Tutorial - 02

DETERMINATION OF INDEX PROPERTIES

1. In a specific gravity test with pyknometer, the following observed readings are available:
a. Weight of the empty pyknometer = 7.50 N
b. Weight of pyknometer + dry soil = 17.30 N
c. Weight of pyknometer + dry soil + water filling the remaining volume = 22.45 N
d. Weight of pyknometer + water = 16.30 N
e. Determine the specific gravity of the soil solids, ignoring the effect of temperature.
The given weights are designated W1 to W4 respectively. [Ans: Specific gravity of
the soil solids = 2.685]
2. The grain size distributions shown in Fig.

Determine D10, Cu and Cc foe each distribution

3. The results of a particle size analysis are shown in the table below:
Sieve Size Mass Sieve Size Mass retained
(mm) Retained (g) (mm) (g)
63 0.0 4.75 50
37.5 26 2.36 137
19.0 28 1.18 46
13.2 18 0.60 31
9.5 20 0.212 34
6.7 49 0.075 30
The total mass was 469 gm. Plot the particle size distribution curve and determine the
coefficient of curvature and soil description. [Ans: Cu = 13.3; Cc = 3.2; GW]

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4. A soil sample with a grain specific gravity of 2.67 was filled in a 1000 ml container in the
loosest possible state and the dry weight of the sample was found to be 14.75 N. It was
then filled at the densest state obtainable and the weight was found to be 17.70 N. The void
ratio of the soil in the natural state was 0.63. Determine the density index in the natural
state. [Ans: Density Index = 59.60%.]
5. The maximum and minimum void ratios for a sand are 0.805 and 0.501 respectively. The
field density test performed on the same soil has given the following results:
Density = 1.81 Mg/m3, w = 12.7%. Assume Gs = 2.65. Compute the density index. [Ans:
ID = 0.51]
6. The liquid limit of a clay soil is 56% and its plasticity index is 15%. (a) What is the plastic
limit of the soil? (b) The void ratio of this soil at the minimum volume reached on
shrinkage, is 0.88. What is the shrinkage limit, if its grain specific gravity is 2.71? [Ans:
Plastic limit (wp) = 41%; Shrinkage limit of the soil = 32.5%]
7. The following are the data obtained in a shrinkage limit test:
a. Initial weight of saturated soil = 0.956 N
b. Initial volume of the saturated soil = 68.5 cm3
c. Final dry volume = 24.1 cm3
d. Final dry weight = 0.435 N
Determine the shrinkage limit, the specific gravity of grains, the initial and final dry unit
weight, bulk unit weight, and void ratio. [Ans: Shrinkage limit (SL) = 17.70%; Grain
specific gravity = 2.65; Initial dry unit weight = 6.23 kN/m3; Final dry unit weight
=17.71 kN/m3; Bulk unit weight = 13.70 kN/m3; Initial void ratio = 3.17; Final void
ratio = 0.47]
8. The laboratory test on a sample of soil gave the followings results:
Natural water content = 24%, Liquid limit = 62%, Plastic limit = 28%, percentage of
particles less than 2 micron = 23%
Determine: a) The liquidity index, b) activity and c) consistency and nature of soil [Ans:
LI = -0.12; A = 1.48]
9. A liquid limit test, conducted on a soil sample in the cup device, gave the following results:
Number of blows 10 19 23 27 40
Water content, % 60.0 45.20 39.80 36.50 25.20

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 Two determinations for the plastic limit gave water contents of 20.3% and 20.8%.
Determine (a) the liquid limit and plastic limit, (b) the plasticity index, (c) the liquidity
index if the natural water content is 27.4%, and (d) the void ratio at the liquid limit if Gs =
2.7. If the soil were to be loaded to failure, would you expect a brittle failure? [Ans: LL =
38%; PL = 20.6%; PI = 17.4%; LI = 0.39; eLL =1.03]
10. Determination of the shrinkage limit. The following results were recorded in a shrinkage
limit test using mercury. Determine the shrinkage limit. [Ans: SL = 12.1%]
Mass of container 17.5 grams
Mass of wet soil and container 78.1 grams
Mass of dish 130.0 grams
Mass of dish and displaced mercury 462.0 grams
Mass of dry soil and container 64.4 grams
11. The following data were obtained during an in-situ unit weight determination of an
embankment by the sand-replacement method:
a. Volume of calibrating can = 1000 ml
b. Weight of empty can = 9 N
c. Weight of can + sand = 25 N
d. Weight of sand filling the conical portion of the sand-pouring cylinder = 4.5 N
e. Initial weight of sand-pouring cylinder + sand = 54 N
f. Weight of cylinder + sand, after filling the excavated hole = 41.4 N
g. Wet weight of excavated soil = 9.36 N
h. In-situ water content = 9%
Determine the in-situ unit weight and in-situ dry unit weight. [Ans: In-situ unit weight
(γ) = 18.15 kN/m3; In-situ dry unit weight (γd) = 16.67 kN/m3]
12. A field density test was conducted by core-cutter method and the following data was
obtained:
a. Weight of empty core-cutter = 22.80 N
b. Weight of soil and core-cutter = 50.05 N
c. Inside diameter of the core-cutter = 90.0 mm
d. Height of core-cutter = 180.0 mm
e. Weight or wet sample for moisture determination = 0.5405 N

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 f. Weight of oven-dry sample = 0.5112 N
g. Specific gravity so soil grains = 2.72
Determine (a) dry density, (b) void-ratio, and (c) degree of saturation. [Ans: In-situ dry
unit weight (γd) = 22.075 kN/m3; Void ratio (e) = 0.21; Degree of saturation (S) =
74.20%]