Engineering Properties of Expansive Soil with Quarry Dust

CHAPTER-3

METHODOLOGY OF TESTING

3.1INTRODUCTION
The main aim of the present investigation is to characterize different proportions
of Quarry dust with expansive soil and to study the effectiveness of each sample in improving
the engineering properties of the expansive soil. For this purpose Black cotton soils is
collected near Kurnool district.

3.2. SAMPLE PREPARATION

The natural soil is collected from the site was oven dried and made powder such
that it passes through 425 micron IS sieve. Quarry dust powder is added to expansive soil in
percentages of 10, 25 and 50 by the weight of soil for determining the properties and tests
carried out on samples.

3.3. TESTS CONDUCTED

Various engineering properties have been determined by conducting the

tests with various proportions of quarry dust. The various tests conducted in this investigation
were 1. Sieve analysis

2. Liquid Limit

3. Plastic Limit

4. Shrinkage Limit

5. Specific Gravity

6. Standard Proctors Test

7. Direct Shear Test

8. Unconfined Compression Test

9. Permeability Test and

10. Consolidation Test.

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3.4. TEST PROCEDURE

For determining the properties of the expansive soil, we have

conducted various tests. The experimental procedure of those tests as follows

3.4.1 SIEVE ANALYSIS

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. 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, and 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). A representative
weighed sample is poured into the top sieve which has the largest screen openings. Each
lower sieve in the column has smaller openings than the one above. At the base is a round
pan, called the receiver.

The column is typically placed in a mechanical shaker. The shaker shakes the column,
usually for some fixed amount of time. After the shaking is complete the material on each
sieve is weighed. The weight of the sample of each sieve is then divided by the total weight
to give a percentage retained on each sieve.

WET SIEVING

Most sieve analyses are carried out dry. But there are some applications which can
only be carried out by wet sieving. This is the case when the sample which has to be analyzed
is e.g. a suspension which must not be dried; or when the sample is a very fine powder which
tends to agglomerate (mostly < 45 µm) – in a dry sieving process this tendency would lead to
a clogging of the sieve meshes and this would make a further sieving process impossible. A
wet sieving process is set up like a dry process: the sieve stack is clamped onto the sieve
shaker and the sample is placed on the top sieve. Above the top sieve a water-spray nozzle is

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placed which supports the sieving process additionally to the sieving motion. The rinsing is
carried out until the liquid which is discharged through the receiver is clear. Sample residues
on the sieves have to be dried and weighed. When it comes to wet sieving it is very important
not to change to sample in its volume (no swelling, dissolving or reaction with the liquid).

Fig 3.1Sieves used for gradation test.

Fig 3.2 Sieve Analysis

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3.4.2 SPECIFIC GRAVITY

DEFINITION:
Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of unit volume of soil at a stated temperature to the
mass of the same volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.

SIGNIFICANCE:
The specific gravity of a soil is used in the phase relationship of air, water, and solids in a
given volume of the soil.

TEST PROCEDURE:
(1) Determine and record the weight of the empty clean and dry pycnometer, W1.
(2) Place 10g of a dry soil sample (passed through the sieve No. 10) in the pycnometer.
Determine and record the weight of the pycnometer containing the dry soil, W2.
(3) Add distilled water to fill about half to three-fourth of the pycnometer. Soak the sample
for 10 minutes.
(4) Fill the pycnometer with distilled (water to the mark), clean the exterior surface of the
pycnometer with a clean, dry cloth. Determine the weight of the pycnometer and contents,
W3.
(5) Empty the pycnometer and clean it. Then fill it with distilled water only (to the mark).
Clean the exterior surface of the pycnometer with a clean, dry cloth. Determine the weight of
the pycnometer and distilled water, W4.
(6) Empty the pycnometer and clean it.

Specific Gravity G =

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ATTERBERG’S LIMITS

The water content at which the soil changes from one state to the other are known as
consistency limits or Atterberg’s Limits

3.4.3 LIQUID LIMIT

DEFINITION: Liquid limit is the minimum water content corresponding to

arbitrary limit between liquid and plastic states of consistency of a soil. The limit of water
content, at which soil water suspension passes from zero strength to an infinitesimal strength,
is the true liquid limit.

Fig.3.3 Different States of Soil

PROCEDURE:
1. Determine the mass of each of the three moisture cans (W₁).

2. Make sure to calibrate the drop of the cup using the other end of the grooving tool so that
there is a consistency in height of drop.

3. Put about 250 g of air dried soil passing through 425μ sieve into an evaporating dish and
add a little water with a plastic squeeze bottle to form a uniform paste.

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4. Place the soil in the Casagrande’s cup and using a spatula, smoothen the surface so that the
maximum depth is about 8mm.

5. Using the grooving tool, cut a groove at the center line of the soil cup.

6. Crank the device at a rate of 2 revolutions per second until there is a clear visible closure of
1/2” or 12.7 mm in the soil pat placed in the cup. Count the number of blows (N) that caused
the
Closure (make the paste so that N begins with a value higher than 35).

7. If N= 15 to 40, collect the sample from the closed part of the cup using a spatula and
determine the Water content weighing the weight of the can + moist soil (W₂). If the soil is
too dry, N will be higher and reduces as water is being added
.
8. Additional soil shouldn’t be added to make the soil dry, expose the mix to a fan or dry it by
continuously mixing it, with the spatula.

9. Clean the cup after each trial, obtain a minimum of three trials with values of N ~15 to 40.

10. Determine the corresponding w% after 24 hrs (W 3) and plot the N vs. w%, called the
“flow curve”.

(a) Mixing of soil (b)Placing of soil paste in cup

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(c) Cutting the Grove (d) Soil pat after test

Fig 3.4 Details of test Procedure for liquid limit determination

3.4.4 PLASTIC LIMIT

Definition: The moisture content at which the soil has a small plasticity, as determined
by a standard test, is called the plastic limit

TEST PROCEDURE:

1. Take approximately 50 g of dry soil and mix some amount of water from the
plastic squeeze bottle.

2. Determine the weight of empty moisture can, (W1).

3. Prepare several small, ellipsoidal-shaped masses of soil and place them in the
plastic limit device. Place two fresh sheets of filter papers on either faces of the plates.

4. Roll the upper half of the device which has a calibrated opening of 3.18 mm with
the lower half plate.

5. If the soil crumbles forming a thread of about the size of the opening between the
plates (~3 mm Diameter), collect the crumbled sample, weigh it in the moisture can

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(W2) for water content determination. Otherwise repeat the test with the same soil but
drying it by rolling between your palms.

6. Determine the weight of the dry soil + moisture can, (W3).

7. The water content obtained is the plastic limit.

Fig 3.5 Soils Crumbles Forming a Thread

3.4.5 SHRINKAGE LIMIT

Definition:

The moisture content, at which its further reduction will not cause a further reduction in
the volume of soil, is called shrinkage limit. At shrinkage limit, voids in soil are completely
filled with water.

Theory:

The shrinkage limit is the water content of the soil when the water is just sufficient to fill all
the pores of the soil and the soil is just saturated. The volume of the soil does not decrease
when the water content is reduced below the shrinkage limit. It can be determined from the
relation

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Where = initial wet mass,

= initial volume

𝑴₂= dry mass

= volume after drying.

Procedure:

1. Take a sample of mass about 100g from a thoroughly mixed soil passing 425 sieve.

2. Take about 50g of soil sample in a large evaporating dish. Mix it with distilled water to
make a creamy paste which can be readily worked without entrapping the air bubbles.

3. Take the shrinkage dish. Clean it and determine its mass.

4. Fill the mercury in the shrinkage dish. Remove the excess mercury by pressing the plain
glass plate over the top of the shrinkage dish. The plate should be flush with the top of the
dish. And no air should be entrapped.

5. Transfer the mercury of the shrinkage dish to a mercury weighing dish and determine the
mass of the mercury to an accuracy of 0.1g. the volume of the shrinkage dish is equal to the
mass of mercury in grams divided by the specific gravity of the mercury (i.e. 13.6)

6. Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of silicon grease or Vaseline. Place
the soil specimen in the center of the shrinkage dish equal to about one-third the volume of
the shrinkage dish. Tap the shrinkage dish on a firm cushioned surface and allow the paste to
flow to the edges.

7. Add more soil and continue the tapping till the shrinkage dish is completely filled and
excess soil paste projects out about its edge. Strike out the top surface of the plate with a

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straight edge. Wipe of all soil adhering to the outside of the shrinkage dish. Determine the

mass of the soil ( ).

8. Dry the soil in the shrinkage dish in air until the colour of the pat turns from dark to light.
Then dry the pat in the oven at 105 to 110 0C to constant mass.

9. Cool the dry pat in a desiccator. Remove the dry pat from the desiccator after cooling, and
weight the shrinkage dish with the dry pat to determine the dry mass of the soil ( ₂).

10. Place a glass cup in a large evaporating dish and fill it with mercury. Remove the excess
mercury by pressing the glass plate with prongs firmly over the top of the cup. Wipe off any
mercury adhering to the outside of the cup. Remove the glass cup full of mercury and place it
in another evaporating dish taking care not to spill any mercury from the cup.

11. Take out the dry pat of the soil from the shrinkage dish and immerse it in the glass cup
full of mercury. Take care not to entrap air under the pat. Press the plate with prongs on the
top of the cup firmly.

12. Collect the mercury displaced by the dry pat in the evaporating dish and transfer it to the
mercury weighing dish. Determine the mass of the mercury to an accuracy of 0.1g. The

volume of the dry pat ( ) is equal to the mass of the mercury divided by the specific gravity
of the mercury.

13. Repeat the test at least 3 times.

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Fig 3.6 Stages for derivation of Shrinkage Limit

Fig: 3.7 Determination of Volume of Dry Pat

In between plastic and shrinkage limits, the soil displays the property of
semi solid. Between the plastic and liquid limits, the soil exhibits plastic behavior. The liquid
limit is indicative of the compressibility of the soil. Soils having a liquid limit above 45 are
compressible in nature. Small amount of organic matter in colloidal form in clay will result in
an appreciable increase in liquid limit without increasing the plasticity index. Liquid limit of
bulky grained inorganic silt is about 30%, which may be increase to 100% for elastic silts
consisting mainly of flaky grains. If the shrinkage limit is less than 15, it is likely to develop

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cracks in the embankment. If it is less than 10, the soil should not be used in embankments,
as the section is likely to develop extensive cracks. Soils having shrinkage limit more than 25
are also not suitable for dam construction. The shrinkage limit should be higher than the
optimum moisture content (OMC), otherwise dam section will develop cracks on moisture
reduction (drying).If the shrinkage limit of the soil is lower than the OMC, then the soil
should be used for the inner core only. Outer shell should consist of soils having a shrinkage
limit higher than OMC.

Plasticity Index:
It is the difference between the liquid and plastic limits. For non-plastic soils, the
plasticity index is zero. For clayey soils, the plasticity index is higher. It indicates the
moisture contents over which the soil is in plastic condition. The plasticity index depends
upon the clay present in the soil. The information regarding the type of clay in the soil may
be obtained by considering the plasticity index in relation to the liquid limit.

Shrinkage Index:
The numerical difference in between plastic limit and shrinkage limit is called
Shrinkage Index.

Warning: The OMC should always be less than the shrinkage limit. Otherwise on exposure to
sun, cracks will develop in such soil. If such soil has to be used in embankments, then it
should be covered with good suitable soil, so that moisture reduction in such soils is avoided

3.4.6. STANDARD PROCTORS TEST

SIGNIFICANCE:

Soil compaction refers to the process of obtaining increased density of soil in a fill by
reduction of its pore space by the expulsion of air. The bearing capacity of any soil usually
increases with increasing dry density and decreasing moisture content. High density assures
high shear strength and greater imperviousness. When a soil is submerged, its effective
density is reduced and with this it's bearing capacity. The moisture content of a soil is defined
as the ratio of the weight of water present in the soil to the dry weight of solid soil particles.
The moisture content at which the weight of soil grains obtained in a unit volume of the

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compacted soil mass is maximum is called the "optimum moisture content" and the dry
density so obtained is called "Maximum Dry Density" (MDD). As coarse-grained soils do not
absorb the water and are not appreciably amenable to lubrication, they do not display distinct
Optimum moisture content. For coarse and fine-grained soils, average values are 8 to 15 and
17 to 36 respectively. At OMC, the soil is broadly 90% saturated depending upon type of
soil, meaning that about 10% of the void space is occupied by air

PROCEDURE:

3 Kg of air-dried, pulverized soil passing 4.75mm sieve is taken. Water is added to

the soil to bring its water content to about 4% if the soil is coarse-grained and to about 8% if
it is fine-grained. The water content should be much less than the expected optimum water
content. The soil is mixed thoroughly and covered with a wet cloth and left for maturing for
about 15 to 30 minutes

The mould is cleaned, dried and reused lightly. The mass of the empty mould with the base
plate, but without collar, is taken. The collar is then fitted to the mould. The mould is placed
on a solid base and filled with fully matured soil to about one-third its height. The soil is
compacted by 25 blows of the rammer, with a free fall of 310mm.the blows are evenly
distributed over the surface. The soil surface is scratched with a spatula before the second
layer is placed. The mould is filled to about two-thirds height with the soil and compacted
again by 25 blows. Likewise, the third layer is placed and compacted. The third layer should
project above the top of the mould into the collar by not more than 6mm.

The collar is rotated to break the bond between the soil in the mould and that in collar.
The collar is then removed, and the soil is trimmed off flush with the top of the mould. The
mass of the mould, base plate and the compacted soil is taken, and thus the mass of the
compacted soil is determined, the bulk density of the soil is computed from the mass of the
compacted soil and the volume of the mould.

Representative soil samples are taken from the bottom, middle and top of the mould for
determining the water content. The dry density is computed from the bulk density and the
water content.

Bulk mass density =M/V

Where M=mass of compacted soil (gm), V=volume of the mould (ml)

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Dry density, pd = p/(1+w)

Where w is the water content.

3.4.7 DIRECT SHEAR TEST

THEORY:

Shear strength of a soil is its maximum resistance to shearing stresses. The shear strength is
expressed as

Where c’ = effective cohesion, = effective stress, = effective angle of shearing

resistance.

The shear tests can be conducted under three different drainage conditions. The direct shear
test is generally conducted on sandy soils as a consolidated drained test.

PROCEDURE:

1. Measure the internal dimensions of the shear box. Also determine the average thickness of
the grid plates.

2. Fix the upper part of the box to the lower part using the locking screws. Attach the base
plate to the lower part.

3. Place the grid plate in the shear box keeping the serrations of the grid at right angles to the
direction of shear. Place the porous stone over the grid plate.

4. Weigh the shear box with base plate, grid plate and porous stone.

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5. Place the soil specimen in the box. Tamp it directly in the shear box at the required density.
When the soil in the top half of the shear box is filled upto 10 to 15mm depth, level the soil
surface.

6. Weigh the box with soil specimen.

7. Weigh the box inside the box contained and fix the loading pad on the box. Mount the box
contained on the loading frame.

8. Bring the upper half of the box in contact with the proving ring. Check the contact by
giving a slight movement.

9. Fill the container with water if the soil is to be saturated, otherwise omit this step.

10. Mount the loading yoke on the ball placed on the loading pad.

11. Mount the dial gauge on the loading yoke to record the vertical displacement and another
dial gauge on the container to record the horizontal displacement.

12. Place the weights on the loading yoke to apply a normal stress of 50 . Allow the
sample to consolidate under the applied normal stress. Note the reading of the vertical
displacement dial gauge.

13. Remove the locking screws. Using the spacing screws, raise the upper part slightly above
the lower part such that the gap is slightly larger than the maximum particle size. Remove the
spacing screws.

14. Adjust all the dial gauges to read zero. The proving ring should also read zero.

15. Apply the horizontal shear load at a constant rate of strain of 0.2mm/minute.

16. Record the reading of the proving ring, the vertical displacement dial gauge and the
horizontal displacement dial gauge at regular time intervals. Take the first few readings at
closer intervals.

17. Continue the test till the specimen fails or till a strain of 20% is reached.

18. At the end of the test, remove the specimen from the box and take a representative sample
for water content determination.

Repeat the test on identical specimens under the normal stresses of 50, 100, 200, 300
, etc. (The range of stresses selected should correspond to the actual field stress
conditions.)

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Fig 3.8: Direct Shear Test Apparatus

3.4.7 UNCONFINED COMPRESSTION TEST

THEORY:

The unconfined compressive strength ( ) is the load per unit area at which the cylindrical
specimen of a cohesive soil falls in compression.

Where P= axial load at failure, A= corrected area = , where is the initial area of the
specimen, = axial strain = change in length/original length.

The undrained shear strength (s) of the soil is equal to the one half of the unconfined
compressive strength,

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PROCEDURE:

1. Place the sampling soil specimen at the desired water content and density in the large
mould.

2. Push the sampling tube into the large mould and remove the sampling tube filled with the
soil. For undisturbed samples, push the sampling tube into the clay sample.

3. Saturate the soil sample in the sampling tube by a suitable method.

4. Coat the split mould lightly with a thin layer of grease. Weigh the mould.

5. Extrude the sample out of the sampling tube into the split mould, using the sample
extractor and the knife.

6. Trim the two ends of the specimen in the split mould. Weigh the mould with the specimen.

7. Remove the specimen from the split mould by splitting the mould into two parts.

8. Measure the length and diameter of the specimen with vernier calipers.

9. Place the specimen on the bottom plate of the compression machine. Adjust the upper plate
to make contact with the specimen.

10. Adjust the dial gauge and the proving ring gauge to zero.

11. Apply the compression load to cause an axial strain at the rate of ½ to 2% per minute.

12. Record the dial gauge reading, and the proving ring reading every thirty seconds upto a
strain of 6%. The reading may be taken after every 60 seconds for a strain between 6%, 12%
and every 2minutes or so beyond 12%.

13. Continue the test until failure surfaces have clearly developed or until an axial strain of
20% is reached.

14. Measure the angle between the failure surface and the horizontal, if possible.

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15. Take the sample from the failure zone of the specimen for the water content
determination.

Fig3.9: Unconfined Compression Testing Machine (Proving Ring Type)

3.4.8 PERMEABILITY TEST

SIGNIFICANCE:

Permeability (or hydraulic conductivity) refers to the ease with which water can flow through
a soil. This property is necessary for the calculation of seepage through earth dams or under
sheet pile walls, the calculation of the seepage rate from waste storage facilities (landfills,
ponds, etc.), and the calculation of the rate of settlement of clayey soil deposits.

THEORY:

The variable head permeameter is used to measure the permeability of relatively less pervious
soils. The coefficient of permeability is given by

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Where = initial head, = final head, t= time interval, a= cross-sectional area of the liquid
stand pipe, A=cross-sectional area of the specimen, L= length of specimen.

PROCEDURE:

1. Measure the initial mass of the pan along with the dry soil (M1).

2. Remove the cap and upper chamber of the permeameter by unscrewing the knurled cap
nuts and lifting them off the tie rods. Measure the inside diameter of upper and lower
chambers. Calculate the average inside diameter of the permeameter (D).

3. Place one porous stone on the inner support ring in the base of the chamber then place a
filter paper on top of the porous stone

4. Mix the soil with a sufficient quantity of distilled water to prevent the segregation of
particle sizes during placement into the permeameter. Enough water should be added so that
the mixture may flow freely.

5. Using a scoop, pour the prepared soil into the lower chamber using a circular motion to fill
it to a depth of 1.5 cm. A uniform layer should be formed.

6. Use the tamping device to compact the layer of soil. Use approximately ten rams of the
tamper per layer and provide uniform coverage of the soil surface. Repeat the compaction
procedure until the soil is within 2 cm. of the top of the lower chamber section

7. Replace the upper chamber section, and don’t forget the rubber gasket that goes between
the chamber sections. Be careful not to disturb the soil that has already been compacted.
Continue the placement operation until the level of the soil is about 2 cm. below the rim of
the upper chamber. Level the top surface of the soil and place a filter paper and then the
upper porous stone on it.

8. Place the compression spring on the porous stone and replace the chamber cap and its
sealing gasket. Secure the cap firmly with the cap nuts

9. Measure the sample length at four locations around the circumference of the permeameter
and compute the average length. Record it as the sample length.

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10. Keep the pan with remaining soil in the drying oven.

11. Adjust the level of the funnel to allow the constant water level in it to remain a few inches
above the top of the soil.

12. Connect the flexible tube from the tail of the funnel to the bottom outlet of the
permeameter and keep the valves on the top of the permeameter open

13. Place tubing from the top outlet to the sink to collect any water that may come out.

14. Open the bottom valve and allow the water to flow into the permeameter.

15. Connect the stand pipe of suitable diameter to the inlet at the top. Fill the stand pipe with
water.

16. Open the stop cock at the top and allow the water to flow out till all the air in the mould is
removed.

17. Close the stop cock and allow the water from the stand pipe to flow through the soil
specimen.

18. Select the heights, and measured above the centre of the outlet such that their

difference is about 300 to 400mm. mark the level corresponding to a height .

19. Open the valve and start the stop watch. Record the time interval for the head to fall from

to and also from to . These two time intervals will be equal if the
steady conditions have established.

20. Repeat the steps (19) at least twice after changing the heights and .

21. Stop the flow of water. Disconnect all the parts.

22. Take a small quantity of the soil specimen for water content determination

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Fig: 3.10 Variable Head Permeability Test

3.4.9. DIRECT SHEAR TEST

PURPOSE:

This test is performed to determine the consolidated-drained shear strength of a sandy to silty
soil. The shear strength is one of the most important engineering properties of a soil, because
it is required whenever a structure is dependent on the soil’s shearing resistance. The shear
strength is needed for engineering situations such as determining the stability of slopes or
cuts, finding the bearing capacity for foundations, and calculating the pressure exerted by a
soil on a retaining wall.

SIGNIFICANCE:

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The direct shear test is one of the oldest strength tests for soils. In this laboratory, a direct
shear device will be used to determine the shear strength of a cohesionless soil (i.e. angle of
internal friction (f)). From the plot of the shear stress versus the horizontal displacement, the
maximum shear stress is obtained for a specific vertical confining stress. After the experiment
is run several times for various vertical-confining stresses, a plot of the maxi mum shear
stresses versus the vertical (normal) confining stresses for each of the tests is produced. From
the plot, a straight-line approximation of the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope curve can be
drawn, f may be determined, and, for cohesion less soils (c = 0), the shear strength can be
computed from the following equation: s = s tan f

TEST PROCEDURE:

(1) Weigh the initial mass of soil in the pan.

(2) Measure the diameter and height of the shear box. Compute 15% of the diameter in
millimeters.
(3) Carefully assemble the shear box and place it in the direct shear device.Then place a
porous stone and a filter paper in the shear box.
(4) Place the sand into the shear box and level off the top. Place a filter paper, a porous stone,
and a top plate (with ball) on top of the sand
(5) Remove the large alignment screws from the shear box! Open the gap between the shear
box halves to approximately 0.025 in. using the gap screws, and then back out the gap
screws.
(6) Weigh the pan of soil again and compute the mass of soil used.
(7) Complete the assembly of the direct shear device and initialize the three gauges
(Horizontal displacement gage, vertical displacement gage and shear load gage) to zero.
(8) Set the vertical load (or pressure) to a predetermined value, and then close bleeder valve
and apply the load to the soil specimen by raising the toggle switch.
(9) Start the motor with selected speed so that the rate of shearing is at a selected constant
rate, and take the horizontal displacement gauge, vertical displacement gage and shear load
gage readings. Record the readings on the data sheet.
(10) Continue taking readings until the horizontal shear load peaks and then falls,or the
horizontal displacement reaches 15% of the diameter.

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ANALYSIS:

(1) Calculate the density of the soil sample from the mass of soil and volume of the shear
box.
(2) Convert the dial readings to the appropriate length and load units and enter the values on
the data sheet in the correct locations. Compute the sample area A , and the vertical (Normal)
stress sv.
(3) Calculate shear stress (t)
(4) Plot the horizontal shear stress (t) versus horizontal (lateral) displacement
(5) Calculate the maximum shear stress for each test.
(6) Plot the value of the maximum shear stress versus the corresponding vertical stress for
each test, and determine the angle of internal friction (f) from the slope of the approximated
Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope.

3.4.10 CONSOLIDATION TEST

Consolidation is defined as the reduction of the volume of a soil due to the

expulsion of water. This will be accompanied by the dissipation of pore water pressures. A
laboratory consolidation test is performed on an undisturbed sample of a cohesive soil to
determine its compressibility characteristics. The soil sample is assumed to be representing a
soil layer in the ground.

A conventional consolidation test is conducted over a number of load increments.

The number of load increments should cover the stress range from the initial stress state of
the soil to the final stress state the soil layer is expected to experience due to the proposed
construction. Increments in a conventional consolidation test are generally of 24 hr duration
and the load is doubled in the successive increment. In this practical class one load increment
of a multi increment consolidation test is conducted and the data will be analyzed to obtain
the compressibility characteristics of the soil.

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 Engineering Properties of Expansive Soil with Quarry Dust

The compressibility characteristics of the soil are;

(a). Parameters needed to estimate the amount of consolidation settlement

(b). Parameters needed to estimate the rate of consolidation settlement in the field.

Using the data from a single load increment of the test, only the coefficient of volume
compressibility can be estimated. Data from all the load increments should be combined to
draw the e Vs log σ graph and to obtain the compression index Cc - the other parameter used
to estimate the consolidation settlement.

The rate of consolidation settlement is estimated using the Coefficient of consolidation Cv.
This parameter is determined for each load increment in the test. In this laboratory
assignment, the coefficient of consolidation should be estimated using two methods - the root
time method (Taylor's method) and the log (time) method - Casagrande's method.

Fig.3.11 Consolidation Test Setup

Department of Civil Engineering, G.P.R.E.C, Kurnool Page 24

 Engineering Properties of Expansive Soil with Quarry Dust

Department of Civil Engineering, G.P.R.E.C, Kurnool Page 25