Specific Gravity of Soil Test

Specific Gravity of Soil Test

The Specific Gravity of Soil is an important parameter used in geotechnical calculations that represents the density of soil solids to that of water. While the terms "specific gravity" and "particle density" are sometimes used interchangeably, the latter emphasizes the measurement's comparative character. This test is performed in accordance with ASTM D854 or BS 1377-2 and is critical for measuring factors such as void ratio, unit weight, porosity, and saturation, all of which impact a soil's strength, settlement behavior, and hydraulic conductivity. Specific gravity readings are also useful for categorizing soils and determining if they contain organic content, heavy minerals, or pollutants. It is used as a basic parameter in Proctor compaction tests, permeability tests, and strength evaluations, making it useful for both basic and advanced geotechnical engineering analyses.

Advantages of Specific Gravity Testing:

• Supports unit weight and void ratio computations.
• Required for an effective stress and permeability analysis.
• Provides a baseline for soil identification.
• applicable to all soil types.
• Tested under ASTM or BS standards.