( Reaffirmed 1995 )

OSI 2720 ( Part %%I ) - 19fl

hdian Standard
MBTHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART XXI

DETERMINATION
SOLUBLE SOLIDS

OF TOTAL

( First Revision )
T

__

Soil Engineerinq

Sectional

Committee,

BDC 23

Rtprrsmfing
C:mtral
Building
Roorkce

Rrsearch

Institute

Public Worko Department,

Government
Pradesh
Sxiar D. C. Ct.tl~~~v~bt ( Aftsmuts )
4~imDy;;
DIX~S~R RBS~ARCR Railway Board ( Ministry of Railwaya )

( CSIR h

of

Uttat

I)Epti
DIRECTOR REEBARCV-X
( RDSO ) ( Alkrnats)
PROF A~alr S~NOH
univtrsity
ofJodhpur, Jbdbpur
LT-COL AVTIIR SlNoH
Engineer-in-Chiefs
Branch, Army Headguarten
MAJ V. K. KANXTKAR( Afkmafe )
OR A.BANER E
Cementation
Co Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI s. $ UPTA ( Alfemat0 )
CHIEF ENOINEER
(D & R)
Irrigation Depaitmcnt,
Government of Punjab
DIRECTOR( IPRI ) ( Alfmatc )
SHRI K. N. DAD~~A
In personal
capacity
( P-820, g P Jk
Al@om,
Calcutta 7ooo53 )
SHRI A. C. DARTIDAR
In personal
capacity
( 5, Hwtgqfird S&M, 12/j,
HtmgwfoordCourt, Calcutta 700017)
SIIRI R. L. DEWAN
Irrigation Research Institute, Khagaul, Patna
.DR G. S. DHILLON
Indian Geotechnical Society, New Delhi
SWRIA. H. DIVANJI
Asia Foundations & Construction ( P ) Ltd,,Botnbay
SHRI A. N.JANGLIZ ( Alkm!r
)
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
DR SEASHI K. GIJLHATI
DR G. V. RAO I Altmafe)
YHRI V. G. HEQDE
National Buildings Organization,
New Delhi
Sxial S. H. BALCHANDANI( Afkmute)
SHR~0. P. MALHOTRA
Pubhc Works Dcqanment,
Government of Punjab
Road;Jm&iMmlsy
of Shlpping & Transport),
SHRI .I. S. MARYA
SHRI N. SEN ( Alhmot~ :

( Continued on pap 2 )

@)
INDIAN

G#yright 1978

STANDARDS

INSTITUTION

This publication
ia protected under the India Cofyr$hr Act (XIV
of 1957 ) and
rcpmduction in whole or in part by any meansacept wsth written pamimiua
of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement
of copyrieht under the lafd Act,
.,I

.-

SERI IL s. MBLKcn%
Darrrn Dr~aoror

Central

( CSMRS )

(Altmude)
SERX T. K. NATARAJAPJ

Water Commission,

Research

REPRasENTATxvE
RxsL4RcE Omclm
SERI K. R.

NM

Delhi
Institute

k2zcE:

( CSIR

Laboratory,

Chhandigarh
Engineering Research Laboratories, Hydcrabad
Central Board of Irrigation & Power, New Delhi

.%XRNA

SBGRETABY

DEPUTY SECRETARY( Altmtata)

+DR SAAYSHBR PRAKASH
University of Roorkec, Roorkee
Da G~PAL RANJAN ( Alterauk )
SERI H. D. hARMA
Irrigation
Rescz~~& Iustitute, Roorkee
SUPERINTENDING
ENQINEER
Publ$adorka
Department,
Government
EX~CUTWIZENQINIUR ( Al&mate 1

SERIB. T.

UNWALLA

SHRI T. M. h&NON
SHRI H. C. VSRNA

,I,

(Al&m&

of Far&4

Concrcc &mmiation of India, Bombay

.bJk ladin
Instrum ents Manufacturers
Association, Bombay
SRRI Vi K. VASUDEVAN ( Alf#mati)
SHRI D. AJXTEASIMHA,
Director Genexal, ISI ( E%-&& A&&?)
Director ( Civ Engg )
s#u&z?y
Dcput9

Sslx G. Ravrrrs
Director (civ Engg),

Soil Testing Pracedurcs and Equipment

DcaIcra

IS1

Subcommittee,

BDC 23 : 3

CrAavr
&NOS

University of

SmIr AXAR SImR

Cen~Wrh$ling

PRO?

Auu

Jodhpur, Jodhpur
Research

Engineer-in-Chiefs
Branch,
.LpCcn ALA& SIN~R
b&J V. K. KANITKAR( Altmmte)
D B p u T Y IhREmR
RBS~ARGB Railway Board ( Ministry of
( sort MECHANICS-I) ( RDSO )
DWRCCOR
ASSISTANT
(SOTL
RESEARCH
MECHA?4XS-I ) ( RDSO ) ( A&era& )
Irrigation Research Institute,
&RI R. L. DEWAN
Beaa Dams Projects, Talwara
&RECTOR(I~c)
SHRI K. S. PREN ( Alternate )
Geologist Syndicate Put Ltd,
SHRI H. K. GUEA
SERI N. N. BRA~ACHARAYA ( Ahmate )

I~natitute

( CSIR ),

Army Headquarters
Railways

Khagaul,
Township

Patna

Calcutta
( Gmtinued onpage 8 )

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FtiR SOILS
PART XXI

DETERMINATION
SOLUBLE SOLIDS

OF TOTAL

( First Revision)
0.

FOREWORD

0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part XXI) ( First Revision ) was adopted by
the Indian Standards knstitution on 30 December 1977, after the draft
finalized by the Soil Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved
by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 With a view to establish uniform procedures for the determination of
different characteristics of soils and also for facilitating comparative studies
of the results, the Indian Standards Institution is bringing out this Indian
Standard Methods of test for soils ( IS : 2720 ) which is being published
in parts. Forty one parts of this standard have been published. This part
[ IS : 2720 ( Part XXI )-1977 ] deals with the method of test for the determination of total soluble solids in soils. The presence of soluble solids in a
soil is one of the important aspects requiring examination since these water
soluble solids greatly influence the engineering properties of the roil.
Two methods for the determination of soluble solids are given. The first
method, the gravimetric method ( designated as tbe standard method.), gives
the percentage of soluble solids accurately in absolute terms. The sceond
method, the conductimetric method ( designated as the subsidiary me&xl )
may be used for rapid Bt.
0.2.1 This standard was first published in 1965. In this revision, the
conductimetric method has been simplified by specifying the use of P
conductivity meter or biidge.
03 In the formulation of this standard due weightage has been given to
international co-ordination among the stanAs& andpracticeaptevailine
in different countries in addition to relating it to the practices, in this field
in this country.
This has been met by deriving as&an ce from the
following publication:
Innu.
M-Y
OF Xmuo~nc$n rim Powxa. CBIP.
Publication
No. 42 Standards for testing soils, 1963. Central Board of Irrlg&on
and Power, New Delbi.
3

IS x2729 ( Part XXI ) - 1977

0.4 In reporting the result of a test or analysis made in accordance with
this standard, if the final value, observed or calculated, is to be rounded
off, it shall be done in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard ( Part XXI ) lays down the determination of total
soluble solids content in soil both by gravimetric method which has been
specified as the standard mcthod and conductimetric method which has
been specified as a subsidiary method.
2. GRAVIMETRIC

METHOD

( STANDARD

METHOD)

2 .l Apprratas
2.1.1 Bottle Shaker
controlled
oven to maintain the
2.1.2 Oven - Thermostatically
temperature between 105C and llOC, with interior of non-corroding
material.
2.13

sensitive to O-001 g.

Chemical Balance -

2.1.4 Buchtur or Glass Funnel -

about 10 cm diameter.

2.1.5 Glued Porcelain Dish or Glass Dish

2.1.6

Filtering Flask -

2.1.7 Glass Bottle -

capacity 500 ml.

capacity 250 ml, with rubber bang.

2.1.8 Measuring Cylinder 2.1.9 Pipstte 2.1.10

capacity 100 ml.

50 ml and 100 ml.

Vacuum Pump

2.1.11 Desiccator acid.

with any desiccating

agent

other

2.1.12 l%rmometer
2.1.13

Water Bath

2.1.14 Filter Candle

2.1.15 Filter Pa+r -

Whatman No. 42 or ita equivalent.

*R&J

for rounding off numerical values ( rwised ).

than

sulphuric

X4:2720(

Pare XXI)-1977

2.2 Procedure
2.2.1 A representative sample passing a 2-mm IS Sieve from the air
dried sample prepared in accordance with IS : 2720 ( Part I )-1972* shall
be dried to constant weight in an oven at a temperature of 105 to 110C.
Out of this, about 10 g of soil shall be accurately weighed and transferred
to a 250-ml glass bottle. loo-ml of distilled water shall be added to it; the
bottle shall then be stoppered and fitted in the shaker and shaken overThe soil shall then be allowed to settle and the
night (at least 15 h).
clear portion decanted off and filtered through Whatman No. 42 filter
paper or equivalent. If by simple filtration the filtrate is not clear, the
operation shall be repeated employing a filter candle with a vacuum pump.
2.2.2 Take 50-ml of the clear filtrate in a pre-weighed porcelain dish,
or glass dish and concentrate by evaporating in the water both before
finally drying in the oven at 110C. The dish shall then be cooled to room
temperature in a desiccator and weighed to get the weight of the residue.
The percentage of total soluble solids in the soil shall then be calculated on
the basis of the soil taken for analysis.
2.3 Report
2.3.1 The results shall be reported to the nearest 001 percent as a percentage by weight of oven-dry soil.
2.3.2 The observations of the test shall be suitably recorded.
mended proforma for the record is as given in Appendix A.
3. CONDUCTIMETRIC

METHOD

( SUBSIDIARY

A recom-

METHOD

3.1 Apparatml
3.1.1 Conductivity M&r/Bridge
with Known CcU Constani ( Unbrwrk46b) The instrument is designed to carry out the measurement of specific conductance and specific resistance of various electrolytes and also measurement of
ohmic resistance with measuring accuracy of f3 percent in 7 or 8 ranges
varying from at least 1 mhos to 10 mhos.
3.1.2 Phyical Balance 3.1.3 Measuring Cylit&
3.1.4 Beaker 3.1.5

sensitivity @Ol g.
50-ml.

-capacity

150-ml.

Glass Rod or Stinrr

*Methoda of test for soils: Part I Prcpuation

wision ).

of dry roil samples

for vadotu

tam

(Jffd

3.2Procedure

- Take 10 g of oven-dry soil sample as mentioned in 2.2.

Distilled water shall be added to it and stirxd intermittently
with a glass
The soil suspension thus prepared shall
rod or by any stirring machine.
be allowed to settle in the beaker for about 30 minutes.
The supematant
liquid shall be transferred into another beaker and specific conductivity
determined using the conductivity meter/bridge.
NOTX-The
equipment
before using, shall be checked with a saturated calcium
sulphate solution which shall give specific conductivity of 2.2 mhos/cm at 25%. .If not,
the conductivity

cell is to be cleaned.

3.3.Rcpart

3.3.1
The results shall be reported in millimhos/cm.
3.3.2 The results obtained
prettcd as indicated below:
Conducti+

by conductivity

meter/bridge

may be inter-

Total soluble solid content

mcterlbridgs readiirgJ

Below 1 millimho/cm
1 to 2 millimhos/cm
2 to 3 millimhos/cm

Normal
Fairly good
High
Very high

Above 3 millimhos

&2720(Part%XI)-1977

APPENDIX

( Glause 2.3.2 )
FOR RECORDING

PROFORMA

Details of sampk...

Project. .. .. ... ...

1.

Sample number

&

Mass of oven-dry soil taken ( w ), in g

3. Volume of clear filtrate taken, in ml

4.

Procelain

dish or giass dish number,

50

. . . 1..

1 50

1 50

in g

I
5.

Mass of dish with residue

aftcr oven drying, in g

I
6.

Mass of diah, in g

_~
-

7.

Massofresidue(m,),ing

8. Percentage of soluble solids?

X 100

Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi

DR Sruun K; CULHATI
United Technical Ckxuulmnts ( P ) Ltd, NCW Delhi
SHRI R. K. JAIM
DnP.K.DE(dl~)
Building & Roads Research Laboratory,
Chandig&
s-1 0. P. MAt.aoTRr
REOEARIX OFPI~RR
( BLDO dr
ROAW ) ( Allrrrufr )
Central Water Commission, New Delhi
!hRI
R. S. M~LX~TE
DE?IJTY haC?OR
( CSMRS 1
(Ah&)
Raearch
Institute
( CSIIt ),
Central
Road
SHRI P. JAOMNATRA RAO
New Delhi
In personal capacity (F-24, Grun Par&, New De?)
SiIRI v. v. s. RAO
SERI N. fh?.N
Minktyw giypping
& Transport ( Roe& Wmg ),

SHW P. K. THOHAE( Ahmatc)

Public
S~lu M. M. D. Saria
DR B. L. DHAWAN ( Al&vnte )
S?miH. C. VERMA

Works Department,

koci$i~~h-umenta

Government

Manufacturen

of

Utt8r

( I ) Pvt Ltd.

P_
--

I
.sE3

AMENDMENT NO. 1

NOVEMBER 1983

TO

1S:ZMO (Part XXI)-1977 METHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS

PART XXI

DETERMINATION OF TOTAL SOLUBLE SOLIDS

(Fim t Revisia)

Addendum
---(Page 5, ckuse 2.2.2) - Add the folluwing
new Note after 2.2.2:
NOTE - In case the value of the solubility
is more than 2 percent, the test be repeated with
50-ml of distilled water.'

(BDC 23)

-u
Reprography Unit, ISI, New Delhi, India

El
-.

._._ _.* -

.~-

._i.