College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering

Laboratory Experiment No. 2

Determination of Specific Gravity

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the subject
Geotechnical Engineering I (Soil Mechanics)

Submitted By:

Alaer, David Clarence A.

Cabasis, Lovely Mae A.
De Gracia, Tisha Anne
Dela Cruz, Jummel
Paz, Tricia May

Group No. 13

Submitted To:
Engr. Mariel Maralit

November 23, 2023

College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering
PURPOSE

The specific gravity of soil is an important parameter for calculating weight-volume

relationship. It is defined as the ratio of the weight of a given volume of the material to the
weight of an equal volume of distilled water.

Standard Reference
ASTM D854-06 - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water
Pycnometer

MATERIALS AND REFERENCE

● Dry soil sample
● Pycnometer (volumetric flask)
● Distilled water
● Funnel
● Sieve #10 and pan
● Weighing balance

PROCEDURES

1. Dry the specimen to a constant mass in an oven maintained at 110 ± 5°C.

2. Determine and record the weight of the empty clean and dry pycnometer, W₁.
3. Place 50g of a dry soil sample (passed through the sieve No. 10) in the
pycnometer.Determine and record the weight of the pycnometer containing the dry soil, W₂
4. Add distilled water to fill about half to three-fourth of the pycnometer. Soak the sample for
10 minutes
5. To remove entrapped air in the Pycnometer (volumetric flask), gently roll the flask in an
inclined position until all bubbles are dispersed.
6. Fill the pycnometer with distilled (water to the mark), clean the exterior surface of the
pycnometer with a clean, dry cloth. Determine the weight of the pycnometer and contents,
W3.
7. Empty the pycnometer and clean it. Then fill it with distilled water only (to the mark).
Clean the exterior surface of the pycnometer with a clean, dry cloth. Determine the weight of
the pycnometer and distilled water, W4.
8. Empty the pycnometer and clean it.
College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering
DATA ANALYSIS/COMPUTATION

Location: Golden Country Homes, Alangilan, Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines

GPS Coordinates:
Recorded by: Lovely Mae A. Cabasis
Date: November 30, 2023

Calculate the the specific gravity of soil sample using the formula:

(𝑊2 − 𝑊1)
Gs = (𝑊4−𝑊1) − (𝑊3−𝑊2)
where:

W₁ = Weight of Pycnometer

W2 = Weight of Pycnometer + Soil

W3 = Weight of Pycnometer + Soil + Water

W4 = Weight of Pycnometer + Water

Weight of Pycnometer, W1 164 g

Weight of Pycnometer + Soil, W2 (grams) 215 g

Weight of Pycnometer + Soil + Water, W3 (grams) 690 g

Weight of Pycnometer + Water, W4 (grams) 659 g

Specific Gravity of the Soil, Gs

CALCULATION:

W1 164 g

W2 215 g

W3 690 g

W4 659 g

Specific Gravity of the Soil, Gs

College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering

(𝑊2 − 𝑊1)
Gs = (𝑊4−𝑊1) − (𝑊3−𝑊2)

(215 − 164)
Gs = (659−164) − (690−215)

51
Gs = 495 − 475

Gs = 2.55

Specific Gravity of the Soil, Gs 2.55

Table 2.1 Typical values of specific gravity

DISCUSSION

Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of an equivalent volume of distilled water at a
specific temperature, with both weights measured in air.

For the laboratory experiment, the collection of soil samples took place on Galaxy Street
in Golden Country Homes, Brgy, Alangilan, Batangas City, on November 27, 2023. The soil
samples were meticulously gathered and packed in plastic bags for transportation to the lab for
analysis.

During the laboratory experiment, each group was initially assigned the task of preparing
all necessary materials. The soil sample was placed on a pan and placed inside a drying oven set
at 110 ± 5°C. While awaiting the soil sample to dry, some team members weighed the clean,
empty, and dry pycnometer on the balance, recording it as W1. After cooling the oven-dried soil,
it was sifted through sieve no. 10, and 50 grams of the resulting dry soil sample were placed in
the pycnometer, with the weight recorded as W2.
College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering
Subsequently, distilled water was added to fill approximately half to three-fourths of the
pycnometer, and the group set a timer for a ten-minute soak. The pycnometer was then gently
tilted and rolled to eliminate trapped air and disperse bubbles. Afterward, more distilled water
was added to the flask until it reached the designated mark. The flask was cleaned and weighed
again, labeled as W3. Following this, the pycnometer was emptied and cleaned, and distilled
water was added once more using a squeeze bottle until it reached the mark, with its weight
recorded as W4.

(𝑊2 − 𝑊1)
In calculating , the formula Gs = (𝑊4−𝑊1) − (𝑊3−𝑊2)
was used in determining the specific
gravity of the soil where in W₁ is the weight of pycnometer, W2 is the weight of pycnometer +
soil, W3 , weight of pycnometer + soil + water, W4 = weight of pycnometer + water.

SUMMARY/CONCLUSION

Civil engineering structures such as buildings, bridges, highways, tunnels, dams, towers,
etc., are situated either below or on the Earth's surface. To ensure their stability, it is essential to
have an appropriate foundation soil. Evaluating the properties of the soil is necessary to
determine its suitability for use in foundations or as construction materials. Assessing the
geotechnical properties of the subsoil at the project site is crucial for obtaining relevant input
data for the design and construction of foundations for the proposed structures.

Various geotechnical characteristics of soils have diverse effects on civil engineering

structures, and one important property is specific gravity. Specific gravity is defined as the ratio
of the mass of soil solids to the mass of an equivalent volume of water. It serves as a significant
index property strongly linked to mineralogy or chemical composition, offering insights into the
soil's weathering process. Specific gravity aids in the classification of soil minerals and
contributes to understanding the qualitative behavior of the soil. For example, iron minerals have
a higher specific gravity compared to silicas. A higher specific gravity value indicates greater
strength for roads and foundations, providing an indication of the soil's suitability as a building
material. Additionally, specific gravity is used in calculating void ratio, porosity, degree of
saturation, and other soil parameters.

Research has demonstrated that different geotechnical qualities of soils have varying
effects on constructions. The load-carrying capacity of soils increases with higher specific
gravity values. The experiment is conducted following prescribed procedures, and the soil
sample used in this experiment has a specific gravity of 2.55, falling within the range of 1.00 to
2.60. Therefore, according to specifications, the type of soil identified is organic soil.

RECOMMENDATION

Before commencing the experiment, it is essential to ensure that the pycnometer, funnel,
sieve #10, and the pan is all thoroughly emptied and cleaned, along with any other necessary
College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering
equipment. It is crucial to eliminate any potential contamination, as it could adversely impact the
chemical or physical properties of the soil sample, thereby compromising the accuracy of the
results. The group may utilize a spatula to eliminate lumps from the soil sample, but it is
important to sufficiently break up the lumps to facilitate the penetration of heat for effective
drying. Subsequently, the soil sample should be allowed to cool to room temperature before the
weighing process, and safety precautions such as wearing gloves should be observed.

DOCUMENTATION

Figure 2.1. Oven-drying of specimen to a constant mass at 110 ± 5℃

Figure 2.2. Weighing the empty clean and dry pycnometer

Figure 2.3. Placing the oven-dried soil sample into the pycnometer
College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering

Figure 2.4. Weighing of the oven-dried soil and pycnometer

Figure 2.5. Adding distilled water for about half to three-fourth of the pycnometer

Figure 2.6. Removing entrapped air in the pycnometer

Figure 2.7. Filling the pycnometer with distilled water to the mark

Figure 2.8. Weighing the pycnometer containing soil sample and distilled water filled to the mark
College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering

Figure 2.9. Filling the pycnometer with distilled water to the mark

Figure 2.10. Weighing of pycnometer with containing distilled water