SAMPLING

REFERENCE

This is the procedure of collecting samples from the field before commencing any activity
such as the use of a borrow pit or compaction of a layer.

OBJECTIVE

To collect samples for different soil tests

APPARATUS

a) Bags
b) Spades

METHODOLOGY

1. Immediately the materials for the construction of the layer are mixed and the optimum
water required for compaction is achieved, areas within the section for selected at
random
2. In these areas, material is excavated and placed in sisal bags for storage.

FIELD DENSITY TEST

REFERENCE

BS 1377 Part 9- 1990

OBJECTIVE OF THE TEST

The objective of the field density test on soils is to determine the in-place density (wet
density) of the soil at a specific location. This test is important in geotechnical engineering to
assess the compaction of the soils and ensure that they meet the required engineering
specifications. By measuring the in-situ density, engineers can evaluate the soil’s ability to
bear loads, assess its stability, and make informed decisions for construction projects such as
roads, embankments, or foundations.
The method used for this particular test is called the sand replacement method which entails
the use of sand of known density and particular size for determining the wet density of the
compacted soil section.

EQUIPMENT USED

a) Sand cone apparatus

b) Uniformly graded sand passing through 0.06 mm sieve and retained in 0.03 mm sieve
c) Weighing balance
d) Tape measure
e) Density plate with circular holes of diameter equal to the diameter of the pouring cone
and known mass of sand retention capacity
f) Chisels and hammers
g) Scooper
h) Polyethene bags
i) Brushes

METHODOLOGY

1. The section to be tested is cut off from traffic flow by the use of cones and safety tape
to prevent injury towards workers
2. A distance of 5 meters is offset from the beginning of the section and multiple
distances are offset from the centreline within the section and marked off. These
offsets from the centreline are then recorded on the FDT form
3. Density plates with a known mass of sand retention (M2) are then laid at the marked
offsets and the trays are then secured to the area using nails along the sides of the
trays to prevent the metallic tray from moving
4. A chisel and hammer are then used to excavate the area within the metallic tray and
the material excavated from the hole is kept in a polythene bag to prevent loss of
moisture into the atmosphere. The hole should be excavated vertically by the edge of
the circle within the density plate.
5. Material is excavated from the hole until the required depth is attained depending on
the design specifications of the particular layer or when the top of the underlying layer
is reached.
6. Once the required depth is attained, a brush is then used to collect the remainder of
the material within the hole and a scooper is used to remove all the material within the
 hole and place it in the polythene bag. Labels indicating the chainage of each sample
are then inserted within the polythene bag. The polythene bags are then sealed to
prevent loss of moisture to the atmosphere.
7. The mass of the soil (M3) attained from the hole is measured and recorded and the
depth of the hole is measured and recorded.
8. Sand of known density is then placed in the cylinder, weighed and recorded (M1) and
placed over the hole following the demarcations of the density plate.
9. The slider on the cylinder is then opened and the sand is left to flow out of the
cylinder without interruption until it stops flowing. The slider is then closed and the
mass of the cylinder and the remaining sand in the cylinder is weighed(M4) and
recorded
10. The sand is then removed from the hole and sieved to remove any foreign particles.

TABULATION OF RESULTS

Mass of sand left in the hole = (mass of cylinder and calibrated sand) – (mass of the cylinder
and the sand left in the cylinder) - (mass of sand in cone)

Mass of sand left in the hole M 5=M 1−M 4−M 3

The volume of the hole= mass of sand left in the hole/ density of calibrated sand

The volume of the hole, v = M 5 /(Density of the sand)

Wet density = mass of soil excavated from the hole/volume of the hole

WET DENSITY = M 3 /v
DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT AND DRY DENSITY

REFERENCE

BS 1377: Part 2: 1900

OBJECTIVE

This test is used for determining the water present in soil expressed as a percentage of the
mass of the dry soil.

APPARATUS

1. Metallic tins
2. Weighing balance
3. Oven
4. Scooper

METHODOLOGY

From the samples in the polythene bags collected in the field for the wet density, small
portions of not less than 300g are picked from these samples crumbled and loosely placed in
clean dry metallic tins and the mass of the tin and its contents is measured using the balance
and recorded (M6).

The samples in the metallic tins are then placed in an oven at 110 ℃ for at least 16 to 24 hours
to completely remove any moisture contained in the soil particles thus giving a dry sample.

The dry sample and the tin are then removed from the oven and their mass is measured and
recorded (M7)

The dry sample is removed from the tin and the mass of the tin is measured and recorded as
(M8)

mass of tin∧wet sample−mass of tin∧dry sample

The moisture content w = ×100 %
mass of tin∧dry sample−mass of tin
 (M 6−M 7)
The moisture content in the sample is then tabulated as w= ×100 %
(M 7−M 8)

The dry density of the sample is then computed as

wet density
Dry density ¿ ×100
moisture content +100

wet density
Dry density ¿ ×100
w +100

The average dry density of different samples from the same section can then be computed
and recorded as the field density of the compacted section

Achievement

During this experiment I was able to learn the determination of the wet densities of samples
collected from the field using the sand replacement method and the corresponding dry
densities

Challenges

Rainy conditions prevented the tests from being carried out in some conditions
SAMPLE PREPARATION

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this test is to prepare and provide samples for the different lab tests
including plastic index, dry density, CBR and grading of soil samples

APPARATUS

a. Large metallic trays

b. Spades
c. Weighing balance
d. Riffle box
e. Standard 37.5mm sieve

METHODOLOGY

1. The sample is placed on large metallic trays and spread out to dry under the sun.
2. Once the sample is completely dried, it is then collected, hipped and quartered.
3. The sample is then pounded using the spade to break apart any large soil particles that
are bound together.
4. Two alternating samples from the quartered material are then sieved using a standard
37.5 mm sieve to remove any large rocks that are contained within the sample.
5. The sample is then placed in a riffle box to produce a homogenous mixture and
quantity for testing.
6. The homogenous sample is then divided into different portions as required for the
different tests.