GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

LAB MANUAL

Academic Year : 2025 - 2026

Course Code : CE-701
Class : VII Semester
Branch : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Department of Civil Engineering

SWAMI VIVEKANAND COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

INDORE

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 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Program: Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech)

VISION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To produce eminent, competitive and dedicated civil engineers by imparting latest technical skills and
ethical values to empower the students to play a key role in the planning and execution of infrastructural &
developmental activities of the nation.

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To provide exceptional education in civil engineering through quality teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and
dynamic guidance to produce civil engineering graduates, who are professionally excellent to face complex
technical challenges with creativity, leadership, ethics and social consciousness.

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 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Program: Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech)

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES (PEO’s)

1. To impart proficiency in engineering knowledge and skills to analyze, design, build, maintain, or
improve civil engineering based systems. (Professional Excellence)
2. To offer broad education and practical skills so that the students can carry out technical investigations
within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, societal, safety and sustainability.
(Understanding Socio-Economic Aspects)
3. To impart ability to collaborate with and function on multidisciplinary teams to offer engineering
solutions to the society (Technical Collaboration)
4. To create interest in the students to engage in life-long learning in advanced areas of civil engineering
and related fields. (Continued Self-Learning)
5. To educate the students in ethical values and social responsibility to use engineering techniques and
modern tools necessary for civil engineering practice to serve the society effectively. (Effective
Contribution to Society)

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 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Program: Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech)
PROGRAM OUTCOMES (PO’s)
PO1 Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering
fundamentals and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex engineering
problems.
PO2 Problem analysis: Identify, formulate, review research literature, and analyze complex
engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of
mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences.
PO3 Design/development of solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems
and design system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate
consideration for the public health and safety, and the cultural, societal, and environmental
considerations.
PO4 Conduct investigations of complex problems: Use research-based knowledge and
research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and
synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
PO5 Modern tool usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and
modern engineering and IT tools including prediction and modeling to complex
engineering activities with an understanding of the limitations.
PO6 The engineer and society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to
assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities
relevant to the professional engineering practice.
Environment and sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering
PO7 solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and
need for sustainable development.
PO8 Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and
norms of the engineering practice.
PO9 Individual and team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or
leader in diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.
PO10 Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the
engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and
write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give
and receive clear instructions.
PO11 Project management and finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
engineering and management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member
and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.
PO12 Life-long learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to
engage in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological
change.

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 PROGRAM SPECIFIC OUTCOMES (PSO’s)

The Program Specific outcomes (PSO’s) listed below were developed specifically to meet the Program
Educational Objectives (PEO’s). The focus of these PSO’s is consistent with the set of required PO’s
identified in the NBA accreditation guidelines.

The Civil Engineering PSO’s require that graduates receiving a Bachelor of Technology in Civil
Engineering degree from IARE demonstrate the following.

PSO1. ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE

Graduates shall demonstrate sound knowledge in analysis, design, laboratory investigations and construction
aspects of civil engineering infrastructure, along with good foundation in mathematics, basic sciences and
technical communication.

PSO2. BROADNESS AND DIVERSITY

Graduates will have a broad understanding of economical, environmental, societal, health and safety factors
involved in infrastructural development, and shall demonstrate ability to function within multidisciplinary
teams with competence in modern tool usage.

PSO3. SELF-LEARNING AND SERVICE

Graduates will be motivated for continuous self-learning in engineering practice and/or pursue research in
advanced areas of civil engineering in order to offer engineering services to the society, ethically and
responsibly.

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 MANDATORY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Students should report to the labs concerned as per the timetable.

2. Record should be updated from time to time and the previous experiment must be signed by the
faculty in charge concerned before attending the lab.

3. Students who turn up late to the labs will in no case be permitted to perform the experiment
scheduled for the day.

4. After completion of the experiment, certification of the staff in-charge concerned in the
observation book is necessary.

5. Students should bring a notebook of about 100 pages and should enter the
readings/observations/results into the notebook while performing the experiment.

6. The record of observations along with the detailed experimental procedure of the experiment
performed in the immediate previous session should be submitted and certified by the staff
member in-charge.

7. Not more than FIVE students in a group are permitted to perform the experiment on a set up.

8. The group-wise division made in the beginning should be adhered to, and no mix up of student
among different groups will be permitted later.

9. The components required pertaining to the experiment should be collected from Lab- in-charge
after duly filling in the requisition form.

10. When the experiment is completed, students should disconnect the setup made by them, and
should return all the components/instruments taken for the purpose.

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11. Any damage of the equipment or burnout of components will be viewed seriously either by
putting penalty or by dismissing the total group of students from the lab for the semester/year.

12. Students should be present in the labs for the total scheduled duration.

13. Students are expected to prepare thoroughly to perform the experiment before coming to
Laboratory.

14. Procedure sheets/data sheets provided to the students groups should be maintained neatly and are
to be returned after the experiment.

15. DRESS CODE:

1. Boys - Formal dress with tuck in and shoes.

2. Girls - Formal dress (salwar kameez).

3. Wearing of jeans is strictly prohibited

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 CONTENTS
S. No. Name of Experiment Page No

1 Determination of Moisture Content 09

2 Determination of Specific Gravity 11

3 Determination of Atterberg’s Limits 14

Determination of Filed Density of Soil by Core Cutter 23
method
4
5 Determination of Filed Density of Soil by Sand Replacement 27
method
Grain size distribution of the soil by Sieve Analysis 29
6
Determination of Optimum moisture content and maximum 31
7
dry density of soil by Proctor Test

8 Determination of Unconfined Compressive Strength of the 34

Cohesive soil

Tri-axial compression Test 38

9
10 Determination of Shear Strength Parameters of soil by 43

Direct Shear Test

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 Experiment - 01

DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT

Objective

Determine the natural moisture content of the given soil sample.

Need and Scope of the Experiment

In almost all soil tests natural moisture content of the soil is to be determined. The knowledge of the natural
moisture content is essential in all studies of soil mechanics. To sight a few, natural moisture content is used
in determining the bearing capacity and settlement. The natural moisture content will give an idea of the
state of soil in the field.

Definition

The natural water content also called the natural moisture content is the ratio of the weight of water to the
weight of the solids in a given mass of soil. This ratio is usually expressed as percentage.

Apparatus Required

1. Non-corrodible air-tight container.

2. Electric oven, maintain the temperature between 1050C to 1100C.
3. Desiccator.
4. Balance of sufficient sensitivity.

Procedure
1. Clean the containers with lid dry it and weigh it (W1).
2. Take a specimen of the sample in the container and weigh with lid (W2).
3. Keep the container in the oven with lid removed. Dry the specimen to constant weight maintaining the
temperature between 1050C to 1100C for a period varying with the type of soil but usually 16 to 24 hours.
4. Record the final constant weight (W3) of the container with dried soil sample. Peat and other organic soils are
to be dried at lower temperature (say 600C) possibly for a longer period.

Certain soils contain gypsum which on heating loses its water if crystallization. If it is suspected that gypsum is
present in the soil sample used for moisture content determination it shall be dried at not more than 800C and possibly
for a longer time.

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Observations
Table 1.1 Data and observation sheet for water content determination

S. No. Sample No. 1 2 3

1 Weight of container with lid (W1 gm)

Weight of container with lid +wet soil

2
(W2 gm)
Weight of container with lid +dry soil (W3
3
gm)
Water/Moisture content
4
W = [(W2W3)/(W3W1)]*100

Interpretation of Results

The natural moisture content of the given soil sample is .

General Remarks

1. A container without lid can be used, when moist sample is weighed immediately after placing the container
and oven dried sample is weighed immediately after cooling in desiccator.
2. As dry soil absorbs moisture from wet soil, dried samples should be removed before placing wet
samples in the oven.

Specimen Calculations

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 Experiment - 02

DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Objective
Determine the specific gravity of the soil fraction passing 4.75 mm I.S sieve by density bottle

Need and scope of the experiment

The knowledge of specific gravity is needed in calculation of soil properties like void ratio, degree of saturation etc.

Definition
Specific gravity ‘G’ is defined as the ratio of the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at that temperature both
weights taken in air.

Apparatus required
1. Density bottle of 50 ml with stopper having capillary hole.
2. Balance to weigh the materials (accuracy 10gm).
3. Wash bottle with distilled water.
4. Alcohol and ether.

Procedure
1. Clean and dry the density bottle
a. Wash the bottle with water and allow it to drain.
b. Wash it with alcohol and drain it to remove water.
c. Wash it with ether, to remove alcohol and drain ether.
2. Weigh the empty bottle with stopper (W1)
3. Take about 10 to 20 gm of oven soil sample which is cooled in a desiccator. Transfer it to the bottle. Find the
weight of the bottle and soil (W2).
4. Put 10ml of distilled water in the bottle to allow the soil to soak completely. Leave it for about 2 hours.
5. Again fill the bottle completely with distilled water put the stopper and keep the bottle under constant
temperature (Tx0 C).
6. Take the bottle, wipe it clean and dry note. Now determine the weight of the bottle and the contents (W3).
7. Now empty the bottle and thoroughly clean it. Fill the bottle with only distilled water and weigh it. Let it be
W4 at temperature (T x0 C).
8. Repeat the same process for 2 to 3 times, to take the average reading of it.

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Observations
Table 2.1 Observations for the Specific gravity determination

S. No. Observation Number 1 2 3

1 Weight of density bottle (W1 g)

2 Weight of density bottle + dry soil (W2 g)

3 Weight of bottle + dry soil + water at

0
temperature T x C (W3 g)

Weight of bottle + water (W4 g) at

0
4 temperature Tx C
0
Specific gravity G at Tx C
0
Average specific gravity at Tx C

Calculations

Interpretation
Unless or otherwise specified specific gravity values reported shall be based on water at 27 0 C. So the specific gravity
at 270C = K*Sp. gravity at Tx0C.

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Result

The specific gravity of the soil sample is .

General Remarks

The specific gravity of the soil particles lie within the range of 2.65 to 2.85. Soils containing organic matter and
porous particles may have specific gravity values below 2.0. Soils having heavy substances may have values above
3.0.

Specimen Calculations

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 Experiment - 03

DETERMINATION OF ATTERBERG’S LIMIT

Determination of Liquid Limit:

Objective

Determine the liquid limit for the given soil sample.

Need and scope

Liquid limit is significant to know the stress history and general properties of the soil met with construction. From the
results of liquid limit the compression index may be estimated. The compression index value will help us in settlement
analysis. If the natural moisture content of soil is closer to liquid limit, the soil can be considered as soft if the
moisture content is lesser than liquids limit, the soil can be considered as soft if the moisture content is lesser than
liquid limit. The soil is brittle and stiffer.

Theory
The liquid limit is the moisture content at which the groove, formed by a standard tool into the sample of soil taken in
the standard cup, closes for 10 mm on being given 25 blows in a standard manner. At this limit the soil possess low
shear strength.

Apparatus required
1. Balance

2. Liquid limit device (Casagrande’s)

3. Grooving tool

4. Mixing dishes

5. Spatula

6. Electrical oven

Procedure
1. About 120 gm of air-dried soil from thoroughly mixed portion of material passing 425 micron I.S sieve is to be
obtained.
2. Distilled water is mixed to the soil thus obtained in a mixing disc to form uniform paste. The paste shall have a
consistency that would require 30 to 35 drops of cup to cause closer of standard groove for sufficient length.
3. A portion of the paste is placed in the cup of LIQUID LIMIT device and spread into portion with few strokes of
spatula.

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4. Trim it to a depth of 1cm at the point of maximum thickness and return excess of soil to the dish.
5. The soil in the cup shall be divided by the firm strokes of the grooving tool along the diameter through the centre
line of the follower so that clean sharp groove of proper dimension is formed.
6. Lift and drop the cup by turning crank at the rate of two revolutions per second until the two halves of soil cake
come in contact with each other for a length of about 1 cm by flow only.
7. The number of blows required to cause the groove close for about 1 cm shall be recorded.
8. A representative portion of soil is taken from the cup for water content determination.
9. Repeat the test with different moisture contents at least three more times for blows between 10 and 40.
Observations

Tab 7.1 Observation and Calculation sheet for the water content determination

Determination
1 2 3 4
Number

Container number

Weight of container

Weight of container
+ wet soil

Weight of container
+ dry soil

Weight of water

Weight of dry soil

Moisture content
(%)

No. of blows

Calculations
Draw a graph showing the relationship between water content (on y-axis) and number of blows (on x-axis) on semi-
log graph. The curve obtained is called flow curve. The moisture content corresponding to 25 drops (blows) as read
from the represents liquid limit. It is usually expressed to the nearest whole number.

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Result
Liquid Limit of the given soil sample is

Flow index If = (W2-W1)/(logN1/N2) = slope of the flow curve.

Specimen Calculations

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Determination of Plastic Limit:

Objective

Determine the plastic limit for the given soil sample.

Need and scope

Soil is used for making bricks, tiles and soil cement blocks in addition to its use as foundation for structures.

Apparatus required
1. Porcelain dish.
2. Glass plate for rolling the specimen.
3. Air tight containers to determine the moisture content.
4. Balance of capacity 200gm and sensitive to 0.01gm.
5. Oven thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to maintain the
temperature around 1050 and 1100c.

Procedure

1. Take about 20gm of thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing through 425 micron i.s. Sieve obtained
in accordance with i.s. 2720 (part 1).
2. Mix it thoroughly with distilled water in the evaporating dish till the soil mass becomes plastic enough to be
easily molded with fingers.
3. Allow it to season for sufficient time (for 24 hrs) to allow water to permeate throughout the soil
mass.
4. Take about 10gms of this plastic soil mass and roll it between fingers and glass plate with just
sufficient pressure to roll the mass into a threaded of uniform diameter throughout its length. The
rate of rolling shall be between 60 and 90 strokes per minute.
5. Continue rolling till you get a threaded of 3 mm diameter.
6. Kneed the soil together to a uniform mass and re-roll.
7. Continue the process until the thread crumbles when the diameter is 3 mm.
8. Collect the pieces of the crumbled thread in air tight container for moisture content determination.
9. Repeat the test to at least 3 times and take the average of the results calculated to the nearest whole
number.

Observations

Compare the diameter of thread at intervals with the rod. When the diameter reduces to 3 mm, note the
surface of the thread for cracks.

Tab 8.1 Calculation sheet for Plastic Limit determination

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 Container No.

Wt. of container + lid,W1

Wt. of container + lid + wet

sample,W2

Wt. of container + lid + dry

sample,W3

Wt. of dry sample = W3 -W1

Wt. of water in the soil = W3 -

W2

Water content (%) = (W3 -W2) /

(W3 - W1) * 100

Result

Average Plastic Limit for the given soil sample is

Specimen Calculations

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Determination of Shrinkage Limit:

Objective

Determine the shrinkage limit and calculate the shrinkage ratio for the given soil sample.

Theory

As the soil loses moisture, either in its natural environment, or by artificial means in laboratory it changes
from liquid state to plastic state, from plastic state to semi-solid state and then to solid state. Volume changes
also occur with changes in water content. But there is particular limit at which any moisture change does not
cause soil any volume change.

Need and scope

Soils which undergo large volume changes with change in water content may be troublesome. Usually
volume changes may not be equal.
A shrinkage limit test should be performed on a soil.
1. 1. To obtain a quantitative indication of how much change in moisture can occur before any
appreciable volume changes occurs.
2. To obtain an indication of change in volume.
3. The shrinkage limit is useful in areas where soils undergo large volume changes when going through
wet and dry cycles (as in case of earth dams)

Apparatus

1. Evaporating Dish. Porcelain, about 12cm diameter with flat bottom.

2. Spatula
3. Shrinkage Dish. Circular, porcelain or non-corroding metal dish (3 nos) having a flat bottom and 45
mm in diameter and 15 mm in height internally.
4. Straight Edge. Steel, 15 cm in length.
5. Glass cup. 50 to 55 mm in diameter and 25 mm in height, the top rim of which is ground smooth
and level.
6. Glass plates. Two, each 75, 75 mm one plate shall be of plain glass and the other shall have prongs.
7. Sieves. 2mm and 425- micron IS sieves.
8. Oven-thermostatically controlled.
9. Graduate-Glass, having a capacity of 25 ml and graduated to 0.2 ml and 100 cc one-mark flask.
10. Balance-Sensitive to 0.01 g minimum.
11. Mercury. Clean, sufficient to fill the glass cup to over flowing.
12. Wash bottle containing distilled water.

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Procedure

Preparation of soil paste

1. Take about 100 gm of soil sample from a thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing through
425-micron I.S. sieve.
2. Place about 30 gm the above soil sample in the evaporating dish and thoroughly mixed with distilled
water and make a creamy paste.
Use water content somewhere around the liquid limit.

Filling the shrinkage dish

3. Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of Vaseline to prevent the soil sticking to the
dish.
4. Fill the dish in three layers by placing approximately 1/3 rd of the amount of wet soil with the help of
spatula. Tap the dish gently on a firm base until the soil flows over the edges and no apparent air
bubbles exist. Repeat this process for 2nd and 3rd layers also till the dish is completely filled with the
wet soil. Strike off the excess soil and make the top of the dish smooth. Wipe off all the soil adhering
to the outside of the dish.
5. Weigh immediately, the dish with wet soil and record the weight.
6. Air- dry the wet soil cake for 6 to 8hrs, until the colour of the pat turns from dark to light. Then oven-
dry the constant weight at 1050C to 1100C say about 12 to 16 hrs.
7. Remove the dried disk of the soil from oven. Cool it in a desiccator. Then obtain the weight of the
dish with dry sample.
8. Determine the weight of the empty dish and record.
9. Determine the volume of shrinkage dish which is evidently equal to volume of the wet soil as
follows. Place the shrinkage dish in an evaporating dish and fill the dish with mercury till it
overflows slightly. Press it with plain glass plate firmly on its top to remove excess mercury. Pour
the mercury from the shrinkage dish into a measuring jar and find the volume of the shrinkage dish
directly. Record this volume as the volume of the wet soil pat.

Volume of the Dry Soil Pat

10. Determine the volume of dry soil pat by removing the pat from the shrinkage dish and immersing it
in the glass cup full of mercury in the following manner.
11. Place the glass cup in a larger one and fill the glass cup to overflowing with mercury. Remove the
excess mercury by covering the cup with glass plate with prongs and pressing it. See that no air
bubbles are entrapped. Wipe out the outside of the glass cup to remove the adhering mercury. Then,
place it in another larger dish, which is, clean and empty carefully.
12. Place the dry soil pat on the mercury. It floats submerge it with the pronged glass plate which is
again made flush with top of the cup. The mercury spills over into the larger plate. Pour the mercury
that is displayed by the soil pat into the measuring jar and find the volume of the soil pat directly.

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Calculation

Caution

Do not touch the mercury with gold rings.

Tabulation and Results

Tab 9.1 Calculation sheet for shrinkage limit determination

[Link] Determination No. 1 2 3

1 Wt. of container in gm,W1

Wt. of container + wet soil

2
pat in gm,W2

Wt. of container + dry soil pat

3
in gm,W3

Wt. of oven dry soil pat, W0

4
in gm

5 Wt. of water in gm

6 Moisture content (%), W

Volume of wet soil pat (V), in

7
cm

Volume of dry soil pat (V0) in

8
cm3

By mercury displacement
9
method

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 a. Weight of displaced
mercury

b. Specific gravity of the

mercury

10 Shrinkage limit (WS)

11 Shrinkage ratio (R)

Specimen Calculations

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 Experiment - 04

FIELD DENSITY TEST BY SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

Objective

Determine the in situ density of natural or compacted soils using sand pouring cylinders.

Need and scope

The in-situ density of natural soil is needed for the determination of bearing capacity of soils, for the purpose
of stability analysis of slopes, for the determination of pressures on underlying strata for the calculation of
settlement and the design of underground structures.

It is very quality control test, where compaction is required, in the cases like embankment and pavement
construction.

Apparatus required

1. Sand pouring cylinder of 3 litre/16.5 litre capacity mounted above a pouring come and separated by a
shutter cover plate.
2. Tools for excavating holes, suitable tools such as scraper tool to make a level surface.
3. Cylindrical calibrating container with an internal diameter of 100 mm/200 mm and an internal depth
of 150 mm/250 mm fitted with a flange 50 mm/75 mm wide and about 5 mm surrounding the open
end.
4. Balance to weigh unto an accuracy of 1g.
5. Metal containers to collect excavated soil.
6. Metal tray with 300 mm/450 mm square and 40 mm/50 mm deep with a 100 mm/200 mm diameter
hole in the centre.
7. Glass plate about 450 mm/600 mm square and 10mm thick.
8. Clean, uniformly graded natural sand passing through 1.00 mm [Link] and retained on the
600micron [Link]. It shall be free from organic matter and shall have been oven dried and exposed
to atmospheric humidity.
9. Suitable non-corrodible airtight containers.
10. Thermostatically controlled oven with interior on non-corroding material to maintain the temperature
between 1050c to 1100c.
11. A desiccator with any desiccating agent other than sulphuric acid.

Theory

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 By conducting this test it is possible to determine the field density of the soil. The moisture content is
likely to vary from time and hence the field density also. So it is required to report the test result in terms of
dry density. The relationship that can be established between the dry density with known moisture content is
as follows:

Procedure

Calibration of the Cylinder

1. Fill the sand pouring cylinder with clean sand so that the level of the sand in the cylinder is within about
10 mm from the top. Find out the initial weight of the cylinder plus sand (W 1) and this weight should be
maintained constant throughout the test for which the calibration is used.

2. Allow the sand of volume equal to that of the calibrating container to run out of the cylinder by opening
the shutter, close the shutter and place the cylinder on the glass plate and open the shutter to allow the
sand to run out and close the cylinder shutter when there is no movement of sand and remove the
cylinder carefully. Weigh the sand collected on the glass plate. Its weight (W 2) gives the weight of sand
filling the cone portion of the sand pouring cylinder.

Repeat this step at least three times and take the mean weight (W2) Put the sand back into the sand pouring
cylinder to have the same initial constant weight (W1)

Determination of Bulk Density of Soil

3. Determine the volume (V) of the container be filling it with water to the brim. Check this volume by
calculating from the measured internal dimensions of the container.

4. Place the sand poring cylinder centrally on the calibrating container making sure that constant weight
(W1) is maintained. Open the shutter and permit the sand to run into the container. When no further
movement of sand is seen close the shutter, remove the pouring cylinder and find its weight (W3).

Determination of Dry Density of Soil In Place

5. Approximately 60 sqcm of area of soil to be tested should be trimmed down to a level surface,
approximately of the size of the container. Keep the metal tray on the level surface and excavate a
circular hole of volume equal to that of the calibrating container. Collect all the excavated soil in the

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 tray and find out the weight of the excavated soil (W w). Remove the tray, and place the sand pouring
cylinder filled to constant weight so that the base of the cylinder covers the hole concentrically. Open
the shutter and permit the sand to run into the hole. Close the shutter when no further movement of the
sand is seen. Remove the cylinder and determine its weight (W3).

6. Keep a representative sample of the excavated sample of the soil for water content determination.

Observations and Calculations

Tab. 3.1 Calculation sheet for sand density determination

Sample Details
[Link]. 1 2 3
Calibration

Weight of sand in cone (on glass

1
plate from pouring cylinder) W2 gm

Volume of calibrating container (V)

2
in cc

Weight of sand + cylinder before

3 pouring in calibrating container W1
gm

Weight of sand + cylinder after

4 pouring in calibrating container W3
gm

Weight of sand filled in calibrating

5
container Wa = (W1-W3-W2) gm

Bulk density of sand s = Wa / V

6
gm/cc

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 Tab. 3.2 Calculation sheet for density of soil

S. No. Measurement of Soil Density 1 2 3

1 Weight of wet soil from hole Ww gm

Weight of sand + cylinder before pouring into

2
the hole & cone, W1 gm

Weight of sand + cylinder after pouring into

3
the hole & cone, W4 gm

4 Weight of sand in hole Wh = (W1-W2-W4) gm

5 Volume of the hole = Vh =Wh / s

6 Bulk density b = (Ww / Vh ) gm/cc

7 Water content determination

8 Container number

9 Weight of wet soil

10 Weight of dry soil

11 Moisture content (%)

12 Dry density d = b / (1+w) gm/cc

General Remarks

1. Great care has to be taken while calibrating the bulk density of sand.
2. The excavated hole must be equal to the volume of the calibrating container.

Specimen Calculations

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 Experiment - 05
FIELD DENSITY TEST BY CORE CUTTER METHOD

Objective

Determine the dry density of the soil by using core cutter method.

Apparatus required

1. Cylindrical core cuter, 100 mm internal diameter and 130 mm long

2. Steel rammer, mass 9kg. Overall length, with the foot and staff about 900mm
3. Steel dolly, 25 mm high and 100mm internal diameter
4. Weighing balance, accuracy 1g.
5. Palette knife
6. Straight edge, steel rule etc

Theory
A cylindrical core cutter is a seamless steel tube. For determination of the dry density of the soil, the cutter is
pressed into the soil mass so that it is filled with the soil. The cutter filled with the soil is lifted up. The mass
of the soil is determined. The dry density is obtained as

M = mass of wet soil in the cutter

V = internal volume of the cutter

Procedure

1) Determine the internal diameter and height of the core cutter to the nearest 0.25 mm.
2) Determine the mass (M1) of the cutter to the nearest gram.
3) Expose a small area of the soil mass to be tested. Level the surface, about 300 mm square in area.
4) Place dolley over the top of the core cutter and press the core cutter in to the soil mass using the
rammer. Stop the process of pressing when about 15 mm of the dolley protrudes above the soil
surface.
5) Remove the soil surrounding the core cutter and takeout the core cutter. Some soil would project
from the lower end of the cutter.
6) Remove the dolley. Trim the top and bottom surface of the core cutter carefully using a straight edge.

Page | 27
 7) Weigh the core cutter filled with the soil to the nearest gram (M2).
8) Remove the core of the soil from the cutter. Take a representative sample for the water content
determination.

Observations and Calculations

Tab 4.1 Calculation sheet for dry density of soil

Sample No.
[Link] Observations
1 2 3

1 Internal diameter

2 Internal Height

3 Mass of empty core cutter (M1)

4 Mass of core cutter with soils (M2)

5 Mass of wet soil, M = M2-M1

6 Volume of the cutter, V

7 Water content (%), w

8 Bulk Density = M / V

9 Dry density = Bulk Density/ (1+ w)

Result: The field dry density of the soil is .

Specimen Calculations

Page | 28
 Experiment - 06

GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION BY SIEVE ANALYSIS

Objective

Determine the relative proportions of different grain sizes which make up a given soil mass.

Need and scope of experiment

The grain size analysis is widely used in classification of soils. The data obtained from grain size distribution
curves is used in the design of filters for earth dams and to determine suitability of soil for road construction,
air field etc. Information obtained from grain size analysis can be used to predict soil water movement
although permeability tests are more generally used.

Apparatus
1. Balance

2. I.s sieves

3. Rubber pestle and mortar

4. Manual/mechanical sieve shaker

Procedure
1. For soil samples of soil retained on 75 micron i.s sieve

(a) The proportion of soil sample retained on 75 micron i.s sieve is weighed and recorded weight of soil sample is
as per i.s 2720.

(b) [Link] are selected and arranged in the order as shown in the table.

(c) The soil sample is separated into various fractions by sieving through above sieves placed in the above
mentioned order.

(d) The weight of soil retained on each sieve is recorded.

(e) The moisture content of soil if above 5% it is to be measured and recorded.

2. The sieves for soil tests: 4.75 mm to 75 microns.

3. No particle of soil sample shall be pushed through the sieves.

4. The balance to be used must be sensitive to the extent of 0.1% of total weight of sample taken.

Page | 29
Observations

Weight of soil sample taken:

Tab 5.1 Calculation sheet for soil particle % finer

Wt. Cumulative
I.S sieve Percentage
Retained in %age
[Link] number or on each % finer Remarks
each sieve retained on
size in mm sieve
(gm) each sieve

1 4.75

2 2.00

3 1.00

4 0.600

5 0.425

6 0.300

7 0.150

8 0.075

Graph
Draw graph between log sieve size vs % finer. The graph is known as grading curve. Corresponding to 10%, 30% and
60% finer, obtain diameters from graph are designated as d10, d30, d60.

Calculations
1. The percentage of soil retained on each sieve shall be calculated on the basis of total weight of soil sample
taken.
2. Cumulative percentage of soil retained on each successive sieve is found and graph between log grain size of
soil and % finer is drawn.

Specimen Calculations

Page | 30
 Experiment - 07

STANDARD & MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST

Objective
Determination of the relationship between the moisture content and density of soils compacted in a mould of
a given size.

Apparatus

1. Proctor mould having a capacity of 944 cc with an internal diameter of 100mm and effective height of
127.3mm for standard proctor test and 2250 cc with an internal diameter of 150mm and effective height of
127.3mm for modified proctor test. The mould shall have a detachable collar assembly and a detachable base
plate.
2. Rammer: a mechanical operated metal rammer of weight of 2.6 kg, drop of 310mm and weight of 4.9 kg, drop
of 450mm for standard and modified proctor test respectively. The rammer shall be equipped with a suitable
arrangement to control the height of drop to a free fall.
3. Sample extruder.
4. A balance of 15 kg capacity.
5. Sensitive balance.
6. Straight edge.
7. Graduated cylinder.
8. Mixing tools such as mixing pan, spoon, towel, spatula etc.
9. Moisture tins.

Procedure

1. Take a representative oven-dried sample, approximately 3/5 kg in the given pan. Thoroughly mix the sample
with sufficient water to dampen it to approximately four to six percentage points below optimum moisture
content.
2. Weigh the proctor mould without base plate and collar. Fix the collar and base plate. Place the soil in the
Proctor mould and compact it in 3 layers giving 25 blows per layer with the 2.6 kg rammer falling through and
in 5 layers giving 56 blows per layer with the 4.9 kg rammer falling through for standard and modified test
respectively.
3. Remove the collar, trim the compacted soil even with the top of the mould by means of the straight edge and
weigh.
4. Divide the weight of the compacted specimen and record the result as the wet weight wet in grams per cubic
centimeter of the compacted soil.
5. Remove the sample from the mould and slice vertically through and obtain a small sample for moisture
determination.
6. Thoroughly break up the remainder of the material and add water in sufficient amounts to increase
the moisture content of the soil sample by one or two percentage points and repeat the above
procedure for each increment of water added.
7. Continue this series of determination until there is either a decrease or no change in the wet unit
weight of the compacted soil.

Page | 31
Calculation
Wet density gm/cc =weight of compacted soil / 944. (2250 for modified)

Dry density = wet density/(1+w)

Where w is the moisture content of the soil.

Plot the dry density against moisture content and find out the maximum dry density and optimum moisture for the soil.

Observations

Cylinder diameter cm Height cm Volume cc

Weight of empty cylinder gm

Tab 12.1 Calculation sheet for soil dry density determination

Details 1 2 3 4 5

Water to be added (percent)

Weight of water to be added (gm)

Weight of cylinder + compacted

soil

Weight of compacted soil (gms)

Container No.

Wt. Of container + wet soil in gms

Wt. Of container + dry soil in gms

Wt of empty container in gms.

Water content in percentage

Average moisture content (percent)

Wet density (gm /cc)

Dry density (gm/cc)

Page | 32
Result

The Maximum Dry Density and Optimum Moisture Content are _&_ respectively.

Specimen Calculations

Page | 33
 Experiment -08

UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST

Objective

To determine shear parameters of cohesive soil

Need and scope

It is not always possible to conduct the bearing capacity test in the field. Some times it is cheaper to take the
undisturbed soil sample and test its strength in the laboratory. Also to choose the best material for the
embankment, one has to conduct strength tests on the samples selected. Under these conditions it is easy to
perform the unconfined compression test on undisturbed and remoulded soil sample. Investigate
experimentally the strength of a given soil sample.

Planning and organization

Find out the diameter and length of the specimen.

Equipment
1. Loading frame of capacity of 2 t, with constant rate of movement. (note the least count of the dial
gauge attached to the proving ring)
2. Proving ring of 0.01 kg sensitivity for soft soils; 0.05 kg for stiff soils
3. Soil trimmer
4. Frictionless end plates of 75 mm diameter (perspex plate with silicon grease coating)
5. Evaporating dish (aluminum container)
6. Soil sample of 75 mm length
7. Dial gauge (0.01 mm accuracy)
8. Balance of capacity 200 g and sensitivity to weigh 0.01 g
9. Oven thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to maintain the temperature
at the desired level
10. Sample extractor and split sampler
11. Dial gauge (sensitivity 0.01mm)
12. Vernier calipers
13.
Experimental procedure (specimen)

In this test, a cylinder of soil without lateral support is tested to failure in simple compression, at a constant rate of
strain. The compressive load per unit area required to fail the specimen as called unconfined compressive strength of
the soil.

Page | 34
Preparation of specimen for testing

(A) Undisturbed specimen

1. Note down the sample number, bore hole number and the depth at which the sample was taken.
2. Remove the protective cover (paraffin wax) from the sampling tube.
1. Place the sampling tube extractor and push the plunger till a small length of sample moves out.
2. Trim the projected sample using a wire saw.
3. Again push the plunger of the extractor till a 75 mm long sample comes out.
4. Cutout this sample carefully and hold it on the split sampler so that it does not fall.
5. Take about 10 to 15 g of soil from the tube for water content determination.
6. Note the container number and take the net weight of the sample and the container.
7. Measure the diameter at the top, middle, and the bottom of the sample and find the average and
record the same.
8. Measure the length of the sample and record.
9. Find the weight of the sample and record.

(B) Disturbed sample

1. For the desired water content and the dry density, calculate the weight of the dry soil Ws required
for preparing a specimen of 3.8 cm diameter and 7.5 cm long.
2. Add required quantity of water Ww to this soil. Ww = WS - W/100 gm
3. Mix the soil thoroughly with water.
4. Place the wet soil in a tight thick polythene bag in a humidity chamber and place the soil in a
constant volume mould, having an internal height of 7.5 cm and internal diameter of 3.8 cm.
5. After 24 hours take the soil from the humidity chamber and place the soil in a constant volume
mould, having an internal height of 7.5 cm and internal diameter of 3.8 cm.
6. Place the lubricated moulded with plungers in position in the load frame.
7. Apply the compressive load till the specimen is compacted to a height of 7.5 cm.
8. Eject the specimen from the constant volume mould.
9. Record the correct height, weight and diameter of the specimen.

Test procedure
1. Take two frictionless bearing plates of 75 mm diameter.
2. Place the specimen on the base plate of the load frame (sandwiched between the end plates).
3. Place a hardened steel ball on the bearing plate.
4. Adjust the center line of the specimen such that the proving ring and the steel ball are in the same
line.
5. Fix a dial gauge to measure the vertical compression of the specimen.

Page | 35
 6. Adjust the gear position on the load frame to give suitable vertical displacement.
7. Start applying the load and record the readings of the proving ring dial and compression dial for
every 5 mm compression.
8. Continue loading till failure is complete.
9. Draw the sketch of the failure pattern in the specimen.

Sample details
Type UD/D: soil description

Specific gravity (GS) 2.71 Bulk density :

Water content : Degree of saturation % :

Diameter (Do) of the sample cm Area of cross-section = cm2

Initial length (Lo) of the sample = 76 mm

Tab 15.1 Calculation sheet for Compressive stress determination

Strain Area
Compression Proving
Elapsed L* A Axial Compressive
dial ring
time 100/Lo Ao /(1- load stress
reading (L) reading
(minutes) (%) e) (kg) (kg/cm2)
(mm) (Divns.)
(e) (cm)2

Interpretation of test Results

Unconfined compression strength of the soil = qu =

Shear strength of the soil = qu/2 =

Sensitivity = (qu for undisturbed sample)/ (qu for remoulded sample).

Page | 36
General Remarks
Minimum three samples should be tested; correlation can be made between unconfined strength and field
SPT value N. Up to 6% strain the readings may be taken at every min (30 sec).

Specimen Calculations

Page | 37
 Experiment - 09

UNDRAINED TRIAXIAL TEST

Objective

To find the shear parameters of the soil by undrained triaxial test.

Need and scope

The standard consolidated undrained test is compression test, in which the soil specimen is first consolidated
under all round pressure in the triaxial cell before failure is brought about by increasing the major principal
stress.

It may be performing with or without measurement of pore pressure although for most applications the
measurement of pore pressure is desirable.

Knowledge of equipment
A constant rate of strain compression machine of which the following is a brief description of one is in
common use.

a) A loading frame in which the load is applied by a yoke acting through an elastic dynamometer, more
commonly called a proving ring which used to measure the load. The frame is operated at a constant
rate by a geared screw jack. It is preferable for the machine to be motor driven, by a small electric
motor.

b) A hydraulic pressure apparatus including an air compressor and water reservoir in which air under
pressure acting on the water raises it to the required pressure, together with the necessary control
valves and pressure dials.

A tri axial cell is to take 3.8 cm dia and 7.6 cm long samples, in which the sample can be subjected to an all
round hydrostatic pressure, together with a vertical compression load acting through a piston. The vertical
load from the piston acts on a pressure cap. The cell is usually designed with a non-ferrous metal top and
base connected by tension rods and with walls formed of Perspex.

Apparatus for preparation of the sample

a) 3.8 cm (1.5 inch) internal diameter 12.5 cm (5 inches) long sample tubes.

b) Rubber ring.

c) An open ended cylindrical section former, 3.8 cm inside dia, fitted with a small rubber tube in its
side.

d) Stop clock.

Page | 38
 e) Moisture content test apparatus.

f) A balance of 250 gm capacity and accurate to 0.01 gm.

Experimental Procedure
1. The sample is placed in the compression machine and a pressure plate is placed on the top. Care must
be taken to prevent any part of the machine or cell from jogging the sample while it is being setup,
for example, by knocking against this bottom of the loading piston. The probable strength of the
sample is estimated and a suitable proving ring selected and fitted to the machine.

2. The cell must be properly set up and uniformly clamped down to prevent leakage of pressure during
the test, making sure first that the sample is properly sealed with its end caps and rings (rubber) in
position and that the sealing rings for the cell are also correctly placed.

3. When the sample is setup water is admitted and the cell is fitted under water escapes from the beed
valve, at the top, which is closed. If the sample is to be tested at zero lateral pressure water is not
required.

4. The air pressure in the reservoir is then increased to raise the hydrostatic pressure in the required
amount. The pressure gauge must be watched during the test and any necessary adjustments must be
made to keep the pressure constant.

5. The handle wheel of the screw jack is rotated until the under side of the hemispherical seating of the
proving ring, through which the loading is applied, just touches the cell piston.

6. The piston is then removed down by handle until it is just in touch with the pressure plate on the top
of the sample, and the proving ring seating is again brought into contact for the begging of the test.

Observations
1. The machine is set in motion (or if hand operated the hand wheel is turned at a constant rate) to give
a rate of strain 2% per minute.
2. The strain dial gauge reading is then taken and the corresponding proving ring reading is taken the
corresponding proving ring chart. The load applied is known.
3. The experiment is stopped at the strain dial gauge reading for 15% length of the sample or 15%
strain.

Operator: Sample No:

Page | 39
Date: Job:

Location: Size of specimen:

Length: Proving ring constant:

Diameter: Initial area L:

Initial Volume: Strain dial gauge least count (const):

Tab 16.1 Tabulation sheet for tri axial test

Cell pressure Strain Proving ring Load on sample Corrected area Deviator
kg/cm2 dial reading kg cm2 stress

50

100

150

200

250
0.5
300

350

400

450

50

0.5 100

150

200

Page | 40
 250

300

350

400

450

50

100

150

200
0.5
250

300

350

400

450

Tab 16.2 Tabulation sheet for shear strength determination

Wet
Cell Compressive Strain Shear Angle of
Sample bulk Moisture
pressure stress at at strength shearing
No. density content
kg/cm2 failure failure (kg/cm2) resistance
gm/cc

Page | 41
General Remarks

a) It is assumed that the volume of the sample remains constant and that the area of the sample
increases uniformly as the length decreases. The calculation of the stress is based on this new area at
failure, by direct calculation, using the proving ring constant and the new area of the sample. By
constructing a chart relating strain readings, from the proving ring, directly to the corresponding
stress.

b) The strain and corresponding stress is plotted with stress abscissa and curve is drawn. The maximum
compressive stress at failure and the corresponding strain and cell pressure are found out.

c) The stress results of the series of triaxial tests at increasing cell pressure are plotted on a mohr stress
diagram. In this diagram a semicircle is plotted with normal stress as abscissa shear stress as
ordinate.

d) The condition of the failure of the sample is generally approximated to by a straight line drawn as a
tangent to the circles, the equation of which is  = C +  tan. The value of cohesion, C is read of the
shear stress axis, where it is cut by the tangent to the mohr circles, and the angle of shearing
resistance () is angle between the tangent and a line parallel to the shear stress.

Specimen Calculations

Page | 42
 Experiment -10

DIRECT SHEAR TEST

Objective

Determine the shearing strength of the soil using the direct shear apparatus.

Need and scope

In many engineering problems such as design of foundation, retaining walls, slab bridges, pipes, sheet piling,
the value of the angle of internal friction and cohesion of the soil involved are required for the design. Direct
shear test is used to predict these parameters quickly. The laboratory reports cover the laboratory procedures
for determining these values for cohesionless soils.

Apparatus

1. Direct shear box apparatus

2. Loading frame (motor attached)
3. Dial gauge
4. Proving ring
5. Tamper
6. Straight edge
7. Balance to weigh up to 200 mg
8. Aluminum container
9. Spatula

Knowledge of equipment

Strain controlled direct shear machine consists of shear box, soil container, loading unit, proving ring, dial
gauge to measure shear deformation and volume changes. A two piece square shear box is one type of soil
container used.

A proving ring is used to indicate the shear load taken by the soil initiated in the shearing plane.

Procedure

1. Check the inner dimension of the soil container.

2. Put the parts of the soil container together.
3. Calculate the volume of the container. Weigh the container.
4. Place the soil in smooth layers (approximately 10 mm thick). If a dense sample is desired tamp the
soil.
5. Weigh the soil container, the difference of these two is the weight of the soil. Calculate the density of
the soil.
6. Make the surface of the soil plane.

Page | 43
 7. Put the upper grating on stone and loading block on top of soil.
8. Measure the thickness of soil specimen.
9. Apply the desired normal load.
10. Remove the shear pin.
11. Attach the dial gauge which measures the change of volume.
12. Record the initial reading of the dial gauge and calibration values.
13. Before proceeding to test check all adjustments to see that there is no connection between two parts
except sand/soil.
14. Start the motor. Take the reading of the shear force and record the reading.
15. Take volume change readings till failure.
16. Add 5 kg normal stress 0.5 kg/cm2 and continue the experiment till failure
17. Record carefully all the readings. Set the dial gauges zero, before starting the experiment

Data Calculation Sheet For Direct Shear Test

Normal stress 0.5 kg/cm2 L.C= P.R.C =

Normal stress 1.0 kg/cm2 L.C= P.R.C =

Normal stress 1.5 kg/cm2 L.C= P.R.C =

The Below table is used for all the above normal stress of 0.5,1.0, 1.5 kg/cm2 separately with respect to their
and P.R.

Page | 44
 Tab. 14.1 Observation and Calculation sheet for shear stress determination

Hori.
Vertical Shear stress =
Dial
Vertical Proving Shear Vertical Proving [Link].(8) x
gauge gauge
Horizontal Dial ring deformatio deformation reading proving ring
Reading reading
Gauge gauge Reading n Col.(4) x = div. in col.6 Initial constant Area of
Initial Initial
Reading Reading Least count x L.C of dial reading the
reading Reading
of dial gauge specimen(kg/cm2)
div.
gauge

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

250

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Page | 45
Observations

Proving Ring constant Least count of the dial

Calibration factor
Leverage factor
Dimensions of shear box 60 x 60 mm
Empty weight of shear box
Least count of dial gauge
Volume change

Tab 14.2 Observation sheet for shear stress

Shear stress
Normal Normal Proving Ring
Normal stress(kg/cm2) stress(kg/cm2) reading x
[Link]
load (kg) load x load x calibration /
leverage/Area leverage/Area Area of
container

General Remarks

1. In the shear box test, the specimen is not failing along its weakest plane but along a predetermined or
induced failure plane i.e. horizontal plane separating the two halves of the shear box. This is the main
draw back of this test. Moreover, during loading, the state of stress cannot be evaluated. It can be
evaluated only at failure condition i.e. Mohr’s circle can be drawn at the failure condition only. Also
failure is progressive.

3. Direct shear test is simple and faster to operate. As thinner specimens are used in shear box, they
facilitate drainage of pore water from a saturated sample in less time. This test is also useful to study
friction between two materials. One material in lower half of box and another material in the upper
half of box.

3. The angle of shearing resistance of sands depends on state of compaction, coarseness of grains,
particle shape and roughness of grain surface and grading. It varies between 28 o(uniformly graded
sands with round grains in very loose state) to 46 o(well graded sand with angular grains in dense
state).

Page | 46
 4. The volume change in sandy soil is a complex phenomenon depending on gradation, particle shape,
state and type of packing, orientation of principal planes, principal stress ratio, stress history,
magnitude of minor principal stress, type of apparatus, test procedure, method of preparing specimen
etc. In general loose sands expand and dense sands contract in volume on shearing. There is a void
ratio at which either expansion contraction in volume takes place. This void ratio is called critical
void ratio. Expansion or contraction can be inferred from the movement of vertical dial gauge during
shearing.

5. The friction between sand particles is due to sliding and rolling friction and interlocking action.

The ultimate values of shear parameter for both loose sand and dense sand approximately attain the same
value so, if angle of friction value is calculated at ultimate stage, slight disturbance in density during
sampling and preparation of test specimens will not have much effect.

Specimen Calculations

Page | 47