Lab 3. Specific Gravity GP3 SE-4101
Lab 3. Specific Gravity GP3 SE-4101
Geotechnical Engineering
Group 3
Lab Date:
Lab Grp: 3
Lab Members:
Alano, Aldin Z.
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 )
!.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
V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE…………………………….……………………..2
IX. REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………….4
X. APPENDICES……………………………………………….………………………...5
II. OBJECTIVES
The experiment is carried out with the purpose of determining the specific gravity of
soil.
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
Quartz 2.65
Kaolite 2.6
Illite 2.8
Montmorillonite 2.65-2.8
Halloysite 2.0-2.55
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 )
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
Table 2. Data for the determination of specific gravity (Temp. = 25 degrees Celsius)
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
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
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
(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )
Specific Gravity = Average Gs = ( Gs1 + Gs2 + Gs3 ) / 3
(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )−(𝑊3 −𝑤4 )
Calculations:
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