of soil solids. This method is

intended for determining the absolute specific gravity of soil by pycnometer. The

specific gravity of a material is defined as the ratio of the mass of a unit volume of a

material to the mass density of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.

Specific gravity of soil solids is written as Gs = ρs / ρw (1) where ρs and ρw are the

mass density, mass per unit volume, of the soil solids and water, respectively. A

material with a specific gravity greater than water is denser than water so it will not

float in water. Specific gravity is used in computations involving phase relationships

that are expressed in terms of unit weight, where unit weight is defined as the weight

of material per unit volume.

Principles of the Experiment

The experiment was done by using the pycnometer. The weight of the pycnometer

filled with distilled water at the test temperature was determined. This value is usually

taken from a plot of temperature versus weight of bottle plus water. The plot, or

calibration curve, can be determined either by experimental or by theoretical means.

Interpretation of Result

The term specific gravity of soil refers to the specific gravity of the solid matter of the

soil, which is designated Gs. The specific gravity of solids is normally only applied to

that fraction of a soil that passes the No. 4 sieve. Generally, geotechnical engineers

need the soil’s specific gravity to perform additional testing of that soil. In these

cases, there may be a different soil fraction used when performing this test. For

example, the resulting specific gravity value of soil from this test using a –10 sample

is applicable to hydrometer analysis while the determination of the zero-air-voids

curve in laboratory soils-compaction testing uses the specific gravity from the –4

sample.

Application

Specific gravity is used in geotechnical and geo environmental engineering in

calculation of basic phase (i.e., weight–volume) relations including void ratio,

porosity, volumetric water content, degree of saturation, and unit weight of soil. The

parameter Gs can be applied to other geomaterials such as MSW. If Gs is known,

particle (i.e., dry solid) density can be calculated readily. Geotechnical engineering

provides a general framework for determination of engineering properties and

behavior of municipal solid waste (MSW). Geotechnical engineering approaches

commonly have been adapted to determine compaction, hydraulic conductivity, shear

strength, and compressibility/settlement characteristics of MSW. These approaches

require estimation of basic weight–volume relations including specific gravity of

waste solids for MSW analyses. In addition, specific gravity is a fundamental material

property used in design calculations as well as modeling for predicting behavior of

landfill systems.

Conclusions

From the conducted experiment, it can be said that to determine the specific

gravity of solids, the sample may be at its natural water content or oven-dried. Soils

with a high organic content or with fines that are low compressible are difficult to
rewet after having been oven-dried. These soils should be tested at their natural

water content first and the oven-dried weight determined at the end of the test.

References

 https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-

472/ch2part2.pdf
 http://www.eng.utoledo.edu/civil/heydinger/soil

%20mechanics/labs/SMSpecGrav.pdf
 https://www.scribd.com/doc/177194757/Determination-of-Specific-Gravity-by-

Pcynometer-Test
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260603449_Determination_of_speci

fic_gravity_of_municipal_solid_waste
 https://www.scribd.com/doc/107123970/Lab-1-Specific-Gravity
 http://thefusionfestival.co.uk/?n=5874
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_gravity