Soil Mechanics LaboratoryReport #1CE 3143

Submitted byJordan Collins07/07/2015

Department of Civil EngineeringThe University of Texas at Arlington

Table of ContentsTitle Page1. Water Content Determination32. Determination of Specific Gravity of Soil Solids..53. Sieve Analysis Test....8i. Grain Size Distribution Curve.104. Hydrometer Analysis...12i. Grain Size Distribution Curve.145. Atterberg Limit Tests (LL&PL)..15i. Flow Curve.17

Water Content Determination

Objective: To determine the moisture content of a soil sample.Definitions: Moisture Content- Also known as water content is defined as the ratio of the weight of the water to the weight of the solids in a given volume of soil.Equations Used:w(%)= Mean= = Standard Deviation = = Coefficient of Variation= Equipment Used:1. Moisture Can2. Drying Oven3. Balance Scale

Test Procedure: 1. Obtain a clean container, weight it, and record this weight as .2. Collect a sample of the soil (at least 30 grams) in the container, weight it, and record this weight as .3. Place the container in the electric oven for 16-24 hours. Maintain the temperature of the oven between 105C and 110C.4. Once dried, weigh the container and label this as .5. With these values, compute the Water/Moisture content.Test Results:Step NumberSampleTest 1

1Can Name: Group 1

2Weight of can, ():35.1 g

3Weight of can + wet soil, ():197.7 g

4Weight of can + dry soil, ():184.3 g

5Moisture ContentW(%)=[(-)/(-)]*100%8.98 %

Class Results:Moisture Content (%)= 8.98, 8.77, 8.83, 9.76, 8.97, 8.75, 8.95, 9.47, 9.60, 9.16, 8.61, 9.22, 9.69, 8.67Mean(%)= 9.10Standard Deviation= .389COV= 4.27%Summary & Conclusion: Based on the tests from the soil sample obtained the moisture content is 8.98%. The class, as a whole, had a mean of 9.10% with a standard deviation of .389 and a COV of 4.27%.

References:Das, Braja M. (2012). Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, 8th ed., Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y.

Das Braja M. (2009). Principle of Geotechnical engineering, 7th ed., Cengage Learning, Stanford, CTDetermination of Specific Gravity of Soil Solids

Objective: To determine the specific gravity of a material Equations Used:To calculate the Specific Gravity:Specific Gravity correction: , A= the temperature correction factor from table. = Tables Used:Temperature correction factor table:Temperature(C)ATemperature(C)A

171.000624.9991

181.000425.9988

191.000226.9986

201.000027.9983

21.999828.9980

22.999629.9977

23.999330.9974

Equipment Used: 1. Volumetric flask (500 mL)2. Thermometer with .5 C division scale.3. Balance scale4. Distilled water5. Vacuum pump6. Measuring bowl7. Spatula8. Squeeze bottle9. Drying ovenTest Procedures:1. Fill a volumetric flask with de-aired, distilled water up the 500-mL mark.2. Take the mass of the flask with the 500-mL water in it. Record as (grams).3. Measure the temperature of the water. Record as (C).4. Obtain 50g of soil into an evaporating dish.5. Add water and mix to form a smooth paste.6. Move the paste to a volumetric flask.7. Fill volumetric flask, which contains the paste, 2/3 of the way with distilled water.8. With the air nozzle on the lab tables remove the air from the mixture in step 7. (40-60 minutes).9. After the flask is de-aired, add de-aired distilled water and fill to the 500-mL mark.10. Measure the mass of the flask + soil + water and record as .11. Measure the mass of an empty measuring bowl and record as .12. Pour the soil and water mixture onto the measuring bowl, be sure to use a spray bottle to make sure all particles are added to the measuring bowl.13. Put the measuring bowl into the oven to dry.14. Measure the mass of the bowl + dry soil and record as .15. Calculate Test Results:= Mass of water + Mass of flask = 677.6 g= + Mass of soil = 712.4 g= Mass of measuring bowl= 166.4 g= + Mass of dry soil = 216.1 g = Mass of sand after drying = = 216.1 166.4 = 49.7 g = 27 CA= Correction factor = .9983 = = 3.31 = = 3.307Summary & Conclusion: From the conclusion of the test the specific gravity of the provided soil are 3.307. The class average was 2.65. The test shown above is off of the class average, because the measuring bowl had holes in it, in which, the soil escaped.

References:Das, Braja M. (2012). Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, 8th ed., Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y.

Das Braja M. (2009). Principle of Geotechnical engineering, 7th ed., Cengage Learning, Stanford, CTSieve Analysis Test

Objective:To determine the grain-size distribution within a soil greater than 75 microns. Definitions:Percent Finer- The amount of soil that is not retained in the sieve.Equations Used:Uniformity coefficient = = Coefficient of gradation or curvature = = Equipment Used:1. Stack of sieve and cover (No. 4, 8,30,40,60,100,200)2. Balance scale3. Mechanical sieve shakerTest Procedures:1. Collect 500g of the soil sample.2. Prepare a stack of sieve (No. 4, 8,30,40,60,100,200).3. Record the mass of each sieve including the bottom can.4. Pour the soil collected in Step 1 into the stack of sieves.5. Place the cover over the top.6. Place the stack of sieve in the sieve shaker and run for 10-15 minutes.7. Remove the sieve.8. Weigh each sieve and the bottom can separately and record for corresponding sieve.. 9. Calculate the weight of the retained soil in each sieve. (Step 8- Step 3)10. Calculate the values for the table below.Test Results:Sieve NumberMass Retained (g)Cumulative Mass (g)% Mass Retained% Finer

494.694.618.981.1

8105.9200.540.159.9

20131.2331.766.333.7

4068.7400.480.119.9

6052.7453.190.69.4

10027.948196.23.8

20016.1497.199.4.6

Base3500.11000

= 2.4 = .71 = .27

Summary & Conclusion:Based on the completion of the sieve analysis test the value for = 8.89 and the value for = .778. The sieve analysis test is only used to test sand and gravel particles.

References:Das, Braja M. (2012). Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, 8th ed., Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y.

Das Braja M. (2009). Principle of Geotechnical engineering, 7th ed., Cengage Learning, Stanford, CT.Hydrometer Analysis

Objective:To determine the grain-size distribution within a soil less than 75 microns. Equations Used:a=% Finer=

L= Table 5.1A= Table 5.2Test Procedures: 1. Take 50g of the oven-dry soil passing through the No. 200 sieve.2. Add 125 cm^3 of the deflocculating agent prepared by the TA to the soil taken in step 1). Allow to soak for 8-12 hours. (TA has prepared this step).3. Add 875 cm^3 of distilled water and 125 cm^3 of the deflocculating agent into a 1000-cm^3 graduated cylinder. Then, mix the solution well.4. Record the room temperature T(C).

Test Results:Time(min)Hydrometer Reading RRcpPercent FinerRcLLAD(mm)

150.046.993.851.07.9260.01320.037

246.543.486.847.58.50.01320.027

443.540.480.844.58.9920.01320.020

839.536.472.840.59.6480.01320.014

1527.023.947.828.011.6980.01320.012

309.56.412.810.514.5680.01320.009

606.53.46.87.515.060.01320.007

1206.02.95.87.015.1420.01320.005

14405.01.93.86.015.3060.01320.001

= 4 = 1

Summary & Conclusion:The test found the % finer greater than the 200 sieve (.075 mm) and also the % finer greater than .002 mm (clay particles)

References:Das, Braja M. (2012). Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, 8th ed., Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y.

Das Braja M. (2009). Principle of Geotechnical engineering, 7th ed., Cengage Learning, Stanford, CT.Atterberg Limits

Liquid Limit TestObjective: To obtain the liquid limit and plastic limit of a provided soil.Definitions:The liquid limit is defined as the moisture content at which soil begins to behave as a liquid material and begins to flow.The plastic limit is defined as the moisture content where the thread breaks apart at a diameter of 3.2 mm (about 1/8 inch).Approximate Values for number of blows:N

30-40

22-30

17-22

Equations Used:I = Flow Index = PL=PI= LL-PLEquipment Used:1. Casagrande liquid limit device2. Grooving tool3. 3 moisture cans4. Bowl5. Evaporating Dish6. Spatula7. Drying Oven8. Balance Scale9. Plastic bottle10. Paper towelsTest Results:ItemTest No.

Can No.122

Mass of can, M1(g)34.5035.0035.30

Mass of can + moist soil, M2(g)77.1069.1065.80

Mass of can + dry soil, M3(g)63.3057.1055.10

Moisture Contentw(%)= ((M2-M3)/(M3-M1))10047.9254.3054.04

Number of Blows, N41.0022.0020.00

Plastic Limit TestTest Procedure:1. Put approximately 30 g of air-dry soil sample passed through sieve 40, into an evaporating dish.2. Add water to the soil and mix well.3. Weigh 1 moisture cans (g) and label them as . 4. Obtain the soil and water mix from Step 3 and roll pieces into a thin cylinder (similar to a 1/8 inch nail). Repeat this process until the pieces break when you fold them.5. Place at least 10 g of the nail shaped mixture into the moisture can. Then measure the mass, .6. Place the moisture can into the electric oven for 24-hours, then weigh the can and label it .

Test Results:Plastic Limit

Can No.1

Mass of can, M1(g)35.2

Mass of can + moist soil, M2(g)45.4

Mass of can + dry soil, M3(g)43.2

Moisture Contentw(%)= ((M2-M3)/(M3-M1))10027.5

Summary & Conclusion:The Atterberg tests were performed to find the liquid and plastic limits. At the summary of these tests, it was found that the moisture content of the Liquid Limit as, 47.92, 54.30, 54.04. For the Plastic limit the moisture content is 27.5. The flow index is equal to 23.6. The liquid limit it 55 and the plastic limit is 31.4.

References:Das, Braja M. (2012). Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, 8th ed., Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y.

Das Braja M. (2009). Principle of Geotechnical engineering, 7th ed., Cengage Learning, Stanford, CT.

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