DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT AND SPECIFIC

GRAVITY OF SOLID SOILS

NAME:

GROUP NO:

DATE:
INTRODUCTION

 In this experiment we will determine the water content and specific

gravity of solid soils.

 Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of unit volume of soil at a stated
temperature to the mass of the same volume of gas-free distilled water
at a stated temperature.

Determination of water content

Water Content

𝑤=𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠)𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 /

𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠)𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙

Specific Gravity of Solid Soils

Specific gravity

𝐺𝑠= 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓

𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟=𝑀𝑠𝑉𝑠⁄𝑀𝑤𝑉𝑤⁄=𝑀𝑠𝑉𝑠𝜌𝑤

Since 𝑉𝑠=𝑉𝑤 in our experiment, 𝐺𝑠=𝑀𝑠𝑀𝑤

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Equipments used

1. Volumetric flask(500ml)
2. Thermometer graduated in 0.5οC division scale.
3. Balance sensitive upto 0.01 g.
4. Distilled water.
5. Bunsen burner and stand.
6. Evaporating dishes.
7. Spatula.
8. Plastic squeeze bottle.
9. Drying oven.

Procedure

1. The volumetric flask was cleaned well and dried.

2. The flask was carefully filled with de-aired distilled water upto the 500ml
mark (bottom of the meniscus was 500 ml mark.
3. Mass of the flask was determined as water was filled to 500 ml mark,M1.
4. The thermometer was inserted into the flask with water and the
temperature of thermometer was determined, T=T1.
5. The air dried soil was put into the evaporating dish.
6. It was checked that if soil was cohesive then water was added to the soil
and mixed to form smooth paste. It was kept soaked in the evaporating
dish for about one-half to one hour
7. The soil was transferred (if granular) or the soil paste (if cohesive) into
the volumetric flask.
8. Distilled water was added to the volumetric flask containing the soil to
make it about two third full.
9. Air was removed from the soil-water mixture by one of the two ways
mentioned.
10.The temperature of the soil-water mixture was brought down to room
temperature i.e. T1οC .
11.De-aired distilled water was added to the volumetric flask until the
bottom of the meniscus touched 500ml mark. Outside of the flask and
inside of the neck above the meniscus was dried.
12.The combined mass of the flask soil and water was determined, M2.
13.The temperature of the soil and water in the flask was checked to see
whether it is T1+- 1οC.
14. Soil and water was poured in the evaporating dish. Using a plastic
squeeze bottle inside of the flask was washed and ensured that no soil
was left inside the flask.
15.The evaporating dish was poured in an oven to dry at a constant weight.
16.Mass of dry soil was determined, M2.
RESULTS

Determination of water content(Table 1)

ITEM Test no
1 2 3
Mass of can, M1(g) 62.39 62.14 63.7
Mass of can+wet soil M2(g) 217.43 223.5 219.39
Mass of can+dry soil, M 3(g) 201.3 205.9 203.8
Mass of moisture, M2-M3(g) 16.13 17.6 15.59
Mass of dry soil, M3-M1(g) 138.91 143.76 140.1
𝑀2−𝑀3
Water content,w(%)= *100 11.61 12.24 11.13
𝑀3−𝑀1

Average water content w = 11.66 %

Specific gravity of soil solids (Table 2)

Item Test no

Volumetric flask no 1 2 3
Mass of flask +water filled to 649.12 644.47 696.11
mark,M1(g)
Mass of flask+soil+water filled to 685.17 682.34 729.41
mark, M2(g)
Mass of dry soil,Ms(g) 58.78 61.18 58.46
Mass of equal volume of water and 788.98 764.98 777.89
soil solids, Mw(g)=(M1+Ms)-M2
Gs(at T1 C)= Ms/Mw 0.745 0.789 0.755
Gs(at 20 C)= Gs(at T1 C)*A 0.747 0.791 0.757

Rg= larger value of Gs/smaller value of Gs = 1.0589

Average Gs =0.765