Interpretation and analysis

As observed on the theoretical data, as the temperature of the water increases, which was 29 to
32, the weight decreases from 157.27 to 157.18 grams. The weight on the performed part is also near
the value on the theoretical, and it can be seen from the graph of temperature vs. weight.

With the aforementioned steps and procedures, we were able to obtain an average specific
gravity of 2.55, which, unfortunately, is not within the range of 2.6 – 2.8 (typical values of specific gravity
of soil.). There are many factors that have caused why it is not within the range. One is that, there might
be organic content added in the soil. Another is moisture; the soil sample could’ve absorbed the
moisture in the surroundings when it was removed in the oven. Bubbles and entrapped air in the
pycnometer bottle may have also caused some discrepancies in the values we obtained. One more is
that, we didn’t allow the pycnometer containing the slurry to cool off for quite some time due to limited
time. Nevertheless, the value we obtained is still acceptable even though it does not fall within the
range.

Conclusion

There are some significance and uses of the specific gravity of soil solids. It is used in calculating
the phase relationship of soils, such as the void ratio and degree of saturation. It is also used to calculate
the density of the soil solids. Soil solids are assumed to be the naturally-occurring minerals on the soil
that are not soluble in water. Soils containing extraneous matter such as cement, sodium chloride
typically require special treatment or a qualified definition of their specific gravity.

Recommendation

There can be some sources of error encountered while doing the experiment, some of these is
the incorrect weighing and reading the lower meniscus of the water inside the pycnometer.

A lot of errors were committed by the group in performing this experiment but these errors
could have been prevented or minimized by performing the experiment properly and allocating enough
time in completing the processes and data required for the specific gravity. We should ensure that the
pycnometer bottles are calibrated properly so that we can have accurate and precise results. We should
also take into consideration that the pycnometer bottle is clean and doesn’t contain entrapped air upon
weighing and calibration. Lastly we should be keen in recording the temperature and in weighing the
flask and soil samples.
Interpretation and analysis

Application

Grain-size analysis, which is among the oldest of soil tests, is widely used in engineering classifications of
soils. Grain-size analysis is also utilized in part of the specifications of soil for airfields, roads, earth dams,
and other soil embankment construction. Additionally, frost susceptibility of soils can be fairly accurately
predicted from the results of grain-size analysis. The standard grain-size analysis test determines the
relative proportions of different grain sizes as they are distributed among certain size ranges.

Dam seepage problems – Seepage problems in dams are usually caused by improperly graded soils. An
earth embankment dam is usually constructed with core of fine grained soil surrounded by a shoulder of
coarse grained soil.

Pavement design – Poorly graded soil under a roadway can cause the pavement to fail prematurely. If
the soil is expansive, heaving and swelling of the soil under the pavement will occur. Cracks in the road
shoulders may develop allowing water to penetrate under the pavement surface. Swell pressure will
then cause damage to the pavement.

There is also an application when it comes to building construction which is the analysis of the grain size
of the soil by mechanical means. Additionally, a specific number of sieves can be used to eliminate
gravel and to attain the desired particle size of sand to mix with cement in concrete making which in
general is masonry work. There are also several applications in the field of foundation engineering.
Lastly, it helps us to be acquainted in testing the classifications of soil which, in the near future, we can
apply to make a certain structure’s foundation good and stable.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, sieve analysis of soil, generally the grain-size analysis of the soil plays an
important part on the determination of the properties of soil. From an engineering point of view, the
two types of soils have distinctive characteristics. In coarse-grained soils (particles which are coarser
than 0.075 mm), gravitational forces determine the engineering characteristics. Interparticle forces are
predominant in fine-grained soils. The dependence of the behavior of soil mass on the size of particles
has led investigators to classify soils according to their size. Overall, classification of soils is very
important as part of the foundation engineering.

Recommendation

However, there are a few errors that can be viewed in the experiment so; the experimenters
recommend that the sample be oven-dried properly and completely. Proper weighing of the sample
before and after sieving should also be taken into account since this chiefly cause the discrepancies in
the results. It is also strongly recommended that the calculations should be thoroughly checked to avoid
miscalculations.