Determine Free Swell Index Of Soil

To determine the free swell index of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part XL) – 1977. Free swell or differential free swell, also termed as free swell index, is the increase in volume of soil without any external constraint when subjected to submergence in water. The apparatus used :

i) IS Sieve of size 425µm
ii) Oven
iii) Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g
iv) Graduated glass cylinder- 2 nos., each of 100ml capacity

Procedure to determine Free Swell Index Of Soil

i) Take two specimens of 10g each of pulverised soil passing through 425µm IS Sieve and oven-dry.

ii) Pour each soil specimen into a graduated glass cylinder of 100ml capacity.

iii) Pour distilled water in one and kerosene oil in the other cylinder upto 100ml mark.

iv) Remove entrapped air by gently shaking or stirring with a glass rod.

v) Allow the suspension to attain the state of equilibrium (for not less than 24hours).

vi) Final volume of soil in each of the cylinder should be read out.

REPORTING OF RESULTS

Free swell index = [V_d - V_k] / V_k x 100%

where,

V_d = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing distilled water.

V_k = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing kerosene.