Geotechnical Engineering-II LAB
Lab Manual
Prepared by: Engr. Ifrah Akhlaq
Unified Rubrics for all the Experiments
Experiment Title:
Student Name:
Registration No.: Sec: Date:
(a) COGNITIVE DOMAIN (C5) (CLO-1)
Calculation & Methodology Calculations are not correct Calculations &
Sr. Criteria Allocated Marks
for plotting graph is not but Methodology is correct for Methodology both are
No. Marks Obtained
correct plotting graph correct
1 Calculations 25 0-5 6 – 15 16 – 25
1 Plotting of graph 25 0-5 6 – 15 16 – 25
Max Mark 50 Sub-Total Marks Obtained:
(b) PSYCHOMOTOR DOMAIN (P2) (CLO-6)
Only sample prepare but Well sample prepared with
Sr. Criteria Allocated Roughly sample prepare and Marks
handling of instrument is not good handling of
No. Marks handling of instrument is fine Obtained
fine instrument
Perform experiments using different 16 – 25
2 25 0-5 6 – 15
instruments in lab
Max Mark 25 Sub-Total Marks Obtained:
Total Marks: ____________ Obtained Marks: ____________
Instructor's Signature:
JOB # 7
To Perform the Standard Penetration Test on the Soil
OBJECTIVE:
• To find the penetration Resistance of soil and determine in-situ properties of soils.
• To check the soil strata of site and to determine the soil properties.
• To find the bearing pressure of soil at specific depth.
SCOPE & SIGNIFICANCE:
The test is extremely useful for determining the relative density and the angle of shearing
resistance of cohesion less soils. It can also be used to determine the unconfined compressive
strength of cohesive soils.
REFERENCE:
• ASTM D1586-92 for clayey soils
• ASTM D6066-96 for sandy soil
• IS -2131:1963.
RELATED THEORY:
The standard penetration test developed around 1927 is currently the most popular and
economical means to obtain subsurface information. This test helps in assessing the in-place
conditions of the sub-soil with regards to their relative density and or consistency (i.e.
compactness or firmness) and at the same time provides high quality representative disturbed
soil samples (DS) at testing depth.
STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT):
The standard penetration test is an in-situ test that is coming under the category of penetrometer
tests. The standard penetration tests are carried out in borehole. The test will measure the
resistance of the soil strata to the penetration undergone. A penetration empirical correlation is
derived between the soil properties and the penetration resistance. The data from the
consolidation test are used to estimate the magnitude and rate of both differential and total
settlement of a structure or earth fill. Estimates of this type are of key importance in the design
of engineered structures and the evaluation of their performance.
The test results can be greatly affected by sample disturbance. Careful selection and preparation
of test specimens is required to reduce the potential of disturbance effects.
COLLECTION OF SAMPLES:
Field sampling is an important part of the exploration program. Two types of soil samples can
be obtained during sub-surface exploration:
• Disturbed Sample
• Undisturbed Sample
UNDISTURBED SAMPLE:
Thin-walled tube Piston samplers e.g. Shelby tube are used in soft soil. Pitcher barrel sampler
are pushed into the soil to collect the undisturbed sample in places famous for gravel, sand.
Then samples are waxed to keep them in undisturbed state.
TAKEN FOR:
They are used to determine the geotechnical properties of strength, permeability,
compressibility and fracture patterns among others.
DISTURBED SAMPLE:
The disturbed soil samples are generally obtained through the split spoon sampler, used in
carrying out the Standard Penetration Test (SPT). These samples are carefully examined to
identify the soil types and their composition occurring at various depth horizons. Disturbed
samples are also recovered using shovel and from auger cuttings
TAKEN FOR:
These samples were taken to test soil type and texture, moisture content, and nutrient and
contaminant analysis, among other evaluations.
IN-SITU TEST:
Geotechnical investigations include in-situ testing and the results obtained from these tests are
helpful in classifying the soil and determining the strength of soil. Some In-situ test involve
pounding or pressing something into the ground. We will discuss some of these correlations
1. Relative Density
2. Consistency
3. Shear Strength
4. Settlement of Foundation
EXPLORATORY BOREHOLES
Exploratory boreholes into the soil may be made by hand tools, but more commonly
mechanized tools are used.
Methods of Boring to be used:
WASH BORING
Open hole is formed on the ground. The hole was advanced by chopping and twisting action
of the light bit. Cutting is done by forced water and water jet under pressure through the rods
operated inside the hole. It is used for depth of 8m –10m.
AUGER BORING
It is used for soft to stiff cohesive soils and for determination of ground water table. Soil
removed by this is disturbed. It is used for depth more than 10m.
APPARATUS:
• Standard Split Spoon Sampler
• Drop Hammer weighing 63.5kg
• Guiding rod
• Drilling Rig.
• Driving head (anvil).
• Tripod assembly
• Rope
• Pulleys
PROCEDURE OF STANDARD PENETRATION TEST:
The test is conducted in a bore hole by means of a standard split spoon sampler. Once the
drilling is done to the desired depth, the drilling tool is removed and the sampler is placed
inside the bore hole.
By means of a drop hammer of 63.5kg mass falling through a height of 750mm at the rate of
30 blows per minute, the sampler is driven into the soil.
The number of blows of hammer required to drive a depth of 150mm is counted. Further it is
driven by 150 mm and the blows are counted.
Similarly, the sampler is once again further driven by 150mm and the number of blows
recorded.
The number of blows recorded for the first 150mm not taken into consideration.
The number of blows recorded for last two 150mm intervals are added to give the standard
penetration number (N).
In other words,
N = No: of blows required for 300 mm penetration beyond seating drive of 150mm.
NOTE: If the number of blows for 150mm drive exceeds 50, it is taken as refusal and the test
is discontinued. The standard penetration number is corrected for dilatancy correction and
overburden correction.
Bring the sampler to the surface and open it. Remove any obvious contamination from the ends
or sides and drain excess water. Carefully scrape or slice along one side to expose fresh material
and any stratification.
Record the length, composition, color, stratification and condition of sample.
Remove sample and wrap it or seal in a plastic bag to retain moisture. If the sample can be
removed relatively intact, wrap it in several layers of plastic to strengthen it and seal ends with
tape. Mark the sample "top" and "bottom" if applicable and label it with an identification
number.
CORRECTIONS IN STANDARD PENETRATION TEST
Before the SPT values are used in empirical correlations and in design charts, the field ‘N’
value have to be corrected as per IS 2131 – 1981. The corrections are:
• Dilatancy Correction
• Overburden Pressure Correction
Note: For cohesive soil there is no need for overburden pressure correction.
DILATANCY CORRECTION:
Silty fine sands and fine sands below the water table develop pore water pressure which is not
easily dissipated. The pore pressure increases the resistance of the soil and hence the
penetration number (N). Terzaghi and Peck (1967) recommend the following correction in the
case of silty fine sands when the observed value is N exceeds 15.
The corrected penetration number,
NC = 15 + 0.5 (NR -15)
Where NR is the recorded value and NC is the corrected value.
If NR less than or equal to 15, then Nc = NR
OVERBURDEN PRESSURE CORRECTION
From several investigations, it is proven that the penetration resistance or the value of N is
dependent on the overburden pressure. If there are two granular soils with relative density
same, higher ‘N’ value will be shown by the soil with higher confining pressure.
With the increase in the depth of the soil, the confining pressure also increases. So the value of
‘N’ at shallow depth and larger depths are underestimated and overestimated respectively.
Hence, to account this the value of ‘N’ obtained from the test are corrected to a standard
effective overburden pressure.
The corrected value of ‘N’ is
Nc = CN * N
Here CN is the correction factor for the overburden pressure.
PRECAUTIONS TAKEN FOR STANDARD PENETRATION TEST
• Split spoon sampler must be in good condition.
• The cutting shoe must be free from wear and tear
• The height of fall must be 750mm. Any change from this will affect the ‘N’ value.
• The drill rods used must be in standard condition. Bent drill rods are not used.
• Before conducting the test, the bottom of the borehole must be cleaned.
ADVANTAGES OF STANDARD PENETRATION TEST
The advantages of standard penetration test are:
• The test is simple and economical
• The test provides representative samples for visual inspection, classification tests and
for moisture content.
• Actual soil behavior is obtained through SPT values
• The method helps to penetrate dense layers and fills
• Test can be applied for variety of soil conditions
DISADVANTAGES OF STANDARD PENETRATION TEST
The limitations of standard penetration tests are:
• The results will vary due to any mechanical or operator variability or drilling
disturbances.
• Test is costly and time consuming.
• The samples retrieved for testing is disturbed.
• The test results from SPT cannot be reproduced.
• The application of SPT in gravels, cobbles and cohesive soils are limited
STANDARDIZED SPT DATA CORRECTIONS:
SPT data can be corrected for a number of site-specific factors to improve its repeatability.
Burmister’s 1948 energy correction assumed that the hammer percussion system is 100%
efficient (a 140-lb hammer dropping 30 inches = 4,200 ft-lbs raw input energy). In A.W.
Skempton, 1986, Standard Penetration Test procedures and the Effects in Sands of Overburden
Pressure, Relative Density, Particle Size, and Aging and over consolidation: Geotechnique, the
procedures for determining a standardized blow count are presented, which allow for hammers
of varying efficiency to be accounted for. This corrected blow count is referred to as “N60 “,
because the original SPT (Mohr) hammer has about 60% efficiency, and this is the “standard”
to which other blow count values are compared. N60 is given as:
Where N60 is the SPT N-value corrected for field procedures and apparatus;
• Em is the hammer efficiency;
• CB is the borehole diameter correction;
• CS is the sample barrel correction;
• CR is the rod length correction; and
• N is the raw SPT N-value recorded in the field.
Skempton (1986) provides charts for estimating the appropriate values of CB, CS and CR
BEARING CAPACITY OF SOIL:-
We can find the Bearing Capacity of Soil from SPT Number by different methods, some of
them are,
• Meyerhof’s Equations
• Bowles’ Equations
• Terzaghi’s Method (Graphical Method)
• Brinch Hansens Method
We will find the bearing capacity by the above 2 equations/methods for a footing of 4 feet wide
strip, and the bottom surface of footing is 3 feet above from ground level.
MEYERHOF’S EQUATIONS:
For footing width, 4 feet or less:
Qa = (N/4) / K
For footing width, greater than 4 ft:
Qa = (N/6)[(B+1)/B]2 / K
BOWLES’ EQUATIONS:
For footing width, 4 feet or less:
Qa = (N/2.5) / K
For footing width, greater than 4 ft:
Qa = (N/4)[(B+1)/B]2 / K
Where;
• Qa = Allowable soil bearing capacity, in kips/ft2.
• N = N60 SPT numbers below the footing.
• B = Footing width, in feet
• K = 1 + 0.33(D/B) £ 1.33
• D= Depth from ground level to the bottom of footing, in feet.
OTHER PARAMETERS:
OBSERVATION & CALCULATIONS:
BORE LOG:
COMMENTS: