Soil Complete

BEC 205 SOIL LABORATORY
Experiment 1
Compaction Standard Proctor Test

Introduction
Compaction is the process of increasing soil density or unit weight by reducing a void ratio on a
soil by mechanical means at constant moisture. A compaction is carried out to improve the soil
properties of an existing soil or in the process of placing fill.

Objective
The objective of this laboratory compaction tests is to find the variation in compaction with
water content, The relationship between dry density and moisture content for a given degree of
compactive effort, the moisture content for the most efficient compaction that is, at which the
maximum dry density is achieved under that compactive effort and also to obtain the value of the
maximum dry density.
The main objectives soil compaction is to:
a) increase shear strength and therefore bearing capacity
b) increase stiffness and therefore reduce future settlement
c) Decrease voids ratio and so permeability, thus reducing potential frost heave.
d) A number of factors will affect the degree of compaction that can be achieved:
e) Nature and type of soil, i.e. sand or clay, grading, plasticity.
f) Water content at the time of compaction.
g) Site conditions, e.g. weather, type of site, layer thickness.
h) Compactive effort: type of plant (weight, vibration, number of passes)
Compaction is employed in the construction of road bases, runways, earth dams, embankments
and reinforced earth walls. It also may be used to prepare a level surface for building
construction. The amount of compaction that can be achieved depends on the compactive effort
applied and the pre-existing density, moisture content and percentage of air voids in the soil.


In compaction, there are some factors that will affect the degree of compaction that can be
achieved. Among the factors that will affect the compaction degree are nature and type of soil,
i.e. sand or clay, grading, plasticity, water content at the time of compaction, site conditions, e.g.
weather, type of site, layer thickness and compactive effort: type of plant (weight, vibration,
number of passes).
The variation in compaction with water content and compactive effort is first established in the
laboratory. Target values are then specified for the dry density and/or air-voids content to be
achieved on site.
Mission
To determine the optimum moisture content at which a give soil has to compact in order to attain
the maximum dry density through compaction at various moisture contents. The test is assumed
that it duplicates field compaction effort and vice versa.
Apparatus
1. Proctor mould with a detachable collar assembly and base plate.
2. Rammer weighing of 2.5 kg and equipped to provide a height of drop to a free fall of 30
cm.
3. Sample extruder.
4. A sensitive balance.
5. Straight edge.
6. Squeeze bottle
7. Mixing tools such as mixing pan, spoon, towel, spatula etc.
8. Moisture tins.
9 . Drying Oven


Photos of Equipment

Figure 1 Figure 2


Figure 3 Figure 4


Figure 5 Figure 6

Theory
The exact volume of the standard compaction mold is measured before the compaction test.
Clean and dry the mold, extension collar, and base palte. Weigh the mold body without the base
plate and extension collar. Measure the internal diameter D and the height H of the mold body.
The mold volume V is

V = (p/4) D
2
H (1)

W
w
= (W
s
(w w
0
))/100 (2)

The bulk unit weight g is calculated as follows:

g = (W W
m
)/ V (3)

Where W is the weight of the soil and mold, W
m
the weight of the empty mold, and V the
volume of the mold. The dry unit weight g
d
is

g
d
= g / (1 + (w/100)) (4)

g
d
= g/ (1+w) = g
w
(G
s
/(1+G
s
(w/S
r
))

For each of the three compaction tests described previously the following readings must be
obtained for each compaction:
M
1
= Mass of mould (to the nearest gramme)
M
2
= Mass of mould + soil (to the nearest gramme)
w = Moisture content (as a decimal)
The bulk density and the dry density values for each compaction can now be obtained:
(for the 2.5 and 4.5kg rammer)
(for the vibrating hammer test)

The ratio of the volume of air voids to the total volume, expressed as a percentage, is
referred to as the percentage of air voids. If a soil is saturated the volume of air voids, Va =0 and
the void ratio, e may be defined:
e=wGs

The dry density , pd of a soil is defined

where pw is the density of water (=1Mg/m3)
and substituting for e, pd for a saturated soil becomes
*
Similarly for a partially saturated soil, where Sr is the degree of saturation and

it can be shown that
Equation * can be plotted with the compaction test results as line that represents the dry densities
corresponding to points with no air present in the soil. This line is known as the zero air voids
line. In practice this state is impossible to attain but with present techniques, soils can have about
2 to 5 per cent air voids after compaction. Equation ** is used to plot air void lines other than the
zero air voids line such as the 5% air void .


Procedure
In this compaction test, we used the 2.5kg rammer method according to BS 1377 part 4 standard.
The procedure for this compaction test is as follow:
1. A sample of soil is taken and dried through air dried or oven dried at 50C for 24 hours
2. Do a sieving process using a 20mm sieve and a soil sample that passed through the sieve
is collected
3. Separate a soil sample into 5 trays at 3.0kg each
4. Weigh the mould with the base plate attached to 1g and record the reading, measure the
internal dimensions to within 0.1mm.
5. Attach the extension to the mould and place the mould assembly on a solid base.
6. Add 2%, by weight, of water to soil sample in tray 1 and mix thoroughly. Use 15% of
water from the total weight of sample hence that mean water added is 450 ml.
7. Place a quantity of moist soil in the 1L (one litre) mould such that when compacted it
occupies a little over one-third of the height of the mould body.
8. Apply 27 blows from the mechanical rammer dropped from a height of 300mm above the
soil.
9. Place a second quantity of moist soil in the mould such that when compacted it occupies
a little over two-thirds of the height of the mould body.
10. Repeat procedure once more so that the amount of soil used is sufficient to fill the mould
body, with the surface not more than 6mm proud of the upper edge of the mould body.
11. Remove the extension, strike off the excess soil and level off the surface of the
compacted soil carefully to the top of the mould using a straightedge. Replace any coarse
particles, removed in the levelling process, by finer material from the sample, well press
in.
12. Weigh the soil and the mould with base plate to 1g and record the scale reading
13. Remove the compacted soil from the mould and place it on the metal tray. Break up the
compacted.

14. Take a representative sample of the soil for determination of its moisture content and fill
in 2 containers.
15. Weigh the soil sample together with its container and record the reading (A container
itself should be weighed prior to filling it with the soil sample)
16. Place the container in the oven at temperature between 105C to 110 C for 24 hours
17. Repeat the process starting from step 4 by adding 360 ml for soil sample in tray 2, 540 ml
for soil sample in tray 3, 630 ml for soil sample in tray 4 and 270 ml for soil sample in
tray 5 in order to give five determinations.
18. Weigh and record the reading of the dried soil samples and containers.


Calculations

1. The dry unit weight
d
can be computed from
m
t
d
+
=
1

where
t
= wet unit weight of the soil
=

) cm ( V
9.81 (g) W
3
(kN/m
3
)

W = mass of the wet compacted soil sample
V = volume of soil

m = moisture content of the compacted soil
m =
s
w
W
W
=
s
s
W
W W

W
s
= mass of the dry soil sample
W
w
= mass of water

2. To plot the zero air void curve
(mG/S) 1
G
w
d
+
=

where G = specific gravity of the soil (assume G =2.70)

w
= unit weight of water 9.81 kN/m
3
(or density 1.0 g/cm
3
)

S = degree of saturation

For zero-air-voids or 100% saturation, S = 1.


3. To calculate the amount of water to be added to the soil assume the initial moisture
content is 1.5%, and the mass of the soil is 2500g. Then

s
s
W
W 2500
1.5%

=

which may be solved for the mass of dry soil W
s
which we take to remain constant. Recalling
that the assumed initial weight of water in the soil W
w
= 0.015 W
s
and that W
s
is constant, if the
first required water content is 10%, the extra mass of water required W
w
can be calculated
085 . 0
W
W
1.5% - 10%
s
w
= =

Subsequent water to be added to change the moisture content by 3% can be found from
03 . 0
W
W
3%
s
w
= =


TABLE 7.1 Compaction Test
Project

Description on soil

Type of compaction

Sample No Depth (m)
Date
Test No 1 2 3
4 5
Weight of mould (g) 4470 4470 4470 4470 4470
Weight of mould + wet soil (g) 6230 6345 6390
6365 6330
Weight of wet soil (g) 1760 1875 1920
1895 1860
Weight of mould (g) 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
Volume of mould (cm) 1.76 1.875 1.92 1.895 1.86
Wet density (gm/cm) A B C D E F
G H I J
Container No 9.57 9.44 9.56 9.72 9.52 9.62
9.95 9.4 9.56 9.69
Weight of container (g) 23.81 23.79 21.66 21.22 30.67 30.4
26.27 26.6 27.79 27.63
Weight of wet soil + container (g) 21.05 20.95 18.93 18.54 25.45 25.25
22.04 22.21 22.68 22.77
Weight of dry soil + container (g) 14.24 14.35 12.1 11.5 21.15 20.78 16.32 17.2 18.23 17.94
Wet of dry soil (g) 11.48 11.51 9.37 8.82 15.93 15.63 12.09 12.81 13.12 13.08
Wet of moisture (g) 2.76 2.84 2.73 2.68 5.22 5.15 4.23 4.39 5.11 4.86
Moisture content (%) 1.24 1.25 1.29 1.30 1.33 1.33 1.35 1.34 1.39 1.37
Average moisture content (%) 1.24 1.30 1.33 1.35 1.38
Dry density (mg/m) 23.51 23.50 23.49 23.48 23.48

1.65
1.7
1.75
1.8
1.85
1.9
1.95
0 10 20 30 40
D
r
y

D
e
n
s
i
t
y

(
m
g
/
m
3
)

Moisture Content (%)
dry density (mg/m3)vs %moisture content
% moisture content
BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

Discussion and Conclusion
Standard compaction is frequently specified for laboratory testing in Britain since
many deposits have natural moisture content, or near to, the plastic limit. In drier
climates, such as found in parts of America, the natural moisture contents can be less
than the plastic limit and thus a heavier test is
specified.
The laboratory compaction test, combined with knowledge of natural moisture
content, plasticity index and strength, provides a useful means of evaluating
earthwork behaviour. For example, the above discussion indicates that it is unwise to
place water-retaining earthworks drier than the optimum due to the high risk of
swelling and risk of piping failure along incipient shear cracks.
An overall conclusion to be drawn is that the dry density v moisture content
relationship obtained for a soil from a laboratory test is not property of a soil. The
curve is a function of the mode and quantity of energy and the soil characteristics.

The following observations can be made from a typical compaction test.
1) With reference to the figure on the right. Increasing water content decreases the
soil water suctions within the soil and makes it more workable, facilitating a reduction
in air voids and increasing dry density. When the voids reduce to about 5% they tend
to exist as occluded bubbles within the pores and the addition of further water further
increases the void volume and causes the dry density to decrease. Since fine soils are
low permeability, the water tends not to be displaced by compaction and the
application of further rammer blows creates pulses of pore pressure in the relatively
incompressible water and the soil flows plastically around the rammer. Thus for a
given soil and compactive effort, there exists a moisture content, the optimum, at
which the dry density attains a maximum value. For many soils under British
conditions, this optimum for standard compaction is about 1% to 2% lower than the
plastic limit.
2) The effect of varying the compactive effort is to vary the maximum dry density
and optimum moisture content. For increasing effort, the maximum dry density and
optimum moisture content. For increasing effort, the maximum dry density increases
and the optimum moisture content decreases, see the thumbnail on the right.
3) The effort of varying the soil type produces curves similar in form to that shown
the second figure. Well graded granular soils give higher dry densities than clays, and
a pronounced peak to the curve normally indicates well-graded materials whilst a
relatively smooth flat curve normally indicates a uniform grading.

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

References

1. B.S.:1377; Part 4- Compaction Related Tests
2. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
AASHTO T-180 (1990).
3. American Society of Testing Materials, ASTM D1557, 1990.

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

Shear Box Test Method

Introduction:
The shear box test is used to measure the residual shear strength of a soil
(primarily clay shale material) under drained conditions. In the test, a square thin soil
specimen is placed in a box that is divided horizontally into two frames, the specimen
is restricted by a normal stress is repeatedly sheared by reversal of the direction of
shear until fail the specimen. The concept of the test is that a specimen of material is
acted upon by normal and shear stresses until, after large shear deformation,
desegregation and increase in parallel orientation of soil particles in the direction of
shearing occur and a surface or a thin zone of remolded material is formed.

Objective:
The shear box test is used to measure the shear strength of a soil under drained
conditions, and determine the angle of internal friction () and cohesion (C) from the
plots of different normal loads and different soils under drained and undrained
conditions.

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

Apparatus:
1) A module of 60mm Shear Box consist of the following:-

a) Shear box
- The size is 60 mm square, and the sample is approximately 20 mm thick.
- A shear box of 300 mm square is used for the soils containing gravel, in some
soils which even larger the size of the specimens may be required since, the
maximum particle tested should not exceed 1/8 length of the shear box.
- Made of bronze or stainless steel, open at the top and divided horizontally into
two frames that can be fitted together exactly with alignment pins and
elevating screws.
- At the centre of the soil specimen that is, between metal grills and porous
stones there are horizontally split square box.

b) Porous Stone
- Silky Porous stone are used, that is coarse grade alundum or Carborundum,
finish ground except for the surface in contact with the specimen, which shall
be rough finished by sandblasting or by using hand tools.
- Porous metal plates of similar porosity and texture may also be used.
- It is very important that the permeability of porous stone not be reduced by the
collection of soil particles in the pores of the stone; hence, frequent checking
and cleaning are required to ensure the necessary permeability.
a. Loading Pad
b. Perforated or Solid Grid Plate
BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

c. Retaining Plate
Other apparatus;
a) 0.5 kg sample specimen
b) Distilled water
c) Ring
d) Spanila/ Scapper

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

Procedure (Shear Box Test Method)
1) Equipment and apparatus are prepared; make sure its clean and dry before
start doing the test.
2) Prepared the specimen by progressive trimming in front of the specimen
cutter.
3) The net weight of the specimen is weighed and recorded; the initial mass of
the specimen is calculated.
4) Shear box assembled with its inside faces precisely alignment with the inside
faces of the box, lock the shear box together by the fixing screws.
5) A previously saturates porous stone firmly placed on the specimen.
6) Perforated or solid grid plate is put on the top of the porous plate.
7) The specimen cutter with sharpened edge first was put into the upper frame of
the shear box till it is wedged firmly and is parallel with the top upper frame.
8) The perforated or solid grid plates is placed on the top of the specimen, and a
previously saturated porous stone, rough side down and lower the piston is
placed onto this porous stone.
9) The shear box is placed on the position of the loading apparatus. At this stage
of the test upper and lower frames are related. The loading and mount the two
dial indicators are assembled to be used for measuring vertical and horizontal
deformation. The dial indicator should be set so that it can measure movement
in any direction.
10) The desired normal load is applied lightly to the specimen. The range of
normal load for the three specimens will depend on the loadings expected in
the field.
BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

11) After the normal load applied, the water reservoir is filled with distilled water
immediately to a point above the peak of specimen. To maintain this water
level during the consolidation and subsequent shear phases so that the
specimen is submerged at all the times.
12) To allow the specimen drain and consolidate under the desired normal load
earlier to sharing. During the consolidation process, the vertical dial readings
recorded after a range of elapsed times.
13) The increase load are remain on the specimen it is determined that primary
consolidation is complete.
14) Upper frame of the shear box were raised by turning the elevating screws. To
prevent the two frames from coming in contact during the test, the amount
clearance between the upper and lower frames should be sufficient
15) Alignment pins are removed.
16) For a fully drained condition exists at a failure. Relatively slow rate shears
were applied.
17) The data from the shear box are recorded, the load were removed before
release water from the drain box.
18) Water were drained out from the box, slowly remove the shear box
19) The specimen was removed.
20) Before starting the test, the moisture content of the specimen is measured.

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

Procedures

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

= m
o
x 1000
AH
o

Formulas, Calculation and Results:

Initial moisture content is calculated,

Where; w
o
= Initial moisture content (%)
m
d
= Mass of wet soil (g)
m
d
= Mass of dry soil (g)
1. The initial dry density is calculate,

Where;
d
= Initial dry density (mg / m
3
)
m
d
= Mass of dry soil (g)
A = Area of specimen (mm
3
)
H
o
= Height of specimen (mm)
2. The initial bulk density is calculated

Where; = Initial bulk density (mg / m
3
)
m
o
= Mass of wet soil (g)
A = Area of specimen (mm
3
)
H
o
w
o
= m
o
m
d
x 100
m
d

d
= m
d
x 1000
AH
o

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

e
o
=
s
1

d

S
o
= w
o
d

e
o

e = e
o
AH

(1 + e
o
)
H
o

3. The initial voids ration (if required) is calculate

Where; e
o
= Initial voids ration

s
= Density of saturated soil (mg /
m
3
)

d
= Density of dry soil (mg / m
3
)

4. The initial degree of saturated (if required) as percentage is calculate

Where; S
o
= Degree of saturated (%)
w
o
= Initial moisture content (%)

d
= Density of dry soil (mg / m
3
)
e
o

5. The voids ration is calculate, at the end of the consolidation stage, and at the end
of shearing (if required)

Where; e = Voids ration
e
o
AH = Different of height (mm)
H
o
BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

o = (9.81W) X 1000
A
L

6. From data obtain, the horizontal shear force applied to the specimen is calculate.
i. Normal stress

Where; o = Normal stress (KN/m
2
)
W = Load (kg)
A = Area (mm
2
)

ii. Horizontal displacement

Where; HD = Horizontal displacement (mm)
t = Time (min)
RD = Rate of displacement (mm/min)

iii. Loading (LDR) = Horizontal Reading

iv. Horizontal load

Where; HL = Horizontal load (N)
LDR = Load Dial Reading
CR = Mean Calibration (N/div)

HD = t x RD

HL = LDR x CR

BEC 205 SOIL
LABORATORY

7. Calculate the shear stress on the surface of shear, for each set of readings from the
equation,

Where; t = Shear Stress (KN/mm
2
)
HL = Horizontal load (N)
A = Area (mm
2
)
8. All data are filled in the table

t = HL x 1000
A

Determination of shear strength by direct shear
For load: 4.5 Kg

Project
Slope
failure at
Villa Height
Date Sample
Core Cutter
2
Type of test
Slow
drained
shear
Description of
soil
Light Brown Silt
Nominal
size (mm)
60
Type of
specimen
Undisturbed
specimen
Specimen
obtained from
Core cutter
Specific
gravity
measured /
assumed

INITIAL MEASUREMENT SHEARING
Length (mm) 60 Machine No 1
Breath (mm) 60 Load ring No 2475
Height (mm) 20 Load (kg) 4.5
Mass (g) 122.55 Mean calibration CR (N/div) 1.385
Moisture (%) 30.88 Stress factor CT (Kn/m/div) -
Area (mm) 3600 Rate of displacement (mm/min) 0.25
Volume (cm) 72 Normal stress (KN/m) 12.26
Bulk density (Mg/m) 1.70 AFTER CONSOLIDATION
Dry density (Mg/m) 1.30 Settlement (mm)
Void ratio e Dry density d (Mg/m)

Height H1 (mm)

Void ratio, e
Date
Time
(min)
Horizontal
displacement
(mm)
Load
dial
reading
divisions
Horizontal
load (N)
Shear stress
(Kn/m)
Vertical movement
Dial
reading
(mm)
Expansion
settlement (+)
(mm)
0 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
0

1 0.25 10.00
13.85 3.85
122
+
2 0.50 12.50
17.31 4.81
130
+
3
0.75
15.00
20.78 5.77
144
+
4 1.00 16.00
22.16 6.16
166
+
5 1.25 18.00
24.93 6.93
189
+
6 1.50 20.00
27.70 7.69
225
+
7 1.75 21.50
29.78 8.27
253
+
8 2.00 22.00
30.47 8.46
325
+
9 2.25 23.00
31.86 8.85
385
+

10 2.50 24.50
33.93 9.43
408
+
11 2.75 27.00
37.40 10.39
458
+
12 3.00 29.00
40.17 11.16
509
+
13 3.25 31.50
43.63 12.12
598
+
14 3.50 33.00
45.71 12.70
678
+
15 3.75 31.00
42.94 11.93
740
+
16 4.00 30.00
41.55 11.54
780
+


For load: 9.0 Kg
Project
Slope failure
at Villa
Height
Date Sample
Core
Cutter
2
Type of test
Slow drained
shear
Description of
soil
Light Brown Silt
Nominal size
(mm)
60
Type of
specimen
Undisturbed
specimen
Specimen
obtained from
Core cutter
Specific
gravity
measured
-

Height H1 (mm)

Void ratio, e
Date
Time
(min)
Horizontal
displacement
(mm)
Load
dial
reading
divisions
Horizontal
load (N)
Shear
stress
(Kn/m)
Vertical movement
Dial
reading
(mm)
Expansion
settlement
(+) (mm)
0 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
0.00
1 0.25 22.00
30.47 8.46
161
+
2 0.50 29.50
40.86 11.35
178
+
3 0.75 34.00
47.09 13.08
188
+
4 1.00 38.00
52.63 14.62
205
+
5 1.25 41.00
56.79 15.77
220
+
6 1.50 42.00
58.17 16.16
235
+
7 1.75 44.00
60.94 16.93
255
+
8 2.00 46.00
63.71 17.70
272
+
9 2.25 48.00
66.48 18.47
285
+
10 2.50 50.00
69.25 19.24
295
+
11 2.75 51.50
71.33 19.81
309
+

12 3.00 53.00
73.41 20.39
335
+
13 3.25 54.00
74.79 20.78
344
+
14 3.50 55.00
76.18 21.16
357
+
15 3.75 56.50
78.25 21.74
361
+
16 4.00 57.00
78.95 21.93
369
+
17 4.25 57.50
79.64 22.12
389
+
18 4.50 58.00
80.33 22.31
401
+
19 4.75 59.00
81.72 22.70
411
+
20 5.00 59.50
82.41 22.89
414
+
21 5.25 60.00
83.10 23.08
418
+
22 5.50 59.50
82.41 22.89
418
+
23 5.75 58.50
81.02 22.51
419
+
24 6.00 58.00
80.33 22.31
421
+

For load: 18.0 Kg
Project
Slope failure
at Vilia
Height
Date Sample
Core
Cutter 2
Type of test
Slow drained
shear
Description of
soil
Light Brown
Silt
Nominal
size (mm)
60
Type of
specimen
Undisturbed
specimen
Specimen
obtained from
Core cutter
Specific
gravity
measured
-

Height H1 (mm)

Void ratio, e
Date
Time
(min)
Horizontal
displacement
(mm)
Load
dial
reading
divisions
Horizontal
load (N)
Shear
stress
(Kn/m)
Vertical movement
Dial
reading
(mm)
Expansion
settlement
(+) (mm)
0 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
0 0
1 0.25 14.00
19.39 5.39
510
+
2 0.50 20.00
27.70 7.69
526
+
3 0.75 27.00
37.40 10.39
546
+
4 1.00 34.00
47.09 13.08
577
+
5 1.25 40.00
55.40 15.39
617
+
6 1.50 45.00
62.33 17.31
705
+
7 1.75 49.00
67.87 18.85
762
+
8 2.00 55.00
76.18 21.16
792
+
9 2.25 60.00
83.10 23.08
841
+
10 2.50 65.00
90.03 25.01
885
+
11 2.75 72.00
99.72 27.70
930
+
12 3.00 78.00
108.03 30.01
963
+
13 3.25 80.00
110.80 30.78
996
+
14 3.50 82.00
113.57 31.55
1027
+

15 3.75 85.00
117.73 32.70
1064
+
16 4.00 88.00
121.88 33.86
1080
+
17 4.25 90.00
124.65 34.63
1102
+
18 4.50 92.00
127.42 35.39
1122
+
19 4.75 94.00
130.19 36.16
1135
+
20 5.00 96.00
132.96 36.93
1155
+
21 5.25 98.00
135.73 37.70
1188
+
22 5.50 101.00
139.89 38.86
1210
+
23 5.75 102.00
141.27 39.24
1230
+
24 6.00 104.00
144.04 40.01
1247
+
25 6.25 105.00
145.43 40.40
1256
+
26 6.50 107.00
148.20 41.17
1277
+
27 6.75 106.00
146.81 40.78
1293
+
28 7.00 104.00
144.04 40.01
1300
+

Plot the graph shear stress against horizontal displacement for 4.5kg, 9 kg and 18 kg. The
result is show below.

Shear Box Test
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 9 10. 12 13. 15 16. 18 19.
Horizantal Displacement (mm)
S
h
e
a
r

S
t
r
e
s
s

(
K
N
/
m
2
)
12.70 KN/m
2

41.17 KN/m
2

23.08 KN/m
2

18 kg
9 kg
4.5 kg

From the graph and data show above, we get
4.5 kg 9 kg 18kg
Normal stress KN/m
2
12.26 24.53 49.05
shear stress KN/m
2
12.7 23.08 41.17


u = 36

From the graph above
We know that; cohesion (KN/m
2
) = 4.25 KN/m
2

Angle of internal Friction = 36
Shear stress Against Normal Stress
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
12.26 24.53 49.05
Normal Stress (KN/m
2
)
S
h
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s

(
K
N
/
m
2
)

Conclusions:
At least 3 tests are done and for each test shear stress versus horizontal
displacements is taken whereby Shear stress at peak is obtained. For each test vertical
stress is constant, so with three pairs of vertical stresses and peak shear stresses failure
envelope is found.
It can be seen the results from the graph the (C) cohesion of the soil is 4.35 KN/m and
the () angle of internal friction are 36.

References:

B.S.:1377; 1990; Standard Shear Box Tests
ASTM D3080: Standard Test Method for Direct Shear Test of Soils under
Consolidated-Drained Conditions.


Appendix:



EXPERIMENT 3: SIEVE ANALYSIS DRY SIEVING METHOD

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The grain size analysis is widely used in classification of soils. The data obtained from
grain size distribution curves is used in the design of filters for earth dams and to
determine suitability of soil for road construction, air field etc. Information obtained from
grain size analysis can be used to predict soil water movement although permeability
tests are more generally used.

3.2 OBJECTIVE

- To determine the size range particles present in a soil, expressed as a percentage
of the total dry weight.
- To determines the relative proportions of different grain sizes as they are
distributed among certain size ranges.

3.3 APPARATUS
1. Stack of Sieves including pan and cover.Balance (with accuracy to 0.01 g)
2. Rubber pestle and Mortar ( for crushing the soil if lumped or conglomerated)
3. Brush and container
4. Oven-105-110
C
5. A large porcelain evaporation dish
6.
Notice: The balance to be used should be sensitive to the extent of 0.1% of total weight
of sample taken.


3.4 METHODOLOGY
Before start testing the Sieve Analysis Test, we must prepare the sample and
equipment for take the result of aggregates size and types. Whatever possible the soil to
be tested should be sampled in its natural state before testing and two different samples
should be tested. Steps for sample preparation are:-
- Take about 100g of sample of soil.
- Put in the container to weigh it.
- Pore inside some distilled water (1000ml) to let the sample of soil softer, it will
takes about 2 days.
After the sample has being prepared, start to test the sample using sieve analysis
method. There are two methods to testing the sample of soil;

Wet Sieving Method
Wet sieving to separate fine grains from coarse grains is carried out by washing
For clean sands and gravels dry sieve
analysis can be used. If soils contain silts and clays, the wet sieving is usually used to
preserve the fine content.
1. Take the sample of soil passing through the
2. The initial washing of the soil should be carefully conducted to avoid damaging
the sieve or losing any soil by splashing the material out of the sieve.
3. The soil is washed through the sieve using tap water until the water runs clear.

4. Using a wash bottle, carefully back wash the residue into a large porcelain
evaporation dish, decant as much of the excess water as possible ensuring that
none of the sample is lost in the process, oven-dry the remaining soil-water
suspension for 8-24 hrs.
5. Remove the sample from the drying oven, place watch glass on top of the
evaporation dish and allow the dish and contents to cool to room temperature.
Record the weight of the sample. Pass the sample through the stack of sieves.

Dry Sieving Method
Dry sieving Samples (with
fines removed) are dried and shaken through a nest of sieves of descending size.
1. Weigh to 0.1 g each sieve which is to be used.
2. Select with care a test sample which is representative of the soil to be tested.
3. Weigh to 0.1 a specimen of approximately 100 g of ovendried soil (105-110
C).
4. Sieve the soil through a nest of sieves by manual hand shaking. At least 1-2
minutes of hand sieving is desirable for soils with small particles.
5. Make sure sieves are clean; if many soil particles are stuck in the openings try to
poke them out using sieve brusher.
6. Check every size sieve and weigh to 0.1 g each sieve and the pan or container
with the soil retained on them.
7. Subtract the weights obtained in step 1 from those of step 5 to give the weight of
soil retained on each sieve.
The sum of these retained weights should be checked against the original soil weight.

Calculation & formulas:
- Percentage retained on any sieve:
Weight of soil retained 100%
Total soil weight
- Cumulative percentage retained on any sieve:
= Percentage retained
- Percentage finer than an sieve size:
100% - Percentage retained
- Refer to data sheet where the results of a dry-sieving test are given, together with
the grading analysis and grading curve. Plots the curve of Particle Size
Distribution Chart.

3.5 INSTRUCTIONS

1. The oven dried portion of the sample retained on the 63m B.S. test sieve from
the wet sieving process is weight (m1) to the nearest 0.01g.
2. The dry sample is then poured on a nest of sieve with complete range of sieve
sizes 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 0.6mm, 0.425mm, 0.30mm, 0.15mm, 0.075mm,
and appropriate receiver. The aperture sizes of the test sieve used for the test
should be adequately cover the range for the particular soil used, but will not
generally be necessary to use every size for every test.
3. The sieve is shaken until the sieving process is complete.


3.6 RESULT

3.7 DISCUSSION
For sieve size 4.75 mm
W = Weight Retained = 822g
P = Percentage retain (W x 100)/Total Weight = 18.73 %
CP = Cumulative of Percentage Retained ( P) = 18.73%
TP = Total Passing (100 CP) = 81.27 (%)

SOIL LABORATORY MANUAL & NOTES

TABLE 5.6.1 Determination of particle size distribution for Dry Sieving Method
U.S Sieve
No
Sieve size
(mm)
Mass of soil
retained in
each sieve (g)
Percent
Retained (%)
Cumulative of
soil retained
(%)
Total
Passing
(%)

100.00
4 4.75 154 18.73 18.73 81.27
8 2.36 72 8.76 27.49 72.51
16 1.18 72 8.76 36.25 63.75
30 0.6 141 17.15 53.40 46.60
40 0.425 85 10.34 63.74 36.26
50 0.30 80 9.73 73.47 26.53
100 0.15 149 18.13 91.6 8.40
200 0.075 45 5.47 97.07 2.93
pan

24 2.93 100 0.00

4.75mm sieve (gravel) 100% - 81.27% = 18.73%
0.075m sieve (silt) 2.93%
Sand = 100% - gravel silt
= 100% - 18.73% - 2.93% = 78.34%

3.8 CONCLUSION
From the result that we obtained, we know that this soil contains more sand then
gravel. After the sieving method that we did, we definitely knew that the percentage of
gravel is 18.73%, percentage of sand is 78.35% and lastly percentage of fines (silt and
clay) is 82.54%. Due to our result, we classified our soil is Silty Clayey Soil. .

3.9 REFERENCES
BS 1377: Part 2: 1990: 9.2/9.3/9.6/9.7* (Test Method)
AASHTO T 87: BS 5930 (Sample Preparation & Soils Classification system)


3.10 APPENDIX


EXPERIMENT 6: HYDROMETER ANALYSIS

Introduction

Hydrometer analysis is the procedure generally adopted for determination of the particle
size distribution in a soil for the fraction that is finer than no. 200 sieve size (0.075mm).
The lower limit of the particle size determined by the procedure is about 0.001mm, in
hydrometer analysis, a soil specimen is dispersed in water. In a dispersed state in the
water, the soil particle will settle individually.

Objectives

Distribution of soil particles having sizes less than 75 m (fine grained soils) is often
determined by a sedimentation process using a hydrometer to obtain the necessary data
such as the borderline between clay and silt. Using this test the size distribution for soils
containing appreciable amount of fines is obtained. Besides that, this test will also
determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil .

Apparatus

1. Balance, minimum capacity of 200 g, accuracy of 0.01 g or less.
2. Stirring apparatus (either a Mechanical Stirring Device or an Air Dispersion
Device).
3. Hydrometer, graduated in grams per liter, Type 151 H or 152 H.

4. Sedimentation cylinder a glass hydrometer cylinder approximately 457 mm (18
in) in height and 63.5 mm (2.5 in) in diameter, graduated for a volume of 1000 cc
(shown in Air Dispersion Device).
5. Mercury thermometer, range of 0 to 104 C (1 to 220 F), accurate to 0.5 C (1 F).
6. Standard U.S sieves, meeting the requirement of Test Method Text-907-K,
Verifying the Accuracy of Wire-Cloth Sieves in these sizes :
a. 75 mm ( 3 in )
b. 50 mm ( 2 in )
c. 25 mm ( 1 in )
d. 9.5 mm ( 3/8 in )
e. 4.75 mm ( No 4 )
f. 2 mm ( No 10 )
g.425 um ( No 40 )
h. 75 um (No 200)

7. Oven, maintained at 110 ( + - ) 5 C ( 230 + - 9 F ).
8. Evaporating dishes.
9. Water bath or constant temperature room.
10. Timing device with a second hand.
11. Beaker, 250 mL (7.5 oz).

Materials

1. Dispersing agent: A solution of sodium hexametaphosphate shall be used in
distilled or demineralized water, at the rate of 40 g of Sodium
Hexametaphosphate per liter of solution.
2. Solution of this salt, if acidic, slowly reverts or hydrolyzes back to the
orthophosphate from with a resultant decrease in dispersing action.
3. Solution shall be prepared frequently (at least once a month) or adjusted to pH of
8 or 9 by means of sodium carbonate.
4. Bottles containing solutions shall have the date of preparation marked on them.

5. Distilled or demineralized water.
6. Source of compressed air, if Air Dispersion Device is used.

Procedures

1. Soil Retained on the 425 um Sieve is used or the soil binder is prepared according
to Test Method. The mass of the air-dried sample is recorded as WA under
Calculations .
2. The hygroscopic moisture of the soil binder is determined according to Test
Method. The percent of hygroscopic moisture is recorded as PH under
Calculations.
3. The specific gravity of the soil binder is determined according to Test Method
Determining the Specific Gravity of Soils.
4. A sample splitter is used to obtain 50 g (for silty or clayed soils) or 100 g (for
candy soil) of sol binder to the nearest 0.01 g. The sample is placed in a 250 cc
beaker, or in the hydrometer cylinder if the dispersion tube is available.
Approximately 125 cc of the sodium hexametaphosphate solution is added and
cover with distilled water. The soil is stirred thoroughly and then allows soaking
for at least 12 hours.
5. After the soaking period, the soil will dispersed with the stirring device or a soil
dispersion tube as follow.

Stirring Device

1. The soil is washed into dispersion cup and distilled water is added until the cup is
slightly more than half full.
2. The contents are dispersed for a period of 1 minute in the mechanical stirring
device.

3. After dispersion, the soil slurry is then transferred to the hydrometer cylinder and
a sufficient distilled water (having the same temperature as the water bath) is
added to bring the level of water to the 100 cc mark on the cylinder.
4. The cylinder is placed in the constant temperature water bath.

Soil Dispersion Tube

1. About 300 cc of distilled water is added to the soaked sample and the dispersion
tube is carefully placed into the hydrometer cylinder.
2. The air pressure is adjusted by means of the valve and the soil is dispersed.
3. The soil-water mixture is dispersed using an air pressure of 152 kPa (20 psi).
4. The soils are dispersed with a PI of 5 or less for 5 minutes; soils with a PI
between 6 and 20 for 10 minutes; and soils with a PI greater than 20 for 15
minutes.
5. Soils containing large percentage of mica need be dispersed for 60 seconds only.
6. The soil from the dispersion tube is washed into cylinder and a sufficient amount
of distilled water is added to bring the level of water to the 1000 cc mark before
placing into the constant temperature bath.
7. When the soil suspension reaches the temperature of the bath, the graduate is
removed and its content thoroughly shaken for one minute, using the palm of the
hand or a stopper over the open end of the cylinder. The contents of the cylinder
is mixed by alternately turning the cylinder upside-down, the right side up and by
loosening any material remaining on the bottom while in the inverted position.
8. At the conclusion of this shaking, the hydrometer cylinder is placed on the table,
and the hydrometer is immediately lowered into the suspension and the time is
recorded. The hydrometer is read at the peak of the meniscus, formed on the stem
to the nearest 0.5g per liter at the end of 2 minutes from the time the graduate was
set on the table. The hydrometer is then removed and carefully placed into
constant temperature bath. Hydrometer reading is obtained at a time interval of 5,
15, 30, 60, 250 and 1440 minutes after the beginning of sedimentation. About 15
second before the time of each reading, the hydrometer is slowly and carefully

lowered into the soil suspension and the reading is taken after the hydrometer has
come to rest. After each reading, the hydrometer is removed from the cylinder in
such manner as to cause as little disturbance as possible. The temperature of the
suspension is recorded and determined each time a hydrometer reading is taken.
The data is recorded on work card, to the nearest 0.1%.
Data & Analysis

Calculation:

1. CALCULATE R
H

R
H
= R
H1
+ C
M
; WHERE R
H1
= FROM HYDROMETER
C
M
= MENISCUS = 0.25

2. CALCULATE H
R

H
R
= 207.85 4 R
H

3. CALCULATE R
R = R
H1
R
D
; WHERE R
D
= 0.25

4. CALCULATE D =
1000
t
H
C
r
1
|
|
.
|
\
|
; WHERE C
1
= 4.0378

5. CALCULATE K
K = C
2
R ; WHERE C
2
= 3.1976


Soil Description:

Soil Description

Hydrometer No. Depth (m) Date Taken 27/8/10
Dispersent 100m Pretreatment with Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Reading in dispersant, R' 0.25 Initial dry mass of sample, m
0
193.48 g
Meniscus correction, Cm 0.25 Dry mass after pretreatment,m 159.32 g
Viscosity of water at 25C, 0.891 mPa/s Pretreatment loss, m
p
= m
0
- m 34.16 g
s
= measured / assume 2.67 mg/m
3

Specific gravity 9.81
C
1
= 5.531 / (s - 1) 4.0378 C
2
= 100s / m(s - 1) 3.1976 H
R
= 207.85 - 4R
h
K = percentage finer than D
Date
Elapsed
time (min)
Temp.
(C)
Reading, R
h'
R
h
= R
h'
+ C
m

Effetive Depth, H
R

(mm)
R
d
= Rh' - Ro'
D(mm)=C
1
H
R
/t
1000
K(%) =
C
2
R
d
min
27/8/10 0 0 100 - - 163 - - -
27/8/10 1 1 100 1 1.25 161 0.75 0.0512 2.3982
27/8/10 2 1 100 2 2.25 160 1.75 0.0361 5.5958
27/8/10 3 1 100 3 3.25 158 2.75 0.0293 8.7934
27/8/10 4 1 100 4 4.25 156 3.75 0.0252 11.991
27/8/10 5 1 100 3 5.25 155 4.75 0.0225 15.1886
27/8/10 6 1 100 3 6.25 153 5.75 0.0204 18.3862
27/8/10 7 1 100 3 7.25 152 6.75 0.0188 21.5838
27/8/10 8 1 100 3 8.25 150 7.75 0.0175 24.7814
27/8/10 9 1 100 3 9.25 148 8.75 0.0164 27.979
27/8/10 10 1 100 3 10.25 147 9.75 0.0155 31.1766
27/8/10 11 1 100 3 11.25 145 10.75 0.0147 34.3742
27/8/10 12 1 100 3 12.25 143 11.75 0.0139 37.5718

27/8/10 13 1 100 3 13.25 142 12.75 0.0133 40.7694
27/8/10 14 1 100 3 14.25 140 13.75 0.0128 43.9670
27/8/10 15 1 100 3 15.25 138 14.75 0.0122 47.1646
27/8/10 16 1 100 3 16.25 137 15.75 0.0118 50.3622
27/8/10 17 1 100 3 17.25 135 16.75 0.0114 53.5598
27/8/10 18 1 100 3 18.25 133 17.75 0.0110 56.7574
27/8/10 19 1 100 3 19.25 132 18.75 0.0106 59.9550
27/8/10 20 1 100 3 20.25 130 19.75 0.0103 63.1526
27/8/10 21 1 100 3 21.25 129 20.75 0.0100 63.1526
27/8/10 22 1 100 3 22.25 127 21.75 0.0097 63.1526
27/8/10 23 1 100 3 23.25 125 22.75 0.0094 63.1526
27/8/10 24 1 100 3 24.25 124 23.75 0.0092 63.1526
27/8/10 25 1 100 3 25.25 122 24.75 0.0089 63.1526
27/8/10 26 1 100 3 26.25 120 25.75 0.0087 63.1526
27/8/10 27 1 100 3 27.25 119 26.75 0.0085 63.1526
27/8/10 28 1 100 3 28.25 117 27.75 0.0083 63.1526
27/8/10 29 1 100 3 29.25 115 28.75 0.0080 63.1526
27/8/10 30 1 100 3 30.25 114 29.75 0.0079 95.1286
27/8/10 31 1 100 3 31.25 112 30.75 0.0077 98.3262
27/8/10 40 1 100 3 40.25 97 39.75 0.0063 100.0000
27/8/10 50 1 100 3 50.25 81 49.75 0.0051 100.0000
27/8/10 60 1 100 3 60.25 65 59.75 0.0042 100.0000

Discussion

For this test, we can take any minutes that we want but must achieved 24 hours. The first
reading must fixed the minute to see whether got any changes of the readings. Air bubble in the
cylinder must be removed because air bubble will disturb the reading. From experience, we took
sample about 50 g because it will give the smooth result while plotting the graph. The purpose of
shaking the bottle is to separate the bonding between silt and clay.
The purpose of the hydrometer test was to determine the grain size distribution of the fine
particles of a soil sample. We have determined the grain size distribution of the larger particles
from a sieve analysis and combined the results from the sieve analysis with the results from the
hydrometer analysis. By combining these results, you can determine the type of soil and a few of
its engineering properties. There were a large percentage of particles passing through the number
4 sieve, but a small percentage of particles passing through the number 200 sieve. Overall, 31%
of the particles were the size of sand. From the hydrometer analysis we can see that 4-8% of the
particles were the size of silt (between 0.075 and 0.016 mm diameter). We found the soil's
uniformity coefficient (Cu) to be 16.8 and the coefficient of gradation (Cc) to be 2.14. These
values for Cu and Cc indicate that the soil falls into the well graded category.


Conclusion

The following were possible sources of error:

1. The temperature of the test was variable since we did not use a constant temperature bath. This
change in temperature may have caused an error in the hydrometer analysis.

2. The measured dry weight of the soil may have been slightly different than what was read
because of inaccuracy of the scale.

3. It was very possible that some of the hydrometer readings may have been inaccurate. It was
difficult for us to see where the top of the meniscus was. Also, we had accidentally left the
hydrometer in the 1000 cc graduated cylinder overnight. Because we left the hydrometer in the
cylinder overnight, the soil particles fell in a curved direction instead of a straight line. Stokes
law assumes that the soil particles fall in a straight line. However, the hydrometer readings were
within +/- 1 of the actual value.

4. Although a deflocculating agent was added to the soil, chunks of small particles may have still
formed, causing the particles to settle faster. These faster-settling particles may have caused an
error in the specific gravity reading.

To reduce the error, we could simply
1. Keeping the tested soil sample in a constant temperature bath, insuring that the unit weight and
viscosity of water remain constant. Then, we could have used the temperature correction to
determine the actual hydrometer reading.

2. Insuring that an accurate scale is used to measure the mass of the soil specimen.

3. Obtaining a more accurate hydrometer. This hydrometer could possibly be divided into tenths.
After determining the meniscus correction and the zero correction, we could have read the
hydrometer exactly at the top of the meniscus.

4. Insuring that the hydrometer is taken out of the soil test cylinder immediately after the
hydrometer reading was taken. Leaving the hydrometer inside the graduated cylinder can cause
the soil particles to fall in a curved instead of a straight line.

5. Making sure that the deflocculating agent is thoroughly mixed with the soil solution by
allowing the deflocculating agent to soak with the soil for 8 to 12 hours.

As the conclusions, to complete the test, we must do the wet and dry sieving, so that we know
how many percent of gravel, sand, silt and clay. For hydrometer analysis (wet sieving), will
gives the value of percentage of silt and clay. So, with this, it answered the objectives and from
the graph and calculation, 34% of clay, 40% of silt, 2% of gravel and 24% of sand.

Appendix

References

Das, B. M. (1993). Principles of geotechnical engineering, PWS Publishing Company, Boston.
Das, B. M. (1992). Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, Engineering Press, Inc., San Jose,
California.


Experiment: Moisture Content

Introduction
This method covers the laboratory determination of the moisture content of a soil as a percentage
of its oven died weight. The method may be applied to fine, medium and coarse grained for
particle size from 2mm to >10mm. The method is based on removing soil moisture by oven-
drying a soil sample until the weight remains constant. The moisture content (%) is calculated
from the sample weight before and after drying.
Objective
To determine the moisture content of a given soil specimen as a percentage of its dry mass using
oven-drying method.

APPARATUS

1. Drying oven, maintained at 110 5C (230 9F )
2. Microwave oven, variable power controls and input power ratings of 700 watts preferred.
3. Balance, having a precision(repeatability) of 0.01g for specimens having a mass of
200g or less; 0.01g for specimens having a mass of between 200 and 1000g, or 0.5g
for specimen having a mass greater than 1000g or 0.1% of the test load(whichever is
greater)
4. Specimen container for conventional ovens, with close fitting lids if specimen is less than
200g.
5. Specimen containers for microwave ovens, non-metallic, non-absorbent.
6. Container handling apparatus, such as glove or holder suitable for removing hot container
from ovens.
7. Desiccators cabinet, or jar, containing silica gel or anhydrous calcium sulphate heat sink,
for microwave ovens


Procedures
1. Select soil specimen
- We have been given soil specimen from the site of project build and complete 2
blocks of 4 floors school building in Gadung.

2. Weigh container
- We cleaned and dried the numbered airtight corrosion-resistant containers of 500g
capacity
- We weighed the containers and noted the values.

3. Weigh the mass of wet soil with container
- The given soil specimen was crumbled and placed loosely in the container so that the
soil will dry right through.
- Replaced the lids immediately to prevent loss of moisture content before weighing.
- We noted the soil description.
- Weighed the container without lids and noted the values than replaced the lid.
- 2 containers filled with each of the soil specimen.

4. Dry in oven
- Removed the lid from containers and placed both samples on a shelf in the oven.
- The thermostat control was set to maintain the required temperature (105C to
110C).
- Samples were in the oven for 24h.

5. Cooling in desiccator
- Removed the specimen container and placed in a cooling desiccator cabinet until
cool.

6. Weigh the mass of dry soil with container
- When cool, the containers weighed with dry soil and the values noted.

Precaution steps taken during the experiment
1. The automatic balance should be accurate to within 0.03% of the weight of the sample.
2. It is convenient to maintain a table of weighing tin weights. weighing tins should be
thoroughly cleaned and re-weighed at least every 6 months. if tins become dirty or
tarnished, they should be thoroughly cleaned immediately and re-weighed.
3. The sample may be crumbled to assist drying but care is necessary to avoid loss of any

soil. check whether the soil sample contains gypsum or not as it will causes lose water of
crystallization on heating. therefore, a moisture content determined by this method will
be affected by approximately 0.1% for each 1% of gypsum. if it is suspected that gypsum
is present in the soil, dry the moisture content samples at not more that 80 c, for a longer
period and report the method used.
4. Checking every moisture content sample to determine that it is dried to a constant weight
is impractical. in most cases, drying of a moisture content sample overnight (16 hours) is
sufficient. in cases where there is doubt concerning the adequacy of overnight drying,
drying should be continued until the difference in weight of the cooled sample after two
successive periods does not exceed 0.1% of the original sample weight. samples of sand
may often be dried to constant weight after 7 hours. since dry soil may absorb moisture
from wet samples, dried samples should be removed before placing wet samples in the
oven. drying time should be extended if the oven is full.
5. Moisture content samples should be discarded and should not be used in any other test.

Results
Table 1 below is showing the test result from the experiment done in the laboratory, and the
average percentage from both moisture content tests:
Table 1 : Moisture content test


SAMPLE NO. & REFERENCE LABEL TEST NO.

1 2 3
Container No.

A1 B5 D7
Mass of empty container M1 (g) 15.53 16.22 15.75
Mass of wet soil + container M2 (g) 52.68 61.39 58.42
Mass of dry soil + container M3 (g) 47.17 54.31 52.01
Mass of moisture loss in soil M2-M3 (g) 5.51 7.08 6.41
Mass of dry soil M3-M1 (g) 31.64 38.09 36.26
Moisture Content w (%) 17.4 10 17.68
Average of moisture % 45.09

Calculation

Formula used:
1. The moisture content of the soil (w) is calculated as a percentage of the dry soil mass.
2. The equation is:
W = m2 m3 X 100%
m3 m1
Where,
m
1
= Mass of container, g
m
2
= Mass of container and wet soil sample, g
m
3
= Mass of container and dry sample, g
W = The moisture content( %)
3. The value of w for moisture content determination is calculated to the nearest 0.01%

Example of calculation:
m
1
= weight of container = 52.68g
m
2
= weight of container + wet soil = 47.17 g
m
3
= weight of container + dry soil = 15.53 g

m
4
= mass of moisture loss in soil = m
2
m
3
= 47.17g -15.53 g
= 31.67 g

m
5
= weight of moisture = m
2
m
3

= 5.51 g
m
6
= moisture content, w(%) = 5.51 g x 100
31.67

= 17.4%

Discussion

After the experiment complete, we will get the best results after considering these precaution
steps to determine the moisture content for the soil sample.

This method does not give true representative results for materials containing significant
amounts of holloysite, montimorillonite, or gypsum minerals, highly organic soils, or materials
in which the pore water contains dissolved solids (such as salt in case of marine deposits). for the
above named materials, establish a modified method of testing or data calculation to give results
consistent with the purpose of the test.

Each of these soil classification tests has a British Standard form to aid correct calculation and
external checking of results. No climatic condition here because the sample was kept in the air
tight plastic which prevent it from climatic condition before the sample been dried out. Any error
of the result may caused by misconduct or improper mishandling personnel, but for this test,
there were no error occurred during the test held.

We also discover that these samples are cohesion but non-plastic before this sample was put in
the oven. we know it is cohesion because its particles stick together and non-plastic because it
will crack when moulded.

Conclusion

This experiment is considered as the initial stage of the soil laboratory test. The result should be
used in other lab test calculation, such liquid limit and plastic limit determination.

From our observation, we can classified the soil from the sample no. of P29/D30 is positively
yellowish brown clay sand. As a result which is shown in Table 1 above, moisture content for

soil sample P29/D30 is 50.62%. By the way, moisture content of sample P29/D30 is considered
as high because the sample contained clay and silt.

The moisture content result for soil sample BS4 is 51.23%, and for sample of ISB-7 is 50.01%.
So, the average moisture content for our test is 50.62%.

Appendix

Figure 1 : Sample mixed by spatula on the glass plate.

Figure 2 : Two divide portion is taken approximately equal mass for moisture content
determination and weighted.


Figure 3 : The sample is dried in oven with 110 5c (230 9f) after all reading are recorded.

References

1. Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing, Volume 1.
2. BS 1377: PART 2: 1990: 3.2 (Test Method)
3. BS 5930 (Sample Preparation & Soils Classification system)


EXPERIMENT: SHRINKAGE LIMIT LINEAR SHRINKAGE METHOD

INTRODUCTION
This test covers the determination of the linear shrinkage of a disturbed soil sample. It is a
tedious and expensive test that is done only in soils (other than sand) when the dispersion
percentage is >50 or volume expansion test fail to saturate or shrink. The test is performed on
dispersive soil only. Linear shrinkage is the decrease in length of soil when oven-dried, starting
with a moisture content of the sample at the liquid limit.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the shrinkage characteristic of soil sample using Linear Shrinkage Method

APPARATUS
1. Evaporating Dish; porcelain, about 12cm diameter with flat bottom.
2. Spatula
3. Shrinkage Dish; Circular, porcelain or non-corroding metal dish (3 nos) having a flat
bottom and 45mm in diameter and 15mm in height internally.
4. Straight Edge. Steel, 15cm in length.
5. Glass Cup. 50 to 55 mm in diameter and 25mm in height, the top rim of which ground
smooth and level.
6. Glass plate. Two, each 7575 mm one plate shall be of plain glass and the other shall
have prongs.
7. Sieves. 2mm and 425-micron IS sieves
8. Oven-thermostatically controlled.
9. Graduate-Glass, having a capacity of 25ml and graduated to 0.2ml and 100cc one-mark
flask.
10. Balance-sensitive to 0.01g minimum.
11. Mercury; clean, sufficient to fill the glass cup to over flowing.
12. Wash bottle containing distilled water.


PROCEDURE

Sample Preparation
1. Soil sample are dried and broken down mechanically as describe in table 4.1 Drying
and Pounding Process.
2. Where possible, the soil sample shall be tested in its natural state, particularly so with
clay soils. Coarse materials shall be removed by using spatulas.

Preparation of Mould
1. The mould is cleaned thoroughly and its original length is measured (L0).
2. A thin film of grease is applied to the inner faces to prevent soil from adhering to the
mould.

Test Instruction
1. A 150g of pre-prepared sample is placed on a glass plate. It is mix thoroughly with
distilled water until it becomes a homogenous paste at about the liquid limit.
2. The paste is place in the mould (avoid trapping air). The mould is tapped gently to the
bench to remove any air pocket
3. The soil is leveled along the top of the mould with a palette knife and all samples
adhering to the rim of the mould is removed by wiping with a damp cloth.
4. The mould is left to be exposed to the air in a draught-free position until the sample has
shrunk away from the walls of the mould.
5. The mould is transferred to an oven, first at a temperature not exceeding 65C until
shrinkage has virtually ceased and then 105-110 C to complete the drying.
6. The sample is then cooled in the dessicator.
7. The length of the soil bar is measured. If the sample has become curved during drying, it
is carefully removed and measured from top to bottom surfaces. The means of these two
lengths shall be taken of the oven dried sample.
1. Weigh the full dish of soil immediately and record the weight on the data sheet as the
weight of dish and wet soil.

2. Allow the soil pat to air-dry until a definite color change takes place and then oven-dry it
in 105-110 degree to a constant weight.
3. Record the oven-dried weight as the weight of the dish and dry soil. Determine and
record the weight of the empty dish.
4. Cool the mould and measure the new mean length of the soil sample, should a sample
become curved carefully remove the soil from the mould and measure the top and bottom
surfaces of the soil and take an average.
8. The specimen may crack badly or break so much so that the measurement is difficult to
get. Just repeat the procedure by using a slower drying rate if cannot get the measurement
or when need an accurate measurement.

Precaution Steps

The precautions listed below should be observed when handling mercury:

- Mercury should not be heated without elaborate control because of the rapid increase of
vapor pressure with increase in temperature.
- Eating and smoking should not be permitted in areas where mercury is handled. Hands
should be thoroughly washed after handling mercury.
- If clothing becomes contaminated, a change of clothes should be available.
- Respiratory protection should be available where there is a possibility of contamination.
- All laboratories handling mercury should have a precise plan to be followed in
decontamination after a mercury spill.


RESULT

Project : Cadangan Membina Sekolah Kebangsaan Seremban Jaya, Negeri Sembilan
Borehole No. 1 1
1. Sample No. : D2
2. Depth (m)
3. Liquid Limit (%): 69
4. % passing 425 m B.S Sieve 84
5. Mould No : LP
6. Initial Length of Soil Sample, A 138.22 mm
7. Length of Oven Dried Soil Sample, B 108.60 mm
8. Linear Shrinkage, LS = (1 - B/A) 100 21.43
9. Plasticity Index, PI = LS 2.13 45.65 ~ 46
*(Refer to data sheet Liquid Limit Test)

2.5.1 Calculations & Formulas

1. The Linear Shrinkage is measured as a percentage of the original length of the specimen.
The Linear Shrinkage of the soil is recorded to the nearest percentage.

Linear Shrinkage, LS = (1 - B/A) 100%
= (1 108.60 mm/138.22 mm) x 100%
= 21.43 %

Where

B = Length of Oven Dried Soil Sample

A = Initial Length of Soil Sample

2. The Plasticity Index.

Plasticity Index, PI = LS 2.13
= 21.43 x 2.13
=45.65 ~ 45

W
i
= (M
1
-

M
2
) x 100
M
2

w(%) = (V
i

V
f
)
w
x 100
M
2

Where

W
i
= initial moisture content when the soil is placed in the shrinkage limit dish
w =change in the moisture content (that is between the initial moisture content
and moisture content at the shrinkage limit)
V
i
= initial volume of the wet soil pat (that is, inside volume of the dish, cm
3
)
V
f
= volume of the oven dried soil pat (cm
3
)
w
= density of water (g/ cm
3
)


Discussion
Discussion; for soil with very small clay content the liquid and plastic limit tests may not
produce reliable result. An approximation of the plasticity index may be obtained in such cases
by measuring the linear shrinkage and using the following expression:
I
p
= 2.13 x LS
The shrinkage limit test is not used much, since the W
s
are not used directly in soil classification,
as are the W
L
and W
P
. The W
s
value can, however provide some indication of the particulate
structure of the soil, since a dispersed structure will generally produce a low W
s
and a flocculated
structure a high W
s
as well as follow.
A cylindrical specimen of firm plastic soil is taken for the test: usually 76mm long and 38 mm
diameter. At frequent intervals during a slow-drying process, measurements of mass and volume
are taken. The volume determination is often done using a mercury displacement vessel. The
specimen being immersed in a known volume of mercury and the change in level, measured by a
micrometer gauge, used to compute the change in volume.
During the process of experiment, there are several problems faced that will affect the final
result. Thus, some precaution listed down below should be followed:
1. We have to ensure that the mould is fully saturated, where there is no air void trapped in
the mould. Tap gently on the bench to remove any air pocket.
2. Ensure that to put a coat of oil in the surface of the mould so that the sample would not
stick on the mould.
3. The reading should be taken several times before taking the average.


Conclusion
We found that the sample shrink to 118.30mm from the previous that is 139.80mm. This
caused by the dried of moisture content. Hence from the graph provided in the appendixes, the
sample is clay of intermediate plasticity which means it is fine-grained soils.

Appendix
Lab equipment

Soil Sample Balance

Mould Scoop


Dry Oven Veneir Caliper

Procedures of linear shrinkage


REFERENCES
1. BS 1377: Part 2: 1990:6.5 (Test Method)
3. ASTM D 427, AASHTO T 92, UNI 10014


EXPERIMENT: PLASTIC LIMIT & PLASTICITY INDEX
Introduction
Plastic limit is the empirically established moisture content at which the soils become too dry to
be plastic. It is used together with liquid limit to determine the plasticity index.
This method covers the determinations of plastic limit of the soils sample that is the lowest
moisture content at which the soil is plastics. The sample shall be of soil in its natural state or a
sample of soils from which material retained on a 425-micron meter test sieve has been removed.

Objective
To determine the plastic limit and the plasticity index of the sample of soil.

Lab Equipment
The apparatus are:
1. Porcelain dish.
2. Glass plate for rolling the specimen.
3. Air tight containers to determine the moisture content.
4. Balance of capacity 200g and sensitive to 0.01gm.
5. Oven thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to maintain the
temperature around 105 - 110c.


Procedure
1. Soil sample are dried and broken down mechanically as described.
2. Where possible, the soil sample shall be tested in its natural state, particularly so with
clay soils. Coarse material shall be removed by using spatulas.
3. About 20g of soil sample is taken from the liquid limit test, add a little pre-prepared
dried soil to it and shape it into ball.
4. If soil in its natural state is used, it is allowed to dry on a glass plate before shaping it
into a ball.
5. The ball of sample is molded between the fingers and rolled between the palms until
the heat of the hands has dried the sample sufficiently for slight crack to appear in its
surface. The sample is rolled on the glass with palm. The sample is divided into two
sub sample of about 10g each and carried out separate determination on each portion.
Each sub sample is divided into four more or less equal parts and each part is treated s
specified in step 6-8.
6. The soil is molded in the fingers to equalize the distribution of moisture. The soil is
formed into thick thread by rolling the soil between the palms and then rolled the
thread between the fingers (from finger-tip to second joint) of one hand and the
surface of the glass rolling plate. Alternate between molding and rolling to effect the
gradual drying of the soil.
7. The sample is rolled into thread between fingers, from the finger-tip to the second
joint of one hand and the palm of the other hand until the thread shears both
longitudinally and transversely when it has been rolled to about 3mm in diameter
size. The piece of sample is not gathered after they have crumbled in order to reform
a thread and continued rolling; the first crumbling point is the plastic limit.
8. Two metal containers are taken and their identification is recorded. Each container is
weight separately and it is recorded.
9. The crumbled thread is placed in one container and step 6 7 of the process is
repeated on the other three remaining portion, placing them all in the same container.
The container containing the crumbled thread is then weight and recorded.

10. Step 6 8 is repeated on the duplicate sample formed in step 5 and the crumbled
thread is placed on another container. The container and the content is weight and
recorded.
11. The two container is placed in the oven at a temperature of 105 110 overnight 16
24 hours. After drying, the container is removed and then allowed to cool in a
desiccator. The dry weight is recorded and the moisture content is determined as
specified in the moisture content test (experiment 1).
12. The two moisture content values of the soil sample are recorded.

Result & Calculation
Table below is showing the test result from the experiment done in the laboratory, and the

Plastic Limit 1 2
Container No.
Mass Of Wet Soil + Container (G) 21.78 22.13
Mass Of Dry Soil + Container (G) 18.89 19.16
Mass Of Container (G) 6.6 6.64
Mass Of Dry Soil (G) 12.29 12.52
Mass Of Moisture (G) 2.89 2.97
Moisture Content (%) 23.52 23.72
Average Moisture Content (%) 23.62
Plastic Limit, W
p
(%) 23.62

Example of Calculation
1. Mass of moisture = (mass of wet soil + container) - (mass of dry soil + container)
2. Moisture content (%), w = mass of water x 100%
mass of dry soil
3. For plastic limit, w
p
= average moisture content.

4. For plastic index, I
p
= liquid limit, W
L
plastic limit, W
P

So,
Plasticity index, I
P
= W
L
- W
P

= 39.47 23.62
= 15.85 %


Discussion
The moisture content is equal to the plastic limit at which the soils sample become too dry to be
plastic. Then the plastic limit is used together with liquid limit to determine the plasticity index.
It is known that the results are subject to the judgment of the operator, and that some variability
in result will occur. The plastic limit test only performed in conjunction with the liquid limit test.
It is convenient to carry out the test on a portion of the material prepared for one of the liquid
limit test procedures.

If the two results differ by more than 0.5% moisture content, repeat the whole test. Luckily for
this experiment, the different between two samples is only 0.2 %. Therefore, the result of this
experiment is acceptable. In this experiment, we managed to achieve the objective of this lab that
is to measure the plastic limit of the given soil sample.

Conclusion
It can be seen from the above results that the corresponding Plastic Limit (PL or W
P
) of the soil,
a Yellowish brown clayey silt for one point penetrometer method is 37.22%, so the Plasticity
Index;
I
P
= W
L
- W
P

= 39.47 23.62
= 15.85%
By referring to the plasticity chart, we know that our soil sample is inorganic clay of medium
plasticity. This also means that our sample is clayey soils.


References
1. ASTM D4318-95a, BS1377: Part 2:1990:5.3 (Test Method)
3. Braja M. Das. Fifth Edition. Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. Bill Stenquist.


EXPERIMENT: LIQUID LIMIT

Introduction
The Cone Penetrometer Method is used to discover the liquid limit was devised as an alternative
to the Casagrande Test which is older and less accurate and is prone to operator errors.

Objective
The Cone Penetrometer method for discovering the liquid limit was devised as an alternative to
the Casagrande test which is older and less accurate and is prone to operator errors. This method
is used to find liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index.
Apparatus
1. Sample Of Dry Soil
2. Temperature Controlled Oven
3. Container
4. Glass Mixing Plate
5. Palette Knife
6. Weigher
7. Distilled Water
8. Lesung Batu
9. 425 m Sieve
10. Penetrometer


Procedures
1. 100g of pre-prepared sample is taken out and put on the glass plate.
2. The soil is mixed thoroughly with distilled water into a homogenous paste using the
two palette knives. The moisture content is adjusted to the corresponding to a cone
penetration of between 15mm and 25mm, and as close as possible to 20mm. This may
be checked with the cone penetrometer devise if necessary. It is mixed for at least 10
minutes.
3. A portion of the mixed soil is pushed into the cup with a palette knife (not to trap
air). The excess oil is strike off with a straightedge to give a smooth surface.
4. With the cone locked in the raised position, the supporting assembly is lowered so
that the tip of the cone just touches the surface of the soil. When the cone is in the
correct position a slight movement of the cup will just mark the soul surface. The
reading of the dial gauge is recorded to the nearest 0.1mm.
5. The cone is released for the period of 5 1s. If the apparatus is not fitted with an
automatic release and locking devise, the apparatus is carefully used (not to jerk
during the operation). After locking the cone into position, the dial gauge is lowered
to the new position of the cone shaft and the reading is noted to the nearest 0.1mm.
The difference between the beginning and the end of the drop is recorded as the cone
penetration.
6. The cone is then lifted out and carefully cleaned to avoid scratching.
7. A little more of wet soil is added to the cup (not to trap air), and the surface is
smoothen as specified in 3 and procedure 4-6 is repeated.
8. Procedure 4-7 is repeated until two consecutive tests give cone penetration reading
within 0.5mm.
9. The bulk of soil is removed, including the zone penetrated by the cone from the cup.
It is placed in a suitable container and its moisture content is determined as specified
in Experiment 5.


Result & Calculation
Table 1 below is showing the test result from the experiment done in the laboratory, and the

Liquid Limit
Test 1 2
1. Initial Dial Gauge Reading (mm) 0 0
2. Final Dial Gauge Reading (mm) 18.9 18.6
3. Penetration (mm) 18.9 18.6
4. Average Penetration (mm) 18.8
5. Container No. 1
6. Mass of Wet Soil + Container (g) 26.76
7. Mass of Dry Soil + Container (g) 21.14
8. Mass of Container (g) 6.63
9. Mass of Dry Soil (g) 14.51
10. Mass of Moisture (g) 5.62
11. Moisture Content (%) 38.7
12. Average Moisture content (%) 38.7
13. Liquid Limit, W
L
(%) 38.7 x 1.020 = 39.47
Table 1: Liquid limit test

Table 2 below, shows the factors for moisture content ranges obtained from the cone penetration.
Cone Penetration
(mm)
Factors For Moisture Content Ranges
Below 35% 35% To 50% Above 50%
15 1.057 1.094 1.098
19 1.015 1.020 1.018
25 0.954 0.934 0.909
Plasticity Low Intermediate High

Example of Calculation
5. Mass of Moisture = (Mass of Wet Soil + Container) - (Mass of Dry Soil + Container)
6. Moisture Content (%), w = Mass of Water X 100%
Mass of Dry Soil
7. For liquid limit, W
L
= average moisture content x factors
8. For plastic index, I
p
= liquid limit, W
L
plastic limit, W
p

So,
Plasticity Index, I
P
= W
L
- W
P

= 39.47 23.62
= 15.85 %


Discussion
The moisture content at which the soils cease to be liquid and become plastic is 38.7%. The
moisture content at which the soils cease to be plastic and become semi-plastic solid is 23.62%
and plasticity index is 15.85%.
One-point method, the liquid limit is obtained by multiply the moisture content with the factors
of moisture content ranges. The one point method is likely to give results that are less reliable
than those obtained from the four-point method and therefore suitable only where a possibly less
accurate result is acceptable.

Four-point method, the relationship between the moisture content and the corresponding number
of bumps can be plotted on a semi-logarithmic chart, with the percentage moisture contents as
ordinates on linear scale and the number of bumps as abscissa on the logarithmic scale.
During this experiment, we were using the one-point method. We also know our sample is
intermediate plasticity by referring factors for moisture content ranges.

Conclusion
From the experiment, the result shows that the moisture content is 38.7% and the liquid limit is
39.47%. By referring to the plasticity chart for the classification of silt or clay (measurements
made on material passing a 425 um BS sieve) and the calculation of plasticity index (I
p
=
15.85%), we know that our sample is inorganic clay of medium plasticity. This also means that
our sample is clayey soils.


Appendix


References
4. BS 1377: Part 2: 1990:6.5 (Test Method)
6. ASTM D 427, AASHTO T 92, UNI 10014

Soil Complete

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Soil Complete

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BEC 205 SOIL LABORATORY

You might also like