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1. Coarse-grained soil Are classified according on the basis of their grain size
distribution. More than 50% of the soil is retained on No. 200 sieve (0.075mm).
a. Gravel 50% or more of the coarse fraction is retained on No. 4 (4.75mm)
sieve.
b. Sand 50% or more of the coarse fraction is passed on No. 4 (4.75mm) sieve.
c. Boulders average particle diameter is more than 30 cm
2. Fine-grained soil are classified according to the basis of their plasticity. More
than 50% of the soil sample passes on No. 200 sieve.
a. Clay particles smaller than No. 200 (0.075mm) sieve but larger than
0.002mm sieve. Exhibit plastic properties within a certain range of moisture.
The permeability of clay is extremely low.
b. Silt particles smaller than 0.002mm sieve but larger than 0.001mm sieve.
Slightly plastic or none plastic regardless of moisture. The permeability of silt
if higher compared to clay.
Type of Compressibility
Silt
and
Clay
with
Low
Compressibility
Silt
and
Clay
with
Medium
Compressibility
Silt
and
Clay
with
High
Compressibility
Saturated (wet)
Oven Dry
Air Dry
1. Saturated (wet) surface and pores of soil are completely filled with moisture.
2. Saturated Surface Dry only pores are completely filled with moisture but surfaces
are dry
3. Air Dry pores are partially filled with moisture and surfaces are dry
4. Oven Dry no moisture is present on pores and surfaces.
Importance of Test
For liquid limit test, sample weighing about 100g is mixed with 15 to 20 ml of water.
The samples are then thoroughly mixed using spatula to a uniform texture. A portion of
this paste is placed on a brass cup of liquid limit device and the soil pat is divided into two
increments using standard grooving tool. The brass cup is then mounted to its carriage
and a continuous number of drops were performed until the groove closed for about 13mm
from the bottom. The number of blows is recorded and the moisture content of the sample
is determined. Repetition of test shall be four (4) times minimum and the addition of water
shall be made by 1 to 3 ml increment. A graph is then prepared and the moisture content
on the 25th blows corresponds the liquid limit of the material.
For plastic limit test, sample weighing about 8g is mixed with water until the mass is
plastic enough to form into a ball. The ball of soil is rolled using fingers in a glass plate
with sufficient pressure to form a 3mm diameter thread. Continuous rolling shall be made
on the soil sample until the thread crumbles and the soil can no longer be rolled into
thread. A representative sample shall then be collected for moisture content
determination. This moisture content correspond the plastic limit of the materials.
4. Standard Compaction test
The method used on this test shall conform to the requirements of JIS A 1210. A sample
weighing about 6 kg is mixed with water and compacted at five layers on a prepared mold
with given dimension. Each layer is subjected to 55 blows using 2.5 kg rammer dropped at
a distance of 30 cm. The mass of the compacted sample is recorded and the
corresponding wet and dry unit weight is obtained. The test is repeated several times with
further addition of increasing water content until the mass of the compacted sample
decreases twice. A graph is prepared by plotting dry density of the compacted samples
and its corresponding moisture content. The plotted graph produced a compaction curve
which gives the values of Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content
(OMC) of the material being tested.
5. Specific Gravity test
Samples are being run through 4.75 mm (# 4) sieve. All samples passing 4.75 mm
sieve shall then be tested in accordance with ASTM C128 (Specific Gravity of Soil
Pycnometer Method) and samples retained are tested in accordance with ASTM C127
(Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates Wire Basket method). Average value of fine and
coarse-grained soil is calculated which represent the specific gravity of the whole samples.
6. Field Density Test by Sand Replacement Method
For Regular Core Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 30 cm and a diameter of
25 cm
For Medium Core Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 15 cm and a diameter of
25 cm
Preparation of test holes includes removal of the upper layer exposed to the sun. From the
excavated portion, test holes are prepared. Calibrated sand with known weight is poured
on the prepared holes in three equal layers and each layer is tampered 25 times using
tampering rod. Excess sand from the top of the hole is removed and the remaining sand is
weighed. All excavated materials from the test holes should be sent to material testing
laboratory for moisture content determination and other quality control test.
7. In-situ Permeability test by Constant Head Method
For Regular Core Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 30 cm and a diameter of
25 cm
For Medium Core Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 15 cm and a diameter of
25 cm
At first, the top layer of compacted soil is excavated. From the excavated portion, test
holes are made. Improvised shed is prepared to cover the test pit and holes are then
saturated for a minimum of 12 hours to permit the water to flow through its voids. After
saturation, the water level is checked if it is half full. Wire basket is installed inside the
hole with small amount of inch aggregates in it. After setting the wire basket,
permeability apparatus is then installed directly above it. Water is filled inside the cylinder
and the time is set to zero. The timer is started when the water at the cylinder starts to
bubble. The initial reading and the head of the water is recorded. The head of the water
is the height from the top of the test pit to the level of water inside it. The readings will be
taken every ten (10) minutes up to two (2) or more hours or until the water discharged
twice.
8. Field Density Test by Water Replacement Method
For Fine Filter Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 30 cm and a diameter of 30
cm
For Coarse Filter Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 40 cm and a diameter of
40 cm
Preparation of test holes includes removal of the top layer of prepared filter zone. After
removing the thin portion of the top layer, test pit holes are prepared and its dimension is
recorded. Polyethylene sheet is then placed inside to cover the entire hole. This is to allow
water to be poured inside the hole without overflow. Sufficient amount of water with
known weight is poured on the prepared test hole up to the top of it and the weight of
water is being recorded.
9. In-situ Permeability Test by Falling Head method
For Fine Filter Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 30 cm and a diameter of 30
cm
For Coarse Filter Material - Three (3) holes having a depth of 40 cm and a diameter of
40 cm
Preparation of test holes includes removal of the top layer of prepared filter zone. After
removing the thin portion of the top layer, test pit holes are prepared and polyethylene
sheet is then placed inside to cover the entire hole. This is to allow water to be poured
inside the hole without overflow. After the hole was filled with water, the polyethylene
sheet is removed allowing the water to penetrate inside the voids of the prepared test
hole. The discharge time of water is monitored every 5 cm interval until all the water was
discharged.
W1 W2
W2 Wp
X 100
2. Degree of Compaction
Weight of excavated
materials
Wet Density =
Weight of sand in the
hole
Dry
Density
Wet density
MC
1 +
100
Density of
sand
Degree of
Compaction
Dry Density
Maximum Dry Density
(MDD)
3. Plasticity Index
PI = LL PL
Where:
PI = Plasticity Index
LL = Liquid Limit
Pl Plastic Limit
4. Specific Gravity
a. Coarse-grained soil
Bulk Specific
Gravity, SSD
Absorption, %
b. Fine-grained soil
Bulk Specific
Gravity, SSD
10
0