CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST APPARATUS

 It is used to for the laboratory determination of California bearing ratio and

expansion characteristics of undisturbed soil specimens obtained from the

field and also of remolded specimen of the soil compaction in the laboratory

by static or dynamic compaction.

 All types of soil such as sand, gravel and crushed stone can be tested. It

is also used for the selection of material and control of subgrade.

 The capacity of the unit is 50 KN.

 The rate of travel of lead screw is 1.25, 1.5 and 2.5 mm/min.

 It operates on 230 volts, 50 Hz, single phase AC supply.

 CONSOLIDATION APPARATUS

 The consolidation apparatus is for conducting one dimensional

consolidation test using fixed ring on the soil both disturbed and

undisturbed for determination of the rate of consolidation of the soil

under a normal load and the degree of consolidation at any time.

 The data obtained from consolidation test is used in predicting the rate

and magnitude of settlement of structure.

 The apparatus consists of:

 Sturdy Frame

 Loading Unit

 Water Reservoir

 Consolidometer

 Dial Gauge with Holder

 Set of Weights
 UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COMPACTOR

 To determine the optimum moisture content of given soilsample without

manually (machine).

 It consists of rammer assembly (1) with a rammer lifting tongue

arrangement (5) to the lift the rammer from the top of the soil layer.

 The release mechanism is operated by rammer lift tongue (42) moving

up and down. This rammer lift tongue assembly is connected to lift chain

(15) which in turn is connected to the reduction gear coupled to the motor.
 PLUMMET BALANCE

 The plummet balance is essentially a specific gravity balance and is

designed on the principal that adjusting for depth of emersion of the

plummet is a rapid process.

 The percentage of soil in the suspension is the pointer. This plummet is

designed for measuring particles of size 20 micron and smaller.

 The balance is sufficiently sensitive to allow readings to be made to the

nearest percentage unit in 2% suspensions (20grams soil/liter) using

plummet.
 LIQUID LIMIT APPARATUS

 To determine liquid limit of given soil sample.

 The observation regarding moisture content of each specimen and no of

blows shall be recorded

 The no of blows shell then be plotted on a logarithmic scale on the x axis

and corresponding water content on an arithmetic scale on the y axis. A

straight line shall be drawn through the point. The moisture content in %

corresponding to 25 blows shall be read off as the liquid limit (WL) of the

soil.
 SHRINKAGE LIMIT APPARATUS

 To determine shrinkage limit of given soil sample.

 Shrinkage limit- shrinkage limit of soil is the max water content at which

a reduction in water content will not cause a decrease in the volume of

the soil mass.

SL = M-(V-V0)/W0× 100

SL= shrinkage limit in %

M=moisture content of wet soil

V =volume of wet soil pat in ml

V0=volume of dry soil pat in ml

W0= weight of oven dry soil pat in gms

 VARIABLE HEAD METHOD

 Determine the coefficient of permeability of a given soil sample by

conducting variable head test.

 The property of the soil which permits water to percolate through its
continuously connected voids is called its permeability. Water flowing
through the soil exerts considerable seepage forces which has direct effect
on the safety of hydraulic structures.

 Apparatus required for:

 Permeability apparatus with accessories,
 Stop watch,
 Measuring jar,
 Funnel.
 CORE CUTTER METHOD

 Determine the field’s density of soil

 Unit weight is designed as the weight per unit volume. Here the weight
and volume of soil comprise the whole soil mass.

 Unit weight of soil reflects the strength of soil against compression and
shear. Unit weight of soil is used in calculating the stresses in the soil
due to its overburden pressure.
 Apparatus used for core cutter:
 Cylindrical core cutter
 Steel rammer
 Steel dolly
 Balance
 Moisture content cup
 SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

 Determine the field density of soil at a given location

 Particularly for sandy soils the core cutter method is not possible. In
such situations the sand replacement method is employed to determine
the unit weight.

 In sand replacement method a small cylindrical pit is excavated and the

weight of the soil excavated from the pit is measured. Sand, whose
density is known, is filled into the pit.
 Therefore, in this experiment there are two stages (1) Calibration of
sand density and (2) Measurement of soil density.
 Apparatus for used are:
 Sand pouring Cylinder
 Calibrating can
 Metal tray with a central hole
 Dry sand (Passing through 600-micron sieve)
 Balance
 Metal tray
 Scraper tool
 Glass plate
 HIGH SPEED STIRRER

 It is mechanical stirring device which is used for dispersing soil in the

water for grain size analysis. It has many other laboratory applications and

can be used whenever stirring in liquid phase is required.

 The off- load speed of stirrer of approximately 12000 rpm and can be

reduced as a desired by a speed control potentiometer mounted on base

(01).

 It operates on 230 volts, 5OHz, and single phase AC supply.

 A dispersion cup is held with a ring on the base.

 TRIAXIAL APPARATUS

 To determine the shearing strength of soil

 Cylindrical specimen of 38 mm Diameter

 95 to 98% degree of saturation

 The apparatus consists:

 Base
 Four Valves
 For clamping pipes, Top cap, bottom ring
 Perspex cylinder
 Loading plunger

 All the joints valves and seal of the plunger are leak checked at the 10
kgf/cm2
 DIRECT SHEAR TEST APPARATUS

 This apparatus provides information about the ultimate shear resistance

and unable to compute angle of shearing resistance and cohesion
intersect of soil sample. The apparatus also provides facility for
measuring the residual strength apart from peak shear strength.

 It has a normal load capacity of 8kgf/cm, when loads are applied

through lever and 1.6kgf/cm when load are applied directly. It has
arrangement for applying different rates of strain from 0.00001l
millimeter/minute to 9.9999 mm/min.

 Which such facilities the apparatus provides means to conduct various

types of shear tests on large variety of soils and study shear strength
characteristics.
 SPT (Standard Penetration Test)

 The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is most popular and economical test
to determine the surface information, both on land and offshore. This test
is widely used to obtain the bearing capacity of soil.
 Standard Penetration Test Tools:
 Drilling Rig.
 Split spoon (tube).
 Drop hammers 65 kg (140 lbs.)
 Driving head (anvil).
 Guiding rod.
 Tripod.
 Extension rods.

Formula: q= 3.5 (N-3) [B+0.3/2B]Rw2Rd.

Where q= Allowable net pressure in T/m2.

N = Standard penetration number.
B = Breadth of footing in meters.
Rw2 = Water reduction factor= 0.5 [ 1+Z/B].
Rd = Depth factor = l+D/B C or C= 2.0.
Z = Depth of water table below foundation level.
 SIEVES

 A sieve analysis (or gradation test) is a practice or procedure used

(commonly used in civil engineering) to assess the particle size
distribution (also called gradation) of a granular material by allowing the
material to pass through a series of sieves of progressively smaller mesh size
and weighing the amount of material that is stopped by each sieve as a
fraction of the whole mass.

 The size distribution is often of critical importance to the way the material
performs in use.

 A sieve analysis can be performed on any type of non-organic or organic

granular materials including sands, crushed rock, clays, granite, feldspars,
coal, soil, a wide range of manufactured powders, grain and seeds, down to a
minimum size depending on the exact method.

 Being such a simple technique of particle sizing, it is probably the most

common.

 A gradation test is performed on a sample of aggregate in a laboratory. A

typical sieve analysis involves a nested column of sieves with wire mesh
cloth (screen). See the separate Mesh (scale)page for details of sieve sizing.

 Here a throwing motion acts on the sample. The vertical throwing motion is
overlaid with a slight circular motion which results in distribution of the
sample amount over the whole sieving surface. The particles are accelerated
in the vertical direction (are thrown upwards).
 RELATIVE DENSITY APPARATUS

 Relative density relates the dry density of cohesion less soil to the maximum
and minimum densities. The degree of compaction of cohesion less soil can
be stated in terms of relative density.
 Apparatus determines relative density of granular soils which do not respond
well to Proctor moisture-density tests. Maximum density is determined by
placing soil in special molds and densifying using a vibrating table and
surcharge. Minimum index density is determined by loose placement in the
molds using special pouring funnels, scoop, or shovel, depending on size of
soil particles.
 Relative Density Gauge Set is used with Relative Density Mold Sets for
measuring distance from mold top to base plate after densification in
accordance with ASTM standards.
 Relative Density Mold Set used in determining volume change of granular
soils. Select mold set with 0.1ft³ or 0.5ft³ capacities.
 Relative Density Pouring Funnel Set used for loose placement of granular
soils 3/8in or finer in relative density mold sets. Set includes two funnels with
a 6in delivery spout; one in with a diameter of .50in and the other with a 1in
diameter.
 Relative Density Vibrating Table is for consolidating granular soils and
determination of relative density. Meets ASTM standards.
 PYCNO METER

 Specific Gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of a material in

air at a standard temperature to the weight in air of an equal volume of

distilled water at the same stated temperature.

 The equipment mentioned below can be used to test a wide range of materials

from clay to sand and gravel, smaller than 10 mm.

 These bottles are used for relative density measurements, made from

borosilicate glass with capillary bored stopper. Capacities available (a) 50 cc

and (b) 100 cc.

 PLASTIC LIMIT APPARATUS

 This apparatus consists: -

1. Ground Glass Plate: a ground glass plate at least 30 cm (12 in.) square
by 1 cm (3?8 in.) thick for rolling plastic limit threads.
2. Plastic Limit-Rolling Device (optional).
3. Spatula or pill knife having a blade about 2 cm wide and about 10 to
13 cm long.
4. Drying Oven
5. Metallic rod 3.2mm diameter and 100mm long
6. Water Content Containers
7. Balance, conforming to Specification D 4753, Class GP1 (readability
of 0.01 g).

Soil sample preparation: -

 Select a 20-g or more portion of soil from the material prepared for the liquid

limit test.

 Reduce the water content of the soil to a consistency at which it can be rolled

without sticking to the hands by spreading or mixing continuously on the

glass plate or in the mixing/storage dish.

 The drying process may be accelerated by exposing the soil to the air current

from an electric fan.

 CONSTANT HEAD

 The soil permeability is a very important factor to study the behavior of

soil in its natural condition with respect to water flow. The constant head
method is particularly suitable for relatively coarse grained soil such as
sands and gravel. For fine grained soils such as clay-like or silty soils
see Falling head permeability apparatus.

 The apparatus consists of a Perspex permeability cell mounted on a

detachable aluminum base and head. The cylinder has pressure points
at different levels, which have to be connected to the manometer stand
and to the constant level tank. Two models available: 75 and 114 mm
cell nominal diameter (codes 38-T0184/A1 and 38-T0184/B1).

 The stand 38-T0184/A2 comprehends 3 manometer tubes, meter scale,

nipples and connecting tubing.

 The 38-T0184/A3 Constant level tank is manufactured from acrylic

plastic, complete with inlet, outlet, overflow, connecting tubing and
attachment for wall mounting.

 Permeability cells
38-T0184/A1, weight approx.: 2.7 kg
38-T0184/B1, weight approx.: 6.5 kg

 Stand
38-T0184/A2. Dimensions: 1150x200x50 mm. Weight approx.: 3 kg

 Tank
38-T0184/A3 Dimensions: 250x155x160 mm. Weight approx.: 2.6 kg.