THE SABA ENGINEERING PLC CENTRAL MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY Addis Ababa Manual of Soil Testing Part I Ayehutsega Awgchew 25 November 2002 @ 5 . 0 DBL ETD onaih rom era tare ies ZN SABA ENGINEERING private uimréo coupany P.0Box 62668: Tl. 380809 301086 98148028178 388004Fex 381250 991817 Ena ssbenyGethinttot Website: wanesahecrgaeing com ‘is Aba, EipiaPreface This manual is intended primarily describes the procedures and as working mamual {for laboratory and field engineers, technicians and other engaged on the testing of ‘material and soil in a laboratory for civil engineering such as road, bridge, air port, dam, seaport ete purposes. The test procedures are in essence based on AASHT( 0, ASTM and British Standard {for laboratory and field testing of soils. It is based of may own experience over many ‘years both in managing large soil (most of through Ethiopia) soils testing Iaboratories and in the instruction of technicians and graduated engineers and others in test procedures, T have made a special efforts to explain those points of detail which are often the couse of difficulty or misunderstanding. The step-by-step presentation of procedures and test result examples, the use of test data examples flow diagram and calculations ‘are provided for this purpose, especially for the trainees and new comers to soil testing. Manual part I presents details of the methods in Atterberg limits, AASHTO and unified soil classification, compaction, CBR, Specific Gravity and In-place Density of ‘soil most of these procedures are covered by AASHTO, ASTM and British Standard. Thope that the topics giving background information, general applications and basic theory will enable engineers and technicians to obtain a better appreciation of the purpose and significance of the tests they perform. ‘I hope that this manual will be well used in the laboratory and field and I should welcome any comments and criticism from those who use it. Ayehutsega Awgchew Head SABA Eng. Central LaboratoryTABLE OF CONTENT Tntroditction .. Moisture Content... Atterberg Limits Casagrande — Liquid Limit Method .. Plastic Limit Plasticity Index Cone Penetrometer Liquid Limit, Soil Classification AASHTO Soil Classification... Unified Soil Classification 44 Shrinkage Limits Volume Metric 48 Linear ‘Amount of Material Finer than No, 200 sieve .. Standard Method of Mechanical Analysis of Soil..... Hydrometer Analysis. Specific Gravity of Soil Moisture Density Relationship... California Bearing Ratio (CBR). 2107 +129 In-place Density .INTRODUCTION SOIL 1. Soil is derived from the latin word solium. The upper layer of the earth that may be | dug or plowed specifically, the loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow. The soil is used in the field of agronomy where the main concern is in the use of soil for raising crops. ‘The term soil is used for the upper layer of mantle which can support plants. ‘The material which is called soil by the agronomist or the geologist is known as top soil in geotechnical engineering or soil engineering. The top soil contains a large quantity of organic matter and is not suitable as a construction material or a foundation for structures. The top soil is removed from the earth's surface before the construction of structures. In soil engineering is defined as an unconsolidated material, composed of solid particles, produced by the disintegration of rocks. ‘The void space between the particles may contain air, water or both. ‘The solid particles may contain. organic matter. The soil particles can be separated by such mechanical means as agitation in water. l A natural aggregate of mineral particles bonded by strong and permanent cohesive | forces is called rock. Soil is composed of loosely bound mineral grains of various size and shapes, organic material, water and gases, ) ‘The bonds holding solid particles together in most soil are relatively weak in comparison to most sound rocks. In fact and air-dried sample of soil will crumble and break down within a relatively short period when placed in water and gently agitated. The solid particles of which soils are composed are usually the products of both physical and chemical action on weathering. Deposits of these weathered solid constituent may be found near or directly above the bed rock (residual soils) or organic deposits from which they were formed. Many soil deposits, however, have been transported from their point of origin to new locations by such agents as water, i wind, ice or volcanic action water-transported soils are classed as alluvial (deposited by moving water on flood plains, deltos, and bars)ll 1.2 The Origin of Soil Soils are formed by weathering of rocks due to mechanical disintegration or chemical decomposition when a rock surface sets exposed to atmosphere for an appreciable time it distegrates or decomposes into small particles and thus the soils are formed. Soil may be considered as an incidental material obtained from the geologic cycle which goes on continuously in nature. The geologic cycle consists of erosion, transportation, deposition and upheaval of soil. Exposed rocks are eroded and degraded by various physical and chemical processes. The products of erosion are picked up by a gencies of transportation, such as water and wind and are cartied to new locations where they are deposited. Based on the mode of origin, rocks can be divided into three basic types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous Rock:- are formed by solidification of molten magma ejected from the deeper part of the earth's mantle. Molten magma on the surface of the earth cools after being ejected by either fissure or volcanic eruption, Sedimentary Rock:- The deposits of gravel, sand, silt and clay formed by weathering may be come compacted by overburden pressure. Metamorphic Rock:- is the process of changing the composition and texture of rock (without melting) by heat and pressure. Marble:- is formed from calcite and dolomite by recrystallitation, ‘The mineral grains in marble are larger than those in the original rock. Quartzite a metamorphic rock formed from quartz-rich sand stones. Soil Structure Soil particles may vary over a wid range. Soils are generally called gravel, sand, silt, or clay, depending on the predominant silt of soil particles. To describe soils by their particle size, several organizations have developed soil-separate-size limits, For the coarse grained soils, primary structure can frequently be observed with the unaided eye or a handlens. Methods for observing the structure of fine grained soil (silts and clays) have been slower in developing.Iq 1.3 Water, Solids and Air Relationships - In the case of primary structures, however, visual observations usually are | insufficient, and indirect means are employed to evaluate this factor roughly. To do this it has been found convenient to think of any soil as being composed of three states 9 of matter solid, water and gas or air. Although it is impossible to make this separation into three separate states in the laboratory, it is convenient to represent soil as shown in figure 1. i { 2. Soil Type A geotechnical engineer should be well versed with the nomenclature and terminology of different types of soils. The following list gives the names and salient A characteristics of different types of soils, arranged in alphabetical order. il 2.1 Black cotton soil 2.9 Desert soils 2.17 Expansive clays _ 2.2. Brown clay 2.10 Cobbles 2.18 Organic clay i 2.3 Redclay 2.11 Gravel 2.19 Blue clay ~ 2.4 Gray clay 2.12 Laterites 2.20 Yellow clay 2.5 Pinkish clay 2.13 Peat 2.21 Green clay J 2.6 Betonite clay 2.14 Sand 2.22 Wheit clay | 2.7 Boulders 2.15 Silt etc. u 2.8 Tuff 2.16 Top soil 1. Desert Soil: Loose fine deposit sand and silt and dust particles size of the - particles is uniform in gradation. q2, — Lateritce Soils:- formed by decomposition of rock, removal of base and silica, and accumulation of iron oxide and aluminium oxide, The presence of iron oxide gives these soils the characteristic red or pink color. These are residual soils formed from basalt. 3. Black Cotton Soil:- is clay of high plasticity, Its contain essentially the clay mineral montmorillonite. The soil has high shrinkage and swelling characteristics. ‘The shrinkage strength of the soil is extremely low. The soil is highly compressible and has very low bearing capacity, It is extremely difficult to work with such soil. Betonite:- It is a type of clay with a very high percentage of clay mineral ‘montmorillnite. It is a highly plastic clay, resulting from the decomposition of volcanic ash. It is highly water absorbent and has highly shrinkage and swelling characteristics. 5. Expansive Clay:- a large volume changes as the water content is changed. ‘This soil contain the montmorillonite. 6. Clay:= It consists of microscopic and sub-microscopic particles derived from the chemical decomposition of rock. It contains a: large quantity of clay minerals. It can be made plastic by adjusting the water content. It exhibits considerable strength when dry. Clay is a fine grained soil. It is a cohesive soil the particle size is less than 0.002mm. Gravel:- Gravel is a type of coarse-grained soil. The particles size ranges from 4,75mm to 75mm, 8. Cobbles:- Cobbles are large size particles in the range of 75mm to 300mm. 9. Boulders:- Boulders are rock fragments of large size, more than 300mm in size. 10, Peat:- It is an organic soil having fibrous aggregates of macroscopic and microscopic particles. It is formed from vegetal matter and different plants, animals wast water under conditions of excess moisture, such as in swamps. It is highly compressible and not suitable of foundation. 11. Sand:- It is a coarse-grained soil, having 0.075 to 4.75mm size. The particles are visible to naked eye, ‘The sand is most of producted from river. fine grained soil, with particle size between 0.002 to 0.075mm the article size is not visible to naked eye. It has non or little plasticity and no more swelling and cohesionless.13, Tuff Itis a fine-grained soil composed of very small particles ejected from volcanoes during its explosion and deposited by wind or water. 14. Top Soil:- Top soil are surface soils that support and grow plants, they contain a large quantity of organic matter and are not suitable for foundation. Soil Mechanics Soil mechanies is the application of the laws of mechanics: and hydraulics to engineering problems dealing with sediments and other unconsolidated occultation of solid particles produced by the mechanical and chemical disintegration of rock regardless of whether or not they contain on admixture of organic constituents; soil mechanics is therefore, a branch of mechanics which deals with the action of forces on soil and with the flow of water in soil. Geotechnical Engineering Soil nan applied science dealing with the applications of principles of soil mechanics to practical problems. It has a much wider scope than soil mechanics, as it deals with all engineering problems related with soils. It includes soil investigations, design and construction of foundations, earth-retaining structures and earth structures. Soi! Engineering Foundation:- Every civil engineering structure, whether it is a building, a bridge, or a dam, is founded on or below the surface of the earth. Foundations are required to ‘transmit the load of the structure to soil safely and efficiently. a. Foundation is termed shallow foundation (light load) when it transmits the load to upper strata of earth, (A)Shallow Foundation tet [Natural Ground Level‘A foundation is called deep foundation when the load is transmitted to strata al considerable depth below the ground surface. Pile Foundation:- is a type of deep foundation. Foundation engineering is an important branch of soil engineering. 5.2 Retaining Wall:- when sufficient space is not available for a mass of soil to spread and from a safe slope, a structure is required to retain the soil. An earth retaining structure is also required to keep the soil at different levels on its either side. The retaining structure may be a rigid retaining wall or a sheet pile bulkhead which is relatively flexible. Soil engineering gives the theories of earth pressure on retaining structures. RETAINING WALL5.3 Earth Dam:- Earth dams are huge structures in which soil is used as a construction material. The earth dams are built for creating water reservoirs. Since the failure of an earth dam may cause wide spread catastrophe, extreme case is taken in its design and construction. It requires a thorough knowledge of soil engineering. EARTH DAM 5.4 Pavement Design:- A pavement is a hand crust placed on soil (subgrade) for the purpose of providing a smooth and strong surface on which vehicles can move, The pavement consists of pavement, base and subbase. The behavior of subgrade under various conditions of loading and environmental changes is studied in soil engineering. sa 2 5.5 Some problems of Soil:- The geotechnical engineer has sometimes to take miscellaneous problems related with soil, such, as soil heave, soil subsidence, frost heave, shrinkage and swelling of soils. Soil engineering provides on in depth study of such problems.Purpose of Soil Testing The chemical and physical properties of materials are determined by carrying out different tests on samples of soil in a laboratory. Tests for the assessment of engineering properties, such as moisture content, atterberg limits, gradation and hydrometer analysis, density, CBR, in-situ density etc. ‘The parameters determined from laboratory tests, taken together with descriptive data relating to the soil, area required by soil engineers for many purposes. The more usual applications are follows. a) The findings of a site investigation can be supplemented by farther testing as construction proceed b) Criteria for the acceptance of a material used in construction ©) Data acquired from classification tests are applied to the identification of soil of soil strata. 4) Laboratory tests are needed as part of the control measures which are applied during construction of earth works on for ensuring that the design criteria.are met, ‘The advantages of laboratory testing are in a field investigation for different construction projects, the field operations, which includes of the geology and history of the site subsurface exploration and in place testing, are of prime importance. The determination of the ground characteristics by in place testing can take into account large scale effects However the measurement of soil properties by means of laboratory tests offers a number of advantages, as follows 1. A test can be run under conditions which are similar to, or which different from those prevailing in situ, as may appropriate. 2. Test can be carried out on material (soils) which have been broken down and reconstituted. 3. Control of the test conditions, including boundary conditions can’ be exercised. 4, Control can be exercised over the choice of material which is to be tested. 5. Laboratory testing generally permits a greater degree of accuracy of measurements that does field tests. ‘The evaluation of soil properties from reliable test procedures has led to a closen understanding of the nature and probable behaviour of soils as engineering materials. Some of the resulting advantages in the realm of civil engineering construction have been:a) Increasing economy in the use of soils as construction materials b) Reduction of uncertainities in the analysis of foundations and earthworks ©) Exploitation of difficult sites 4) Economies in design due to the use of lower factors of safety e) Erection of structures, and below-ground construction, which would not have been feasible without this knowledge. Scope of Manual This manual is concerned only soil tesing. Soil Laboratory Testing Testi- drived from Latin, testum treating or trying gold, metals and silver alloys. Examination or trial by which the quality of anything may be determined. The process or action of examining a substance under known conditions in order to determine its identify or that of one of its constituents. The physical properties of materials are tested in order to determine their ability to satisfy particular requirements Laboratory:- Experiments in natural science. Sample:- A relatively small quantity of material from which the quality of the mass which it represents may be inferred. ‘Specimen:- A part of as representative of the whole sample. This manual deals with standard laboratory. — Moisture content — Atterberg limits (LL, PL, PI, SL, LS) — Compaction — Classification — California Bearing Ratio — Inplace Density — Sieve analysis and hydrometer Method of test for soil for civil engineering purposes. The procedure (tests) described here are based on Standard Practice Specified in the AASHTO, ASTM and BS (Standard). The main emphasis of the manual, however, is on the detailed procedures to be followed in preparing samples for and carrying out different+ tests in the laboratory. Appropriate to this tests, details of the apparatus required, a "i procedural stages, and step by step detailed procedures are included. The typical examples, calculation and plotting of graphs and presentation of results are described. 4 Finally:- it is essential material testing technician requires a knowledge of good testing n techniques and an understanding of the correct procedures for the soil sample preparation and for testing. Terminology and units are used metric (SI) 3Soil Survey (Investigation) and Samplin; Purpose of the Soil Investigation (survey) is an essential part of a preliminary engineering soil survey for location and design purposes. Information on the distribution of soil material and ground-water table and conditions must be obtained before a reasonable and ‘economic design can detailed soil survey (investigation) provides pertinent information on the following subject. 1. The selection of the type of surface and its design. The design of the roadway section The location of the road, both vertically and horizontally The design and location of culvert ditches and drains ‘The need for subgrade treatment and the type of treatment required. ‘The location and selection of borrow material for files and subgrade treatment. A aweeEnD The selection of local sources of construction materials for subbase, base course and surfacing or wearing course. The soil survey consists of the following: 5 = The exploration of the site of the road location by test pit or auger borings and the preparation of soil profiles the significant soil layers. The critical depths to bed rock and water table and the extent of adverse ground conditions such as swaps or peat bogs. = The study of all existing information on soil, and ground-water conditions occurring in the vicinity of the proposed road location. — The identification of the various soil types from soil profile characteristics occurring on the proposed road project. — The taking of representative samples of soil and local construction materials (subbase, base course and surfacing materials) for laboratory testing Road site Exploration:- the field work for this phase of the soil survey consists of making examinations of the soils by means of borings, test pits or road cuttings. Borings for foundation should be deep enough to determine if bed rock, adverse ground (peat) or water conditions are apt to be encountered during the construction of the proposed road. After the boundaries of each soil type are established, sampling sites are selected so that representative samples can be obtained for laboratory test purposes. iEquipment for Soil Survey The type of equipment required for making a soil survey. Onger Rod Tape Sample bags Shovel Pick Awaene Soil sampling or selection: Sample of soil or gravel should be ‘obtained from each soil F layer (depth) and limited distance with pick and shovel from the proposed test pit selected NA on the basis of a study auger boring or test pit records. Each sample should be placed in a canvas bag, marked with adequate identification, tied securely and shipped to the laboratory. A sufficient amount and number of samples should be taken to establish the Tange in test results for what appears to be the same soil layer. Or soils survey should be conducted along the proposed route in order to asses the existing f] pavement condition including soil extension, Construction materials subbase material (select material source, base course material, surfacing and water should be sampled for q laboratory test determination. J { 12SECTIONI MOISTURE CONTENT AND INDEX TESTS Moisture Content (BS1377: Part 2: 1990 and ASTM D2216) Definition The mass of water which can be removed from the soil and aggregate by heating (oven drying) at 105 — 110° expressed as a percentage of the dry mass. Apparatus — Moisture can (container) — Balance — Oven — Spatula - Pan Procedure Clean and dry the moisture can (container). Make sure that all are marked the same reference no. or letter. a. Weigh each container and record. b. Place the wet sample in the container, the mass of sample to be used as follows: Mass of soil sample 50-300 gm Mass of aggregate sample 300-500gm c. Weigh wet of sample + container and record d, Place the wet sample + container in the oven. Maintain the required temperature normally 105 - 1100c for 12 - 24 hours. e. Remove the sample from the oven and allow in the air to cool at least 10- 15min. f£. Weigh the dried sample + container and record. 13& 4, Calculation :- t 4 The moisture content of a soil or aggregate is expressed as a percentage of its dry mass. Moisture‘content= A-B B-C ‘where: A: Weight of wet sample + Container » Bye Weight of dry sample +.container C. Weight of container 1.2, Atterberg Limits ‘L212 lerminit Liquid Limit oi] (AASHTO Designation T89- 90) 1, Definition ; / The liquid limit of a soil is the moisture (water) content at which soil i passes from the’plastic to liquid state as determined by the liquid limit t test. 2. Apparatus : a. Mixing ( Evaporating dish) about 114mm diameter | b. Spatula or peel knife having blade about 76mm length and 19mm width ¢. Motorized liquid limit divice 4. Grooving tool e. Moisture can (container ) | £ Balance sensitive to 0.0m g. Pan (small) h. Drying oven i. Graduated measuring cylinder 10-SOml |a] | U 3. Sample preparation The soil sample as received‘ufficient from field - A sample shall be taken from the thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing the No 40(0.425mm) sieve which has been obtained in accordance with the standard method of preparing disturbed soil sample or the standard method of wet preparation of disturbed soil sample for test. Dry:preparation ~"Allow the sample in air to:dry-at‘room temperature or in-an oven ata temperature not exceeding'60°c. Break down aggregations’ of particles in’a:mortar using:a-rubber-pestle but avoid crushing ‘individual: particles. .:. Place. in.:the.:cup..or,.dish. a:sample weighing about more than 100gm. 4, Procedure 4.1 Adjustment of Mechanical Device :~ The: liquid limit:divice:shall.be inspected:to determine that the divice is in good working order, that the pin connecting the cup is not worn sufficiently to permit side play that the screws connecting the cup to the hanger drm are tight and that a groove has not been worn in the cup through long: usage. The: grooving tool shall be inspected to determine that the critical dimensions are as shown Fig. 1.1. By means of the gauge on the handle of the grooving tool and the adjustment plate H, Fig. 1.1, the height to which the cup is lifted shall be adjusted so that the point on the cup which comes in contact with the base is exactly 1cm (0,3937") above base. The adjustment plate H shall than be well secured by tightening the screws 1. With the gage-still in place revolving: the crank: rapidly ‘several times shall check the adjustment. If the adjustment is correct, a slight ringing sound will be heard when the cam strikes the cam follower. If the cup is raised off the .gauge.or no sound is heard further adjustment shall be made. The apparatus must be clean and the bowl must be dry and oil free. Check that the grooving tool is clean and dry, and conforms to the correct profile.The machine should be placed on a firm solid part of the bench so that it will not wobble. The position should also be convenient for turning the handle steadily and at the correct speed (two turns per second). Practice against a second’s timer with the cup empty to get accustomed to the correct rhythm. 4.2 Mixing :- The soil sample shall be placed in the evaporating (mixing) dish and add sufficient distilled water and mix the soil sample in the mixing dish with the spatula for at least 10min, Some soils especially heavy clay may need a longer mixing time up to 45min. When sufficient water has been thoroughly mixed with'the soil to form a uniform mass of stiff consistency, a sufficient quantity of this mixture shall be placed in the cap above the spot where the cap rests on the base and shall then be squeezed and spread into the position shown in Fig. 1.2 with as few strokes of the spatula as possible, care being taken to prevent the entrapping of air bubbles within the mass. With spatula the soil shall be leveled and at the same time trimmed to a depth of 10mm at the point of maximum thickness. The excess sample shall be returned to the mixing dish. The sample in the cup of the mechanical device shall be divided by a firm stroke’ of the grooving tool along the: diameter through the centerline of the cum follower so that a clean sharp groove of the proper dimensions will be formed. To avoid tearing of the sides of the groove or slipping of the soil cake in the cup, upto six strokes from front to back or from back to front counting as one stroke shall be permitted. The depth of the groove should be increased with each stroke and only the last stroke should scrape the bottom of the cup. 4.3 Turn the crank handle of the machine at a steady rate of two revolutions per second, so that the bowl is lifted and dropped. Use a second’s time if necessary to obtain the correct speed. If a revolution counter is not fitted, count the number of bumps counting aloud if necessary. Continue turning until the groove is closed along a distance of 13mm. The back end of the standard grooving tool serves as a length gauge. ‘The groove is closed when the two parts of the soil come into contact at the bottom of the groove. Record the number of blows required to reach this condition. If there is a gap between two26 LIQUID AND PLASTIC LIMITS Fg. 217 locking serew tomm Casograrie guid limit apparatus and tools t Parse, handle @) 18rome 26 LIQUID AND PLASTIC LIMITS position of| level surface, Breaving toot e hen cutting @) 3) Fig. 220 “Soll placed im Casagrande bowl, ond use of grovtng tootpoints of contact continue until there is a length of continuos contact of 13mm, and record the number of blows. 4.4 Remove a slice of soil approximately the width of the spatula extending from edge to edge of the soil, Followed together shall be removed and placed in two suitable containers. The containers and samples shall be weighed and the weight recorded. 4,5 The soil remaining in the cup shall be transferred to the evaporating dish. The cup and grooving tool shall then be washed, clean and dried in preparation for the next trials. 4.6 The foregoing operation shall be repeated for at least two-additional portions of the samples to which sufficient water has been added to bring the soil to a more fluid condition. The object of this procedure is to obtain samples of such consistency that at least one determination will be made in each of the following ranges of blows; 1° 25-35, 2" 20- 30, 3 15-25, 47 Place all the weighed and recorded sample and container in the oven to dry [see Section 1.1 (4-0). 4 be Calculation : - The water content of the soil shall be expressed as the moisture content in percentage of the weight the oven dried mass and shall be calculated as follows. % Moisture content = (A-B ) x 100 where A = weight of wet sample + container B= weight of dry sample + container C= weight of container 4.9. Preparation of flow curve Using a semi-logarithmic chart, plot the moisture content as ordinate (linear scale) against the corresponding number of blows as abscissa (logarithmic scale) and the number of blows as ordinates on the logarithmic scale. ‘The flow curve shall be a straight line drown as 21It maybe used to determine the liquid limit for a soil with only one test; this procedure is generally called the “ one point method’’ this method has been adopted by ASTM under the designation D423-66, Liquid limit = WN (N/25)" WhereN = WN N The reason for obtaining fairly good results by the one point method is due to “the small.range‘of moisture involved for N between 20 and 30. number of blows in liquid limit device for 0.5in, groove closure corresponding moisture content 121 forall soils. ‘Plieifollowing:table gives the valueS:of((NY/25)"! for N'=:20:toNs=30 "aa 4 = ao J N (N25) "™ 20 0973 21 0.979 2 0.985 B 0.990 24 0.995 25 1.000 26 1.005 27 1,009 28 L014 29 1.018 30 1.022 2 +a =) C moon PROJECT a ‘SAMPLED BY DATE SAMPLED: LAB.NO. zl DATE TESTED ATTERBERG LIMIT ( CASAGRANDE] Location ‘Material Depthie) Wy soll (q.)= Wi -W2 %.20| t0.45|_12.40|_11.82] 801930] Water Ce) = (WLW VQWT-WpeIOO | 4084] 42.36] 43.15] 43.00] 28.00 77.96 APL) 280 = je lee poe Ea ‘SUMMARY, iui Li, Pastc Lint PL fe Plastic index = LL-PL,es asst oon | toe TENT % otsTURE cow a 7" NUWBER OF evUrs 70223 Lid lint (Cesagrande tex) resend graph 2 / 24 4J 7 nearly as possible through the three or more plotted points. This is J called the flow curve. | 4.10. Liquid Limit Determination:- A Draw the ordinate representing 25 blows and where it intersects the td flow carve draw the horizontal line to the moisture content axis. Read off this value of moisture content and record it on the horizontal Tine to the nearest 0.1%. n : Fig. 1.2. Liquid limit (Casagrande test) Result and Graph 1.2.2. Determining the Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soil (AASHTO Designation T 90-90) Definition The moisture content at which a mixture of soil passes from a liquid state to that of a semi-solid state. 1, Sample Preparation If the plastic limit analysis required take a quantity of soil weighing about 30-50gm from the thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing the No 40 (0.425mm) sieve [see section 1.2.1(3)]. 2, Apparatus 1. Glass plate reserved for rolling of threads. This should be J smooth and free from scratches, oil and grease and about 300mm square and 10mm thick. | 2. Palette knife or spatula Iv 3. A short length 100mm length 3mm diameter of metal rod 4, Standard moisture content apparatus [section 1.2.1.(2)] 3. Procedure 1 - Prepare chilled or a small portion of thoroughly or mixed = sample from the first trial of LL test 25- Roll into ball - Roll into thread until crumbling occurs. . Rolling into a Ball Mould the ball between the fingers and roll between the palms of the hands so that the warmth of the hands slowly dries it. Squeeze an ellipsoidal shape mass. Roll this mass between the fingers and the ground glass plate with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass into a thread of uniform diameter through out its length. Equalize the distribution of moisture, and then form into a thread about 6mm diameter, using the first finger and thumb of each hand. The thread must be intact and homogenous. The pressure should reduce the diameter of the thread from 6mm to about 1/8in or 3mm after between five and ten back and front movements of the hand. Some heavy expansive clays may need more than this because this type of soil tends to become harder near the plastic limit. It is important to maintain a uniform rolling pressure throughout: do not reduce pressure as the thread approaches 3mm diameter. When the diameter of the thread becomes 1/8in(3mm) .break the thread into six or eight pieces. Squeeze the pieces together between the thumbs and fingers of both hands into a uniform mass roughly ellipoidal in shape and reroll. Continue this alternate rolling to a thread 1/8in. (3mm) in diameter gathering together kneading and rerolling , until the thread crumbles and occurs surface cracks, under the pressure required for rolling and the soil can no longer be rolled into thread. The crumbling may occur when the thread has a diameter greater than 1/8in. (3mm). This shall be considered a satisfactory end point provided the soil has been previously rolled into a thread 1/8in. (3mm) in diameter. The crumbling will manifest itself differently with the various types of soil. Some soils‘such as dulotancy tuff, ash etc fall apart in numerous small aggregations of particles, Others may form an outside tubular layer that starts splitting at both ends. The splitting progress toward the middle and finally the thread falls apart in many small ploty particles. This type of samples should no longer be rolled. 2626 LIQUID AND PLASTIC LIMITS 27f a, Gather the pieces together after crumbling stage is reached. Divide into two parts and place in a suitable moisture can (container), weigh the container and wet soil, record the weight. Place the moisture can and wet sample in the oven, Maintain al the required temperature normally 105-110°c for 12-24 hours. ; Remove the sample from oven and allow in the air for about 5- : 10 min, Weigh the dried sample and moisture can and record. J b, Caleulation J Moisture content (A-B.) x 100 ( plastic limit) B-C Refer section 1.2.1.(4.8) Plasticity Index The difference between the liquid limit and plastic limit is calculated to give the plasticity index (PI). Eg, Plasticity Index ( PI) = Liquid Limit (LL, PL) Plastic Limit (PI). (IfLL=40 and PL=21, then PI=40-21=19) 1.3. Liquid Limit — With Cone Penetrometer 1.3.1.General :- i This method is used for determining the liquid limit of soil. It is based on the measurement of penetration into the soil of a standardized cone of specified mass. At the liquid limit the cone penetration is 20mm, it requires the same apparatus as is used for bituminous material testing ] but fitted with a special cone. 281.3.2. Apparatus 2. A flat glass plate, of convenient size, 10mm thick and about 500mm square. 3. Spatulas or palette knives. 4. Cone for the penetrometer, stainless steel or duralumin with smooth polished surface, length approximately 35mm, cone angle 30°, sharp point mass of cone and sliding shaft 80g+0.1g. 5. Sharpness gauge for cone, consisting of a small steel plate 1.75mm +0.lmm thick with a 1.5mm+0.02mm diameter hole accurately drilled and reamed. 6. Metal cups of brass or aluminum alloy 55mm thick and 40mm deep. 7. Metal straight edge about 100mm long. 8. Moisture content apparatus. 9, An evaporating dish (mixing dish), about 150mm diameter . 10.Wash bottle or beaker, containing distilled water. 1.3.3, Sample preparation a. Use of Natural soi When the soil consists of clay and silt with little or no material retained on a NO.40 (0.425mm) sieve, it can be prepared for testing from its natural state. Take a representative sample of about 500g of soil and chop into small pieces or shred with cheese grater. Mix with distilled water on a glass plate, using two palette knives. During this process remove any coarse particles by hand or with tweezers. Mix the water thoroughly into the soil until a thick homogeneous paste is formed and the paste has absorbed all the water with no surplus water visible. The mixing time should be at least 10min. with vigorous working of the palette knives, A longer mixing time period up to 45min may be needed for some soils, which do not readily absorb water. Place the mixed soil in an airtight container, such as a sealed polythene bag, and leave to mature for 24 hours. A shorter maturing time may be acceptable for low plasticity clays, and very silty soils could be tested immediately after mixing. If in doubt, 29comparative trial tests should be performed. In a laboratory with a continuos workload it is good practice to be consistent and allow 24 hours maturing for all soils. The mixed and matured material is then ready for the tests. . Wet preparation:- Take a representative sample of the soil at its natural moisture content to give at least 350gm of material passing the No. 40 (0.425mm) sieve. This quantity allows for a liquid limit and a plastic limit test. Chop into small pieces or shred with a cheese grater, and place in a weighed beaker, weigh and determine the mass of soil m(g) by difference. Take a similar representative sample and determine its moisture content w(%). The dry mass of soil in the test sample mp(g) can then be calculated from the equation:. mp= 100m 100+w Add enough distilled water to the beaker to just submerge the soil. Break down the soil pieces and stir until the mixture forms’siurry: Nest a No.40 (0.425mm) sieve on a receiver, under a guard sieve eg. Nol0 (2mm) sieve if appropriate. Pour the slurry through the sieve or sieves, and wash with distilled water, collecting all the washings in the receiver. Use the minimum amount of water necessary, but continue washing until the water passing the No. 40 (0.425) sieve runs virtually clear, Transfer all the washings passing the sieve to a suitable beaker with out losing any soil particles. Collect the washed material retained on the sieves. Dry in the oven and determine the dry mass mp(g). Allow the soil particles in the beaker to settle for several hour, or overnight. If there is a layer of clear water above the suspension, this may be carefully poured or siphoned off, without losing any soil particles. However if the soil contains water-soluble salts which might influence its properties, do not remove any water axept by evaporation. 30Stand the container in a warm place or in a current of warm air, 50 that it can partially dry. Protect from dust. Stir the soil water mixture frequently to prevent local over-drying. Alternatively, excess water may be removed by filtration, When the mixture forms a stiff paste such that the penetration of the cone penetrometer would not exceed 15mm the soil is ready for mixing on the glass plate as described above. No-additional curing time is required and the material is ready for the tests. Calculate the percentage by dry mass of soil in the original sample passing the 0.425mm sieve (P,) from the equation Pa=mp=mg x 100 Mp .. Dry preparation :- Allow the soil sample to air dry at room temperature, or.in one oven a temperature not exceeding 50°c [see Section 1.2.1(3)]. 1.3.4, Procedure - » s ° a Take a sample of about 300gms-soil paste and place the prepared soil paste on the glass plate. . Mix the soil paste on the glass with the spatulas for at least 10-min. Some soil especially heavy clays may need a longer mixing time. If necessary add more distilled water so that the first cone penetration reading is about 15mm. Press the mixed soil paste into the cup with a palette knife (spatula) taking care not to trap air. Strike-off excess soil with the straight edge to give a smooth level surface. Lock the cone shaft unit near the upper end of its travle and lower the supporting assembly carefully so that the tip of the cone is within a few mms of the surface of the soil in the cup. When the cone is in the correct position, a slight movement of the cup will just make the soil surface. Lower the stem of the dial gauge to 31orstuf Sborenr an wnoex restsmy co ae contact the cone shaft and record the reading of the dial gauge to the nearest 0.1mm. . Release (Allow) the cone by pressing the button for a period of 51 second timed with a seconds timer or watch. If the apparatus is not fitted with an automatic release and locking device, take cate not to jerk the apparatus during this operation. After 5 seconds release the button so as to lock the cone in place. Lower the dial gauge stem to make contact with the top of the core shaft without allowing the pointer sleeve to rotate relative to the stem adjustment knob. Record the reading of the dial gauge to the nearest 0.1mm Record the difference between the beginning and end of the drop as the cone penetration. See Fig.1.3. Lift out the cone and clean it carefully to avoid scratching. ‘Add a little distilled water and remix and add a little more wet soil to the cup, taking care not to trap air, make the surface smooth. Repeat section 1.3.3(d). If the second cone penetration differs from the first by less than 0.5mm, the average value is recorded, and proceed to the next h. If the second penetration is between 0.5 and Imm different from the first, a third test is carried out provided that the overall range does not exceed Imm, the average of the three penetrations is recorded and the content is measured stage (1). If the overall range exceeds Imm, the soil is removed from the cup and re-mixed and the test is repeated from stage C. j. Take a moisture content sample of about not less than 10g, the area penetrated by the cone, using the tip of a small spatula. Place itin a suitable container and determine its moisture content. The soil remaining in the cup is remixed with the rest of the sample on the glass plate together with a little more distilled water, until a uniform softer consistency is obtained, The cup is scraped out with the square -ended spatula wiped clean and dried, and stages ( C-J ) are repeated at least three more times, with further increments of distilled water. 33c co J U co co Sessseseeesaee = Bassatessaaaas SABA Engineering Plc. 5.0, Box 62868 Accs Ababa Ethiopia. Tel, 4 1065/941817 / 941490 941733 /432423-26 Fax, 341230/041617 E-mai_ save eng@islocom nate ATTERBERG LIMITS CONE-PENETRATION METHOD [Trial No. [Contained No. a cz 3 [Cone Penetration 162 196 224 W Wt. of wet sam.+Cont 48.7 605 63.8 WA, We. of dry sam.+Cont 33.1 39.4 405 jW2 Wt. of Container 85 86 83 IW. of moisture (wet) (w-iV1) 156 24 233 Wt. of dry (W1-W2) ee 30.8 - See [Moisture Content 63.4 68.5 724 75.8 LL 7000 ‘Moisture Content.% e000 11 12 19 14 18 16 17 18 19 20 21 2 9 mM 25 2 Z7 2 2 20 Cone Penetration,mm ey Lint Cone penco A range of penetration values from about 15mm to 25mm should be covered, fairly uniformly distributed. 1. Calculation The moisture content of the soil from each penetration reading is calculated from the wet and dry weightings as in the moisture content [see section 1.2.1(4.8)]. ‘Moisture content (%) = (A-B) x 100 B-C where A = weight of wet sample + container B =weight of dry sample + container C= weight of container Test Results From the graph the moisture content corresponding to a standard cone penetration of 20mm is read off to the nearest 0% reported to the nearest whole number as the liquid limit. See Fig. 1.3. 1.4. Soil classification 1.4.1. General: - The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official (AASHTO) system of soil classification is based upon the observed field performance of soil under highway pavements and is widely known and used among highway engineers . 1.4.2. Definition: - Soil classification is systematically grouping or categorizing of soil. It provides a common language to express briefly the general characteristics of soils.1.4.3. Procedure :- The AASHTO soil classification system is classified into seven (7) major groups A-1 through A-7. Soils classified under groups A-1, A- 3 and A-2 are granular (gravels, sand and gravelly clay). Materials with 35% or less passing through a No.200 (0.075mm) sieve. The silt and silty clay materials with more than 35% passing the No.200 (0.075mm) sieve are classified under groups A-4, A-5, A-6 and A-7. . After the necessary laboratory tests have been preformed the proper classification for a given material can normally be made without great difficulty. The classification of a specific soil is based upon the results of tests made in accordance with standard methods of soil testing. To classify a soil by Table 1.1 one must proceed form left to right with the required test data available by the process of elimination. The first group from the left into which the test data will fit gives the correct classification. To evaluate the performance quality of a soil as a highway subgrade material under this system, a number called the group index is included with the groups and sub- groups of the soil. The group index of a soil may range from 0-20 and is expressed as a whole number. The approximate subgrade and base performance quality of a given soil is inversely proportional to its group index, and it can be expressed by the following empirical relation. Group index = (GI)( F-35%) [0.2+0.005 (LL-40)}+0.01 (F-15)(PI-10) where GI = group index F= percentage of soil passing a No 200 (0.075mm) sieve LL = liquid limit PI= plasticity index The group index is rounded off to the nearest whole number. The group index may also be evaluated with Fig. 1.4 by adding the vertical reading, the vertical reading is obtained from the two charts: © Chart one LL with No. 200 passing sieve and © Chart two PI with a No.200 passing sieve. Add the two values. 36coc co Cc 1.4.4, Classification Parameters 1. Liquid Limit 2. Plasticity Index 3. Grain Size Analysis Note :- Detail Soil Classification General A-1, A-3, A-2, A-4, A-5, A6 and A-7 1. Granular Materials and Sand: 35% or less passing a No.200 (0.075mm) sieve are A-1, A-3 and A-2. Sieve % size | Passing | LL | PI No.10 | S0max [- | 6max Group A-1 material divided | A-l-a |No.40 | 30Max into two subgroups Al | No.200 |_15max A-I-b [No.40 | 50max | - | 6 max No.200 |_25max 2. Group A-3 Material Sieve Size | % Passing LL Piewe| A3 No.40 Simin NP NP 'No.200 | 10 max 373. Group A-2 Material . Sieve % { Size_| Passing | _LL PI Group A-2 material No.200 | 35orless |40max | 10max 4 divided into four No.200_[35orless [41min | 10max J subgroups A2 No.200 | 35orless |40max__| 11min No.200_ [35 orless | 41min | 11min 2. Silt and Silty Clay or Heavy Clay Materials: 35% or more passing No. 200 (0.075mm) sieve are A-4, A-5,A-6, and A-7. 4, Group A-4 Material ; j fT J Sieve % | : Size _| Passin; LL. Pr_| [ A4 | .No.200 | 36min | 40 max | 10 min {| | 5. Group A-5 Material { Sieve % | Size _| Passing | __LL PI () AS No.200 | 36min | 41 max_| 10 min 6. Group A-6 Material u Sieve % : L Size_| Passing | __LL Pr_| 0 A6 | 'No.200 | 36min _[ 40max | 11min | | 7. Group A-7 Material {] Sieve % | Size_| Passing | __LL PL 0 A-T__| A-7-5 | No.200 |_36min | 4imin | 1imin | [_A-7-6 | No.200 | 36min | 4imin_| 11min | U 3851 i denn JOEL | omen | 9s mex. | 28mon. | 35max. | 38mex.| 36 min | 36 mine 34 nin 40 mos: | 41 min, | 11 nie | Tine | Te mex [The PL. of on A-7-5 s_rgroup’ is 30 or greater. The PL. of an A-7-6 § pgroup is less than 30 1 Group Index equals sum of readings on both vertical ples Liquid limit and plasticity i lex ranges for A-4, A-5, 1.36, and A-7 subgrade groups in} Plowicty inden Pi Pe peer 30.35 40 = = a AED, ds AA AP SIT Per cent passing No. 200 45 or_more 50 55 or more aes pre 76D > (ee -8 2 65 60 “Per cent passing No. (4f-39[ c oe =e) Plasticity Index of A-7-5 subgroup is equal to or less than LL minus 30 (A-7-5, PI < LL-30). Plasticity index of A-7-6 subgroup is greater than LL minus 30 (A-7-6, PI > LL-30). Examy Liquid Limit. = 42 Plasticity Index = 12 Passing No 200 sieve = 35 Soil classification is A-2-7 (1). Example 2 Liquid Limit = 60 Plasticity Index = 30 Passing No.200 sieve = 36 Soil classification is A-7-5 (5). Example 3 Liquid Limit = 49 Plasticity Index = 22 Passing sieve No 200 = 38 Soil classification is A-7-6 (4). Example 4 Liquid Limit or Plasticity Index is NP. Passing sieve No. 200 = 36 Soil classification is A-4 (0). 1.4.5 Soil Fractions C3 Co aoe 1. Boulders - Material retained on 3 inch (75mm) sieve. They should 40» S w be excluded ftom the portion of a sample to which the classification is applied but the percentage of such material should be recorded. . Gravel - Material passing sieve with 3inch (75mm) and retained on the No 10 (2mm) sieve. - Coarse Sand - Material passing the No.10 (2mm) sieve and retained on No. 40 (0.425mm) sieve. |. Fine Sand - Material passing the No.40 (0.425-mm) sieve and retained on the No 200 (0.075 mm) sieve. . Silty Clay — Material passing the No.200 (0.075-mm) sieve. The word silt is applied to a fine material having a PI of 10 or less and the term clay is applied to fine material having a PI of more than 10. 1.4.6 Description of Classification Groups A. Granular Materials Group A-1 — Well graded mixtures of stone fragments or gravel ranging from course to fine with non-plastic or slightly plastic silt binder. = Subgroup A-1-a - Stone fragments and sandy gravel some times with silt. - Subgroup A-1-b - Stone fragments and gravel with some times clayey silt. Group A-3 - fine sands and non-plastic silt. Group A-2 - sandy gravel with silt and gravelly clay. = Subgroup A-2-4- and A-2-5 - include various granular materials and sandy clayey silt. ~ Sub group A-2-6 and A-2-7 include materials similar to those described under subgroups A-2-4 and A-2-5 except that the fine portion contains plastic clay having a higher PI. 4calculated to give tne plasticity index (4). 2 Py Soil Classification Definition :- soil classification is systematically grouping or categorizing of soil. It provides a common language to express briefly the general characteristics of soils A. AASHTO Soil Classification System: is classified into 7 major groups A-1 through A-7 classified and under groups A-I, A-3, A-2 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7 soils. Under groups A-1, A-2 and A-3 are granular or gravelly clay and sand materials with 35% or less passing through a No.200 (075mm) sieve. ‘The silt and clay materials with more than 35% passing the No 200 (075mm) sieve are classified under groups A-4, A-5, A~6 and A-7. AASHTO Classification Parameters 1. Liquid Limit 2. Plasticity index 3, Grain size analysis Group A-1 A-2 and A-7 material divided into 4 and 2 sub groups. Al A-l-a Acl-b ‘A-2 materials are divided into 4 sub groups. AD A-2-4 A-2-5 A-2-6 A-2-7 4 A-l material can be used for surfacing, base course and subbase 4/A-2 material for sub base and sub grade + A-4,5,6 and 7 subgrade only A-T material is divided into two sub groups AT ACTS ATG . ‘AcT-5 Material :- PI is equal to or less than LL-30 ‘A-7-6 material ;- PI is greater than LL-30 42Examples Tua pr pease Sieve Gum) Soil 2 | 0.425 | 0.075 | Classification 1] 42 12 . = 36 A-7-5 (1) 2} m | 30] - | - | 39 ATS (5) 3} 30 | 10 | - - 10 A2-4 (0) 4} 4 | 2) - | - | 45 A-7-6 (5) 5 NP 20 | is | 3 A-lea (I) ‘Acl Materials:- Stone fragments , gravelly and coarse sand with binder of low plasticity or NP ‘A:2Materials:- gravelly silt, clay and sand with low and little high plastic material A:3 Materials:- Sand A-4,5.6 & 7 Materials:- Silty clay and Same fines with few gravel 43ei B. Silty Clay Materials = Group A-4- The typical material of this group is fine sandy and | silty clay sometimes non-plastic material, liquid limit not i - exceeding 40 and PI not exeedign10. fq - Group A-5 - The typical material of this group is similar to that | \ described under group A-4, except that it is usually of diatomaceous or micaceous character and may be highly elastic as indicated by the high liquid limit. - Group A-6 - This typical material is a plastic clay soil. The group includes also mixture of fine clayey soil and the Plasticity Index may be high. = Group A-7 - The typical materials and problems of this group are similar to those described under group A-6 except that they have the liquid limit and the range of group index values is 1 to n 20 with increasing values indicating the combined effect of U increasing liquid limits and plasticity indexes and decreasing percentages of coarse material, Uj = Sub group A-7-5 - includes those materials with moderate i ~ plasticity index in relation to liquid limit and which may be highly elastic as well as subject to considerable volume change. - Sub group A-7-6 - includes those materials with high plasticity indexes in relation to liquid limit and which are subject to extremely high volume change. | * Highly organic soils such as peat and muck are not included in this classification. 1.5. Unified Soil Classification System General Unified classification system is widely used. This system is an out growth of the Airfield classification developed by casagrande and is | utilized by the corps of engineers. In this system, soils fall within one of three major categories: course grained, fine grained and highly organic soils. These categories are further subdivided into 15 basic soil groups. The following group symbols are used in the unified system. 44A G- gravel O-organic U S- sand W -well graded 4 M-silt P - poorly graded U C- clay U- uniformly graded Pt- peat L- low liquid limit n H- high liquid limit Combinations of above letters are used to identify the soils. For i example, SP is a sand that is poorly graded and CL and CH indicate clays with low and high liquid limits respectively. n The essentials of unified classification system are given in Table 1.5.1 and characteristics pertinent of roads and air fields are shown in Table i 152 J ‘A. Soil components in the unified classification system are as follows: 9 - Cobbles — above 75mm (3inch) Gravel — 75mm to 4.75mm (3inch - No.4) sieve ~ Coarse sand — 4.75mm to 2mm (No 4 - No.10) sieve - Medium sand - 2mm to 0.425mm (No 10 to No 40) sieve - Fine sand - 0.425mm to 0.075mm (No 40 to No.200) sieve n - Fine silt and clay - passing 0.075mm (0.075) sieve. B. Laboratory test specified for silts and clays are the determination of the liquid limit and the plastic limit and plasticity index. n C. Laboratory test for coarse-grained soils is based on the grain size \ analysis, Coarse-grained materials are those containing 50% or less passing 0.075mm (No.200) sieve. Fine grained are those with more than 50% passing 0.075mm ( No, 200) sieve. r ‘After determining its grain size distribution, liquid limit and plasticity index, the soil can be classified using table 1.2 and Fig 14, The minus 0.075mm (No.200) sieve material is “silt” if non-plastic \ and the liquid limit and plasticity index plot below the “A” line on the plasticity chart ( Fig.1.4) and “clay “ if plastic and the liquid limit and plasticity index plot above the “A” line. This holds true i for inorganic silts and clays and organic silts, but not for organic : clays since they plot below the “A” line, The “A” line is an 45q arbitrarily drawn line on the plasticity chart of Fig. 14. The letters in parentheses stand for symbols by which each group is known. A. Coarse Grained Symbols GW-GM, GP-GM,_GW-GC, GP-GC, SW-SM, SW-SC, SP-SM B. Fine Grained Soil Classification with Symbols ML, MI, MH, MV, ME, CL, CI, CH, CV, CE In Ethiopian practice this chart is divided into five zones, giving the following categories for clays and silts. Clays of low plasticity (CL) less than 35, liquid limit or silts of low plasticity (ML) less than 35 liquid limit. Clays or silts of medium plasticity (CI) or (MI), liquid limit from 35 to 50, Clays or silts of wezy high plasticity (CH) or (MH) liquid limit from 50 to 70 Clays ot silts of very high plasticity (CV) or (MV), liquid limit from 70 to 90. Clays or silts or extremely high plasticity (CE) or (ME), liquid limit exceeding 90. n oe Fae Example Liquid Limit = 72 Plasticity Index = 36 Passing No. 200 sieve = 98 Classification is according to the chart ( Fig. 1.5.2) =MV. The soil is MV group. 46PLASTICITY INDEX $ TT Bench 0 10 20-30 “40 5060768090100: QUID uM1.6_Determining the Shrinkage Factors and Limit of Soils 1. Scope This procedure furnishes data ftom which the following soil characteristics may by calculated: (a) Shrinkage Limit (b) Shrinkage Ratio (c) Volumetric change (@) Linear shrinkage Determination of Volumetric Shri ie 2. Apparatus 2.1 Evaporating (mixing) dish about 150mm diameter. 2.2 Spatula or peel knife having a blade above 76mm long and 20mm wide. 2.3 Glass cup about 57mm diameter and 38 mm deep with rim ground flat. 2.4 Prong plate, glass or clear acrylic, fitted with three non- corrodible prongs. 2.5 Glass plate, large enough to cover the shrinkage dish. 2.6 Measuring cylinder 25 to 100ml. 2.7 Mercury, rather more than that will fill the glass cup. 28 Straight edge, spatula, small tools. 2.9 Balance 3000g capacity reading to 0.01g 2.10 Moisture content can (container). 2.11 Large tray containing a small amount of water to retain any spilled mercury. 2.12 Vaseline 4, Sample preparation Receive sufficient sample from field prepare. About 50g of soil sample passing the 0.425(No.40) sieve from natural soil and place the prepared sample in the mixing dish or cup. 48| 27 SHRINKAGE Tests a Form Avoid trapping air here rong ptote— immersion eup Ml displaced Fig.2:27 Immersion of sample in shrinkage limit test 49J Cc co 4. 4.1 42 Procedure Place the prepared soil sample in an evaporating dish and thoroughly mix with distilled water to make into a readily workable plate. Air bubbles must not be included. ‘The moisture content should be somewhat greater than the liquid iit. ‘The consistency should be such as to require about 10 blows of the Casagrande liquid limit apparatus to close the groove or to give about 25-28mm penetration of the cone penetrometer. ‘Add the mixed soil paste to the shrinkage dish so as to fill it about one-third. Avoid trapping of air. Tap the dish on the smooth surface bench surface to cause the soil to flow to the edges of the dish, This should also release any small air bubbles present. The bench should be padded with a few layers of blotting paper or similar material. ‘Add a second amount of soil, about the same as the first and repeat the tapping operation until all entrapped air has been released. Add more soil and continue tapping, so that the dish is completely filled with excess standing out. Strike off the excess with a straight edge and clean off adhering soil from the outside. Immediately after the above, weigh the sample (soil) and dish to 0.01g. Record as m). Drying Allow the sample in the dish to dry in the air for at least 12 hours or 24 hours until its color changes from dark to light. Place it in oven at 60°c for 6 hours and continue at 105 - 110° and dry to constant mass. If the shrinkage curve during drying is required, make a series of volume measurement at suitable intervals before drying in the oven. Leave the soil in the shrinkage dish exposed to warm air, and when it has shrunk away from the dish and can be 504.3 44 5.5. safely handled, determine its volume and mass. Place the soil- pat on a flat surface to dry further and repeat the measurements until the color changes from dark to light. Then dry in the oven. Weighing Dry Mass Cool in a dessicatoor or in air and weigh the dry soil and dish or container to 0.01g. Record as my. Measurement of Volume Remove the dried soil-pat carefully from the shrinkage dish. It should be intact and be kept long enough to dry in air before transferring to the oven. Place the glass cup in a clean evaporating dish standing on the large tray. Fill the cup to overflowing with mercury, and remove the excess by pressing the glass prong plate firmly on top of the cup. Avoid trapping air under the glass plate. Carefully remove the prong plate, and brush off any mercury drops adhering to the glass cup. Place the cup ‘into another lean evaporating dish without spilling any mercury. Place the soil- pat on the surface of the mercury press the three prongs of the prong plate carefully on the sample so as to force it under the mercury Fig... Avoid trapping any air; press the plate firmly on to the dish. Displaced mercury will be filled in the evaporating dish. Brush off any droplets of mercury adhering to the cup into the dish. Transfer all the displaced mercury to the measuring cylinder and record its volume (V,). This is equal to the volume of the dry soil-pat. Measure the dish volume and weight. Clean and dry the shrinkage dish and weigh it to 0.01g (tm). Its internal volume is determined by measuring the volume of mercury held. Place the dish in on evaporating dish and fill it to overflowing with mercury. The evaporating dish will catch the overflow. Place the small glass plate firmly over the top of the shrinkage dish so that excess mercury is displaced, but avoid trapping any air. Remove the glass plate carefully and transfer the mercury to the 5125ml-measuring cylinder. Record the volume of mercury in ml, which is the volume of the shrinkage dish (V1). 4.6 Calculations Calculate the moisture content of the initial wet soil-pat, w; from the equation. Moisture content (Ww;)= (Mi-Mg) x 100 Ma Dish N We of dish +wet soil_(m,) ‘We of dish + dry soil (ms) ‘We of dish_(ms) | ‘We of water (my-tm) (mu) ‘We of wet oil (my-ms) (m6) | [Volume of dish (V1) | Volume of dry soil (V2) | Volume Change (V;-V2) (V3) | Shrinkage limit (w,) can then be calculated from the equation, Moisture content (w.)= (m-m,) x 100 ms(my-ms) olume of wet soil (dish) ‘olume of dry soil-pat ms= mass (wt) of dry soil where V; ‘The shrinkage ratio, R,, can be calculated from 52SABA Engineering plc. P.0.Box62868 Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Tel 34 1065/241617/243006 Fax. 361280 361617 E:mall_sava.eng@'elecomet.ot SHRINKAGE LIMIT TEST (VOLUMETRIC) Lab. No. _— Dish No, A B c A. Wt. of dish and wet soil 48 41.5 48.2 B. Wt. of dish and dry soil 36 35.8 36 C. Wt. of dish 10 9 10 D. We. of water (A-B) 12 17 12.2 E. Wt. of dry soil (B-C) 26 25 26 F. Volume of dish 13 10.8 13 G. Volume of displaced mercury 8 64 8 H. Volume change cc (F-G) 5 5 5 L D-H 7 67 72 Shrinkage Limit (I/E) X100 26.9 26.8 29.7 Shrinkage Ration (E/G) 3.25 3.91 3.25 53n | Sa b. Linear Shrinkage Definition:- This test gives the percentage linear shrinkage of a soil. It can be used for soils of low plasticity, including silts, as well as for clays. 1. Apparatus 1.1 Non-corrodible metal mould (Brass), 140mm long and 25mm in diameter 1.2. Flat glass plate as for the liquid limit test 13 Palette knives 4 Petroleum jelly 1.5. Vernier calipers 6 Moisture content apparatus 2. Procedure 2.1 Preparation of mould:- Clean and dry the mould. Apply a thin film of vaseline or petroleum jelly to the inner surfaces to prevent soil from sticking. 2.2. iv Preparation of Sample About 200g of soil sample passing 0.425mm (No.40) sieve is prepared from soil. This proportion of the original sample passing the 0.425mm (No. 40) sieve is recorded. Place the soil in the mixing dish and mix thoroughly with distilled water, as the liquid limit test. Continue mixing until it becomes @ smooth homogeneous paste at about the liquid limit. This is not critical, but it may be checked by using the cone penetrometer, which should give a penetration of about 20mm.27. SHRINKAGE TESTS Fig, 229 Lineor shrinkage apparatus 55co —I U 2.3 24 25 Place the paste in the mould, avoiding the trapping of air as far as possible, so that the mould is slightly over filled. Tap it gently on the bench to remove any air pockets. Level (trim) off along the top edge of the mould with a spatula or straight edge. Wipe off any soil adhering to the rim of the mould. Leave the mould and soil exposed to the air but in a draught free position so that the soil can dry slowly. When the soil has shrunk away from the walls of the mould, it can be transferred to an oven set at 60°c. When shrinkage has virtually ceased, increase the drying temperature to 105- 110°c to complete the drying. Allow the mould and soil to cool in a dessicator, measure the length of the bar of soil with the caliper, making two or three readings and taking the average (Lp). If the specimen is curved during drying, remove it carefully from the mould and measure the lengths of the top and bottom surfaces, Take the mean of these two lengths as the dry length as (Lp). If the specimen has fractured in one place, the two portions can be fitted together before measuring the length. If it has cracked badly, and the length is difficult to measure, repeat the test using a very slower drying rate leaving the sample and mould longer in air (about more than 24 hours) before transferring to the oven. 1.6. Calculation Calculate the linear shrinkage (Ls) as a percentage of the original length of the specimen from the equation, LS = (L-Lp) x100 Lo ginal length of the mould ength of dry specimen 56— oa a am) 3 CaM OOo oo ca co ms | Linear Shrinkage Limit Inician Length (Lo) - wet Final Length (Ld) - Dry SL = Lo-Ld x 100 LD 37Results ‘The linear shrinkage of the soil is reported to the nearest whole number. 38AMOUNT OF MATERIAL FINGER THAN NO. 200 SIEVE IN AGGREGATE AASHOT DESIGNATION T - 11 1. Scope This’ method of test covers a procedure for the determination of the quantity of aggregate finer than a standard No. 200 sieve by washing. ‘This procedure may not determine the total amount of material finer than the No. 200 sieve. Such a determination may be made by combining washing and dry sieving as required in the sieve analysis of fine and coarse aggregate. 2. Apparatus 1.1 Seives — No. 16 and No. 200 sieves. The sieves shall be of woven wire = cloth construction, conforming to the requirements of AASHTO Designation M - 92. 1.2 Container — a pan or vessel of a size sufficient to contain the sample, when covered with water, and to permit vigorous agitation without inadvertent loss of any art of the sample or water. 1.3 Balance — A balance with a capacity of 2000gm and sensitive to 0.1gm. 1.4 Scale — A heavy duty scale with a capacity of at least 50 1b and sensitive to 0.1 Ib. 1.5 Drying Oven — an oven capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 230 + 9°F. NS 2. Test Sample ~ ‘The test sample shall be selected from material which has been thoroughly mixed and which.contains sufficient moisture to prevent segregation. Representative samples shall weigh, after drying, not less than the amount indicated in the following table.Fig, 417 Weshing oil on 63 08 see 60Maximum Sieve Size Minimum Sample Weight No.4 500gm 3/8 inch 1000gm % inch 2500gm, 1 inch or over 5000gm 3. Test Procedures 3.1 Dry the test sample to constant weight (+ 16 hours) at a temperature of 230 + 9°F, and weigh the sample to the nearest 0.1 percent. 3.2 Place the sample in a suitable container, and cover the sample with water. Agitate the contents of the container by vigorous stirring with a large spoon or rod, and pour the wash water over the nested sieves, arranged with the No. 200 sieve on the bottom. The agitation should be sufficiently vigorous so that all particles finer than the No. 200 sieve are brought into suspension and are subsequently washed through the nested sieve. Be careful to avoid loss of the coarser particles. Repeat this washing operation until the wash water is clear. 3.3 If the material consists of clay, it may be advantageous to let is soak 16 to 20 hours and to add a detergent to assist deflocculation. 3.4 In the case of soil samples, it is often advantageous to separate the sample on the No. 4 sieve. ‘The material retained on the No. 4 sieve. The material retained on the No. 4 sieve shall be washed as outlined above. The material passing the No. 4 sieve may be washed as outlined above or by means of a suitable mechanical washing device. 3.5 Return all material retained on the nested sieves to the washed sample. Dry the sample to constant weight (+16 hours) at a temperature of 230 + 9°F, and weight the sample to the nearest 0.1 percent. Pan — drying shall be permissible when oven — drying is impracticable or impossible. However, in no case shall a sample be heated in excess of 239°F, 4. Calculation The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve shall be calculated as follows: 61F=W-W1X 100 Ww Where F = the percent of material finer then the No. 200 sieve. \W = the original dry weight of the sample WIs the dry weight of the sample after washing. 5. Precautions 5.1 The No. 200 sieve is extremely delicate, and should be handled accordingly. In no event should wire brushes be used on this sieve. 5.2 Take care to avoid loss of sample material during washing and during transfer of material from the nested sieves to the washed sample. Standard Method of Mechanical Analysis of Soils AASHTO DESIGNATION T88 — 57 L. Scope 1.1 This method describes a procedure for the quantitative determination of the distribution of particles size in soils. 2. Apparatus 2.1. The apparatus shall consist of the following: 2.1.1 Balance — A balance sensitive to 0.1gm for weighing small samples; for large samples, the balance is to be sensitive to within 0.1 percent of the weight of the sample to be tested. 2.1.2 Stirring apparatus — a mechanically operated stirring apparatus consisting of an electric motor suitability mounted to turn a vertical shaft at a speed not less than 10,000 revolutions per minute without load, a replaceable stirring paddle made of metal, plastic or hard rubber similar to the design shown in Figure 1, and a dispersion scup conforming to either of the designs shown in Figure 2. (Altemate b) Dispersing Device — An air — jet type dispersing device similar to either of the designs shown in figure 3. 62il 2.1.3 Hydrometer — A hydrometer of the exact size and shape shown in i Figure 4, the body of which has been blown in a mold to assure duplication of all dimensions, and equipped with either scale a or Ul scale B. scale A shall be graduated form —5 to +60 gm of soil per . liter, and hydrometers equipped with this scale shall be identified as r 152H. It shall be calibrated on the assumption that distilled water has ul a specific gravity of 1.000 at 68°F and that the soil in suspension has a specific gravity of 2.65. Scale B shall be graduated from 0.995 to 1.038 specific gravity and calibrated to read 1.000 in distilled water at 68°F (20°c). Hydrometers equipped with this scale shall be identified as 151H. 2.1.4 A glass graduate 18 inches in height, 2% inches in diameter, and graduated for a volume 1000ml. 2.1.5 Thermometer — A-Fahrenheit thermometer accurate to 1°F (0.5°e). . 2.1.6 Sieve — A series of sieves of square mesh woven wire cloth, conforming to the requirements of standard specifications for sieves for Testing purposes (AASHTO Designation: M92). The sieves required are as follows: i] : 2 inch sieve n 1% inch sieve 1 inch sieve . % inch sieve i 3/8 inch sieve = No. 4 sieve f No. 10 sieve u No. 40 sieve No. 200 sieve ae : 2.1.7 Water Bath or Constant Temperature Room tl ‘A water bath or constant temperature room for maintaining the soil 7 suspension at a constant temperature during the hydrometer analysis. A [ satisfactory water bath is an insulated thank which maintains the suspension - at a convenient constant temperature as near 68°F (20.0°c0 as the room and r faucet water temperature will permit. Such a device is illustrated in Figure U 5. In cases where the work is performed in a room at an automatically _ controlled constant temperature, the water bath is not necessary and subsequent reference to a constant temperature bat shall be interpreted as ~ meaning either a water bath or a constant temperature room.2.1.8 Beaker — A beaker of 250 ml Capacity 3. Sample The sample required for this test shall include all of the material on the No. 10 (2,000 micron) sieve, plus a 60 or 110gm representative portion of the fraction passing the No. 10 sieve, the larger quantity being required only when this fraction is very sandy. These samples shall be obtained in accordance with the Standard method of Dry Preparation of Disturbed Soil Samples Test (AASHTO DESIGNATION: T87), or the Standard Method of Wet Preparation of Disturbed Soil Samples for test (AASHTO DESIGNATION: T146). 4. Sieve Analysis of Fraction Retained on No. 10 sieve 4.1 The portion of the sample retained on the No. 10 sieve shall be separated into a series of sizes by the use of the 2 inch, I Ya, 1% - inch, 1 inch, % - inch, 3/8 — inch, and the No. 4 sieve. 42. The sieving operation shall be conducted by means of a lateral and vertical, accompanied by jarring action so as to keep the sample moving continuously over the surface of the sieve. In no case shall fragments in the sample be turned or manipulated through the sieve by hand, Sieving shall be continued until not more than 1 percent by weight of the residue passes any sieve during 1 minute when sieving machines are used, their thoroughness of sieving shall be tested by comparison with hand methods of sieving as above described. 43. The portion of the sample retained on each sieve shall be weighed and the weight recorded although it shall be permissible to record the accumulated weights as the contents of each successive sieve is added to the fractions previously deposited on the scales pan. 64HYDROMETER AND SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FRACTION PASSING THE NO. 10 SIEVE 5. Hygroscopic Moisture ‘A 10 gm portion of the fraction of the sample passing the No. 10 sieve shall be used for the determination of the hygroscopic moisture. The portion of the sample shall be weighed, dried to constant weight in an oven at 110°c (230°F), weighed, and the results recorded. 6. Dispersion of Soil Sample “Approximately 50 grams of most soil or 100 grams of very sandy soils shall be taken from the fraction passing the No. 10 sieve by use of a riffle sampler, weighed, placed in a 250ml, breaker, covered wit 125ml of stock solution of the selected dispersing agent, stirred thoroughly with a glass rod, and allowed to soak for a minimum of 12 hours. Any of the four dispersing agents listed in Table 1 may be used. The stock solution shall be prepared by dissolving the quantity. of the salt given in the table in sufficient distilled water to make a liter of solution. ‘Afier soaking, the contents of the beaker shall be washed into one of the dispersion cups shown in Figure 2, distilled water added until the cup is ‘more than half full, and the contents dispersed for a period of 1 minute in the mechanical stirring apparatus. 7. Alternate Method For Dispersion 7.1. The representative soil sample shall be weighed and placed in a 250ml beaker, covered with 125ml of the stock solution of the selected dispersing agent specified in section 6, and allowed to soak for a minimum of 12 hours. 7.2. The air jet dispersion apparatus shall be assembled as shown in fig 3 without the cover cap in place. The needle value controlling the fine pressure shall be opened until the pressure gauge indicates one pound per square inch air pressure. The initial air pressure is required to prevent the soil water mixture from entering the air ~ jet chamber when the mixture is transferred to the dispersion cup. After the apparatus is adjusted, the soil water mixture. shall be transferred from the beaker to 651 _—_—_— = : = SS oS ow oe oe $8. SPDIMENTATION PROCEDURES 6673 14 the dispersion cup, using a wash bottle to assist in the transfer operation, The volume of the soil — water mixture in the dispersion cup shall not exceed 250ml. The cover containing the baffle plate shall be placed upon the dispersion cup and the needle value opened until the pressure gauge reads 20 pounds per square inch. The soil ~ water mixture shall be dispersed for 5, 10 or 15 minutes depending upon the plasticity index of the soil. Soils with a PI of 5 or less shall be dispersed from 5 minutes; soils with a PI between 6 and 20 for 10 minutes; and soils with a PI greater than 20 for 15 minutes. Soils containing large percentages of mica need be dispersed for 1 minute only. After the dispersion period is completed, the needle value shall be closed until the pressures gauge indicates one po9und per square inch. The cover shall be removed and all adhering soil particles washed back into the dispersion cup. The soil — water suspension shall then the washed into the 1000 mil glass graduate and the needle value closed. 8. Hydrometer Test 8.1 8.2 ‘After dispersion, the mixture shall be transferred to the glass graduate and distilled water having the same temperature as the constant temperature bath added until the mixture attains a volume of 1000ml. The graduate containing the soil suspension shall then be placed in the constant temperature bat. When the soil suspension attains the temperature of the bath, the graduate shall be removed and its contents thoroughly shaken for 1 minute, the palm of the hand being used as a stopper over the mouth of the graduate. ‘At the conclusion of this shaking, the time shall be recorded, the graduate placed in the bat, and readings taken with the hydrometer at the end of 2 minutes. The hydrometer shall be read at the top of the meniscus formed by the suspension around its stem. If hydrometer with scale A is used, it shall be read to the nearest 0.5gm/liter. Scale B shall be tead to the nearest 0.0005 specific gravity. Subsequent readings shall be taken at intervals of 5, 15, 30, 60, 250, and 1440 iminutes after the beginning of sedimentation. Readings of the thermometer placed in the soil suspension shall be made immediately following each hydrometer reading and recorded. 67L i catinration rO10-E ‘gir eet, 1018S 1020" end Fig. 436 Soil hydrometer j 2 | 68SFDIMENTATION PROCEDURES am 698.3. After each reading the hydrometer shall be very carefully removed from the soil suspension and placed with a spinning motion in a graduate of clean water. About 25 or 30 seconds before the time for a reading, it shall be taken for a clean water, and slowly immersed in the soil suspension to assure that it comes to rest before the appointed reading time. 9. Sieve Analysis [At the conclusion of the final reading of the hydrometer, the suspension shall ‘be washed on a No, 200 (74 micton) sieve. That fraction retained on the No. 200 sieve shall be dried and a sieve analysis made, using the following sieves: No. 40, No. 60 and No. 200. CALCULATIONS 10.Percentage of Hygroscopic Moisture The hygroscopic moisture shall be expressed as a percentage of the weight of the oven — dried soil and shall be determined as follows: Percentage of hygroscopic moisture = W— W1 X 100 wi ‘Where W =weight of air — dried soil, and W1 = weight of oven — dried soil To correct the weight of the air - dried sample for hygroscopic moisture, the given value shall be multiplied by the expression. 100 _ 100 + percentage of hygroscopic moisture 11.Coarse Material 11.1 The percentage of coarse material shall be calculated from the weight of the fractions recorded during the sieving of the material retained on the No. 10 sieve, in accordance with section 4, and the total weights recorded during the preparation of the sample, in accordance with the 70Standard Method of Dry Preparation of Disturbed Samples for Tests (AASHTO DESIGNATION: 87). 11.2 The percentage of coarse material retained on the No. 10 sieve shall be calculated as follows: From the weight of the air ~ dried total sample, subtract the weight of the air — dried total sample, subtract the weight of the oven — dried fraction retained on the No. 10 sieve. The difference is assumed to equal the weight of the air dried fraction passing the No. 10 sieve (Note 1). NOTE 1: According to this assumption no hygroscopic moisture is contained in the air — dried particles retained on the No. 10 sieve, when as a matter of fact a small percentage of moisture may be present in this fraction. This amount of moisture, compared with that held in the pores of the fraction passing the No. 10 sieve is relatively small. Therefore, any error produced by the assumption as stated may be considered negligible in amount. ‘The weight of the fraction passing the No. 10.sieve shall be corrected for hygroscopic moisture as indicated in section 10. To this value shall be added the weight of the oven — dried fraction retained on the No. 10 sieve to obtain the weight of the total test sample corrected for hygroscopic moisture. The fractions retained on the No. 10 and coarser sieves shall be expressed as percentages of this corrected weight. 12.Percentage of Soil in Suspension 12.1 Hydrometer readings made at temperatures other than 68°F shall be corrected by applying the appropriate composite correction from one of the following tables. Tables 151H and 152H list composite correction for hydrometer 151H and 152H to account for the different dispersing agents, temperature variations from 68°F, (20.0°c), and height of meniscus on the stem of hydrometer. 12.2 The percentage of the dispersed soil is suspension represented by different corrected hydrometer readings depends upon both the amount and the specific gravity of the soil dispersed. The percentage of dispersed soil remaining in suspension shall be calculated as follows: For hydrometer 152H, P = Ra X 100 WwW ni 4) EERE) 5 FRES/ 3) E008] 3/8 197 — 2For hydrometer 151 H, P = 1606 (R=1 * X 100 Ww Where, P = Percentage of originally dispersed soil remaining in suspension R= Corrected hydrometer reading W = Weight in grams of soil originally dispersed minus the hygroscopic moisture, and a= Constant depending on the density of the suspension, For an assumed value ofG for the specific gravity of the soil, and water density of 1,000 at 68°F (20.0%), the value “a” may be obtained by the formula. A=2.6500 — 1.000 X __G 4.6500 Gal.000 The value of “a”, given to two decimal places are shown in table 2. TABLE 2— Values of a, for different specific gravities ec cavity, G Constant. a 2.95 0.94 2.85 0.96 2.75 0.98 2.65 1.00 2.55 1.02 2.45 1.05 2.35 1.08 Table 151H and 152H It is sufficiently accurate for ordinary tests to select the constant for the specific gravity nearest to that of the particular soil tested. 12.3 To convert the percentages of the soil in suspension to percentages of the total test sample including the fraction retained on the No. 10 sieve, the percentage of originally dispersed soil remaining in suspension shall be multiplied by the expression. 7413. {| > 13.1 fl o n LI Ef 100 — percentage retained on No. 10 sieve 100 Diameter of soil particles in suspension ‘The maximum diameter, d, of the particles in suspension, corresponding to the percentage indicated by a given hydrometer reading, shall be calculated by the use of stockes' law. According to stockes law: ont. 980(6-Gy)" Where d = maximum grain diameter in millimeters N= Coefficient of viseosity of the suspending medium (in the case water) in poises varies with changes in temperature of the suspending medium, L = distance in em through which soil particles settle in a given period of time. T = time in minutes, period of sedimentation G = specific gravity of soil particles and Gl = specific gravity of the suspending medium. (approximately 1.0 for water) The maximum grain diameter in suspension for assumed conditions and corresponding to the periods of sedimentation specified in this procedure are given in Table 3. These grain diameters shall be corrected for the conditions of test applying the proper correction factors as described and explained below. Table 3: Maximum Grain Diameter in Suspension Under Assumed Conditions Time (Min.) Max Grain Diameter (Mm) 2 0.040 5 0.026 15 0.015 30 0.010 60 0.0074 250 0.0036, 1440 100015 1513.3 13.4 13.5 14, 14.1 14.2 The grain diameters given in Table 3 are calculated according to the following assumptions: L, the distance through which the particles fall is constant and equal to 17.5cm n, the coefficient of viscosity equals 0.01005 poise, that of water at 68°F. G, the specific gravity of the soil is constant and equal to 2.65. Figure 6 The grain diameter corrected for other than the assumed conditions obtained by the formula. D = d'XK, XKoXK, Where in d= corrected grain diameter in mm d= grain diameter obtained from table 2 correction factor obtained from figure 6. When the hydrometer reading not adjusted for composite correction is used for the ordinate reading. K, = correction factor obtained from figure 7A. ‘n= correction factor obtained from figure 7B The coefficient Kg and Ka are independent of the shape and position of the hydrometer and are as shown in Figures 7A and 7B. Figure 7A and 7B Fine Sieve Anelysis The percentage of the dispersed soil sample retained on each of the sieves in the sieve analysis of the material washed on the No. 200 shall be obtained by dividing the weight of fraction retained on each sieve by the over-dry weight of the dispersed soil and multiplying by 100. The percentage of the total test sample, including the fraction retained on the No.10 (2000 microns) sieve, shall be obtained by multiplying these values by the expression. 100 minus the percentage retained on No.10 sieve 100 16n 165 The coefficients Ke and K; and are as showa in Figures TA and fi i poo ds 2 Pia, 6 Correction Fector Ku, yar independent of the shape and position of the hydrometer a 7son ~ oEoREES FANRETEEIT {ENPERATURE OF SUSPEN! oye co es Te re ee cenmetien Seen connezrion coerce gy ¥ the so. 7-~Grain ameter Correction Cures for Vara Specific Gravy ese andin Visas of Suspending Media | 8oa 16.2 Plotting The accumulated percentages of grains of different diameters shall be plotted on semi logarithmic paper to obtain a "grain size accumulation curve," such as that shown in figure 8. Figure 8 Report The results, read from the accumulation curve, shall be reported as follows: a) Particles larger than 2mm Percent b) Coarse sand, 2.0 to 0.42mm, Percent ¢) Fine sand, 0.42 to 0.074mm, Percent 4) Silt, 0.074 to 0.005mm Percent e) Clay, smaller than 0,005mm. Percent ) Colloids, smaller than 0.001mm. Percent The results complete mechanical analyses furnished by the combined sieve and hydrometer analysis shall be reported as follows. SIEVE ANALYSIS Sieve Size Percent Passing 2 inch 1% inch J inch % inch 3/8 inch No.4 No.10 No.40 No.200 79HYDROMETER ANALYSIS Smaller than Percent 0.02mm, _ 0.005mm 0.001mm For materials examined for any particular type of work or purpose, only such fractions shall be reported as are included in the specification or other requirements for the work or purpose. 801 co co SABA Engineering plc. P.0. Box 62668 Addis Ababa , Ethiopia, E-mall;[email protected] Tel. 34 1065 /341617 / 243004 Fax. 341280/ 341617 1. Mechanical Analysi Sieve Analysis Sieve Site Weight | ,, i as ‘raray’_ | retained gm | @ Retained % Passing pais : — fessiee| : | 50 : __ et | 37.5 : ee a \25 23.83 | 76 | 20 87 12.5 360 43 95 278 32__| | 47 260 a_i 2 60 19 Pan | 480 | Total 2518 2. Hygroscopic Moisture a) Wt. of wet sample = 50 b) Wt of dry sample= 48 ©) % dry sample bla x 100= 96 Coputed dry Wt. oxa = 489m 100 3. Sample Pass 2mm Sieve Weight [Retain | % Passing Retain 0.425 10 20.83 15.0 0.250 8 12 0.075 6 12.5 954, Hydrometer (152H) cnconed] Ser] yaronatr] Tone. [Dimer] coraced | tne] iter time oa Reading | oFloc | mm | Reading 680F | p=Ralw'100/ mm 6 70 oe 7 | oo} 25 | 8 | Fs 7o | 00256 | 185 73 0.02 | 15° 23 70 | 0.0148 16.5 es | 30 20 71 | oto | 54 - 60 7 7 | 0002] 107 42 | 0.005 | "250 15 | 7 ooo! 07 | 34 0.002 "| 1440 2 | 7 |ooow| ss | 22 0.001 8. Report A B 4, Particles larger than 4.75mm 76% b. | Smaller than |% passing 2, Coarse sand 4.75-0.425mm 10% 0.02mm 3. Fine sand 0.425 -0.075mm 5% | 0.008mm 4, Silt 0.075 - 0.002mm 6.50% | 0.001mm 5. Clay smaller than 0,002mm 2.50% 82PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION CURVE 100.0 2 3 ° PASS inn ee a = 255: f ==5 0.0 0.001 g.602mm 0.010 9:975mm 4 499 0.425mm 4.000 475mm 10,000 100.000 PARTICLE SIZE IN mm3.5 ST. ARD METHOD TEST FOR SPECIFIC VITY OF SOTLS AASHTO DESIGNATION: T 100-75 (1982) (ASTM DESIGNATION: d 854 — 58 (1972)) 1. Scope 1.1 This method of test is intended for determining the specific gravity of soils by means of a pycnometer. When the soil is composed of particles Jarger than the 4.75mm (No. 4) sieve, the method outlined in the Standard Method of Test for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse ‘Ageregate (AASHTO T 85) shall be followed. When the soil is composed of particles both larger and smaller than the 4.75mm sieve, the sample shall be separated on the 4.75mm sieve and the appropriate method of test used on each portion. The specific gravity value for the soil shall be the weighted average of the two values. When the specific gravity value is to be used in calculations’ in connection with the hydrometer portion of the Standard Method of Mechanical Analysis of Soils (AASHTO 88) it is intended that the specific gravity test be made on that portion of the soil which passes the 2.00mm (No. 10) or 0.425mm(No. 40) sieve, as appropriate. 2. DEFINITION 2.1 Specific Gravity — Specific gravity is the ration of the mass in air of a given volume of a material at a stated temperature to the mass in air of an equal yolume of distilled water at a stated temperature. 3, APPARATUS 3.1 The apparatus shall consist of the following: 3.1.1 Pycnometer — Either a volumetric flask having a capacity of at least 100 ml or a stappered bottle having a capacity of at least 50ml (Note 1). The stopper shall be of the same material as the bottle, and of such size and shape that it can be easily inserted to a fixed depth in the neck of the bottle, and shall have a small hole through its center to permit the emission of air and surplus water. 84Note 1 — The use of either the volumetric flask or the stappered bottle is @ matter of individual preference, but in general, the flask should be used when a larger sample that can be used in the stappered bottle is needed due to maximum grain size of the sample. 3.1.2 Balance - Either a balance sensitive to 0.01g for use with the volumetric flask, or a balance sensitive to 0.001g for use with the stappered bottle. 3.1.3 Dessicator — A desicator, about 8 in. (approximately 200mm) in diameter containing anhydrous sillca gel or other suitable desiccant. 3.1.4 Oven — A thermostatically controlled drying over capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 + Sc (230 + 9°F). 3.1.5 Thermometer — A thermometer covering the range of 0 - 50°c (32 - 122°F), readable and accurate to 1°c (2°F). 4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WEIGHING 4,1 When the volumetric flask is used in the specific gravity determination all masses shall be determined to the nearest 0.01g. When the stappered bottle is used in the specific gravity determination all ‘masses shall be determined to the nearest 0.001g. 5, CALIBRATION OF PYCNOMETER 5.1 The pycnometer shall be cleaned, dried, weighed, and the mass recorded. The pycnometer shall be filled with distilled water (Note 2) essentially at room temperature. The mass of the pycnometer and water, Wa, shall be determined and recorded. A thermometer shall be inserted in the water and its temperature Ti determined to the nearest whole degree. NOTE 2 — Kerosene is a better wetting agent than water for most soils and may be used in place of distilled water for oven — dried samples. 5.2 From the mass W1 determined at the observed temperature Ti a table of vales of masses Wa shall be prepared for a series of temperatures that are likely to prevail when masses Wb are determined later (Note 3). These values of Wa shall be calculated as follows:1 Uu co : U Wa (at Tx) = density of water at Tx. X (Wa (at Ti)- Wi) + WE Density of water at Ti Wa = mass of pycnometer and water, in grams wi ass of pycnometer, in grams Ti = observed temperature of water, in degrees Celsius, and ‘Tx = any other desired temperature, in degrees Celsius. NOTE 3 — The method provides a procedure that is most convenient for laboratories making many determinations with the same pycnometer. If no equally applicable to a single determination. Bringing the pycnometer and contents to some designated temperature when masses ‘Wa and Wb are taken, requires considerable time. It is much more convenient to prepare a table of masses Wa for various temperatures likely to prevail when masses Wb are taken. It is important that masses Wa and Wb be based on water at the same temperature. Values for the relative density of water at temperatures form 18 to 30°c are given in table 1. 6. SAMPLE 6.1 The soil to be used in the specific gravity test may contain its natural moisture or be oven - dried. The mass of the test sample on an oven — dry basis shall be at least 25g when the volumetric flask is to be used, and at least 10g when the stappered bottle is to be used. 6.2 Samples containing natural moisture - When the sample contains its natural moisture, the mass of the soil, Wo, on an oven — dry basis shall be determined at the end of the test by evaporating the water in an oven maintained at 110 + 5%c (230 + 9°F) (Note 4). Samples of clay soils containing their natural moisture content shall be dispersed in distilled water before placing in the flask, using the dispersing equipment specified in AASHTO T 88. 6.3 Oven — Dried Samples — When an oven — dried sample is to be used, the sample shall be dried for at least 12h, or to constant mass Vo + 5°c (230 +.9°F) (Note 4), transferred to pycnometer and weighed. The sample shall then be soaked in distilled water for at least 12h. NOTE 4 — Drying of certain soils at 110°e may bring about loss of moisture of composition or hydration, and in such cases drying shall be done, if desired, in reduced air pressure and at a lower temperature. 867. PROCEDURE 7.1 The sample containing natural moisture shall be placed in the pycnometer, care being taken not to lose any of the soil in case the mass of the sample has been determined. Distilled water shall be added to fill the volumetric flask about three — fourths full on the stappered bottle about half full. 7.2 Entrapped air shall be removed by either of the following methods: 2. By subjecting the contents to a partial vaccum (air pressure not exeeding 100mm of mercury) or 3. By boiling gently for at least 10 min. while occasionally rolling the pycnometer to assist in the removal of the air. Subjection of the contents to reduced air pressure may be done either by connecting the pycnometer directly to an aspiration or vaccum pump, or by use of a bell jar. Some soils boil violently when subjected to reduced air pressure, It will be necessary in those cases to reduce the air pressure at a slower rate or to use a larger flask samples that are heated shall ‘be cooled to room temperature. 7.3 The pychometer shall then be filled with distilled water and the outside cleaned and dried with a clean dry cloth: The mass of the pycnometer and contents, Wb, and the temperature in degrees Celsius, Tx, of the contents shali be determined, as described in section 4. (Note 5) NOTE 5 — The minimum volume of slurry that can be prepared by dispersing equipment specified in AASHTO T88 is such that a 500ml flask is needed as pycnometer. 8. CALCULATION AND REPORT 8.1 The specific gravity of the soil, based on water’at a temperature Tx, shall be calculated as follows: Specific Gravity, Tx/TxC = Wo WO + (Wa + Wb) ‘Where Wa = mass of sample of oven — dry soil, in grams ‘Wa = mass of pycnometer filled with water at temperature Tx (Note 6), in ‘gramsWb = mass of pycnometer filled with water and soil at temperature Tz, in grams and ‘Tx = temperature of the contents of the pycnometer when weight Wb, was determined, in degrees Celsius. NOTE 6 — This value shall be taken from the table of values of Wa prepared in accordance with 5.1 for the temperature prevailing when mass Wb was taken. 8.2 Unless otherwise required, specific gravity values reported shall be based on water at 20°c. The value based on water at 20° shall be calculated from the value based on water at the observed temperature Tx, as follows: Specific gravity, Tx/20%e = KX specific gravity, Tx/Tx°c, Where: K =a number found by dividing the relative density of water at temperature Tx by the relative density of water at 20°c, Values for a range of temperatures are given in Table 1. 8.3 When it is desired to report the specific gravity value based on water at 4°c, such a specific gravity value may be calculated by multiplying the specific gravity value at temperature Tx by the relative density of water at temperature Tx. 8.4 When any portion of the original sample of soil is eliminated in the preparation of the test sample, the portion of which the test has been made shall be reported Table 1 Relative Density of water and conversion factor K for various temperatures Temperature, | Relative Density of _] Correction Factor K & Water _ is 0.9986244 1.0004 19 0,9984347_ 1.0002 20 0.982343 1.0000 21 0.9980233 0.9998 22 0.9978019 0.9996 23 0.9975702 0.9993 24 0.973286 0.9991 25 0.970770 0.9989 88“I Bat eee eee eeree et Cc ca J G j- 2 Gl Ci) Cy 26 0.9968156 0.9986 oe 0.9965451 0.9983 0.9980 28 0.9962652 29 0.9956761 0.9977, 30 0.9956780 0.9974 89sg Gravi Calculation of Soil Bottle No. eee —_ peal a _| W1 - Weight of Bottle 18 W2 - Weight of Sample 7 10 : . 10 | ‘W3 - Weight of aoe ae 40.2 40. 3 “Wa - Weight of Bottle ull of Water le v “Volume of bottle (waew2): EI 3.8 3.8 | ae 2.632 2.632 a GS - Specific Gravity _W2 v 90SECTION IL Moisture — Density Relationship Theory Compaction (degree of compaction) Soil is the process where by soil particles are constrained to pack more closely together through a reduction in air voids, The object in compacting soil is to improve its properties and in particular to increase its strength and bearing capacity reduce its compressibility and decrease its ability absorb water due to reduction in volume of voids. Development of test procedures by RR. proctor in 1933 in the USA in order to determine a satisfactory state of compaction for soils being used in the construction of roads air ports and dams. The test made use of a hand rammer and a cylindrical mold with a volume of 1/30 cuff. At that time it was believed that the proctor test represented in the laboratory the state of compaction which could be reasonably achieved in the field. A laboratory test using increased energy of compaction was then necessary to reproduce these higher compacted densities, so a test was introduced which used a heavier rammer with the same mold. ‘These procedure became known as the modified AASHTO T-180 test DEFINITIONS of the following a. Compaction — The process of packing soil particles more closely together, usually by rolling, ramming or mechanical means, thus increasing the dry density of soil. Moisture - Dry-density relationship:- The relationship between dry density and moisture content of a soil . Optimum Moisture Content (OMC):- The moisture content of a soil at which a specified amount of compaction will produce the max. dry density Max. dry density:- the dry density optioned using a specified amount of compaction at the Opt.M.C. Percentage air void ( va): — the volume of air voids in a soil expressed as a percentage f, Saturation line (zero_air voids line) — The line on a graph showing the dry density- moisture content relation ship for a soil compacting no air voids. Relative compaction (% (compaction);- ‘The percentage ratio of the dry density of the soils to its max compacted dry density determined by using a specified : amount of compaction (Lab max dry density and field dry density. a