SWELL PRESSURE TEST

AIM: To obtain the swell pressure of the given soil sample. NEED & SCOPE: This test covers the laboratory method of conducting one-dimensional swelling pressure test using either fixed or the floating rings on both undisturbed or remoulded soils in the partially saturated condition to determine the swelling pressure of the soil. Two methods namely (i) (ii) Consolidometer method in which the volume change of the soil is permitted and the corresponding pressure required to being both the soil to its original volume is measured. Constant volume method in which the volume change is prevented and the consequent pressure is measured are covered.

APPARATUS: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) Consolidometer Ring Porous stones Water reservoir Soil trimming tools Oven Balance Container

THEORY: The pressure at which the expensive soil enters if the soil is not allowed to swell is called SWELL PRESSURE. Swell is the process of imbibing available moisture to pass an increase in soil volume until the pore under pressure increases to an equilibrium determined by the environment. The amount of swell is to satisfy the new pore pressure equilibrium depends on the magnitude of the vertical loading and soil properties that includes the soil composition, natural water content, density and soil structure. The rate of swell depends on the coefficient of permeability, thickness and soil properties. Soils that are more likely to swell appreciably include clays and clay shales with plasticity indices greater than 25, liqid limit greater than 40 and natural water contents near the plastic limit are less. The swell and swell pressure are generally determined in the laboratory with one-dimensional consolidometer (consolidation test). The swell pressure is determined by subjecting the laterally confined soil specimen to increasing vertical pressure, following inundation to prevent swell.

PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN FROM DISTURBED SAMPLE: In case if it is necessary to use disturbed soil samples, the sample shall be compacted to the derived density and water content in a standard compaction pract or mould. Sampler of suitable sizes are cut from it. PROCEDURE: 1. Measure and record the height and cross-sectional area of the specimen. Record weight of the specimen ring and glass plates. After the specimen is prepared record the weight of the specimen plus tore (ring and glass plates). 2. Fit an air-dried, smooth ground porous stone into the base of a dry consolidometer. Place the ring with the specimen is prepared, record the weight of the specimen. If the fixed ring consolidator is used, secure the ring to be base by means of clamps. 3. Place the top air-dried, smoothly ground porous stone and loading plate in position. The inside of the reservoir should be moisture to promote a high humidity environment. The reservoir and loading plate should subsequently be covered with a sheet of impervious material such as plastic films or moist paper towel to inhibit loss of moisture. 4. Place the consolidometer containing the specimen in the loading device. 5. Attach the dial indicator support to the consolidometer and adjust it so that the stem of the dial indicator is combed with respect to the specimen. Adjust the dial indicator to allow for both swell and consolidation measurements. 6. Adjust the loading device until it just makes constant with the specimen, the resting load should not exceed about 0.01 ton/sq. feet. 7. Read the dial indicator and record the reading on the data sheet. This is the initial reading of the dial indicator. 8. Depending upon the particular design considerations, a specific load is applied to the specimen. After a period of atleast 5 minutes but less than 30 minutes. Record the dial guage reading on the data sheet and inundate the specimen. 9. Inundate the specimen by filling the reservoir within the inundation ring that surrounds the specimen with water. Cover with the plastic films and the moist paper towel to equivalent. If a fixed ring device is used,a low head of water should be applied to the specimen. 10. Observe and record on the data sheet, the deformation and determined from the dial indicator recordings after various elapsed times. Readings at 0.1,0.2,0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,5.0,15.0 and 30.0 minutes and 1,2,4,8,24,48 and 72 hours are usually satisfactory. Allow the load increment to remain on the specimen until it is determined that the primary swell is completed. 11. After primary swell is completed, the load should be removed in decrements according to the procedure in which we have done the experiment. The final load should be the seating load.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION: The observed swelling dial reading recorded for the different times shall be plotted with elapsed time as abscissa and swelling dial reading as ordinate on natural scale. A smooth curve shall be drawn joining these points. If the curve so drawn becomes asymptotic with the abscissa the swelling has reached its maximum and hence the swelling phase be stopped and consolidation phase shall be started. REPORT: The swell pressure of the given soil sample is _____ kg/cm2.

RELATIVE DENSITY TEST

AIM: To determine the relative density of the given material. NEED AND SCOPE: This experiment is performed to determine the relative density of cohesionless, free draining soils using a vibrating table. For cohesionless soils in the natural or artificially compacted state neither the actual density (void ratio) nor the actual density express as a percentage of the maximum density gives an exact idea of the compactness of the soil. The concept of relative density gives a practically useful measure of compactness of such soils. FORMULA: Density index (Id) or Relative density is the ratio of the difference between the voids ratio of a cohesionless soil in the loosest state and any given void ratio to the difference between its voids ratios in the loosest and in densest states. APPARATUS: 1. Vibratory table 2. Moulds with guide sloaves 3. Surcharge base plates with handle 4. Surcharge masses 5. Dial guage holder 6. Dial guage 7. Calibration bar 8. Pouring devices 9. Mixing pans 10. Weighing scale 11. Hoist 12. Metal hand scoop 13. Brittle brush 14. Timing device 15. Metal straight edge 16. Micrometer CALIBRATION OF MOULD: 1. Measure inside diameter of mould at different depths using a bore, guage and take the average. 2. Keep the mould on a flat surface or flat plate. Measure the height at different positions and take the average and calculate its volume. 3. Fill the mould with distilled water for the above temperature from water test over flowing takes place. 4. Slide thick glass plate over the top surface of the mould.

5. 6. 7. 8.

Weigh the water filling in the mould. Note the temperature of the mould. Obtain density of water for the above temperature from physical tables. Calculate the volume of the mould which is weight of water filling the mould/density of water.

PREPARATION OF SAMPLE: A representative sample of soil should be selected. The mass of soil sample should be dried in oven at a temperature of 1050C 110oC. the soil sample should be pulverized without breaking the individual soil particles and sieved through the required sieve. PROCEDURE: 1.DETERMINATION OF MINIMUM DENSITY: (a) Select pouring device and mould according to the maximum size of the particles. (b) Weigh the mould and record its weight(W). Oven dry soil should be used. (c) Soil containing particles smaller than 9.5mm should be placed loosely in the mould by pouring the soil through spout in a steady stream. (d) The height of free fall of soil is always 25mm, the mould should be filled approximately 25mm above the top and leveled with top by making one continuous pass with steel straight edge. (e) The mould and soil sample should be weighed and mass is recorded. 2.DETERMINATION OF MAXIMUM DENSITY: (a) Maximum density may be determined either by dry or by wet method. (b) Assemble the guide sleeve on the top of the mould and tighten the clamp assembler so that the inner surface of the walls of the mould and sleeve in line. (c) Tighten the lock and nuts with two set screws. Loosen the third clamp and remove the guide. Sleeve weigh the empty mould and record its weight. (d) Fill the mould with thoroughly mixed oven dry soil by the procedure explained from minimum density test. Attach the guide sleeve to the mould and place surcharge base plates on soil surface. (e) Surcharge weight should then be lowered on the base plate. (f) Fix the mould to the vibrator deck and loaded soil sample should be vibrated for 8 minutes. (g) Remove the surcharge weight and the guide sleeve obtain dial guage readings on two opposite sides of the mould and record their average. (h) Weigh the mould with soil and record these weights.

3.DETERMINATION OF NATURAL DENSITY: Sand replacement technique is used for determining natural density. OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS: Empty weight of the mould = Volume of mould = Weight of sample in loose state + mould = Weight of sample in loose state = Dimensiond of mould = 1. Height = 2. Inner diameter = 3. Volume = Weight of the mould with vibrated sand + mould = Weight of sample in vibrated sand = Relative Density: Empty weight of cylinder = Calibration weight of cylinder = Weight of cylinder + sand = Weight of cylinder + sand + cone = Weight of cylinder + sand after pouring in cylinder = Weight of tray = Weight of tray + sand = Weight of cylinder + sand after pouring in field = Volume = Weight of sand in collar = Density of sand = Weight of Field sand =

Volume of cone = Density of beach sand = Relative Density = RESULT: The relative density of the given sample is _____. APPLICATIONS: (a) Various soil properties such as penetration resistance, compaction, compressibility, compaction friction angle permeability and California bearing ratio are found to have simple relationships with density index. (b) Relative density and percentage compaction are commonly used for evaluating the state of a given soil mass. (c) The engineering properties such as shear strength, compressibility and permeability of a given soil depends on the level of compaction.

DIRECT SHEAR TEST

AIM: To determine the shear parameters of the given cohesion less soil. NEED AND SCOPE: In many engineering problems such as design of foundations, retaining walls, slab bridges, pipes, bulk heads, as the values of the angle of internal friction and cohesion of the soil involved are required for the design. Direct shear test is used to know the parameters quickly. THEORY: DEFINITIONS: SHEAR STRENGTH Shear strength of the soil is its resistance against shear stress and it is given by the equation S = C + tan Where, S shear strength C cohesion normal stress angle of shear resistance ANGLE OF SHEAR RESISTANCE It is the slope of the line drawn with nominal stress on x- axis and corresponding shear stress at failure on y- axis. ANGLE OF REPOSE It is the maximum angle of inclination of the plane on which a body free from external forces tend to slope. COHESION It is the shearing strength under zero normal stress. APPARATUS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Shear box grid plates porous stones base plates loading pad water jacket confirming to IS 11229-1987.

LOADING FRAME- It should satisfy the following requirements: 1. The vertical stress on the sample shall remain vertical and constant during the test and there shall be arrangement to measure compression. 2. The shear stress or strain can be applied in the dividing plane of the two parts of the shear box. WEIGHTS- For providing the required normal loads if necessary. PROOVING RING -For measuring of suitable capacity, filled with a dial gauge accurate to 0.002 mm to measure the sheer force. MICROMETER DIAL GAUGE-Accurate to 0.01 mm, one suitable mounted to measure horizontal movement and the other suitably mounted to measure the vertical compression of the specimen. 1. 2. 3. 4. Sample trimmer or core cutter Stop clock Balance of 1 kg capacity , sensitive to 0.1 gm Spatula and a straight edge

PREPARATION OF THE APPARATUS-The base plate is attached to the lower part of the box. A porous stone is placed in the box. For untrained test, a plain grid and for drained test a perforated grid is placed on the porous stone. The specimen is transferred into the box. The upper grid plate, porous stone and pressure pad are placed , oil the specimen and the box is now mounted on loading frame , the proving ring and horizontal and vertical dial gauges are fixed in position. The locking pins are removed and the upper half base is slightly raised with the help of the spacing server. PREPARATION OF SOIL SPECIMEN-A soil specimen of size 606025mm is taken. It may be either an undisturbed sample or made from compacted and remoulded soil. The specimen may be prepared directly in the box and compacted. The plate is attached to the lower half of the box. A porous stone is placed in the box. For undrained test, a plain grid is kept on the porous stone, keeping its segregations at right angles to the direction of shear. For drained test, perforated grids are used instead of plain grids. The mass of the base plate, porous stone and grid is taken. The specimen if made separately is transferred to the box and its mass taken. The upper grid porous stone and the pressure pad are placed on the specimen. The box is placed inside the larger container and mounted on the loading frame. The upper half of the box is brought in contact with the proving ring. The loading yoke is mounted on the steel ball placed on the pressure pad. The dial gauge is mounted on the loaded yoke to record the vertical movement. The locking pins are removed and the upper half box is slightly raised with the help of spacing screws.

PROCEDURE: 1. 2. 3. 4. Check the inner dimensions of the soil container. Put the parts of the soil container together. Calculate the volume of the container, weigh the container Place the soil in smooth layers (approximately 10mm thick) a dense sample is desired from the soil. 5. Weigh the soil container, the difference of these two is the weight of soil. Calculate the density of the soil ( weigh of soil /volume of container) 6. Make the surface of the soil plane. 7. Place the soil container in the shear box with the grating plates at both bottom and top OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS : DIAL PROOVING LOAD GAUGE RING APPLIED READING READING AC = (L-L)6 L L/L = P/AC

UNCONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED TEST: The shear box with the specimen, plain grid plate over the base plate at the bottom of the specimen and plain grid plate at the top of the specimen should be fitted into position on the load frame. The serrations of the grid plate should be at right angles to the direction of shear. The loading pad should be provided so that the sample does not get dried during the test. The required normal stress should be applied and the rate of longitudinal displacement / shear stress application, so adjusted that no drainage can occur in the sample during the test. The upper part of the shear box should be raised such that the gap about 1mm is left between the two parts of the box. The shear load reading indicated by the proving ring assembly and the corresponding longitudinal displacement should be note at regular intervals. It necessary the vertical compression, If any of the soil specimen may be measured to serve as check to ensure that drainage has not taken place from the soil specimen. A minimum of three (preferably four) tests shall be made on separate specimens of the same density.

PRECAUTIONS: 1. Reading should be noted without parallaxes 2. The grid plates should be correctly placed and locking pins should be removed LIMITATIONS: 1. The soil specimen is constrained to fail along a predetermined plane of shear. 2. The distribution of stresses on this surface is not uniform. 3. No control can be exercised over drainage, except by varying the rate of shear displacement. 4. Pore water pressure cannot be measured. 5. The area of contact between the soil in the two halves of the shear box decrease as the test proceeds. MERITS AND DEMERITS: MERITS: 1. The sample preparation is easy. The test is simple and convenient. 2. It is ideally suited for conducting drained tests on cohesion less soils 3. The apparatus is relatively cheap. DEMERITS: 1. The measurement of pore water pressure is not possible. 2. The orientation of failure plane is fixed. This plane may not be weakest plane. 3. The side of the shear box cause lateral restraints on the specimen and do not allow it do deform laterally RESULT: The shear parameters are ( from graph) C=

FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF SOILS

AIM: To identify and classify the soil in the field. APPARATUS: 1. 2. 3. 4. Small spatula or knife Small test tube Water Hydrochloric acid (HCL), small bottle, dilute one part HCL (ion) to three parts distilled water

THEORY: CLASSIFICATION: 1. Coarse grained soils 2. Fine grained soils 3. Highly grained soils 1.Coarse Grained Soil: The soils should be sub divided into two types. Gravels: In these soils more than half the coarse fraction (+75 micron) larger than 4.75 mm IS sieve. Since this sub division includes gravels and gravelly soils. Sands: In these soils more than half the coarse fraction (+75 micron) is smaller than 4.75mm IS sieve size division includes gravels sands and sandy soils. 2.Fine Grained Soils: These soils further divided into three sub division on the basis of the following arbitrarily selected vaues of liquid limit. a). silts and clays of low compressibility:- having L.L<35% (represented by L) b). silts and clays of medium compressibility:- having L.L>35% and less than 50 (I) c). silts and clays of high compressibility:- having L.L>50% (represented by H)

IDENTIFICATION TESTS: Coarse Grained Soils: The following tests are conducted to identify the coarse grained soils. 1.Particle Size: The particle size range of gravel from 60 to 2mm. Together with their sub divisions into coarse, medium and fine gravel particles can be easily seen and handled and their shape and surface texture are observed but it is not purely gravel it consists of clay content also. 2.Nature of Particles: The shape of individual particles should be included in the decription of gravel particles. The degree of angularityon roundness of the gravel is included by the term sub rounded by the visual examination the gravel particle should have p;ane sides, well rounded corners of edges. This type of arrangement of particles is called as sub-rounded. 3.Surface Texture: The surface texture of particles should be described as smooth or rough. The given gravel particle have the rough surface texture. 4.Composite Soils: The coarse soil containing fine material (clay) as a secondary constituents they are described by the term clayey gravel. The soil has slightly cohesive strenghth when dry because the fines are clay containing plastic nature. 5.Colour: The given coarse grain particle (gravel) of the colour is reddish. If the gravel is in dry condition for detailed colour classification, the munsell colour chart must be used. 6.Shape: Describes the shape of the gravel, cobbles and boulders are flat, elongated or flat and elongated if they meet the criteria. Indicate the fracion of the particles that have the shape, such as one third of the gravel partices are flat. 7.Hardness: The hardness of coarse sand and larger particles can be described as hard or what happens when the particles are hit by a hammer could be stated from example gravel size particle fracture with considerable hammer blow. Some gravel size particles crumble with hammer blow hard means particles do not crack fracture or crumble under a hammer blow.

Fine Grained Soils: The following tests are conducted to identify the fine grained soils. 1.Dilatency: Take the 12mm dia specimen mould. The material adding water if necessary untill it has a soft but not sticky, consistency smooth the soil ball in the palm of one hand with the blade of a knife. Shake horizontally, striking the side of the hand vigorously against the other hand several times. Note the reaction of water appearing on the surface of the soil squeeze the sample by closing the hand or pinching the soil between the fingers and note the reaction as none, slow or rapid in accordance with thecriteria in table 4. The reaction is the speed with water appears while shaking and disappears while squeezing. 2.Toughness: Following the completion of dilatency test, the specimen is shaped into an elongated pat and rolled by have an smooth surface or between the palms into a threads and about (3mm) 1/8 inch diameter. Fold the sample threads and re roll repeatedly untill the thread crumbles at a dia of 1/8 inch the thread will crumble at a dia of 1/8 inch. When the soil is near the plastic limit. Note the pressure required to roll the thread near the plastic limit. Also note the strength of the thread. After the thread crumbles the pieces should be lumped together and threaded untill the lump crumbles. Note the toughness of the material during threading describe the toughness of the threaded and lumps as low or medium or high in accordance with 5. 3.Acid Test: The test is primarily meant for deduction the possible presence of calcium carbonate as comenting agent in soils of high dry strength rather than due to colloidal clay. 4.Sedimentation Test: Make a soil suspension in water of about 100mm depth. Sand will settle within half a minute of the silt in about 5 to 60 min, where as clay size particles will remain in suspension for atleast several hours or may remain even for several days. 5.Dry Strength: From the specimen select enough material to mould into a ball of about 1 in 25 mm in diameter. Mould the material untill it has a consistency of pulty, adding water if necessary from the moulded material make atleast thre test speimens. If the test specimen contain natural dry lumps, those that are about inch (12mm) in diameter may be used in place of the moulded balls test, the strength of dry balls or lumps by crushing between the fingers. Note the strength as none, low, medium, high or very high in accordance with criteria.

FREE SWELL INDEX OF SOILS

AIM: To determine the free swell index of given soil sample. APPARATUS: 1. IS sieve 425 2. Graduated two glass cylinders of 200 ml capacity. THEORY: This experiment covers a test for the determination of free swell index of soils. It also helps to identify the potential of a swell to sweel which might need further detailed investigation regarding swelling and swelling pressures under different field conditions. PROCEDURE: 1. Take two soil specimens of 10 gm each of oven dry soil passing through the 425 IS sieve. 2. Each soil specimen shall be poured in each of the two glasses graduated cylinders of 100 ml capacity. One cylinder shall then be filled with kerosene oil and other with distilled water upto the 100 ml mark. 3. After removal of entrapped air, by gentle shaking (or) stirring with the glass rod, the soils in both the cylinders shall be allowed to settle. 4. Sufficient time, not less than 24 hours, shall be allowed for the soil sample to attainequillibrium state of volume without any further change in the volume of soils in each of the cylinders shall be read out. 5. The level of the soil in the kerosene graduated cylinder shall be read out as the original volume of the soil specimen, kerosene being a non-polar liquid does not cause swelling of the soil. The level of the soil in the distilled water cylinder shall be read as the free swell level. A relation between differential free swell (%) or free swell index and degree of expansiveness of soil is given by Differential Free Swell (%) < 20 20 35 35 50 > 50 Degree of Expansiveness Low Moderate High Very high

If the Degree of Expansiveness of soil at a site is damage to the structure to be constructed there, it is recommended to take suitable measures for foundations should be under the supervision of a geotechnical engineer. OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS: Vw = The volume of the soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing distilled water. VK = The volume of the soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing kerosene. .. free swell index percent = (Vw - VK) * 100 / VK RESULT: The free swell index percent of the given soil samplers is ________ INTERFERENCE : As the differential free index value (%) obtained is ___ is greater than or less than 50 %, the degree of expansiveness of soil is very high or low.

GROUP INDEX
AIM: To determine the group index value of the given sample. APPARATUS: 1. I S Sieves of sizes 4.75mm and 75 micron 2. Liquid limit apparatus : Casagrande grooving tool Casagrande liquid limit apparatus 3. Plastic limit apparatus : Glass plate for rolling the specimen Balance accurate to 0.01gm THEORY: Group index is not used to place a soil in a particular group. It is used to rate the value of soil as index method was suggested by the highway research board for making an appropriate estimate of the thickness of the pavement. The higher the group index of the sub-grade, the lower its strength and greater the thickness required for sub-box and indicates poor quality of the material. The group index of the soil depends upon 1. The amount of material passing the 75 micron I S sieve 2. Liquid limit 3. Plastic limit FORMULA: The group index is given by the following equation G.I = 0.2a + 0.005ac + 0.01bd where, a = the portion of percentage passing 75 micron sieve greater than 35 and not exceeding 75,expressed as a whole number between 0 40. b = the portion of percentage passing 75 micron sieve greater than 15 and not exceeding 55, expressed as a whole number between 0 40. c = the portion of the numerical liquid limit greater than 40 and not exceeding 60, expressed as a positive number between 0 20. d = the portion of the numerical plasticity index greater than 10 and not exceeding 30,expressed as a positive whole number between 0 20.

PROCEDURE: 1. Take about 1000gm of soil sample perfectly oven dried in a thermostatically controlled oven. 2. Sieve the sample through 4.75mm I S sieve and note down the weight of the sample retained on it is termed as gravel fraction. 3. Now sieve the sample through 75 micron I S sieve and the fraction retained on the sieve is termed as sand fraction and the weight is determined by using electronic balance. 4. The soil sample is sieved through 75 micron I S sieve by ordinary sieving and also by spraying water on the mesh. The fraction i.e. clay and slit weight is determined by abducting the sand plus gravel fraction from the total weight. 5. The liquid limit of the sample is determined by casagrande liquid limit apparatus and its value is recorded. 6. The plastic limit of the sample is also determined by rolling the specimen on the plate and its value is noted down. 7. The value of a, b, c and d are calculated and substituted in the formula to estimate group index. TABLE: S.NO EMPTY WT. BLOWS OF BOX (gm) WET WEIGHT DRY WEIGHT

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS: Total weight of soil = _______ Weight of sample retained on 4.75 mm sieve = ______ Weight of sand = _______ Weight of silt and clay = ________ LIMITATIONS: 1. If the group index value obtained is in the range of 0 to 4, then the soil is excellent for pavement construction. 2. If the group index value obtained is in between 16 to 20, then the soil is very poor and hence not suitable for pavement construction.

APPLICATIONS: The group index value is used to describe the performance of soils when used for pavement construction. RESULT: The group index value of the given sample is _______ . INTERFERENCE: The value is between ___ and ___, it can be used as _______.

TRIAXIAL TEST
AIM: To determine the shear parameter of the given soil sample. NEED AND SCOPE: During the early history of soil mechanics, the direct shear test was most popular shear test. A.Casagrande at MIT began research on the development of cylindrical compression test in an attempt to overcome some of serious disadvantages of direct shear test. PRINCIPLE: The triaxial test is used to measure the shear strength of a soil under controlled drainage conditions. In this test a cylindrical specimen of soil encased in a rubber membrane is placed in a chamber subjected to a confining fluid pressure and then loaded axially to failure, connections at the ends of the specimen permit controlled drainage of pore water from the specimen. The test is called triaxial because it is under control. THEORY: Three types of triaxial tests may be performed in partially or fully saturated specimens. These are (1) (2) (3) Undrained or quick tests Consolidated or undrained tests Drained slow tests

In the undrained or quick tests the outlet valve is closed and no drainage is allowed from the specimen during the test. From the time of application of lateral pressure till specimen fails under gradually increasing vertical load. In the consolidated undrained test, the drainage valve is kept open and the specimen is allowed to fully consolidate under the applied lateral pressure. But no further drainage is allowed during the application of vertical load, till failure. In the drained or slow test the drainage is allowed during all stages of testing. First the specimen is allowed to fully consolidate under the applied lateral pressure and later vertical pressure is also applied in such a way that there is enough time for damage of the pore. FORMULA: d = where, A0= original area of cross section. (1- )

= deformation of specimen. L0= original length of specimen. APPARATUS: 1. Pressure cell assembly 2. Equipment for loading and measuring load deformation. PROCEDURE: SAMPLE PREPARATION: Undisturbed sample of clay, silt and peat: These are obtained with a sampling tool from borings and are trimmed to size in the laboratory to form standard core of 4 inches dia, and inches dia if soil is free from stones.

The length of the sample is kept about 2 to 2.5 times its diameter. STEPS: 1. The specimen enveloped properly in the membrane is kept in the triaxial cell and a lateral pressure is applied. 2. The vertical load is increased till specimen fails, noting the vertical deformation and load readings at desired intervals. 3. The experiment is repeated for various other values of lateral pressure. 4. To find the values of cohesion and angle of internal friction, tests should be carried out with at least two or three different lateral pressure values. Soils may be tested with lateral pressure of 0, 0.75 and 1.5 kg/ PRECAUTIONS: 1. Reading should be noted without parallax. 2. The grid plates should be correctly placed and locking pins must be removed. LIMITATIONS: The duration of the test, commonly used in the triaxial test and the parameters which are to be used to express the result, are not taken into account of the phenomenon of creep in soils. RESULT: .

APPLICATIONS: 1. The shear strength parameter C and of the material may be used to find the shearing resistance of the material using coulombs equations. S= C + tan 2. These values are also useful to evaluate the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil and for evaluating the stability of the embankment foundations and slopes. 3. In the triaxial method of flexible pavement design, the E value of subgrade soils is to be found from the triaxial test. 4. Triaxial tets is used in the design of bituminous mixer. 5. The unconfined compression test is used to test bonded materials like soil-cement etc. MODEL GRAPH FIGURE

UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST

AIM: - To determine the unconfined compression strength of clayey soil using controlled strain. NEED AND SCOPE: The purpose of the test is to obtain a quantitative value of compression & shearing strength of soils in an undrained state. It is not possible always to conduct the bearing capacity test in the field. Sometimes it is cheaper to take the undisturbed soil sample and test it in the job. The test may be performed on both undisturbed and remuolded soil sample. THEORY: This is a special case of triaxial test to carry out at zero cell pressure. The objective of the unconfined compression test is to determine the unconsolidated undrained strength of a cohesive soil in an inexpensive manner. The unconfined test uses axial loading without lateral confining pressure making it the simplest and easiest laboratory method of estimating strength. FORMULA: Equation of unconfined compressive strength = = unconfined compressive strength P = compressive force A = cross sectional area MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS: 1. Compression device of any suitable type. 2. Loading frame of capacity 2 tonnes with constant rate of movement 3. Proving ring of 0.01 kg sensitivity for soft soils and 0.05 kg for stiff soils 4. Strain measuring dial gauge with 0.01 graduations 5. Sample ejector 6. Stop watch 7. Oven 8. Balance 9. Soil sample. 10. Split mould of 3.75 mm dia & 75 cm long 11. Trimming & curving tool 12. Vernier calipers

TEST PROCEDURE: PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN: 1. Remoulded sample may be prepared by compacting the soil at the desired water content and dry density in a bigger mould, and then cut by the sampling tube. 2. Place the sampling tube contractor and push the plunger till a small length of sample moves out. 3. Trim the projected sample using wire saw 4. Again push the plunger of the extractor till a 75 mm long sample comes out. 5. Cut out the sample carefully and hold it on the split sample so that it doesnt fall. 6. Take out 10-15 g of soil from the tube for water content determination. 7. Note the no. and net weight of sample. 8. Measure the diameter of the top, middle, bottom of the sample; find the average and record the same. 9. Measure the length and weight of the sample and record the same. COMPRESSION TEST: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Take the two frictionless bearing plates of 75mm diameter. Place the specimen on the base plate of the load frame. Place a hardened steel ball on the bearing plate. Adjust the center line of the specimen such that the proving ring and the steel ball are in the same line. Fix a dial gauge to measure the vertical compression of the specimen. Adjust the gear position on the load frame to give a suitable vertical displacement. Start applying the load and record the readings of the proving rod and compression dial for every 5 mm compression. Continue loading till complete failure takes place. Sketch failure pattern; measure the angle made by the crack with the horizontal; if possible and if the specimen is homogenous.

MERITS: 1. The test is convenient, simple and quick. 2. It is ideally suited for the unconsolidated and undrained saturated clay.

shear strength of intact

DEMERITS: 1. The test cant be conducted on fissured clays. 2. It is not suitable for coarse grained soils

RESULT: The unconfined compressive strength of the soil sample is _____. DIAGRAM

UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TESTING MACHINE