DETERMINATION OF GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION

BY HYDROMETER ANALISIS

AIM:
To determine percentage silt size and clay size fractions of the given soil by hydrometer analysis.
ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this test is to determine the grain size distribution (i.e. grain size versus percent by weight) of
soil passing through 75 micron sieve. In some instances, the gradation curve cannot be reliably quantified at
smaller grain sizes (less than a millimeter) using sieve analyses because the smaller clay particles forms clod
sand cannot pass through the screens individually. However, this portion of the gradation curve can be
obtained using the hydrometer analysis.

THEORY:
Sedimentation analysis: Principle and assumptions made; Hydrometer analysis; Calibration of hydrometer,
corrections to hydrometer readings.

APPARATUS:
1. Three 1000 ml capacity measuring jars
2. Hydrometer
3. Mechanical stirrer
4. Balance
5. Dispersion agents- Sodium hexa meta phosphate and sodium carbonate
6. Thermostatically controlled hot air oven
7. Stop watch

PROCEDURE:
Calibration of hydrometer
1. Determination of volume of the hydrometer bulb (V h): Pour about 800 ml of water in the 1000 ml
measuring cylinder and note the reading at the water level. Immerse the hydrometer in water and
note the water reading. The difference between the two readings is recorded as the volume of the
Hydrometer bulb plus the volume of that part of the stem which is submerged. For practical purpose
the error due to the inclusion of this stem volume may be neglected. Alternatively, weigh the
hydrometer to the nearest 0.1g. This mass in grams is recorded as the volume of the hydrometer in
ml. This includes the volume of the bulb plus the volume of the stem.

2. In order to find the area of cross-section (A) of the measuring cylinder in which the hydrometer is
used, measure the distance, in cm, between two graduations of the cylinder. The cross-sectional area
(A) is then equal to the volume included between the two graduations divided by the distance
between them.

3. Measure the distance (h) from the neck to the bottom of the bulb, and record it as the height of the
bulb. The distance from the neck of the bulb to the nearest calibration mark shall be measured and
recorded.

4. With the help of an accurate scale, measure the height between the neck of the hydrometer to each
of the other major calibration marks (Rh).
 Fig1: Hydrometer

5. Calculate the effective depth (H e) corresponding to each of the calibration marks (or hydrometer
readings, Rh) . by following expression:

He = H + 0.5 (h – Vh/A)

6. The readings may be recorded as illustrated in Table1(a).

7. Draw a calibration curve between He and Rh which may be used for finding the effective depth (He)
corresponding to hydrometer readings (Rh) during test.

8. Meniscuscorrection:
Insert the hydrometer in the measuring cylinder containing about 700 ml of water. Take the readings of
the hydrometer at the top and bottom of the meniscus. The difference between two readings is taken
as meniscus correction (Cm) which is a constant for a hydrometer. During the actual sedimentation test,
the readings should be taken at the bottom of the meniscus but since the soil suspension is opaque,
readings are taken at the top of meniscus. It is clear that readings decrease in the upward direction.
Thus, the observed hydrometer readings are always less than the true one. Hence the meniscus
correction is always positive.

Dispersion of soil
Take about 50 g oven dried soil sample passing 75 micron in a dispersion cup and add 100ml of the
dispersing agent solution which is made by 1000ml distilled water, 7g of sodium carbonate and 33g of
sodium hexametaphosphate. Stir the mixture for about 15 minutes using a high-speed stirrer. Transfer
the soil suspension, completely to the measuring cylinder. Fill the measuring cylinder by adding
distilled water to increase the volume up to the 1000ml mark.

Sedimentation Test with Hydrometer

 (a) Shake the measuring cylinder, using the palm of the open end of the cylinder, turn the cylinder
upside down and back for a number of times. After shaking, place the cylinder on a leveled surface and
start a stop watch simultaneously. Immediately, insert the hydrometer carefully and read the top
meniscus reading at ¼, 1/2, 1, 2 minute intervals.
(b) Remove the hydrometer and float it in another cylinder containing distilled water. Raise it by
twisting motion to remove any soil particles that may have attached to it.
(c) For any subsequent reading, the hydrometer is reinserted just before reading. Further readings are
taken after periods of 4,8,,15 and 30 minutes and then after 1,2,4 hours. After end of 4 hours, readings
are taken twice within 24 hours.
(d) Dispersion Correction: In order to determine the composite correction, put 100 ml of dispersing agent
solution in another 1000 ml measuring cylinder and make it to 1000 ml by adding distilled water. The cylinder
should be maintained at the same temperature as that of the test cylinder containing soil specimen. Insert the
hydrometer in this comparison cylinder containing distilled water and the dispersing agent and take the reading
corresponding to the top of the meniscus. The negative of the hydrometer reading so obtained gives the
composite correction (C). The composite correction is found before the start of the test, and also at every time
intervals of 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours after the beginning of the test, and afterwards, just after each
hydrometer reading is taken in test cylinder.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Calibration of Hydrometer
Volume of Hydrometer, Vh = 70 ml
Area of cross section of the cylinder, A = 30.43 sq.cm
Distance between the neck and bottom of the bulb, h = 16.5 cm

Observation sheet for determining effective depth of hydrometer:

Distance between the neck to

each marks on the hydrometer, 1.02
Rh’ (g/ml) 1.030 5 1.020 1.015 1.010 1.005 1.001 0.995
Reading from the neck of the
bulb to the various major 2.90
graduations on the stem , H 1.600 0 4.400 5.900 7.400 8.910 10.400 11.900
Effective depth, He 8.7 10 11.5 13 14.5 16.01 17.5 19

Effective depth, He is calculated by the following formula:

He =H + ½(h-Vh/A)

20.0
18.0
16.0
14.0
Effective Depth

12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5
99 .99 .00 .00 .01 .01 .02 .02 .03 .03
0. 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Hydrometer Reading ,Rh'
 Observation and calculation table for Hydrometer test on given soil:

Hydrome Effective Meniscu Defloccul Correcte K= %fine

ter Depth s ating d sqrt(30*ɳ/ r
Time D=
Reading (He) in Correcti agent Hydrom ɳ 9 80*(Gs- w.r.t
t K√(He
(Rh) cm on correction eter poise Gw)) mass
(min) /t) mm
(+Cm) (Cd) reading (N) %
(R)
0 1.016 12.8 0.625 -0.625 16.25 - - -
0.25 1.016 12.8 0.625 -0.625 15.625 0.008 0.020 0.014 51.675
6
0.5 1.015 13 0.625 -0.625 15 0.008 0.020 0.010 49.608
6
1 1.015 13 0.625 -0.625 15 0.008 0.020 0.007 49.608
6
2 1.015 13 0.625 -0.625 15 0.008 0.020 0.005 49.608
6
4 1.014 13.5 0.625 -0.625 13.75 0.008 0.020 0.004 45.474
6
8 1.012 14 0.625 -0.625 11.875 0.008 0.020 0.003 39.273
6
15 1.011 14.3 0.625 -0.625 10.625 0.008 0.020 0.002 35.139
6
30 1.008 15.2 0.625 -0.625 8.125 0.008 0.020 0.001 26.871
6
60 1.006 15.9 0.625 -0.625 5.625 0.008 0.020 0.001 18.603
6
120 1.006 15.9 0.625 -0.625 6 0.008 0.020 0.001 19.843
6
240 1.005 16 0.625 -0.625 4.75 0.008 0.020 0.001 15.709
6
1440 1.003 16.8 0.625 -0.625 2.875 0.008 0.020 0.000 9.508
6
 20.000

% finner 10.000

0.000
1.0000 10.0000

Particle size , D in mm (log scale)

IS CLASSIFICATION OF THE GIVEN SOIL SAMPLE IS: 1498-1970

 Initial weight of soil taken, W1= 500 gm
 Weight of coarse soil left after washing of cohesive fine fraction, W2= 297.08 gm
 Fraction of fine soil passing 75 μ sieve =(𝑊1−𝑊2/𝑊1) 𝑥100 = 40.58 % (< 50 %)
Hence, the given soil is a coarse-grained soil
 % of soil passing 4.75 mm sieve = 100% (which is more than 50%)
The given soil is a sandy soil.
 Clay in %=30, Silt in %=10.58
 Now, to determine whether the sand is well or poorly graded sand or the sand contains silt or clay
% Finer than 75 μ = 40.58 % (>12%)
Plasticity index of soil, Ip = wL- wp
= 40%- 31.33%
=8.67% (> 7%)
 The soil lies above A line and hatched zone on plasticity chart
Therefore, the given soil is SC (Clayey Sand)

REFERENCE:
 IS 2720-Part 4, 1985: Grain size analysis