INTRODUCTION

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to provide
the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and inculcate
creativity and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem, ways & means
and answers are provided to the students. However it is still necessary especially to
first and second year students.

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of hydrometer test to
determine the particle size distribution of a given soil sample. For soil samples
containing fine-grained particles, a wet sieving procedure is first carried out and test is
conducted to determine the combined clay/silt fraction percentage. The combined
clay/silt fraction is determined from the weight difference and expressed as a
percentage of the total sub-sample weight. The test is in accordance to BS 1377-
2:1990 test 9.2.

A hydrometer or areometer is an instrument that measures the specific

gravity (relative density) of liquidsthe ratio of the density of the liquid to the
density of water. A hydrometer is usually made of glass, and consists of a cylindrical
stem and a bulb weighted with mercury or lead shot to make it float upright. The
liquid to test is poured into a tall container, often a graduated cylinder, and the
hydrometer is gently lowered into the liquid until it floats freely. The point at which
the surface of the liquid touches the stem of the hydrometer correlates to specific
gravity. Hydrometers usually contain a scale inside the stem, so that the person using
it can read specific gravity. A variety of scales exist for different contexts.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample (fine soil).

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Distribution of grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil such as

permeability, strength, expansivity etc. It is also required in the classifying the soil.
Measurement of grain size distribution depends on the size of the grains i.e. larger
than 0.075 mm or in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 m

PROBLEM STATEMENT

To measure the grain size distribution, hydrometer test is normally used for fine
particle where the grain size is in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 m. As a group
you are given a set of samples to test to determine its grain size distribution.

A wet sieving test was conducted on 1kg of the air-dried soil sample to determine the
particle size distribution of the coarse materials. The results of the wet sieving test
were given in form PS1. The hydrometer sedimentation test was then conducted in
the laboratory to obtain the particle size distribution of the fine portion of the soil
sample.

The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and subsequently
analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.

APPARATUS

Balance
Set of sieves
Cleaning brush
Sieve shaker
Mixer (blender)
Hydrometer
Sedimentation cylinder
Control cylinder
Thermometer
Beaker
Timing device.
and other accessories which include evaporating dish, corrosion
resistant tray, calgon (33g of sodium hexametaphosphate and 7g of
sodium carbonate in distilled water to make 1 Litre).
PROCEDURE

1. The fine soil was took from the bottom pan of the sieve set, placed it into a
beaker, and 125 mL of the dispersing agent (sodium hexametaphosphate (40
g/L)) solution was added. The mixture was stirred until the soil is
thoroughly wet. Let the soil soak for at least ten minutes.
2. While the soil is soaking, 125mL of dispersing agent was added into the
control cylinder and fill it with distilled water to the mark. The reading at
was took the top of the meniscus formed by the hydrometer stem and the
control solution. A reading less than zero is recorded as a negative (-)
correction and a reading between zero and sixty is recorded as a positive (+)
correction. This reading is called the zero correction. The meniscus
correction is the difference between the top of the meniscus and the level of
the solution in the control jar (Usually about +1). The control cylinder was
shake in such a way that the contents are mixed thoroughly. The hydrometer
and thermometer was inserted into the control cylinder and note the zero
correction and temperature respectively.
3. The soil slurry was transferred into a mixer by adding more distilled water,
if necessary, until mixing cup is at least half full. Then the solution was
mixed for a period of two minutes.
4. Immediately the soil slurry was transferred into the empty sedimentation
cylinder. Distilled water was added up to the mark.
5. The open end of the cylinder was covered with a stopper and secured it with
the palm of your hand. Then turn the cylinder upside down and back upright
for a period of one minute. (The cylinder should be inverted approximately
30 times during the minute.)
6. The cylinder was set down and the time was recorded. The stopper was
removed from the cylinder. After an elapsed time of one minute and forty
seconds, very slowly and carefully insert the hydrometer for the first
reading. (Note: It should take about ten seconds to insert or remove the
hydrometer to minimize any disturbance, and the release of the hydrometer
should be made as close to the reading depth as possible to avoid excessive
bobbing).
The reading is taken by observing the top of the meniscus formed by the
suspension and the hydrometer stem. The hydrometer is removed slowly and
 placed back into the control cylinder. Very gently spin it in control cylinder
to remove any particles that may have adhered.
8. Hydrometer readings was took after elapsed time of 2 and 5, 8, 15, 30, 60
minutes and 24 hours.