Open Ended Report

Task: To work out dry density of soil sample and compare with
different methods.

Group Members
Sheeraz: 20CE010
Gul Muhammad: 20CE034
Muhammad Saad: 20CE058
Narain Das: 20CE078
Sheeraz karim: 20CE114
Wasim Jarwar: 20CE138
Uzair Domki: 20CE162
Introduc on:
The soil sample analyzed in this study was collected from the parking of civil engineering
department. The soil exhibited a light brownish color and a coarse aggregate composi on.
Soil sampling is crucial for various engineering and environmental applica ons, providing
insights into soil proper es that influence construc on, agriculture, and land use planning.
Understanding the characteris cs of soil, such as its density and moisture content, is
essen al for determining its suitability for different purposes. In this study, we employed
two common methods, namely the core cu er method and the sand cone method, to
determine the dry density of the soil sample. The comparison of these methods offers
valuable insights into their accuracy, precision, and prac cal applicability in soil density
determina on.

OBJECT 01: DENSITY OF SOIL BY CORE CUTTER METHOD

Aim of Experiment: To determine the field or in-situ density or unit weight of soil by core
cutter method.

Apparatus Required:

a) Special:

i. Cylindrical core cutter

ii. Steel rammer

iii. Steel dolly

iv. Oven

Theory:

Field density is defined as weight of unit volume of soil present in site. That is

Where, Density of soil

W = Total weight of soil V

= Total volume of soil

The soil weight consists of three phase system that is solids, water and air. The
voids may be filled up with both water and air, or only with air, or only with water.
Consequently the soil may be dry, saturated or partially saturated.
In soils, mass of air is considered to be negligible, and therefore the saturated
density is maximum, dry density is minimum and wet density is in between the two.

Dry density of the soil is calculated by using equation,

Where, dry density of soil

Wet density of soil

w = moisture content of soil.

Hear we use core cutter method, the equipment arrangement is shown as fallows,
 Procedure:

i. Measure the height and internal diameter of the core cutter.

ii. Weight the clean core cutter.
iii. Clean and level the ground where the density is to be determined.
iv. Press the cylindrical cutter into the soil to its full depth with the help of steel
rammer.
v. Remove the soil around the cutter by spade.
vi. Lift up the cutter.
vii. Trim the top and bottom surfaces of the sample carefully.
viii. Clean the outside surface of the cutter.
ix. Weight the core cutter with the soil.
x. Remove the soil core from the cutter and take the representative sample in
the water content containers to determine the moisture.

Precautions:

i. Steel dolly should be placed on the top of the cutter before ramming it down
into the ground.
ii. Core cutter should not be used for gravels, boulders or any hard ground.
iii. Before removing the cutter, soil should be removed around the cutter to
minimize the disturbances.
iv. While lifting the cutter, no soil should drop down

Observation and Calculation Table:

Internal diameter of cutter (cm): 10.1

Height of the cutter (cm): 12.7

Volume of the cutter, V (cm3): 1016.9

Water/Moisture content determination:

sample 1

Weight of can, W1 (g) 33 gm

Weight of can + wet soil W2 (g) 138 gm

Weight of can + dry soil W3 (g) 136 gm

Water/Moisture content 1.94 %

Calculation Table:

sample 1

Mass of core cutter, W1 (gm) 2481 gm

Mass of cutter + soil from field, W2 (gm) 4483 gm

Wet density, (gm/cm3) 1.968 gm/cm3

Dry density , (gm/cm3) 1.9305 gm/cm3

 OBJECT 02: DENSITY OF SOIL BY SAND CONE METHOD

Introduction:
The sand cone method employs the use of a uniformly graded sand to fill a test hole.
The hole is hand excavated in the soil and all the material from the hole is saved in a
container. The hole is filled with free-flowing sand of a known density, and the volume
is determined. The wet density of the soil is calculated and by determining the water
content of the material from the hole, the in-place dry density can be obtained.

Purpose and significance:

 To determine the in-place density/unit weight of soils of natural soil.
 To determine the density and water content of compacted soils. It often is
used as a basis of acceptance for compacted soils.

Apparatus:
1- Sand-cone density apparatus, consisting of sand container, sand cone (funnel),
and base plate.
2- Small digging tools (e.g., shovels, trowels).
3- Balance.
4- Large sealable plastic bag or airtight container.

Fig.1—Sand cone device. Parts include A) base plate, B) funnel, and C) sand container
Testing Procedure:
Select a location/elevation that is representative of the area to be tested, and determine
the density of the soil in-place as follows:
1. Fill the sand cone device with the same type of sand used for the calibration.
Obtain the mass of the filled sand cone, 𝑾𝟏.
2. Prepare the surface of the location to be tested, so that it is a level
plane. Place the base plate on the surface.
3. Excavate a test hole through the center of the base plate. The shape of the test
hole should approximate the shape of the calibration chamber. The base plate
should not overhang the test hole, and the bottom of the test hole should be
flat. Place all the excavated soil in a sealed plastic bag to be used for water
content measurement.
4. Clean the flange of the base plate hole, invert the filled sand cone device over
the excavated test hole. Open the valve and fill the test hole, base plate, and
funnel with sand. Do not perform the test if there are significant ambient
vibrations (e.g., heavy equipment operation), and take care not to move or
shake the device during filling. When the sand stops flowing, close the valve.
5. Determine the mass of the sand cone with the remaining sand, 𝑾𝟐.
6. Determine and record the mass of the moist soil material that was removed
from the test hole, 𝑾𝒔𝒉.
7. Mix the soil material thoroughly, and either obtain a representative
specimen for water content determination 𝒘, or use the entire sample.
 FIELD DENSITY MEASUREMENT BY SAND CONE METHOD DATA SHEET

Calibration

Volume of Calibrating container, V cm3

Weight of sand pouring cylinder + sand, W1 gm

Weight of sand required to fill the conical portion on flat surface, W2

gm

Weight of sand pouring cylinder + sand, (after filling calibrating can)

W3 gm
Weight of sand required to fill the calibration container, W= (W1-W2-
W3)

Unit weight of sand

Measurements

Weight of soil excavated from pit, W (g)

Weight of sand + sand pouring cylinder, before pouring, W1 (g)

Weight of sand pouring cylinder after filling hole and conical portion,
W4 (g)

Weight of sand in the pit, Wp = ( W1-W4-W2) (g)

Volume of sand required to fill the pit, Vp = Wp/Ysand (cm3)

Bulk unit weight of the soil,

𝛾𝑤𝑒𝑡) (gm/cm3)
Dry unit weight of the soil,
𝛾𝑑) 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 (gm/cm3)
Water Content Determination:
sample 1

Weight of can, W1 (g) 55 gm

Weight of can + wet soil W2 (g) 226 gm

Weight of can + dry soil W3 (g) 220 gm

Water/Moisture content 3.63 %

Based on the provided results and observa ons, let's compare both methods:
Method
- Core Cu er Method: Extracts cylindrical soil sample for direct measurement
- Sand Cone Method: Indirectly measures volume by sand displacement
Sampling
- Core Cu er Method: Samples specific volume of soil
- Sand Cone Method: Measures average density within excavated hole
Suitability
- Core Cu er Method: Suitable for cohesive soils
- Sand Cone Method: Preferred for granular soils
Accuracy
- Core Cu er Method: Provides localized measurement
- Sand Cone Method: May be influenced by surrounding soil condi ons
Applica on
- Core Cu er Method: Used when accuracy in specific soil volume is required
- Sand Cone Method: Suitable for average density measurement in excavated hole
Results
- Core Cu er Method: Dry Density: 1.968 gm/cm3, Water Content: 1.94%
-Sand Cone Method: Dry Density: 3.744 gm/cm3, Water Content: 3.63%
Limita ons
- Core Cu er Method: May require more me and effort for sample extrac on
- Sand Cone Method: Influenced by compac on method and soil moisture content
This document summarizes the comparison between the core cu er method and sand cone
method for soil density determina on, including their method, suitability, accuracy, results, and
limita ons.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that the sand cone method yields significantly higher dry density values
compared to the core cu er method for the given soil sample. This difference could be due to
varia ons in the compac on process or the inherent limita ons of each method. Further
analysis and comparison of the precision, ease of use, and cost-effec veness of both methods
may be necessary to determine their suitability for specific applica ons.

Individual’s Contribu on
20CE010 Lab

20CE034

20CE058

20CE078

20CE114

20CE138

20CE162
Site Pictures