Exercise 1: Table 1 shows results from sieve and sedimentation tests performed on two soils,

A and B. Table 2 shows results from Atterberg limit tests performed on soil B.

(i) Draw the particle size distributions of soils A and B. Make sure you include chart
titles and units. Show detailed example calculations for two sieve sizes.
(ii) Determine the mean diameter D50 and coefficient of uniformity for each soil.
(iii) Calculate the plasticity index. Show soil B on Figure 1.
(iv) Describe soils A and B, based on the graphs and calculated values you have.

Table 1 Table 2
Sieve size (mm) Mass retained (g) Mass retained (g) Plastic limit Liquid limit
Soil A Soil B Soil B Soil B
2 11.23 18 24.1% 35.7%
0.6 26.32 44.1
0.212 195.10 46.5
0.063 20.52 55.4
0.020 55
0.006 32.1
0.002 28.2
pan 4.5 43.2

Figure 1

Exercise 2: A cylindrical sample of soil, fully saturated, weighs 355g. Its dimensions are
50mm diameter and 100mm height. After drying in the oven, the sample weighs 255g.
Determine the following quantities, making sure you explain the different steps/equations you
use:

1
(i) The unit weight of the saturated soil (sat);
(ii) The water content (w);
(iii) The dry unit weight of the soil (dry);
(iv) The void ratio (e), calculated using the following two methods: using sat and using w.
Compare the two values obtained. The specific gravity is 2.65 and the unit weight of water
9.81kN/m3.

SOLUTIONS
Exercise 1:
(i)

(ii) soil A: d50 = 0.35 mm; U = 1.89; soil B: d50 = 0.063 mm; U > 65
(iii) PI = 11.6 %
(iv) Soil A: poorly graded medium sand; Soil B: well graded clayey silt with slight plasticity

Exercise 2

(i) sat = 17.74 kN/m3

(ii) w = 39.2 %
(iii) dry = 12.74 kN/m3
(iv) e1 = 1.042; e1 = 1.039