LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0
CATEGORY TRADITIONAL
1.1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to
provide the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and
inculcate creativity and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem,
ways & means and answers are provided to the students. However it is still
necessary especially to first and second year students.
A wet sieving test was conducted on 1kg of the air-dried soil sample to
determine the particle size distribution of the coarse materials. The results of the
wet sieving test were given in form PS1. The hydrometer sedimentation test
was then conducted in the laboratory to obtain the particle size distribution of the
fine portion of the soil sample.
The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.
Balance
Set of sieves
Cleaning brush
Sieve shaker
Mixer (blender)
Hydrometer
Sedimentation cylinder
Control cylinder
Thermometer
Beaker
Timing device.
and other accessories which include evaporating dish, corrosion
resistant tray, calgon (33g of sodium hexametaphosphate and 7g
of sodium carbonate in distilled water to make 1 Litre).
3.2 Procedures
1. Take the fine soil from the bottom pan of the sieve set, place it into
a beaker, and add 125 mL of the dispersing agent (sodium
hexametaphosphate (40 g/L)) solution. Stir the mixture until the
soil is thoroughly wet. Let the soil soak for at least ten minutes.
2. While the soil is soaking, add 125mL of dispersing agent into the
control cylinder and fill it with distilled water to the mark. Take the
reading at the top of the meniscus formed by the hydrometer stem
and the control solution. A reading less than zero is recorded as a
negative (-) correction and a reading between zero and sixty is
recorded as a positive (+) correction. This reading is called the
zero correction. The meniscus correction is the difference between
the top of the meniscus and the level of the solution in the control
jar (Usually about +1). Shake the control cylinder in such a way
that the contents are mixed thoroughly. Insert the hydrometer and
m( s1)R d
100 s (%)
K=
10. Where m is the weight of the soil sample in grams.
11. Calculate the adjusted percentage passing and plot the grain size curve