Name __________________________________ Class__________Year_____ Roll______

Experiment No:

Date: ________________

Experiment: Grain size distribution of fine grained soil by hydrometer analysis.

Object: To determine the particle size distribution of the given fine grained sample by
hydrometer method.
Theory: This analysis is based on Stokes Law, according to which fine particles from
suspension in a liquid settle at different rates according to their size, the course particle
settling more quickly than the finer.
The effective diameter of a particle, D sinking in a suspension is given by
D=[

18 Zr
]
( sw ) t

=Viscosity of water at temperature of test gmsec/cm2

Where,

s=unit weight of the soil grain(sp . gr .)

w=unit weight of water at temperature of test gm /cc

Zr =Distance surface of suspension the cen tre of the bulb of hydrometercms .
t = Total elapsed time in seconds.

The percentage finer, N, can be computed

N=

G
V

c ( r rw ) 100
G1 W s

Where, G=Specific gravity of the solids

V = Volume of suspension (1000 cc)
WS = Weight of dry soil (gm)
c = Unit weight of water at temperature ( usually 20 0 C) of hydrometer calibration (gm/cc)
r = Hydrometer reading in suspension
rw = Hydrometer reading in water ( at same temperature as suspension ).

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Apparatus: 1.Hydrometer 2.Mixer 3.Dispersing agent 4.Two graduated cylinders ( 1 litre

capacity) 5.Distilled water 6. Balance (0.1 gm sensitivity) 7.Thermometer 8.Stop watch
Recommended Procedure:
1. A specimen of soil, about 30 gm dry weight passing through B.S 200 sieve, is mixed with
distilled water to form a smooth thin paste.
2. The dispersing agent is added to the paste and the mixture is washed in to the cup of the
mixing machine.
3. The suspension is mixed in the machine for about 10 minutes and then put into a graduated
cylinder with enough distilled water to bring the level to the 1000 cc mark.
4. The other graduated cylinder is filled with the distilled water and this jar is to be used to
store the hydrometer between successive readings.
5. After thoroughly mixing the soil and water in the cylinder by turning it upside down and
back and repeating the process for two times the cylinder is placed on the table. The
hydrometer is inserted immediately in suspension and stop watch started.
6. Hydrometer readings are taken at total elapsed time of , , 1 and 2 minutes without
removing the hydrometer.
7. After 2 minutes reading, the hydrometer is removed. Readings at 5, 10, 20 minutes etc. are
taken by inserting the hydrometer in the jar just before taking the reading.
8. Temperature observation is taken and top of the jar containing the suspension is covered to
prevent the evaporation and collection of dust.
9. The height of the meniscus rise of pure distilled water on the stem of the hydrometer is
obtained. This is to be used for meniscus correction.
10. The value of Zr the distance from the surface of the suspension to the centre of bulb of
hydrometer is found out from the calibration curve with immersion correction.
11. The observations are taken for period of minimum 24 hours.
Observed Data:
Date

Time

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Elapsed
time t
(min)

Hydrometer Hydrometer
reading in reading in
suspension
water (rw)
(r)

Zr

N%

D
(mm)

Draw the curve of Percentage Finer vs. Grain size in a sampling graph paper.
Discussion:

Date:

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Signature
Teacher - in - charge