CE-412

Geotechnical Engineering

Lab 3: Specific Gravity of Soil

Group 3

Lab Date:

Report Date: December 21, 2017

T.A: Engr. Erwin D. Cabral

Lab Grp: 3

Lab Members:

Alano, Aldin Z.

Albuera, Queency Lovely C.

Alcantara, Jora Marie H.

Delen, Edriel Royce P.

Laylo, Angelika Joy E.

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I. ABSTRACT

Specific gravity is a dimensionless unit defined as the ratio of the density of a substance

to the density of the water. Soils samples used in the experiment are from Brgy. Bagalangit,

Mabini, Batangas.

Soil samples were dried upto the point where its moisture content is almost zero. Then the

soil were placed in a container. Then partially filled up with water upto desired level. Each step

in the process needs to determine the weight of the setup. Denoting W1 = Weight of container,

W2 = Weight of container + soil sample, W3= Weight of container + soil sample + water and W4

(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )
= Weight of container + water. Then the formula Gs= is used to determine the
(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )−(𝑊3 −𝑤4 )

specific gravity of soil.

!.65, 1.79 and 1.81 were the specific gravity obtained respectively for trials 1,2 and 3. An

average specific gravity of 1.75 was obtained for the soil sample.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………..………ii

II. OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………………….…………1

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND………………………………………………….1

IV. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT………………………………..………………...2

V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE…………………………….……………………..2

VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA………………………………………………………………..3

VII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS………………………………………………...…….3

VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS………………………...……….4

IX. REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………….4

X. APPENDICES……………………………………………….………………………...5

LIST OF TABLES & FIGURES

TABLE 1: SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF IMPORTANT MINERALS.......................…1-2

TABLE 2: DATA FOR DETERMINATION OF SG OF SOIL……………………….3

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II. OBJECTIVES

The experiment is carried out with the purpose of determining the specific gravity of

soil.

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

The specific gravity of a material says how man heavy it is compared to water. It is the ratio

of the density of the material to the density of water. The specific gravity of soil soilids is used

in various calculations in soil mechanics. Most of the minerals have a specific gravity that falls

within the range of 2.6 to 2.9. The specific gravity of solids of light-colored sand, which is made

mostly of quartz may be estimated to be about 2.65 for clayey and silty soils, it may vary from

2.6 to 2.9 Listed below are some of the specific gravity of important minerals

Table 1. Specific gravity of important minerals

Mineral Specific gravity

Quartz 2.65

Kaolite 2.6

Illite 2.8

Montmorillonite 2.65-2.8

Halloysite 2.0-2.55

Potassium Feldspar 2.57

Sodium and Calcium Feldspar 2.62-2.76

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Chlorite 2.6-2.9

Biotite 2.8-3.2

Muscovite 2.76-3.1

Hornblende 3.0-3.47

Limomite 3.6-4.0

Olivine 3.27-3.37

For the experiment we will use the density bottle method so as we will use the formula

(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )
Gs = (𝑊2 −𝑊1 )−(𝑊3 −𝑤4 )

IV. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Container (graduated cylinder)

2. Distleed water

3. Oven

4. Weighing scale

5. Thermometer

V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Soil sample were oven dried before the experiment. Soil samples were divided into three

samples having a mass of 10g for each. Then, the graduated cylinder was cleaned to assure that

there are no unwanted particles in it. The container was partially filled with soil and water then
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stirred. The container was then filled with water to the desired level. Use the thermometer to

determine the temperature of the mixture. The weight of the graduated cylinder, graduated

cylinder + soil, graduated cylinder + soil + water and graduated cylinder + water. The procedure

was repeated for three trial

VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA

Table 2. Data for the determination of specific gravity (Temp. = 25 degrees Celsius)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Weight of container (W1) 375.9 375.9 375.9

W of container + soil (W2) 390.9 390.9 390.9

W of container + soil + water (W3) 527.1 528 528.1

W of container + water (W4) 521.2 521.4 521.4

Specific gravity 1.65 1.79 1.81

Ave. specific gravity 1.75

VII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The experiment showed the results for determining specific gravity of soil in trials 1 to 3.

For trial 1, a specific gravity of 1.65 was obtained. A specific gravity of 1.79 and 1.81 for trials

2 and 3 were gathered respectively. Overall, an average of 1.75 was obtained for the specific

gravity of the soil sample.

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VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

To determine the specific gravity of the soil, an experiment could be done wihout the needs

of complex intruments. Just by using water, container and weigihng scale, determination of the

specific gravity will be possible. To obtain much accurate results, it is needed to consider the

correct measurement of soil and water. Make sure also that the soil is purely dried, since

moisture content of the soil may affect the results.

IX. REFERENCES

https://justscivil.wordpress.com/2017/01/04/specific-gravity-of-a-soil-sample/

http://users.rowan.edu/~sukumaran/geotechnical/notes/Experiment%204-Specific%20Gravity.p

df

https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/specific-gravity-of-soil-by-pycnometer/2677/
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X. APPENDICES

Formula for Specific Gravity:

(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )
Specific Gravity = Average Gs = ( Gs1 + Gs2 + Gs3 ) / 3
(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )−(𝑊3 −𝑤4 )

Calculations:

For specific gravity of soil

Trial 1 Trial 3

390.9−375.4 390.9−375.4
Gs =(390.9−375.4)−(527.1−521.2) = 1.65 Gs =(390.9−375.4)−(528.1−521.4) =1.81

Trial 2

390.9−375.4
Gs =(390.9−375.4)−(527.1−521.4) = 1.79 Average Gs =(1.65+1.79+1.81)/3 = 1.75
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DOCUMENTATION

Preparation of undisturbed soil samples Weight of container (W1)

Weight of container + soil (W2)

Weight of container + soil + water (W3)

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Weight of container + water (W4)