Comparison of Methods for Determination of Particle Density.

Particle density and porosity play important roles in soil science, geology, and engineering fields. There are two basic types of procedures for measuring particle density of soil and rock type materials, liquid displacement and gas displacement. Particle density of more than 50 different soil samples collected from Coastal Plain, Piedmont and Mountain regions of North Carolina, representing 10 of the 12 USDA Textural Classes were determined by a commercial gas pycnometer using helium (He) and a vacuum pycnometer designed and constructed in house. In addition, particle density of selected number of samples was determined by the water pycnometer method. Comparison of these procedures as well as advantages and disadvantages of each method will be presented.