DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Soil Mechanics Laboratory CEGB 321 Open Ended Lab

SECTION
GROUP NO. :

SECTION 01
NO. 5

GROUP MEMBERS

1
2
3
4
5

Sivasangkaran a/l Chinna Swami( Leader) CE 092006

Swee Main Gye
CE 092318
Nor Suhana Abd Khalid
CE 091728
Nor Aisah Khalid
CE 091761
Arvien Subramaniam
CE 092854

DATE OF LABORATORY SESSION

7TH & 14 TH July 2014

DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION

LAB INSTRUCTOR

:
:

28TH July 2014

Miss Intan Nor Zuliana Bt Baharuddin

LAB REPORT MARKING

Criteria

Scale
Poor

Acceptabl
e

Excellent

A Appearance, formatting and

grammar or spelling.
B Introduction and objective

Procedure

D Results: data,figures, graphs,

tables, etc.
E Discussions

Conclusions

TABLE CONTENT
Bil

Content

Page

1.

Introduction

2.

Objective

3.

Methodology

2-5

Material and Apparatus

Procedures
4.

Results

5-20

5.

Discussions

21-24

6.

Conclusion

25

7.

References

25

INTRODUCTION
A soil sample that taken at area around (near car park COIT), Jalan IKRAM UNITEN,
43000 Kajang, Selangor. It is defined that the soil sample are sand because have a range
between 2.62 until 2.67 and that soil are disturbed soil. From usually, a wide variety of
laboratory tests can be performed on soils to measure a wide variety of soil properties. An
undisturbed sample is one where the condition of the soil in the sample is close enough to the
conditions of the soil in-situ to allow tests of structural properties of the soil to be used to
approximate the properties of the soil in-situ. For experiment to classify the coarse grained
soil, this test is to determine the grain size distribution curve of the given dry soil samples by
passing them through a stack of sieves of decreasing mesh openings sizes and by measuring
the weight retained on each sieve.
Then, for experiment that to determine the specific gravity of fine grained soil,
Gs
Gs
through conducting this experiment are able to obtain the value of
where
is the
ratio of mass of a given volume of soil particles at a given temperature to the mass of an
2

equal volume of distilled water. Other than this, void porosity and degree of saturation should
be taken into consideration. To begin with this experiment, the density bottle and stopper is
cleaned and weighed. The density bottle is then filled with soil and water up to full before
taking is weight. Finally, the bottle is cleaned up and it is it filled with only 10gm of water
before weighing it again. The procedure is repeated 3 more time to acquire more accurate
G
results. And with the formula given in the lab manual we are able to obtain the value of s .
Lastly, for experiment to determine the direct shear parameter of soils,the shear strength of a
soil can be measured with the direct shear test. This is a conventional test which uses the
simplest form of shearing with its horizontal arrangement. By using a cubic metal mold, soil
is filled inside. The soil sample used is fine sand. The soil if filled in gradually while in
between it is compacted so that no air is trapped in between of the soil. It is then placed in the
shear box equipment that would later divide the frames of the box horizontally into two parts
opposite directions; the soil at this time is confined to normal stress that would fail the
specimen along the horizontal plane at its mid height. This test can be controlled either
through stressing and straining. But in this test, we only performed the strained control. Only
one half of the box is applied with a constant shear rate by a motor. From this test we can
measure shear force (T), shear displacement ( L ) and change in thickness ( h ) of
specimen. This test satisfies the coulomb equation:
f =c+ n tan

OBJECTIVE.
1. To identify the types of soil sampled from site through basic soil classification test.
2. To justify the selected site for soil sampling.
3. To differentiate between disturbed and undisturbed soil sample obtained from site for
different types of laboratory soil testing.
4. To evaluate the soil rate of consolidation in laboratory and predict consolidation
settlement of the soil at site.
MATERIAL AND APPARATUS
MATERIAL = COARSE GRAINED SOIL SAMPLE
SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST.

1. Sieves. The sieves that are used are with the aperture sizes of 5.00 mm, 4.75mm,
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

3.35mm, 2.00mm, 1.18mm, 0.600mm, 0.425mm, 0.300mm, 0.150mm, and 0.063mm.

Sieve pan and cover
Motorized sieve shaker.
Electronic balance sensitive to 0.1 g.
200g of oven dried soil sample.
Mortar and rubber-tipped pestle.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST.

1. Density bottle of 50ml capacity with stopper.
2. Electronic balance sensitive to 0.01g.
3. Vacuum source.
4. Wash bottle filled with distilled water.
DIRECT SHEAR TEST
1. Soil sample.
2. Shear box equipment.
3. Weight set.

PROCEDURES
For doing the open ended Laboratory soil, soil sample from area around Uniten
(COIT), the soil sample is bring and put in lab for 1 week, after that, several experiment is
conducted to defined the type soil.
Firstly, experiment to classify the coarse grained soil,
I.

200g of oven-dried soil is obtained by weighing it on electronic

balance.

II.

Each sieve is cleaned and weighed. Sieve weights are recorded on

the data sheet provided. The sieve pan is also cleaned and weighed.

III.

The sieves are placed in a stack of increasing aperture sizes. The

largest sieve opening should be on top and the pan on the bottom.

IV.

The soil sample is placed in the top sieve and the cover placed
tightly on top.

V.

Notify your instructor that you are ready to use the sieve shaker.
Under his supervision, the sieve stack is placed into the sieve shaker.

VI.

The sieve shaker is turned on. The sieve shaker is allowed to

operate for 5 minutes.

VII.

Once the sieve shaker has stopped, the sieve stack is removed.

VIII.

Carefully disassemble the sieve stack. Be careful not to spill any of

the soil.

IX.

Each sieve is weighed together with the soil retained and the pan
plus the soil retained is weighed also. The weights are recorded on the
data sheet.
Secondly, experiment to determine the specific gravity of fine grained soil,
I.

The density bottle is washed thoroughly with distilled water to clean

II.

it and it is allowed to drain.

The mass of the empty cleaned bottle, M1 with its stopper is found
by using the electronic balance sensitive to 0.01g. (reading is taken

III.

accurate to 0.01g)
20gm of oven-dried soil sample is added into the density bottle. The
mass, M2 of the bottle and its content with the stopper was

IV.

determined by electronic balance sensitive to 0.01g.

The bottle is filled with deaired distilled water so that the soil is fully
soaked or full. Do not fill it completely, as the content must be

V.

agitated under vacuum.

The entrapped air is removed by subjecting the contents to a partial

VI.

vacuum.
The bottle is completely filled with deaired distilled water and closed
with stopper. The mass of the bottle and its contents, M3 is

VII.

determined.
The bottle is emptied and cleaned thoroughly. It is filled with deaired
distilled water, put on the stopper and the bottle is wiped dry from
outside. The mass, M4 is determined.
5

VIII.

Steps 3 to 7 are repeated and two more determinations are taken.

Lastly, experiment to determine the direct shear parameter of soils,

I.

The undisturbed specimen is prepared by pushing a cutting ring of size 100mm in

diameter and 20mm in height. The squares specimen of size 60mm x 60mm is then
cut from the circular specimen obtained.

II.

The test specimen is inserted carefully. The loading block is placed in place. The
vertical and horizontal displacement indicator is positioned. Appropriate normal load
is applied.

III.

The upper and lower halves of the shear box frame are separated by a gap of about
1.0mm.

IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.

The locking screws are removed.

The rate of shear is on the order of 0.6mm/sec.
The shearing force is applied and it has reached failure, the test apparatus is stopped.
The readings of the load, shear displacement and vertical displacement dials are taken.
The applied normal pressure, dismantle are backed off. The shear box is cleaned.
Two more determinations are taken by compact the sample to be denser

Experiment to classify the coarse grained soil,

Experiment to determine the specific gravity of fine grained soil,

Experiment to determine the direct shear parameter of soils,

RESULTS
1. Sieve Analysis Test.
Total sample mass = 200 g
Sieve size

Mass Retained

% Retained

(g)

(g)
7

Total % Passing

(mm)
5.00
4.75
3.35
2.00
1.18
0.600
0.425
0.300
0.150
0.063
Pan

8.3
8.6
13.7
13.4
11.2
7.1
9.5
11.6
19,9
16.1
80.4

4.19
4.34
6.97
6.76
5.65
3.58
4.79
5.85
10.05
8.13
40.61

Mass of sample after sieving = 198.0 g

Soil loss = 2.0 g

Calculation
Example of calculation for the sieve size 5.00mm:
Mass retained on the sieve

= 8.3 g

Mass passed the sieve

= Total mass after sieving mass retained

= 200 8.3
= 191.7 g

Total sample mass

= 200g

Total sample mass after sieving

= 198.0 g

Total percent passed the sieve

= (mass passed the sieve / total sample mass after sieving) x 100 %

95.81
91.47
84.5
77.74
72.09
68.51
63.72
57.87
47.82
39.69
0.00

8.3
100%
198

= 15.3%

Therefore,
D 60=0.35
D 30=0.025
D 10=0.0025

Where,
D 60=maximum the smallest 60 of the sample
D 30=maximum the smallest 60 of the sample

D 10=maximum the smallest 60 of the sample

Hence,
Coefficient of uniformity ,C u=

D 60
0.35
=
D 10 0.0025

140

D 230
Coefficient of gradient , C z =
D60 D10

0.0252
0.35 0.0025

0.714

From the experiment, it is observed that the soil loss is 2.0 g. The error due to soil loss can be
obtained by:

2.0
100
200

10

2.Specific Gravity Test

Determination

1. Density bottle number

2.Mass of density bottle, M1 (g)

29.05

28.50

29.10

3. Mass of bottle + dry soil, M2 (g)

39.05

38.50

39.10

4. Mass of bottle + soil + water, M3 (g)

85.06

85.30

85.10

5. Mass of bottle + water, M4 (g)

78.89

79.05

78.90

Specific Gravity, Gs

2.61

2.67

2.63

Calculation

11

M 2 M1

(M 2 M 1 ) (M 3 M 4 )

Specific Gravity, Gs

Calculation Sample (Specific Gravity for determination 1):

GS =

M 2M 1

( M 2M 1 ) ( M 3M 4 )

39.0529.05
( 39.0529.05 )(85.0678.89)
= 2.61

Average Gs

= (2.61+2.67+2.63) / 3
= 2.64

3.Direct Shear Test

Data and Observation
Table 1: Proving Ring calibration factor
WF No.: 14120
Capacity: 2KN
Ring No.: 15615 (4kg)
1 Division: 0.002mm

Load

Compression
12

(Kilonewtons)

(Division)

0.2

146

0.4

291

0.6

439

0.8

587

736

1.2

883

1.4

1033

1.6

1183

1.8

1335

1487

Table 2: Experiment Data

Load:2kg
Time : 10 min 23 sec
Shea
r
Disp.
Dial

Shea Norma
r
l Disp.
Disp. Dial
(mm)

Normal
Disp.

Provin
g Ring
Dial

35

0.35

-0.5

-0.0010

98

0.98

-0.8

-0.0016

145

1.45

-14

201

2.01

-18

Shear
Force,
P h

Cross
sectiona
l Area,
A (mm)

Shear
Stress,

1.3

3600

0.00036

0.00583

32

41.6

3600

0.01156

0.01633

-0.0280

43

55.9

3600

0.01553

0.02417

-0.0360

48

62.4

3600

0.01733

0.03350

(Kn)

13

Strain,

(kPa)

264

2.64

-20

-0.0400

53

68.9

3600

0.01914

0.04400

323

3.23

-28

-0.0560

57

70.2

3600

0.01950

0.05383

387

3.87

-19.5

-0.0390

60

78.0

3600

0.02167

0.06450

445

4.45

-17.5

-0.0350

60

78.0

3600

0.02167

0.07417

506

5.06

-13

-0.0260

62

80.6

3600

0.02239

0.08433

568

5.68

-10

-0.0200

62

80.6

3600

0.02239

0.09465

628

6.28

-8

-0.0160

62

80.6

3600

0.02239

0.10467

Provin
g Ring
Dial

Shear
Force,
P h

Cross
sectiona
l Area,
A (mm)

Shear
Stress,

Strain,

max 0.02239

Load:4kg
Time : 8 min 15 sec
Shea
r
Disp.
Dial

Shea Norma
r
l Disp.
Disp. Dial
(mm)

Normal
Disp.

48

0.48

-7

-0.014

22

28.6

3600

0.00794

0.0080

86

0.86

-10

-0.020

29

37.7

3600

0.01047

0.0143

109

1.09

-14

-0.028

35

45.5

3600

0.01264

0.0182

168

1.68

-26.5

-0.053

45

58.5

3600

0.01625

0.0280

247

2.47

-26.5

-0.053

48

62.4

3600

0.01733

0.0412

(Kn)

14

(kPa)

288

2.88

-26.5

-0.053

50

65.0

3600

0.01806

0.0480

350

3.50

-21

-0.042

67

87.1

3600

0.02419

0.0583

405

4.05

-7

-0.014

67

87.1

3600

0.02419

0.0675

467

4.67

-3

-0.006

67

87.1

3600

0.02419

0.0778

Provin
g Ring
Dial

Shear
Force,
P h

Cross
sectiona
l Area,
A (mm)

Shear
Stress,

Strain,

max 0.02419

Load:6kg
Time : 7 min 7 sec
Shea
r
Disp.
Dial

Shea Norma
r
l Disp.
Disp. Dial
(mm)

Normal
Disp.

59

0.59

-0.5

-0.001

10.4

3600

0.00289

0.00983

115

1.15

-10

-0.020

35

45.5

3600

0.01264

0.01917

179

1.79

-20

-0.040

45

58.5

3600

0.01625

0.02983

275

2.75

-26

-0.052

55

71.5

3600

0.01986

0.04583

(Kn)

15

(kPa)

405

4.05

-24

-0.048

70

91.0

3600

0.02528

0.06750

487

4.87

-23

-0.046

70

91.0

3600

0.02528

0.08117

568

5.68

-22

-0.044

70

91.0

3600

0.02528

0.09470

max 0.02528

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
Given data:
1. Specimen size (length x width) = 60 x 60mm
2. Test load = 2kg
3. Calibration factor = 0.0013 (taken from graph)

Cross-sect. area of specimen, A

=
=
=

60 x 60
3600mm
3.6 x 10-3m

Shear force, Ph

=
=
=

Proving ring dial x Calibration factor

1 x 0.0013
0.0013kN

16

Normal stress

=
=
=

Load x acceleration by gravity,g / Area

2 x 9.81 / (3600 x 10-3)
5.45 kPa

Shear displacement

=
=
=
=

Horizontal displacement
Shear displacement dial x 0.01mm
35 x 0.01mm
0.35mm

Normal displacement

=
=
=
=

Vertical displacement
Normal disp. dials x 0.002mm
-0.5 x 0.002mm

0.001 mm

Shear stress,

=
=
=

Ph / A
0.0013 kN/ (3.6 ) m
0.00036 kPa

Strain,

=
=

Shear displacement / length

0.35mm / 60mm

0.00583

Load (Kilonewtons) vs Division

2.5
2
1.5
Load(kN)

1
0.5
0
0

200

400

600

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Division

17

Plot shearing stress versus shear displacement to obtain maximum value of shearing stress.
2kg

Shear Stress (kPa) vs Shear Displacement

0.03
0.02
0.02
Shear Stress(kPa)

0.01
0.01
0
0

Shear Displacement

4kg

18

Shear Stress, vs Shear Displacement

0.03
0.03
0.02
Shear Stress (kPa)

0.02
0.01
0.01
0
0

10

12

Shear displacement

6kg

Shear Stress vs Shear Displacement

0.03
0.03
0.02
Shear Stress(kPa)

0.02
0.01
0.01
0
0

Shear Displacement (mm)

Plot graph of shearing stress versus Strain and obtain value of shear stress at failure for each
determination.
19

2kg

Shear Stress, (kPa) vs Strain

0.03
0.02
0.02
Shear Stress(kPa)

0.01
0.01
0
0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

Strain

4kg

Shear Stress, (kPa) vs Strain

0.03
0.03
0.02
Shear Stress(kPa)

0.02
0.01
0.01
0
0

0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09

Strain

6kg
20

Shear Stress, (kPa) vs Strain

0.03
0.03
0.02
Shear Stress(kPa)

0.02
0.01
0.01
0
0

0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
Strain

21

Plot shearing stress at failure versus normal stress and show the angle of internal friction,
and intercept,c.

Shear Stress(kPa) VS Normal Stress(kPa)

0.03
0.03
0.02
Shear stress at failure(kPa)

0.02
0.01
0.01
0
0

50

100

150

200

Normal stress(kPa)

From graph of shear stress at failure versus normal stress;

Equation for the linear line is y = 0.028 x + 0.0193
We compare the two equations to obtain:
Cohesion, C = 0.0193 kN
tan =m=0.028
1

=tan 0.028=1.6

22

250

DISCUSSION.
From the sieve analysis test,
1. Determine the coefficient of uniformity, Cu and the coefficient of gradation, Cg .
To determine the grain size distribution curve of the given dry soil samples by passing
them through a stack of sieves of decreasing mesh openings sizes and by measuring the
weight retained on each sieve. After that the graph of Percentage Finer versus Sieve Opening
Size is plotted to obtain the coefficient of uniformity and coefficient of gradient.
From the sieve analysis test, we manage to obtain the value for the coefficient of uniformity,
Cu

and coefficient of gradient,

Cz

. The values obtained are 140 and 0.714 respectively.

The calculations can be done by first plotting graph of Percentage Finer versus Sieve
Opening Size.

23

2. Classify the soil using the soil parameters based on relevant soil standard.
Most well-graded soil will be have grading curve that are mainly flat or
slightly concave, giving values of Cg between 0.5 and 2.0. One useful application is
an approximation of the coefficient of permeability, which suggested by Hazen. From
calculation the Cu >3, a well-graded soil. Therefore, we can classify the soil as Well
graded gravel SAND.

24

From the Specific Gravity test,

1. Compare and explain the value of gravity of soil you have obtained in the
laboratory with that of other types of soil from published work.
As an example, we done Kaolin test in the lab, the specify gravity for it is between 2.7 to
2.8. While we doing for our sample soil is 2.64 , it is in range from 2.6-2.67. From this it
shows that Kaolin is clay and our soil sample is sand.
This experiment was considerable a success but due to the some contributing factors
we were not able to get the exact value

Gs

. These differences of value in each sample as

well as the exact value may be due to human errors, equipment errors as well as
environmental errors throughout the experiment. Although some are hardly detectable there
are some which were obvious but neglected due to our carelessness.

25

From the Direct Shear Test,

1. What is the purpose of direct shear test? Which soil properties does it measure?
Direct shear test is a laboratory test to find the shear strength parameters of cohesion-less
soil which is sand. The shear strength is one of the most important engineering properties of a
soil, because it is required whenever a structure is dependent on the soils shearing resistance.
The shear strength is needed for engineering situations such as determining the stability of
slopes or cuts, finding the bearing capacity for foundations, and calculating the pressure
exerted by a soil on a retaining wall.
2. Can you predict what will happen if you dont remove the locking screws during
the test?
The locking screws must be set properly before shearing sample. The large pair of screws
is used to align the shear box halves and they must be removed before shearing the sample.
Otherwise, the locking screws will also be sheared, the reading will be incorrect.
3. What is the purpose of the porous stone in the direct shear test?
The purpose of porous stone is to allow free drainage.
4. List four possible errors that would cause inaccurate determinations of strength
and stress deformation characteristics.
i)

The undisturbed specimen should be prepared by pushing a cutting ring of size

100mm in diameter and 20mm in height. The square specimen of size 60mm x
60mm is then cut from the circular specimen obtained. Then, the specimen should

ii)

be inserted carefully into the shear box.

The gap between the lower and upper of shear box should not be more than 1mm

iii)

as it would cause the soil to spill out due to the gap.

Additional forces might have been applied to the sample soil before transferring to
the shearing equipment, this might happen when we accidentally pressed on top of

iv)

the soil sample or object with significant mass placed on it.

During the determination of shear, there are three readouts to read: the horizontal
displacement, vertical displacement, and shear force. But due to human error the
readings obtained might not be accurate since 3 individual are unable to
simultaneously read the readings. Parallax error also occurs dues to mistake when
we took the readings.
26

CONCLUSION.
By conducted basic soil classification tests which are sieve analysis and specific
gravity test, the soil sample collected from site is classify as "well-graded gravel sand" . The
soil sample is taken from around COIT in UNITEN because the soil there is easy soft and
easy to dig. The soil sample, disturbed soil obtained from site is use for different types of
laboratory soil testing. Since the task given is only needed to collected disturbed soil sample,
therefore the differentiation between disturbed and undisturbed soil samples cannot be done.
The soil sample obtained is classified as coarse-grained soil which has high permeability and
so the rate of consolidation is high, the water content is low (14.57%) which mean there will
be only little consolidation settlement at the site. Direct shear test is conduct to obtain the
shear strength parameter of cohesion-less soil since the soil sample is sand. From the direct
shear test , the highest normal stress that we obtained from the soil sample is 211.896kN.

REFERENCES
1. Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Department of Civil Engineeering, CEGB 231 Soil
Mechanics Laboratory Manual by T. Wong Leong Sing, Nur Irfah Mohd Pauzi,
T.Sivadass & Zakaria Che Muda.
2. Basic Soil Mechanics Fourth Edition 2004, Roy Whitlow,Pearson.

27