Lab 1

Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)

Referenced Standard: ASTM D 2488 – 00

OBJECITIVES

a. To be able to manually describe soil samples using procedures provided by AASHTO and ASTM.
b. To be able to perform the procedures stated on soil sampled within the campus

Procedure:

1. Sampling
ASTM Practice:
• D 1452 - Soil Investigation and Sampling by Auger Boring
• D 1587 - Thin-walled Tube Sampling of Soils
• D 2113 - Diamond Core Drilling for Site Investigation
• D 1586 - Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
2. Description Information for Soils
• . Angularity
• Shape
• Color
• Odor
• Moisture Condition
• . HCl Reaction
• Consistency –
• Cementation
• Structure
• Maximum particle size
• Hardness
• Additional comments shall be added
• Identification of Peat
• . Preparation for Identification
• Preliminary Identification
• Dry Strength
• Dilatancy
• Toughness
• Plasticity
Lab 2

Reducing Sample of Aggregate to Testing Size

Referenced Standard: ASTM C702 – 87 and AASHTO T 248

OBJECTIVES:

1. To be able to learn how to obtain and prepare test samples from field samples
2. To understand the significance of aggregate sampling
3. To be able to perform different types of reduction methods.

EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS

• Mechanical Sample Splitter

• Straight-edged scoop
• Flat-edged shovel or trowel.
• Broom or brush.
• Alternate method only - canvas blanket measuring approximately 2 m by 2.5 m (6 ft. X 8 ft.).

PROCEDURE
LAB 3

Determination of Water Content of Soils

Referenced Standard: ASTM D 2216-98 and AASHTO T 265

LAB 4
LAB 5
LAB 6

PROCEDURE:

1. Test Specimen
2. Inspect the Liquid Limit device and grooving tool
3. . Adjust the height of drop so that the point on the cup that contacts the base rises to a height of 10.0 ±0.2 mm
(0.394 ±0.008 in.)
4. . Prepare Test Specimen
5. Perform Test
6. . Determine Moisture Content
7. Flow Curve Preparation
8. Determine the Liquid Limit
LAB 7
LAB 8

8.Spatula
Procedure:
LAB 9
Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes
REFERENCE STANDARD: ASTM D 2487
LAB 10 TO 11

Objectives:

1. To be able to understand the moisture and density relations of soils.

2. To be able to perform the test procedures required to acquire data in the said relationship.
3. To be able to calculate the Maximum Dry Density of the soil sample
4. To be able to determine the Optimum Moisture Content of the soil sample.
5. To understand how these data are used for engineering purposes
PROCEDURE:
LAB 12
Density of Soil In-Place by Sand Cone Method
Referenced Standard: AASHTO T 191
LAB 13
SHRINKAGE LIMIT
Reference standard: ASTM D4943

\
LAB 14
STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR PERMEABILITY OF GRANULAR SOILS (CONSTANT HEAD)
REFERENCE STANDARD: ASTM D 2434

EQUIPMENT USED:

1. PERMEAMETER
2. GRADUATED CYLINDERS (UP TO 1000 ML)
3. Thermometer
4. Stop watch
5. Scoop
6. Tamper
7. Plastic or steel pan

TEST 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 of
the tie rods. Measure the inside of upper and lower chambers. Calculate the average inside diameter of the
permeameter.
3. Place one porous on the upper supporting ring in the base of the chamber then place a filter paper on the top of
the porous stone.
4. Mix the soil with 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 will flow freely.
5. Using a scoop, pour the prepared soil into the lower chamber using a circular motion to fill it to the depth of 1.5
cm. a uniform layer should be formed.
6. Used the tamping device to compact the layer of soil. Use approximately ten rams of tamper per layer and
provide uniform coverage on the soil surface. Repeat the 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 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 string on the porous stone and replace the chamber cap and 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.
10. Keep the pan with the remaining soil at 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 and collect any water that may come out.
14. Open the bottom valve and allow the water to flow in the permeameter.
15. As soon as the water begins to flow out of the top control (deairing valve), close the control valve, letting the
water flow out of the outlet for some time.
16. Close the bottom outlet valve and disconnect the tubing at the bottom. Connect the funnel tubing to the top
side port.
17. open the bottom outlet valve and raise the funnel to a convenient height to get reasonable steady flow of
water.
 18. Allow adequate time for the flow pattern to stabilize.
19. Measure the time it needed to fill 750-1000 ml of water using the graduated cylinder, and then measure the
temperature of the water. Repeat this process three times and compute the average time, average volume, and
average temperature. Record the values as t, Q, and T respectively.
20. Measure the vertical distance between the funnel head distance and the chamber outflow level, and record the
distance as h.
21. Repeat step 17 and 18 with different vertical distances.
22. Remove the pan from the drying and measure the final mass of the pan along with the remaining soil(M2).

ANALYSIS:

1. CALCULATE THE PERMEABILITY, USING THE FOLLOWING EQUATION:

𝑄𝐿 750
KT = = 𝜋 = 0.0000255
𝐴𝑡ℎ ( (10 𝑐𝑚)2 )(13374 𝑠𝑒𝑐.)(28𝑐𝑚)
4

2.

𝑛𝑇 (0.99823)
K20 = KT = (0. 0.0000255) = 0.00253
𝑛20 (0.01005)

3. Compute the volume of the soil from: V = Length x Area

𝜋
V = 23 cm x 4 (10 𝑐𝑚)2 = 1806.416 cm3

4. Compute the final dry mass of the soil used in the permeameter(M)
 M =M1 – M2 = mass of oven dried soil(soil used in permeameter) = 3.433 KG

5. Compute the dry density of soil (Pd) :

𝑀 3433 𝑔
Pd = 𝑉 = 1806.416 cm3 = 1.900 𝑔/cm3

HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY TEST

CONSTANT HEAD METHOD

DATA SHEET

TESTED BY: GROUP 4

PROJECT NAME: HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY TEST, CONSTANT HEAD METHOD
SAMPLE NUMBER:
VISUAL CLASSIFICATION:

INITIAL DRY MASS OF SOIL + PAN(M1):3.667 KG

LENGTH OF THE SOIL SPECIMEN: 23 cm

DIAMETER OF THE SOIL SPECIMEN(PERMEAMETER), D: 10 cm

FINAL DRY MASS OF SOIL + PAN(M2): 3.490 KG

DRY MASS OF SOIL SPECIMEN(M): 3.433 KG

VOLUME OF SOIL SPECIMEN(V): 1806.416 cm3

DRY DENSITY OF SOIL (Pd): 1.900 𝑔/cm3

WATER CONTENT(w): 4800 g – 3490 g = 1310 g = 38.159 %

 TRIAL No. CONSTANT ELAPSED Outflow Water Kt K20
HEAD, h TIME(T), Volume. Q Temperature,
(cm) SECONDS (cm3) T(0C)
1 28 13374 750 20 0.0000255 0.00253

AVERAGE K20 = 0.00253