DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY

OF SOIL

AS PER IS-2720:1980 (PART III-SECTION 1 & 2)

By:
NEHA CHAUDHARY
2020GT10
CONTENTS:

• Definition
• Need and scope
• Types of tests
• Density bottle method and Pycnometer method
• Measuring flask method
• Gas jar method
• Calculations
• Observation table
• Corrections
• Interpretation
• Precautions
DEFINITION:
As per IS:2809 – 1972,
Specific Gravity of Solids(G) is defined as ratio of the weight in air
of given volume of soil solids at a stated temperature, to the weight in
air of an equal volume of distilled water at the stated temperature.

NEED AND SCOPE:

The knowledge of specific gravity is needed in calculation of soil
properties like void ratio, degree of saturation, unit weight of soil, etc.
 TESTS TO DETERMINE SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
 Laboratory test to determine specific gravity of solids is included
in IS Code IS:2720 (Part 3)-1980.
 This code lays down the test in two sections:
• IS:2720 (Part 3/Section 1)-1980: for Fine Grained Soils
• IS:2720 (Part 3/Section 2)-1980: for Fine, Medium and
Coarse Grained Soils
 The specific gravity of solid particles can be determined in the
laboratory using the following methods:
1. Density bottle method
2. Pycnometer method
3. Measuring flask method
4. Gas jar method
 DENSITY BOTTLE METHOD
This method is the most accurate.
Density bottle method is suitable for fine grained soil.
The method may also be used for medium and coarse grained soil if the coarse particles are
grained to pass 4.75 mm IS sieve before using.

 PYCNOMETER METHOD
The method can be used for all types of soils, but is more suitable for medium grained soil.
IS:2720 (Part 3/Section 1)-1980: for Fine Grained Soil

Apparatus used:
• Density bottle (approx. capacity 50ml)
OR
• Pycnometer (approx. capacity 900mL)
• A water-bath maintained at a 27°C
temperature to within ± 0.2°C.
• A desiccator containing anhydrous silica gel.
• A wash bottle containing air-free distilled
water.
• A thermostatically controlled drying oven,
capable of maintaining a temperature of 105
to 110°C.
• A balance readable and accurate to 0.001 g.
• A source of vacuum, such as a good filter
pump or a vacuum pump.
• A spatula or a piece of glass rod.
Procedure:
1. The complete density bottle with stopper (or the pycnometer),
shall be dried at 105 to110°C, cooled in the desiccator and
weighed to the nearest 0.001 g (M1)

2. The 50 g sample shall if necessary be ground to pass a 2-mm

IS test sieve. A 5 to 10 g subsample shall be obtained by riffling,
and oven dried at 105 to 110°C . As the capacity of the
pycnometer is larger, about 200-300g of oven dry soil is
required for the test. This sample shall be transferred to the
density bottle or pycnometer direct from the desiccator in which
it has been cooled. The bottle and contents together with the
stopper shall be weighed to the nearest 0.001 g (M2).
3. Sufficient air-free distilled water shall be added so that the
soil in the bottle is just covered. The bottle containing the
soil and liquid, but without the stopper, shall be placed in the
vacuum desiccator, for at least 1 hour until no further loss of
air is apparent.
4. Air-free distilled water is added until the bottle is full
completely. The stoppered bottle shall be immersed up to
the neck in the constant-temperature bath for approximately
1 hour and it is ensured that there is no further apparent
decrease in volume of liquid due to presence of air bubbles.
5. The stoppered bottle shall then be taken out of the
bath, wiped dry and the whole weighed to the
nearest 0.001 g (M3).

6. The bottle shall then be cleaned out and filled

completely with air-free distilled water, the stopper
inserted and then the whole immersed in the
constant temperature bath for 1 hour or until it has
attained the constant temperature of the bath. The
bottle shall then be taken out of the bath, wiped dry
and the whole weighed to the nearest 0.001 g (M4).
 MEASURING FLASK METHOD
• The method is suitable for fine grained and medium grained soil.
• Measuring flask is of 250 ml (or 500 ml) capacity, with a graduation mark at that
level.
• The method is similar to the density bottle method.
• About 80-100g of oven dry soil is required in this case.
• The observations are taken in same manner as in above methods.
 GAS JAR METHOD
IS:2720 (Part 3/Section 2)-1980: for Fine, Medium and Coarse Grained Soil

NOTE- It is not suitable for soil containing more than 10 percent of stones retained on a 40-mm IS sieve
and such stones should be broken down to less than this size.

Apparatus used:
• A gas jar of 1 litre capacity, fitted with a rubber bung
• A ground-glass plate or a plastic slip cover for closing
the gas jar
• A mechanical shaking apparatus capable of rotating the
gas jar, end-over-end, at about 50 rev/min
• A balance readable and accurate to 0.2 g
• A thermometer to cover the temperature range 0°C to
50°C
Procedure:
1. A soil sample weighing 200 g (fine-grained soil) and 400 g
(medium and coarse-grained soils) is obtained. This sample
should be oven dried and then stored in an airtight container until
required.
2. The gas jar and ground glass plate/plastic slip cover shall be dried
and weighed to the nearest 0.2 g (M1).
3. The sample obtained shall be introduced into the gas jar directly
from the container in which it has been cooled. The gas jar,
ground-glass plate/plastic slip cover and contents shall be
weighed to the nearest 0.2 g (M2).
4. About 500 ml of water at an average room temperature shall
be added to the soil. The rubber stopper shall then be inserted
into the gas jar and in the case of medium and coarse-gained
soils the gas jar and contents shall be set aside for at least 4
hours. Then, the gas jar shall be shaken by hand until the
particles are in suspension and then placed in the shaking
apparatus and shaken for a period of 20-30 minutes.
5. The stopper shall then be removed carefully and any soil
adhering to the stopper is washed carefully into the jar and
any froth formed shall be dispersed with a fine spray of water.
6. Water shall then be added to the gas jar to within 2 mm
of the top. The soil shall be allowed to settle for a few
minutes and the gas jar then filled to the brim with more
water. The slip cover shall then be placed on the top of
the jar taking care not to trap any air under the plate. The
gas jar and plate shall then be carefully dried on the
outside and the whole weighed to the nearest 0.2 g (M3).
7. The gas jar shall be emptied, washed out thoroughly, and
filled completely to the brim with water. The gas jar and
plate shall then be dried carefully on the outside and the
whole weighed to the nearest 0.2 g (M4).
Calculations:
•
  After
taking above observations, Specific Gravity of soils is
calculated using following formula:
G=

G=
where, M1= mass of density bottle/gas jar in g;
M2= mass of density bottle/gas jar and dry soil in g;
M3= mass of density bottle/gas jar, soil and water in g;
M4= mass of density bottle/gas jar when full of water in g.
 Kerosene is a better wetting agent than water and sometimes it
is used in place of water.
 IfGk is the specific gravity of kerosene at the test temperature,
the equation will be
 

 Sometimes, other liquids, such as paraffin, alcohol and

benzene are also used.
Observations:
S. No. Description Determination No.

1. Temperature in °C

2. Mass of bottle in g, M1

3. Mass of bottle+ dry soil in g, M2

4. Mass of bottle+ soil+ water in g,

M3
5. Mass of bottle+ water in g, M4

CALCULATIONS:

1. Specific Gravity, G

2. Average G

3. Corrected G (at 27°C), G’

Correction:

•
  The specific gravity is calculated at 27°C.
• If the room temperature is different then 27°C, the following
corrections shall be done:
G’= K . G
where G’= corrected specific gravity at 27°C, and
K=
INTERPRETATION AND REPORTING:

 The specific gravity of the soil particles lies within

the range of 2.65 to 2.85.
 Soilscontaining organic matter and porous particles
may have specific gravity values below 2.0.
 Soils
having heavy substances may have values
above 3.0.
Precautions:
 Soilgrains whose specific gravity is to be determined
should be completely dry.
 Ifon drying soil lumps are formed, they should be
broken to its original size.
 Inaccuracies in weighing and failure to completely
eliminate the entrapped air are the main sources of error.
Both should be avoided.
REFERENCES:
• IS 2720:1980 (part III)
• Soil mechanics and foundation- Dr. B.C. Punamia
• NPTEL lecture
THANK YOU!