Subject:

Lab #1 Determining Soil Density and Water Content

Introduction:
The objectives of this lab were to determine the soil density and water content of a
sample of soil. This will be done using known relationships between various volumes,
masses, and densities. Soil contains multiple states of matter, those being solids,
liquids, and gas. The liquids and gases in the soil create voids in the soil, which have
crucial effects on the soils density. However, any movement or manipulation of the soil
may cause compaction, which causes the calculated density to be higher than the true
density. For this reason, the lab will use the sand cone method where sand of known
density will displace the soil sample taken from the work site. The volume of sand can
be calculated, therefore giving an accurate calculation of volume of soil used for the
sample. The purpose of this technical memo is to provide clear methods, results, and
conclusions on the sand cone method of determining the soil sample volume, in order
to achieve the soil density and water content through manipulation of equations.
Procedure:
The following procedure reflects the Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight
of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method given by the Active Standard ASTM
D1556/D1556M. The sand used is unique in that it is inexpensive, but also uniform and
provides data with enough accuracy to serve the purpose in the lab. In order to get to
the final values of soil sample density and water content, other values must first be
determined.

Determination of Sand Density

In order to determine the density of our sand, the mass and volume of the sand are
required. This is done by obtaining a proctor mold with a known volume of 944 cm^3.

The mass of the empty mold is recorded using a mass balance. Sand is then
consistently poured into the mold as to reduce error by compaction. A straight edge is
used to scrape the excess sand off the surface. The mold is brushed to remove stray
sand, and the mold is massed again. Three trials of this mass is recorded. Calculations
are done to assure that the trials are within 2% of each other. The empty mold mass is
then subtracted from the average of the data. This yields the approximate mass of the
sand, which is divided by the volume of the mold to obtain the density of the sand.
When using a funnel and sand container to fill a hole with sand, the volume of the hole
would be incorrectly calculated because it would also contain the volume of sand that is
in the funnel. Because of this, the volume of the funnel must be calculated in order to
subtract it from the total volume.
Determination of Funnel Volume
The volume of the funnel used to apply the sand is done by first recording the initial
mass of the sand and funnel. The sand is then allowed to flow until the funnel is filled.
This sand in the funnel is removed, and the mass of the container and funnel are
recorded again. Three trials are recorded. Calculations are done to assure that the trials
are within 2% of each other. The difference between the mass of the container before
and after the removal of the sand in the funnel is recorded for each trial. This value is
then averaged to give the approximate mass of sand that fills the funnel. Using the
recently calculated sand density and mass, the volume of the funnel can be found.
Determination of the Soil Volume
To determine the soil sample volume, the mass of the funnel and sand container are
initially massed and recorded, as well as the bag used to hold the sample. The soil
sample is then taken from the site and placed in the bag. The masses of the funnel and
sand container as well as the bag of sand are recorded again. The mass of the bag
alone is subtracted from the mass of the soil in the bag to obtain the soil mass. The
mass of the funnel and sand container after the sampling is subtracted from the initial
mass, as well as the mass of the funnel. This yields the mass of sand used to displace

the soil taken in the sample. This value along with the sand density gives the volume of
sand used, as well as the volume of the soil sample. Using the found soil mass and soil
volume, soil density can now be calculated.
Determination of Water Content
A tin tray is obtained and massed. A small sample of the soil is placed in the tin and the
mass is measured again. The difference between these two masses is the wet soil
mass. The sample and tin are then placed in the oven to ensure all water has been
removed. The dry sample and tin are then massed. This value is subtracted from the
wet mass, and this yields the water mass of the sample. The difference between the dry
sample and tin and the tin mass gives the dry soil mass. Using these two values, water
content can be calculated.
Equations Used:
Sand Mass, MSD (g) = MMSD - MM

(1)

Sand Density, SD (g/cm3) = MSD/VSD

(2)

Funnel Sand Mass, MFSD (g) = MFi MFf

(3)

Funnel Volume, VF (cm3) = MFSD/SD

(4)

Soil Mass, MSL (g) = MSLB - MB

(5)

Soil Volume, VSL (cm3) = (MFSDi MFSDf MFSD )/ SD

(6)

Soil Density, SL (g/cm3) = MSL/ VSL

(7)

Wet Soil Mass, MWSL (g) = MTWSL MT

(8)

Dry Soil Mass, MDSL (g) = MTDSL MT

(9)

Water Mass, Mw (g) = MWSL - MDSL

(10)

Water Content, (%) = (Mw/MDSL) * 100

(11)

Percent Error, P (%) = (Data1-Data2)/Data2

(12)

Data/Results:
Given data:

Volume of mold, VM= 944 cm3

Table 1: Sand Density
Trial

Mass Mold, MM

Mass Mold with Sand,

Mass Sand MSD (g)

1
2
3
Average

(g)
4259.5
4259.5
4259.5
4259.5

MMSD (g)
5690.4
5614.4
5602.8
5635.9

1430.9
1354.9
1343.3
1376.4

SD = 1376.4 g / 944 cm3 = 1.458 g/cm3 (Eqn. 2)

Table 2: Funnel Sand Mass
Trial

1
2
3
Average

Sand

Sand Container without

Sand in Funnel Mass, MFSD

Container

Funnel Sand Mass, MFf

(g)

Mass, MFi (g)

5257.1
5265.7
5264.7

(g)
3602.3
3641.3
3633.4

1654.8
1624.4
1631.3
1636.8

Table 3: Soil Results

Determination
Bag Mass, MB (g)
Soil in Bag Mass, MSLB (g)
Soil Mass, MSL (g)
Funnel Sand Mass initial, MFSDi (g)
Funnel Sand Mass final, MFSDf (g)

Value
9.3
847.4
838.1
5264.3
2712.2

Soil Volume, VSL (cm3)

Soil Density, SL (g/cm3)
Tin Cup Mass, MT (g)
Tin and Wet Soil Mass, MTWSL (g)
Wet Soil Mass, MWSL (g)
Tin and Dry Soil Mass, MTDSL (g
Dry Soil Mass, MDSL (g)

627.78
1.335
17.06
69.9
52.84
59.741
42.681

Water Mass, Mw (g)

10.16

Water Content, (%)

23.8

Conclusion:
In this lab, the density was found of a control substance (sand) using known mass and
volumes. This density along with a known mass of sand used to fill the excavation site
for a soil sample provides the soil volume, which along with the measured soil mass can
determine the soil sample density. The resulting value for soil density was 1.335 g/cm 3.
The density of the soil was expected to have a high density than water, meaning it was
greater than 1 g/cm3. The water content was found using wet and dry soil masses
obtained from the original soil sample. This value of 23.8% is understandable, for there
had previously been snowfall that was currently melting at the time the sample was
taken. High moisture was expected.
A majority of groups did not share their results, so it is difficult to say whether there was
a large variance. However, the resulting values were comparable to the few known
groups results as the calculated soil density ranged from 1.3-1.6 g/cm 3. This variance
between the groups may be due to the fact that the soils were taken from a different
location or may be experimental error. However, it is much more likely to be
experimental error, as the samples should not have varied this much in such a small
location difference.

Some sources of error may include the fact that the proctor mold was massed only one
time, rather than individually for each trial. Failure to completely brush off excess sand
from the mold before massing could have also altered the data as well as accidental
movement of the experimental area which causes compaction of the sand. Another
potential cause of error is the fact that the soil obtained from the sample was not pure.
Although the larger obstructions such as rocks and substantial roots were removed,
there were many smaller roots and grasses in the sample that have different densities,
and may have affected the mass of the wet soil.
Given that reasonable results were obtained from the lab, and the class also produced
similar values, this test is repeatable. The lab method under ASTM standards is
consistent and precise, therefore if the test were to be repeated, similar values should
be reported.

References:
Subcommittee: D18.08. "Active Standard ASTM D1556/D1556M Standard Test Method
for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method." ASTM
Compass. Vol. 04.08. N.p, n.d. Web.