COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SOIL MECHANICS & GEOLOGY

BAA2513

WORK BASED PROJECT

PROJECT LOCATION: E

LECTURER: TS. DR. YOUVENTHARAN DURAISAMY

PHOTO NAME MATRIX NO

SITI AISYAH BINTI

AA20050
ABDUL GHAFFAR

SUBMISSION DATE: 15th JANUARY 2022

EMAIL: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION

It is important to determine the size, shape and gradation of soil particles. In order to
apply the fundamental engineering concept of soil mechanics in railway track subgrade
design, based on the data given, the experiment to be carried out are Sieve Analysis Test and
Hydrometer Test. The objectives of sieve test and hydrometer test are to determine the
particle size distribution of soils for particle size larger than 0.075 mm and for particle size
smaller than 0.075 mm using a sedimentation process respectively.

METHODOLOGY
Sieve Analysis Test
1) The weight of each sieve is written down as well as the bottom pan.
2) The weight of the given dry soil sample is recorded.
3) All the sieves are made sure to be cleaned and assembled the #4 sieve at the top followed
#200 sieve at bottom.
4) The sieve stack is placed in the mechanical shaker and is shaken for 10 minutes.
5) The stack is removed from the shaker and the weight of each sieve is weighed and
recorded carefully with its retained soil.

Hydrometer Test
1) The fine soil is taken from the bottom pan of the sieve set, is placed into a beaker, and
125 mL of sodium hexametaphosphate (40 g/L) solution is added. The mixture is stirred
until the soil is wetted and soaked for ten minutes.
2) Dispersing agent is added into the control cylinder and filled with distilled water to the
mark. The reading is taken at the top of the meniscus formed. The control cylinder is
shook so the contents are mixed thoroughly. The hydrometer and thermometer are
inserted into the control cylinder and the zero correction and temperature is noted.
3) The soil slurry is transferred into a mixer by more distilled water is added to it until
mixing cup is at least half full. Next, the solution is mixed for about two minutes.
4) The soil slurry is transferred quickly into the empty sedimentation cylinder and distilled
water is added up to the mark.
5) The open end of the cylinder is covered with a stopper and the palm of hand is used to
secure the stopper. Then, the cylinder is turned upside down and back upright for one
minute.
6) The cylinder is set down and time is recorded. The stopper is removed from the cylinder.
After an elapsed time of one minute and forty seconds, the hydrometer for the first
reading is inserted slowly and carefully.
7) The reading is taken by observing the top of the meniscus formed. It is removed slowly
and placed back into the control cylinder.
8) Hydrometer readings is taken after elapsed time.
RESULTS
Sieve Analysis Test
Table 1 : Percent passing on each sieves for the soil sample

Sieve Number Diameter (mm) Soil Retained (%) Soil Passing (%)
#3/4" 19.05 0.0 100.0
#4 4.75 0.0 100.0
#10 2.00 0.0 100.0
#20 0.85 0.0 100.0
#40 0.43 0.0 100.0
#200 0.075 6.0 94.0
Pan 0.0 94.0
TOTAL 6.0

Hydrometer Test
Table 2 : Percent finer and adjusted percent finer for hydrometer test
Time % R D Adjusted
Ra T TC RC L K
(min) Finer corrected (mm) % finer
1 50 27 1.9 44.9 89.8 51 7.936 0.012947 0.0365 84.41
2 48 25 1.4 42.4 84.8 49 8.264 0.012947 0.0263 79.71
4 47 27 1.9 41.9 83.8 48 8.428 0.012947 0.0188 78.77
8 46 27 1.9 40.9 81.8 47 8.592 0.012947 0.0134 76.89
15 45 27 1.9 39.9 79.8 46 8.756 0.012947 0.0099 75.01
30 44 27 1.9 38.9 77.8 45 8.920 0.012947 0.0071 73.13
60 42 27 1.9 36.9 73.8 43 9.248 0.012947 0.0051 69.37
120 40 27 1.9 34.9 69.8 41 9.576 0.012947 0.0037 65.61
240 38 27 1.9 32.9 65.8 39 9.904 0.012947 0.0026 61.85
480 34 26 1.65 28.65 57.3 35 10.56 0.012947 0.0019 53.86
1440 32 25 1.4 26.4 52.2 33 10.888 0.012947 0.0011 49.07

Grain Size Distribution for Sieve and Hydrometer Test

D85 = 0.04mm
D60 = 0.0025mm

Figure 1 : Particle Size Distribution graph

i) D10 = 0, D30 = 0, D60 = 0.0025mm
ii) D15 = 0, D85 = 0.04mm
D60 0.025
iii) Cu = = =0
D10 0

(D30 )2 (0)2
Cc = = =0
D60 ×D10 0.0025×0
iv) PI = WLL(%) - WPL(%)
= 24 – 7
= 17 (Medium plasticity)
v) Soil Classification Symbol using USCS = CL (Lean clay)

Figure 2 : Chart for classification of fine-grained soils

Figure 3 : USCS for Fine Grained Soils

DISCUSSION

a) Types of base soil/subgrade

The type of subgrade is lean clay. The liquid limit for lean clay is low so the water
penetration on the soil is low. Besides, the soil cannot be rerolled and lump crumbles
because lean clay has medium plasticity as well as medium strength in toughness. In
terms of dry strength, this subgrade has medium plasticity and it have low dry strength.
Lean clay also known as inorganic clay with low compressibility.

b) Function of sub-ballast and the geotextile materials in railway track

The sub-ballast is a crushed stone or gravel and sand mixture to cover the natural
subgrade soil or an embankment. The functions are to provide drainage out of the track,
helped to reduce the applied stress to the subgrade and provided separation between the
ballast and subgrade. Next, geotextile materials are used so that the layers of the track
support structure are separated with different particle sizes and properties. The passage of
trains caused movement of the track ties thus fines from the subgrade usually pumped
upward into the granular layers, reduced the strength and the drainage capacity of the
layers. Furthermore, the penetration of granular particles is reduced into a soft subgrade,
maintained the thickness and integrity of the granular layers and added track lifetime. It is
placed over unstable subgrades which can avoid the necessity to replace soil, increased
the load bearing capacity of the system due to better stress distribution. It acted as a filter
as it allowed the water to pass freely while the subgrade solid particles are retained.

CONCLUSION

As the conclusion, the experiment has been conducted to identify type of subgrade to
be proposed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) railway track in Gambang, Kuantan. Based on the
findings on the types of soils, this soil can be used as subgrade in railway track. Problems
faced by fine-grained soils are usually because of the lower strength and permeability of the
latter materials. The finer the soil or the greater the plasticity characteristics of the soil, the
poorer the performance of this material as a railway track subgrade. The subgrade
performance is related to its moisture content and its susceptibility to the effects of moisture
change. Fine-grained soils are likely to decrease in strength and stiffness with the increased
of water content and not drain well.

REFERENCE

Fatahi, B., Khabbaz, H., & Ho, H. L. (2011). Effects of Geotextiles on Drainage Performance
of Ballasted Rail Tracks. Australian Geomechanics Vol 46 No 4, 92-93.
American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM D422: Standard Test Method for
Particle-Size Analysis of Soils. E-book.