Group 3

Geotechnical Engineering (GTECIA2) Laboratory

Report
Group 3 Members
1. LA Semakale 221032871
2. NS Sithole 221141849
3. N Sokasi 221004700
4. RD Botsi 219001708
5. ZP Bulunga 221021338
6. FT Chikwira 221036926
7. N Maphumulo 221117949
Table of Contents
Experiment 1: Phase relationships
Experiment 2: Soil Classification (Atterberg Limits)
Experiment 3: Maximum Dry Density Vs Optimum Moisture Content
Experiment 4 & 5: Density Sand Calibration Test, Sand Replacement Field Density Test
& Field Density Test by Nuclear Method
Experiment 1: Phase relationships
Introduction
Soil mass is generally a three-phase system. It consists of solid particles, liquid, and
gas. For all practical purposes, the liquid may be considered to be water (although in
some cases, the water may contain some dissolved salts) and the gas as air. The
phase system may be expressed in terms of mass-volume or weight-volume
relationships. The interrelationships of the different phases are important since they
help to define the condition or the physical make-up of the soil.
Purpose of experiment
 To understand how a given soil is going to behave when loaded, it helps to know
how many voids are in it.
 Geotechnical engineers often use it to conceptualize a particular soil.
Apparatus
1. Large glass container
2. Straight edge
3. Oven dry sandy gravel
4. Scale
5. Graduated cylinder (500ml to 1000ml)
Procedure
1. Weigh the empty container. Fill the graduated cylinder with water; carefully pour
the water into the container. Record the volume of water required to fill the
container. Empty the container and dry it thoroughly.
2. Fill the empty dried container with soil, carefully strike the surface flush and
weigh. Do not jar or bump the container as it introduces a soil structure change.
Record the final weight of soil and container.
3. Fill the graduated cylinder with water. Carefully pour the water into the container
of soil, by pouring around the edges and slowly, so as to avoid as much as
possible any entrapment of air in the voids of the soil. Fill the volume container
level full with water but do not overflow so that no water is lost. Observe the sides
of the container as it is filled and if air bubbles appear to be trapped, lightly tap
the container at the bubble to dislodge it. Be very careful not to introduce a soil
structure change at this point. Record the volume of the water used to fill the soil
container.
4. Carefully place the filled container on the scale. Record the weight of the soil +
water+ container.
Results
M1=container= 0.672kg
M2=container + soil=1.821kg
M3=container + soil + water= 2.268kg
M4=container + water=1.548kg
Volume= 1000ml=0.001m3
Calculations
Ms= 1.821-0.672=1.149kg
Mw=1.548-0.672=0. 876kg
Dry density= Ms/V= 1.149/0.001=1149kg/m3
Saturated Density= (Ms+Mw)/v= (1.149+0.876)/0.001=2025kg/m 3
Moisture Content= Mw/Ms x 100%= 0.876/1.149 x 100=76%
Specific gravity= 1149/1000=1.15

Conclusion
The concept of determining dry unit weight, saturated unit weight, void ratio, porosity,
soil structure, moisture content was fully observed and also computing the specific
gravity of a coarse grained soil.
Experiment 2: Soil Classification
Introduction

The liquid and plastic limits have been widely used all over the world. Primarily for soil
identification and classification. A soil containing very high water content is offers no
shearing resistance and can flow like liquids. As the water content is reduced the soil
becomes stiffer and starts developing resistance to shear deformation. Hence,
depending on the moisture content, the behavior of soil can be divided into four basic
states- solid, semisolid, plastic, and liquid. The soil becomes plastic only when it has
clay minerals.
LIQUID AND PLASTIC LIMITS
Liquid limit can be defined as that water content at which a pat of soil placed in brass
cup and cut with a standard groove, and then dropped from height of 1cm will undergo a
groove closer of 13 mm when dropped 25 times.

PURPOSES
The liquid and plastic limit tests are two basic engineering experiments which
characterizes the effect of water content on fine-grained soils that enable to: -
1. Classify fine-grained soils (especially clay soil, Casagrande plasticity chart).
2. Assess type of clay minerals composition.
3. Assess engineering properties such as:
1. The liquid limit is sometimes used to estimate settlement in consolidation
problems.
2. Both limits may be useful in predicting maximum density in compaction studies.
he soils contain non- clay minerals.
METHODS OF DETERMINING LIQUID LIMIT
The following methods can be applied to determine the liquid limit:
1. CONE PENETROMETER METHOD

2. CASAGRANDE APPARATUS METHOD

APPARATUS
The equipment for determination Liquid Limit includes:
1. Liquid limit device with Casagrande grooving tools.
2. Soil – mixture equipment [porcelain dish (mixing dish), spatula, plastic squeeze
bottle].
3. Balance sensitive to 0.01 g.
4. Container for determination of water content
5. Oven.
6. Sieve No. 40 (0.425 mm), pan and lid.

PROCEDURE
1. Calibrate the height of fall of the liquid limit device it will use for a fall exactly 1 cm
(not over ± 0.1mm) as shown in figure (2.a). Use 1 cm calibration block for making the
adjustment.
2. Take about 250 g of air dried soil passing No.40 (425 µm) sieve and place it in a
porcelain mixing dish, add a small amount of water and carefully mix the soil by using
spatula to form a uniform paste.
3. Place a portion of the paste in the brass cup of liquid limit device and level it off
to a maximum depth of about 1 cm, then the surface of the paste should be smoothed
off level and parallel to the base as shown in figure (2. a).
4. Draw the grooving tool from back to front through the sample along the
symmetrical axis of the cup with a circular motion keeping the tool normal to the cup
surface as shown in figure (2. a).
5. Turn the crank handle at a rate of 2 rps (revolution per second) so that the brass
cup is lifted and dropped. Record the number of blows N required closing the groove
along a distance of 13 mm as shown in figure (2. b).
6. Remove a quantity of soil (about 10-15 g) from the portions of the sample that
have just flowed together, which is used for determining the water content.
7. Transfer the soil remaining in the cup to the mixing dish, and add a small amount
of water to the porcelain dish of soil and carefully mix the soil by using spatula to form a
uniform color and consistency.
8. Repeat step 3 to 7 for three additional specimens with various water content.

PLASTIC LIMIT TEST

The plastic limit test is used to determine the lowest moisture content at which the soil
behaves plastically.

METHOD OF DETERMINING PLASTIC LIMIT

 CONE PENETROMETER METHOD

APPARATUS
1. Smooth glass surface for rolling the thread.
2. Container for determination of water content.
3. Balance sensitive to 0.01g.
4. Oven.
PROCEDURE
1. Take about 20g of plastic soil (set aside earlier during the preparation for liquid
limit).
2. The soil is kneaded into several smaller samples, shaped into (1-2) cm diameter
ball. The material should be plastic enough not to stick to the fingers when squeeze.
3. Roll the soil between fingers on a glass plate to form a uniform thread of 3 mm
diameter (The rate of rolling should be about 80-90 strokes per minute, counting one
stroke when the hand moves forward and backward to the starting point).
4. If the diameter of the thread becomes less than 3 mm without cracks, it shows
that the water content is more than the plastic limit. Knead the soil to reduce the water
content, and roll it again to thread.
5. Repeat the process of alternate rolling and kneading until the thread crumbles
and the soil can no longer be rolled into thread.
6. Collect the pieces of the crumbled soil thread in a moisture content container,
and determine its water content.
Experiment 3: Maximum Dry Density Vs Optimum Moisture Content
Introduction
The determination of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the soil is
a measure of compaction level of soils. The maximum peak point of the soil compaction
curve obtained is called the Maximum dry density value. The water content corresponds
to this point is called the Optimum water content. The Standard Proctor Compaction
Test and the Modified Proctor Compaction Test are the two basic procedures for
determining this. Both tests assist in determining the optimum moisture content required
for soil to achieve maximum compaction, i.e., maximum dry density, for construction
purposes. The tamping or impact compaction method will be used in this laboratory,
which was created by R. R. Proctor in 1933. As a result, the experiment is also known
as the Proctor test.
Definition
Maximum density: The maximum density of a material for a specific compactive effort is
the highest density obtainable when the compaction is carried out on the material at
varied moisture contents. Optimum moisture content: The optimum moisture content for
a specific compactive effort is the moisture content at which the maximum density is
obtained.
Purpose
The goal of this laboratory experiment is to figure out what the relationship is between a
soil's moisture content and its dry density for a certain compactive effort.
Procedure
1. MIXING
Weigh the sample in each basin accurate to the nearest 5 grams and transfer it to the
mixing basin. In the graduated cylinder a measured amount of water is added slowly to
the material in the basin. The material should be continuously blended with a trowel
while adding the water. Water is added until the operator believes the optimum moisture
content has been obtained (see 5.2). The moist substance is continued to be mixed for
a few more minutes. The amount of water left in the cylinder is measured to get the
actual amount added, which is then stated as a percentage of the air-dried material.
2. COMPACTION
The moist material is now mixed again and about 1,000gram of material is weighed out
and transferred to the mould. The surface of the soil is levelled by hand by pressing
down and light tamping, and tamped 55 times with a 4,536 kg tamper which is dropped
exactly 457,2 mm. When the tamper is raised, the operator should ensure that the guide
sheath is resting on the soil and that the tamper is right at the top of the sheath before
the tamper is dropped. The tamper should be let to fall free. The face of the tamper
should always be kept clean. After tampering the first layer, the depth of the surface of
the tamped material below the top of the mould, without the collar, is measured and
should be between 96mm and 99mm. If the depth is not correct, the mass of moist
material weighed out for the next layer should be increased or decreased slightly. Four
more layers of material should be tamped in the same manner and each layer should be
slightly more than 25 mm but not more than 30mm thick.
3. Determination of moisture content
Following the compacting of the second layer, a representative sample of the material in
the basin is collected and placed in an appropriate container to assess the moisture
content. The weight of the sample should range from 500 to 1000 grams. The larger the
sample, the more coarsely graded the material is. The damp sample is weighed right
away, to the nearest 0.1gram, and dried to a consistent mass in an oven set at 105 to
110 degrees Celsius. The moisture content is calculated to the closest tenth of a
percentage point.
4. Removal of excess material
With a spatula, carefully slide the material that has adhered to the mould’s collar from
the collar. Without damaging the projecting layer of cloth, the collar is gently turned
around and removed. The projecting material is gently cut off (a bit at a time) using a
steel straight-edge until it is level with the top of the mould. The flat of the straight edge
should be used to press loose stones in. The moulded material's surface is examined.
It's likely that the optimal moisture content (o.m.c.) hasn't been surpassed if it's firm and
unyielding to thumb pressure. However, if the material is slightly spongy or gives when
pressed down with the thumb, the (o.m.c.) has been exceeded.
5. Mass of mould
Remove the compressed material-filled mould from the base plate and weigh it to the
nearest 5 gram. An extruder can now be used to remove the compacted material from
the mould.
Results
Experiment 4 & 5: Density Sand Calibration Test, Sand Replacement Field Density
Test & Field Density Test by Nuclear Method.
DYNAMIC CONE PENETRATION TEST (DCP)
This is a test for evaluation the strength of soils on site. It also helps monitor the
condition of granular layers and subgrade soils. It can also be used to determine the
right solution for soils, especially when soft soils are involved.
Benefits of using DCP in site
• Soil information is often limited and often collected mostly when building
foundations will be.
• You can get information on how the soil strength varies with depth which can be
critical to develop the best solution for unsuitable subgrade soils.
• You can collect information from a lot of points relatively quickly so you can see
how soil conditions vary across the site and respond accordingly.
• You can get accurate information on the soil conditions in the field and at
construction time.
Objectives
The objective of this practical is to determine:
• The strength of the soil
• The grading of the soil
Apparatus
• Handle
• Top rod
• 8kg hammer
• Anvil
• Bottom rod
• Handguard cursor
• Bottom rod
• 1m ruler
• 60° cone
Procedure
• Set up the instrument by placing it on a hard surface, ensuring that it is truly
vertical.
• Record the zero reading.
• Hold the instrument vertically and carefully raise the weight to the handle.
• Ensure that the weight doesn’t touch the handle, then allow it to drop freely.
• Take readings of increment penetration of 10mm. For good quality granular
bases, readings at every 5-10 blows are satisfactory but for week sub base layer, 1-2
blows are appropriate.
• After completing the test, carefully remove the instrument by gently taping the
weight upwards against the handle.
Results
Conclusion
Judging by the shape of the curve on the DCP test, the soil particles are well distributed,
they are spread out the entire depth of the soil. The curve also suggests the soil is off
good strength looking at how many blows it took to reach almost a meter. This is a
good, well graded soil.

SAND REPLACEMENT TEST

Field density of natural soil is essential for the approximation the bearing capacity of soil
for the purpose of evaluating the pressure on underlying strata for compaction of
settlement and stability analysis of natural slope. It is also used to determine the in-
place density of compacted soil in order to compare it with the designated compaction
degree. It specifies how much the compaction of the soil is close to the designated
compaction degree.

Objectives

 To determine the in-situ dry density of a soil

Apparatus

• Sand cone
• Density plate with a circular hole in the middle

• Digging tools

• Spoon

• Brush

• Moisture container

• Oven

Procedure
• Perform calibration of cone apparatus
• Weigh the sand cone instrument which is of known density
• Place the density plate on leveled and managed clean test ground
• Excavate soil about 150mm deep with a similar diameter as the density plate
hole. Remove all free soil out of the test hole with the help of a brush and spoon
• Gather the dugout soil and weigh it
• Upturn the sand cone instrument over the density place and open the valve to fill
the hole with sand. When the sand stops moving, lock the valve and separate the
instrument from the test hole
• Weigh the sand cone instrument with left sand
• Gather the sand from the hole as much as possible
• Put a sample of the dug soil in the weighed moisture container and place it in the
oven for water content calculation.
Results
FIELD DENSITY TEST BY NUCLEAR METOD DATA
Determination of soil density using a Nuclear Density Gauge by measuring gamma
radiation transmission between a probe containing a radioactive cesium and detection
sensors in the base of the gauge. Dense soils allow fewer gamma particles to be
detected in a given period. This instrument can also measure the moisture content of
the soil.
Advantages of NDG
• Density and moisture can be established within minutes
• Accuracy and repeatability are acceptable
• Can be used with wide range of soils
• It is an optimum method for big projects requiring many tests per day
Objectives
• To determine the density of a soil
• To determine the moisture content of a soil
Apparatus

Densometer
Procedure

 Prepare the site to be measured. Clear off debris and ensure the area is level
 Use a scraper plate as a guide for the drill rod
 Place the scraper plate over the site and while holding it in place with feet, drive
the rod to a depth of at least 50mm deeper than the measured depth
 Make the gauge flush to the surface as possible. Release the latch by pressing
the trigger into the handle and pushing the handle down to the first notch for
backscatter
  Release the latch by pressing the trigger into the handle and pushing the handle
down to the correct predetermined depth. Pull the gauge toward the control panel
end to force the source rod against the side of the prepared hole
 Follow the instructions on the densometer to obtain wet density, dry density,
moisture content, percentage moisture.
Results