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Lab Intro.

This document provides an overview of proper laboratory testing procedures for determining soil properties. It discusses the importance of accurate testing given soil variability, maintaining equipment, recording data properly, and preparing thorough yet concise laboratory reports. Reports should include the purpose, equipment, procedures, results with graphs and calculations, and conclusions, including sources of error. Standardized testing procedures and conversions are also outlined.

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alaa Alobeidyeen
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35 views

Lab Intro.

This document provides an overview of proper laboratory testing procedures for determining soil properties. It discusses the importance of accurate testing given soil variability, maintaining equipment, recording data properly, and preparing thorough yet concise laboratory reports. Reports should include the purpose, equipment, procedures, results with graphs and calculations, and conclusions, including sources of error. Standardized testing procedures and conversions are also outlined.

Uploaded by

alaa Alobeidyeen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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I

Laboratory Test and


Preparation of Report
.~
Introduction
Proper laboratory testing of soils to detennine their physical properties is an integral part in
the design and construction of structural foundations, the placement and improvement of soil
properties, and the specification and quality control of soil compaction works. It needs to be
kept in mind that natural soil deposits often exhibit a high degree of nonhomogenity. The
physical properties of a soil deposit can change to a great extent even within a few hundred
feet. The fundamental theoretical and empirical equations that are developed in soil
mechanics can be properly used in practice if, and only if, the physical parameters used in
those equations are properly evaluated in the laboratory. So, learning to perfonn laboratory
tests of soils plays an important role in the geotechnical engineering profession.

Use of Equipment
Laboratory equipment is never cheap, but the cost may vary widely. For accurate ex-
perimental results, the equipment should be properly maintained. The calibration of certain
equipment, such as balances and proving rings, should be checked from time to time. It is
always necessary to see that all equipment is clean both before and after use. Better results
will be obtained when the equipment being used is clean, so alwa);'s maintain the equipment
as if it were your own.
Recording the Data
In any experiment, it is always a good habit to record all data in the proper table immediately
after it has been taken. Oftentimes, scribbles on scratch paper may later be illegible or even
misplaced, which may result in having to conduct the experiment over, or in obtaining in-
accurate results.
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J " .
'
1

b
2 Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual

Report Preparation
In the classroom laboratory, most experiments described herein will probably be conducted
in small groups. However, the laboratory report should be written by each. student
individually. This is one way for students to improve their technical writing skills. Each
report should contain:
1. Cover page-This page should include the title of the experiment, name, and date on
which the experiment was performed.
2. Following the cover page, the items listed below should be included in the body of
the report:
a. Purpose of the experiment
b. Equipment used
c. A schematic diagram of the main equipment used
d. A brief description of the test procedure
3. Results-This should include the data sheet(s), sample calculations(s), and the
required graph(s).
4. Conclusion-A discussion of the accuracy of the test procedure should be included
in the conclusion, along with any possible sources of error.

120r---~~---r-----'

120

0!:----''----'-~1;':5,--.-L-.,!25 80 0!;----'--!c-5-----:;1';;-0--~15
Moisture content, w (%)
(a) (b)
Figure 1-1.
(a) A poorly drawn graph for (b) The results'given in (a),
dry unit weight of soil vs. drawn in a more presentable
moisture content manner
Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual 3

Graphs and Tables Prepared for the Report


Graphs and tables should be prepared as neatly as possible. Always give the units. Graphs
should be made as large as possible, and they should be properly labeled. Examples of a
poorly-drawn graph and an acceptable graph are shown in Fig. 1-1. When necessary, French
curves and a straight edge should be used in preparing graphs.

Table 1-1. Conversion Factors

Length _1 in. 25.4 mm 1 mm 3.937 x 10-2 in.


.,, 1ft 0.3048 m 3.281 x 10-3 ft
~ 304.8 mm 1m 39.37 in.
, 3.281 ft
.!-~

~ Area 1 in. 2 6.4516 x 10-4 m2 1 em2 0.155 in 2


1
~ 6.4516 em2 1.076 x 10-3 ~
~ 645.16 mm2 1 m2 1550 in 2
,l'
:~
1~ 929 x 1O-4m 2 10.76 ft2
.,,
--.~
929.03 em2
,:l 92903 mm 2
:1~

1 in 3 16.387 em 3 I em3
·.~i Volume 0.061 in.'
'1 1 ft3 0.028317 m3 3.531 x 10-5 ft'
~
i 1ft' 28.3168 I I m3 61023.74 in 3
.~ 35.315 ft3
<ii
:)
-,,1
Velocity 1 ftls 304.8 m\ll/s I em/s 1.969 ftlmin
1 0.3048 m/s 1034643.6 ftlyear
-J,i 1 ftlmin 5.08 mm/s
:J, 0.00508 m/s
,{
,i Foree I Ib 4.448 N IN 0.224821b
~ 1 kN 0.22482 kip
Stress 1 Ib/in. 2 6.9 kN/m 2 I kN/m 2 O.1451b/in 2
I Ib/ft2 47,88 N/m2 2.089 x 10.2 Ib/W
.~

157.06 N/m 3
,;1
Unit Weight Ilb/ft3 1 kN/m 3 6.367 Ib/ft3
Coefficient of 1 in. 2/s 6.452 em 2/s I em 2/s 0.155 in?/s
Consolidation I W/s 929.03 cm 2/s 2.883 x 103 ft2/month
Mass 1 kg 2.20461b
2.2046 x W-3 kip

-
, I

4 Soil Mechanics Laboratorv Manual

Units
It may be necessary to express the results of laboratory tests in a given system of units. At
this time in the United States, both the English and the SI system of units are used.
Conversion of units may be necessary in preparing reports. Some selected conversion factors
from the English to the SI units and from SI to English units are given in Table 1-1.

Standard Test Procedures


In the United States, most laboratories conducting tests on soils for engineering purposes
follow the procedures outline by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
The procedures and equipment for soil tests may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory,
but the basic concepts remain the same. The test procedures described in this manual may
not be exactly the same as specified by ASTM or AASHTO; however, for the .students, it is
beneficial to know the standard test designations and compare them with the laboratory work
actually done. For this reason some selected AASHTO and ASTM standard test designations
are given in Table 1-2.

Water content T-265 D-2216


Specific gravity T-IOO D-854
Sieve analysis T-87, T-88 D-421
Hydrometer ~alysis T-87, T-88 D-422
Liquid limit T-89 D-4318
Plastic limit T-90 D-4318
Shrinkage limit T-92 D-427
Standard Proctor compaction T-99 D-698
Modified Proctor compaction T-180 D-1557
Field density by sand cone T-191 D-1556
Permeability of granular soil T-215 D-24:34
Consolidation T-2l6 D-2435
Direct shear (granular soil) T-236 D-3080
Unconfined compression T-208 D-2166
Triaxial T-234 D-2850
AASHTO Soil Classification System M-145 D-3282
Unified Soil Classification System D-2487

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