• The 151h hydrometer reads the specific gravity of the suspension and has a capacity

of about 45g of dry soil in the 1,000ml liquid solution.

• The 152h hydrometer measures the grams per liter of the suspension with a capacity
of up to 55g of dry soil in the 1,000ml liquid solution.

Sample Preparation
Hydrometer test specimens come from a variety of sources, large bulk samples from a field
project, jar or tube samples from a soil test boring, or representative samples taken from other
laboratory tests like hydraulic conductivity or moisture/density relationship (Proctor).
Whenever possible, the moisture content in the bulk samples should be conserved through the
preparation phase since air-drying can alter the characteristics of clay particles. Air-dried
soils require specific steps in sample preparation. Oven-dried soils cannot be tested using this
method.
There are two general procedures detailed in the test method for sample preparation. Details
of the preparation methods required vary based on the percentages of coarser particle sizes:
• Moist preparation maintains moisture in the soil throughout the preparation process
to prevent changes to the properties of the clay particles and is the preferred method.
Soil moisture in the specimen is maintained or increased as needed to work the
material through a No. 10 (2.0mm) sieve with a rubber scraper. (Obviously, this sieve
will not be acceptable for use in other grain-size tests after this application.)

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 • Air-dried preparation is permitted only if the sample is received in an air-dry
condition. A mortar and rubber-tipped pestle are used to break up dried clumps of
soil to pass the No. 10 sieve.
After processing through the sieve, the mass required for the sedimentation specimen must be
calculated based on the moisture content of the reduced sample, the estimated percentage
passing the No. 200 (75µm) sieve, and the sediment capacity of the hydrometer type selected
for the test. This calculation determines the mass of the moist specimen required for the test:

Example: If the moisture content of your prepared sample is 20% with an estimated 95%
finer than the No. 200 sieve and you will be using a 151H hydrometer, the correct size of the
test specimen, rounded to the nearest gram will be 57g.

In most cases, final specimens for the hydrometer test range between 50g and 60g of material
finer than the No. 10 (2.00mm) sieve.

Putting the Soil in Suspension

The test specimen is placed in a 250ml glass beaker and mixed with water and sodium
hexametaphosphate, a dispersion agent that prevents fine particles in suspension from
clumping together. This slurry is rinsed into a dispersion cup for agitation with the stirring
apparatus for one minute. An alternate air-jet device is permitted for dispersion, but this
apparatus is not preferred in the test method. After washing the second slurry into the
glass sedimentation cylinder, the cylinder is filled to the calibrated 1,000ml mark with
water.
You can mix the solution in the sedimentation cylinder with a soil agitator, the preferred
method, or the “tipping method” of manual inverted mixing. The cylinder is then covered and
allowed to condition and equilibrate overnight in an area of stable ambient temperature or
a constant temperature water bath.
Note: If performing the test in a temperature-controlled room at 22±5°C, (72±9°F), and the
temperature of the suspension does not fluctuate more than 2°C (3.6°F) during the test, a
constant temperature bath is not strictly required.

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The Hydrometer Test Procedure
1. When starting the test, the suspension is mixed again using the agitator or tipping method,
and a timer tracks elapsed time when mixing is complete.
2. The cylinder is placed back on the bench or in the constant temperature bath and checked
to see if foam on top of the suspension will inhibit accurately reading the hydrometer.
A few drops of isopropyl alcohol will dissipate significant foam.

3. Take readings of the hydrometer in suspension at elapsed times of 1, 2, 4, 15, 30, 60, 240,
and 1440 minutes. Additional readings are optional to define particle size distribution. It is
possible to perform hydrometer readings on multiple samples at the correct elapsed times by
using sequential or staggered mixing and start times.
4. Fifteen to twenty seconds in advance, gently lower the hydrometer into the suspension to
about the level of the anticipated reading and allow it to stabilize.
5. Read the top of the meniscus on the hydrometer to the nearest ¼ graduation and record it.

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6. Extract the hydrometer in one steady motion, taking 5 to 10 seconds to remove it. If there
is a drop of liquid remaining on the end of the bulb, touch it to the lip of the sedimentation
cylinder and let it flow back into the suspension.
7. Immerse the hydrometer into a cylinder of clean water and give it a spinning motion.
8. Remove and dry before taking the next reading.
9. After each hydrometer reading, insert a thermometer without disturbing the suspension and
record a temperature reading. The lab thermometer must be standardized and feature both
readability and accuracy to ±0.5°C or better, at immersion depths from 25 to
80mm. Some digital laboratory thermometers meet these strict requirements and are
generally safer and more convenient than mercury or liquid-in-glass models.
The temperature reading at the start of the test is valid for the initial readings up to 30
minutes. The temperature does not need to be measured more frequently than 30 minutes at
the elapsed times of actual measurements.
10. Once the series of hydrometer readings are complete, transfer all of the suspension to an
oven drying container.
11. After drying, the remaining solids are weighed to determine a total dry mass, then soaked
in water, and washed over a No. 200 (75µm) sieve. If the dry mass of the specimen is already
known, it can be washed directly over the No. 200 sieve and oven-dried. With either method,
the dry weight of the material retained on the No. 200 sieve is determined and recorded.

Standard proctor test

The procedure for performing the Proctor Test (Standard Effort Compaction) according to
Method A of ASTM D698 – 07e1 involves specific requirements for the mold size, material
gradation, compactive effort, and steps for specimen preparation and compaction.

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This test determines the relationship between molding water content and dry unit weight of
soils (compaction curve) using a standard effort of $12,400 \text{ ft-lbf/ft}^3$ ($600 \text{
kN-m/m}^3$).
I. Requirements for Method A
Method A is suitable if 25% or less by mass of the material is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-
mm) sieve. If this requirement is not met, Method C may be used.

Feature Requirement for Method A Citation

Mold Diameter 4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter

Material Passing No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve

Layers Three

Blows per Layer 25

Rammer 5.50-lbf (24.5-N) dropped 12.0 in. (305 mm)

If the test specimen contains more than 5% by mass of the oversize fraction (material retained
on the No. 4 sieve), corrections must be applied using Practice D 4718.
II. Preparation of Apparatus and Specimen
A. Apparatus Setup
1. Mould Selection and Verification: Select the 4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter mold
assembly, which must have a volume of $0.0333 \pm 0.0005 \text{ ft}^3$ ($943.0
\pm 14 \text{ cm}^3$). Check that the mold, collar, and base plate fit together
properly and that the mold volume is known.
2. Rammer Verification: Verify that the manual or mechanical rammer (5.50 $\pm
0.02 \text{ lbf}$ or $2.495 \pm 0.023 \text{ kg}$) falls freely $12.00 \pm 0.05 \text{
in.}$ ($304.8 \pm 1 \text{ mm}$).
3. Foundation: The mold shall rest on a uniform rigid foundation, such as a concrete
cylinder or cube weighing not less than $200 \text{-lbf}$ or $91 \text{-kg}$. Secure
the base plate to this foundation.
B. Sample Preparation
1. Minimum Mass: The minimum mass for the test specimen (test fraction) for Method
A is about $16 \text{ kg}$ of dry soil.
2. Processing (Moist Preparation Preferred):
o Do not reuse soil that has been previously compacted in the laboratory, as this
yields a significantly greater maximum dry unit weight.
o Moist Preparation Method (Preferred): Process the moist sample over the
No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. Determine and record the moist mass of both the
retained and passing portions (oversize and test fractions). Oven dry the

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 oversize fraction and determine its dry mass. Determine the water content of
the test fraction (passing the No. 4 sieve) and use it to determine the oven dry
mass of the test fraction. Calculate the percentage of oversize fraction ($P_C$)
and test fraction ($P_F$).
o Dry Preparation Method (Alternative): If the sample is too damp to be
friable, reduce the water content by air drying (temperature not exceeding
$140^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($60^{\circ}\text{C}$)) until it is friable. Break up
aggregations and process the material over the No. 4 sieve. Determine water
content and masses as required in 10.2.
3. Subspecimen Preparation and Curing:
o Select and prepare at least four (preferably five) subspecimens (compaction
points) from the test fraction that bracket the estimated optimum water
content, with increments of water content varying by about 2% (or up to 4%
for flat curves). At least two points must be wet of optimum and two dry of
optimum.
o Select about $2.3 \text{ kg}$ of representative soil for each subspecimen.
o Add or remove the required amount of water and thoroughly mix each
subspecimen to facilitate even water distribution.
o Place each subspecimen in a separate covered container to stand (cure) for the
minimum time specified in Table 2, based on soil classification (e.g., GM, SM
require 3 hours; all other soils require 16 hours; GW, GP, SW, SP require no
standing time).
III. Compaction Procedure
The following steps are performed for each subspecimen (compaction point):
1. Initial Weighing: Determine and record the mass of the mold (or mold and base
plate).
2. Assembly: Assemble and secure the mold and extension collar to the base plate.
3. Layer Placement: Compact the soil in three layers. Place the loose soil into the
mold and spread into a layer of uniform thickness. Lightly tamp the loose soil until it
is not in a fluffy state before compaction.
4. Compaction Effort: Compact each layer with 25 blows.
5. Rammer Operation and Pattern:
o Hold the manual rammer guide sleeve steady and within $5^{\circ}$ of
vertical, avoiding lifting the guide sleeve during the upstroke.
o Apply blows at a uniform rate (about $25 \text{ blows/min}$) to provide
complete, uniform coverage.
o When using a manual rammer and 4-in. mold, follow the blow patterns given
in Figure 3a and Figure 3b.

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 6. Trimming Layers: Following the compaction of the first two layers, trim and discard
any uncompacted soil adjacent to the mold walls or extending above the compacted
surface.
7. Final Layer Check: The total amount of soil used must ensure the third compacted
layer slightly extends into the collar, but does not extend more than approximately
$1/4 \text{-in.}$ ($6 \text{-mm}$) above the top of the mold. If the third layer
exceeds this limit, the compaction point must be discarded.
8. Trimming Specimen: After compacting the last layer, remove the collar and base
plate (unless the base plate is required to remain attached for very wet or dry soils).
Carefully trim the compacted specimen even with the top of the mold using the
straightedge. Fill any holes in the surface with unused or trimmed soil and re-scrape.
9. Final Weighing: Determine and record the mass of the specimen and mold (or
specimen, mold, and base plate) to the nearest $\text{g}$.
10. Water Content Determination: Remove the specimen from the mold. Obtain a
representative portion (or the entire specimen) to determine the molding water content
in accordance with Test Methods D 2216. The resulting water content should be
reported to $0.1%$.
IV. Calculations and Plotting
1. Dry Unit Weight Calculation: Calculate the moist density ($\rho_m$), dry density
($\rho_d$), and dry unit weight ($\gamma_d$) for each compaction point using the
recorded masses, mold volume ($V$), and water content ($w$).
2. Compaction Curve Plotting: Plot the calculated dry unit weight ($\gamma_d$)
versus the corresponding molding water content ($w$). Draw a smooth curve through
these points—this is the compaction curve.
3. Standard Compaction Results: From the compaction curve, determine and record
the:
o Standard Optimum Water Content ($\text{Std-}w_{opt}$): The water
content corresponding to the maximum dry unit weight, to the nearest $0.1%$.
o Standard Maximum Dry Unit Weight ($\text{Std-}\gamma_{d,max}$):
The maximum dry unit weight achieved, to the nearest $0.1 \text{ lbf/ft}^3$
or $0.02 \text{ kN/m}^3$.
4. Saturation Curve: Calculate and plot the $100%$ saturation curve (zero air voids
curve) to aid in drawing the compaction curve and checking measurement validity.
The compaction curve should theoretically not plot to the right of the $100%$
saturation curve.

• Exception: If the percentage passing the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve is less than 10
percent, it shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 percent.
• Report the fineness modulus, when required, to the nearest 0.01.

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Hydrometer

What is the Hydrometer Test of Soil?

Measuring the particle size distribution of fine-grained soils like clay and silt is best
performed using the soil hydrometer test. This sedimentation method is familiar to all
geotechnical laboratories.

The Hydrometer Analysis of Soil

The hydrometer analysis of soil, based on Stokes’ law, calculates the size of soil particles
from the speed at which they settle out of suspension from a liquid. Results from the test
show the grain size distribution for soils finer than the No. 200 (75µm) sieve. However, when
combined with a sieve analysis, the hydrometer tests offers a complete gradation profile of
soils containing coarser materials.

ASTM D7928:
The American Society for Testing and materials test method (ASTM) D7928 offers different
options for sample preparation, hydrometer type, hydrometer offset, sample agitation, and
more. Final calculations for particle size and distribution depend on which of the options
were chosen and are not straightforward. We encourage the user to read and understand the
entire published ASTM standard before running the test.
This blog presents an overview of the essential steps, techniques, and lab testing equipment
required. For this blog post, we will follow the ASTM D7928 standard test method. This
standard replaces the older, withdrawn D422 method. AASHTO T 88 is a test method similar
to D422 currently used by state transportation departments.

151H vs 152H Hydrometer

Periodic readings to determine the volume of suspended solids in the liquid are the critical
measurements in this test. The hydrometer instrument is a buoyant glass tube calibrated to
measure the relative density of liquids. There are two types of soil hydrometers for use in
soil suspensions.
he amount of material finer than the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve is to be determined by T 11:
• Aggregates $\mathbf{12.5 \text{ mm} (1/2 \text{ in.)}}$ or less: Use the same test
sample for both methods. First, test the sample according to T 11 through the final
drying operation, and then dry sieve the sample as stipulated in this method (T 27).

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 • Aggregates greater than $\mathbf{12.5 \text{ mm} (1/2 \text{ in.)}}$: A single test
sample may be used, or separate samples may be used for T 11 and T 27.
4.4. Sieving Setup and Load Limits
1. Initial Weighing: Determine and record the mass of the dry material that will be
placed on the sieves to the accuracy of the balance defined in Section 6.1.
2. Sieve Selection: Select sieves with openings suitable to furnish the required
information. Nest the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to
bottom.
3. Sieve Overload Prevention: Limit the quantity of material retained on a given sieve
to ensure all particles have the opportunity to reach the sieve openings:
o Sieves smaller than 4.75-mm (No. 4): The quantity retained shall not exceed
$7 \text{ kg/m}^2$ ($200 \text{ g}$ for a standard 203.2-mm (8-in.) diameter
sieve).
o Sieves 4.75 mm (No. 4) and larger: The quantity retained in kilograms shall
not exceed the product of $2.5 \times (\text{sieve opening, mm} \times
\text{effective sieving area, m}^2)$.
4. Overload Methods: Prevent overload by inserting an additional intermediate sieve,
splitting the sample into two or more portions (and combining results later), or using
larger sieve frames.
5. Splitting Fine Material: For coarse and fine aggregate mixtures, the portion finer
than the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve may be reduced in size using a mechanical splitter
according to T 248. If this is done, the mass of each size increment ($A$) of the
original sample is computed using the following formula: $$A = \frac{W_1}{W_2}
\times B$$ Where $W_1$ is the mass of the fraction finer than 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve
in the total sample, $W_2$ is the mass of the reduced portion actually sieved, and
$B$ is the mass of the size increment in the reduced portion sieved.
4.5. Sieving Operation
1. Place the sample (or portion) on the top sieve. Agitate the sieves by hand or
mechanical apparatus.
2. Sieving Adequacy Check: Continue sieving until, after completion, not more than
0.5 percent by mass of the total sample passes any sieve during 1 minute of
continuous hand sieving.
3. Hand Sieving Large Particles: For particles retained on sieves 75 mm (3 in.) or
larger, hand sieve by rotating the particles to determine if they will pass through the
opening, but do not force them.

4. Final Weighing: Determine the mass of each size increment (retained on each sieve
and in the pan) to the nearest 0.1 percent of the total original dry sample mass.

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4.6. Test Validation
The total mass of the material after sieving should check closely with the total original dry
mass placed on the sieves. If the two amounts differ by more than 0.3 percent, based on the
total original dry sample mass, the results should not be used for acceptance purposes.
5. Calculations and Reporting
5.1. Calculations
1. Percentages: Calculate percentages passing, total percentages retained, or
percentages in various size fractions to the nearest 0.1 percent based on the total mass
of the initial dry sample.
2. Washed Samples: If the sample was first tested by T 11, the mass of material finer
than 75-µm (No. 200) determined by washing must be included in the sieve analysis
calculation, and the total dry sample mass prior to washing in T 11 is the basis for
calculating all percentages.
3. Fineness Modulus (FM): When required, calculate the FM by adding the total
percentages of material in the sample that is coarser than each of the following sieves
(cumulative percentages retained), and dividing the sum by 100:
o 150 µm (No. 100)
o 300 µm (No. 50)
o 600 µm (No. 30)
o 1.18 mm (No. 16)
o 2.36 mm (No. 8)
o 4.75 mm (No. 4)
o 9.5 mm (3/8 in.)
o 19.0 mm (3/4 in.)
o 37.5 mm (1 1/2 in.) and larger, increasing the ratio of 2 to 1.
5.2. Reporting
The report shall include one of the following forms, depending on the specifications:
1. Total percentage of material passing each sieve, or
2. Total percentage of material retained on each sieve, or
3. Percentage of material retained between consecutive sieves.
Reporting Format:
• Report percentages to the nearest whole number.

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