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ECG203

BASIC SOIL MECHANICS


CHAPTER 1: Physical Properties and
Classification of Soil

Learning outcome (WEEK ONE)


At the end of this lecture, students should be
able to understand:
1.1 Soil origin, soil minerals, engineering soil
terminology, soil composition, types and
methods of identification
1.2 Basic soil properties and soil phase
diagram, mass volume relationship, specific
gravity
2

INTRODUCTION
To design a foundation that will support a structure, an engineer

must understand the types of soils deposits that will support the
foundation
Engineers must remember that soil at any site frequently is nonhomogenous; that is the soil profile may vary
Soil mechanics theories involve idealized conditions, so the
application of the theories to foundation engineering problems
involves a judicious evaluation of site conditions and soil
parameters
To do this requires some knowledge of the geological process
by which the soil deposit at the site was formed by subsurface
exploration
Good professional judgment constitutes an essential part of
geotechnical engineering and it comes only with practice
3

1.1.1: Soil Origin


Geologist described soil as those layers of

loose unconsolidated material extending


from the surface to solid rock.
Soil have been formed by weathering and
disintegration of the rocks.
In engineering context, soil means material
that can be worked without drilling or
blasting.
4

Soils originate from solid rocks such as igneous,

metamorphic and sedimentary.


The process of soil formation are controlling by these

factors:

Nature and composition of the parent rock.


Climatic conditions (eg: temperature and humidity)
Topographic and general terrain conditions (eg:
exposure, density, type of vegetation)
Length of time related to particular prevailing
conditions.
Interference by other agencies (eg: earthquake).
Mode and conditions of transport.

Magma cools and crystallizes to form igneous rock.


Igneous rock undergoes weathering (or breakdown) to form

sediment. The sediment is transported and deposited


somewhere (such as at the beach or in a delta, or in the deep
sea).
The deposited sediment undergoes lithification (the processes
that turn it into a rock). These include cementation and
compaction.
As the sedimentary rock is buried under more and more
sediment, the heat and pressure of burial cause
metamorphism to occur. This transforms the sedimentary rock
into a metamorphic rock.
As the metamorphic rock is buried more deeply (or as it is
squeezed by plate tectonic pressures), temperatures and
pressures continue to rise. If the temperature becomes hot
enough, the metamorphic rock undergoes melting. The molten
rock is called magma. This completes the cycle.
7

Igneous rock

- formed by solidification of molten magma


ejected from deep within the earth mantle
- extrusive where magma is extruded onto
the earths surface to create volcano
- intrusive when magma solidifies below the
surface of the earth. May later be
exposed at the surface when the
cover rocks are eroded away
- e.g. granite, basalt
9

Sedimentary rock

- the deposits of gravel, sand, silt and clay formed by


weathering may become compacted by overburden pressure
and cemented agents like iron oxide, calcite, dolomite and
quartz
- can also be formed by chemical processes
- e.g. sandstone, clay
Metamorphic rock

- process of changing the composition and texture of rocks,


without melting by heat and pressure
- type depends on the original rock material that was
metamorphosed and the temperature and pressure conditions
which were imposed
- e.g. schist, hornfels
10

Natural soil deposits


Effects of weathering
- process of breaking down rocks by mechanical and chemical
processes into smaller pieces
- most of the soil that cover the earth formed by weathering of
various rocks.
- there are 2 general types of weathering
(1) mechanical weathering by physical forces including running
water, wind, ocean waves, glacier ice, frost and expansion and
contraction by the gain and loss of heat
(2) chemical weathering chemical decomposition of the original
rock. The original material may be changed to something
entirely different. e.g. the chemical weathering of feldspar can
produce clay minerals
- In hot climates, weathering may remove some minerals,
leaving others of a more resistant nature in a 11concentrated
deposit (eg laterite, bauxite)

Effects of transport

- soil produced by weathering of rocks can be


transported by physical processes to other places
- the resulting soil deposits are called transported
soils. In contrast, some soils stay where they were
formed and cover the rock surface from which they
derive; and this are called residual soils
- a fine wind blown dust may be carried considerable
distances before being deposited.
- the action of flowing water may dissolve some
minerals, carry some articles in suspension and
bounce or roll others along.
12

Transported soils may be classified into several

groups depending on their mode of transportation


and deposition:
Glacial soils-formed by transportation and deposition
of glaciers
Alluvial soils-transported by running water and
deposited along streams
Lacustrine soils-form by deposition in quiet lakes
Marine soils-formed by deposition in the seas
Aeolian soils-transported and deposited by wind
Colluvial soils-formed by movement of soil form its
original place by gravity, such as during landslides
13

1.1.2: Mineral composition of soil

Soil commonly consists of mixtures of inorganic


mineral particles, water and air. Therefore it is
convenient to think of soil model which has three
phases: solid, liquid and gas
gas

Air
Water vappour

liquid

Water
Dissolved salts

solid

Rock fragments
Mineral grains
Organic matter

Three phase soil model

14

Rock fragments
identifiable

pieces of the parent rock


containing several minerals.
Rock fragments usually > 2mm (sand to
gravel)
Soundness of the soil will depend on the
extend of differential mineral decomposition
within individual fragments.
For example, the presence of kaolinised
granite fragments could influence the shear
strength of soil.
15

Mineral grains
Separate particles of each particular mineral and

range in size from gravel to clay (> 2mm to 1m)


Mostly soil will consist almost entirely of one minerals
but some soils will contain mixtures of different
minerals.
Soil could be divided into 2 major groups; coarse and
fine.
Coarse soil classified as particles size > 0.06mm
such as sands and gravels.
Fine soil are finer than 0.06 mm such as clay and silt.
16

Organic matter
Origin from plant or animal remains (called as

humus).
Also featured as top soil, occur in the upper layer not
more than 0.5 m thickness.
Peat deposits are predominantly fibrous organic
material.
In engineering, organic matter has undesirable
properties (e.g: highly compressible, absorb large
quantities of water and low shear strength and thus
low bearing capacity)

17

Water
Fundamental part of natural soil and in fact has a

greater effect on engineering properties than any


constituent
Water has no shear strength, it is incompressible,
therefore transmit direct pressure. So that, the
drainage conditions in soil mass are of greatly
significance when considering its shear strength
Water can dissolve in solution a wide range of salts
and other compounds, some of it has undesirable
effects. E.g. the presence of sulphate ions has a
serious deleterious effect on one of the compounds in
Portland cement and can therefore be harmful to
concrete structures
18

Air
Soils may be considered in a practical sense

to be perfectly dry or fully saturated


To be exact, the 2 extremes do not occur
In a so-called dry soil there will be water
vapor present, while fully-saturated soil may
contain as much as 2% air voids
Air is compressible and water vapor can
freeze

19

Clay minerals
Mainly produced from feldspar

and micas.
It form part of a group of complex
alumino-silicates of potassium,
magnesium and iron (layer-lattice).
Tetrahedral unit
Very small in size, very flaky in shape and have considerable
surface area
Two basic structural units; tetrahedral and octahedral unit.
4 main group of clay;
- kaolinite: derived from weathering of feldspar.
- illite: degradation of micas under marine condition.
- montmorillonite: from further degradation of illite.
- vermiculite: weathering products of biotite and
chlorite.
Octahedral unit
20

1.1.3: Engineering Soil Terminology


a) Rock Hard rigid deposit forming part of the earths
crust (eg: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary
rock).
b) Soil any loose or diggable material that is worked
in, worked on and worked with.
c) Organic Soil a mixture of mineral grains and
organic material of mainly vegetable origin in
varying stages of decomposition.
d) Peat made up entirely of organic matter, very
spongy, highly compressible, and combustible.

21

Residual soil the weathered remains of rocks that


have undergone no transportation. Normally sandy
or gravelly with high concentrations of oxides.
f) Alluvium sands and gravels which have been
deposited from rivers or streams.
g) Cohesive soil fine soil containing sufficient clay or
silt particles to impart significant plasticity and
cohesion.
h) Cohesionless soil coarse soils (sand and gravel)
which do not exhibit plasticity or cohesion.
i) Boulder clay - also called till. Soil of glacial origin
consisting of a very wide range of particle sizes
from finely ground rock flour to boulders.
j) Drift geological term to describe superficial
unconsolidated deposits of recent origin such as
alluvium.
e)

22

1.1.4: Soil Composition


Soil formation
Formed from physical and chemical weathering of

rocks
Physical weathering exfoliation, unloading, erosion,
freezing and thawing
Chemical weathering hydration, carbonation and
oxidation
- The composition of these soils depends on the
environment under which they were transported and
is often different from the parent rock.
23

Soil types
Common descriptive terms gravels, sands,

silts and clays


Gravels and sands
grouped together as
coarsed grained soils
- Silts and clays are fine-grained soils

24

Clay minerals
Minerals are crystalline materials and make

up the solids constituents of a soil


- Minerals are classified according to chemical
composition and stucture

25

Surface forces and adsorbed water


Because of the large surface areas of fine-

grained soils, surface forces significantly


influence their behavior compared to coarsegrained soils
- The clay-water interaction coupled with the
large surface areas results in clays having
larger water-holding capacity in a large
number of smaller pore spaces compared
with coarse-grained soils
26

Soil fabrics
Soil particles are assumed to be rigid
During deposition, the mineral particles are arranged

into structural frameworks that we call soil fabric


Each particle is in random contact with neighboring
particles
The environment under which deposition occurs
influences the structural framework that is formed
- 2 common types of soil fabric flocculated and
dispersed
27

1.2.1: Soil Phase Diagram


(WEEK TWO)
Soil commonly consists of mixtures of inorganic mineral

particles (solid), water and air.


Unit solid volume model is the most convenient.
air
water
solid

Va
Vw

Va = volume of air
1
VwVs
= =volume
of water
Vs = volume of solid = 1
(1m3 of solid material)
28

The model is constructed of 1m 3 of solid material and

Voids
(air +
Water)

No water

No air

Air
only

Water
only

solid

solid

b) Completely dry soil

c) Saturated29 soil

1+e

will remain constant.


Volume of solid is fixed while volume of air and water
can change.
Volume of water and air = void space.
Perfect dry soil no water is present and void space
completely fill with air.
Saturated soil no air is present and void space
completely fill with water.

solid
a) Void ratio

1.2.2: Mass-Volume relationship


Total volume,

V = Vs + Vv = Vs + Vw + Va
Assuming the weight of air is negligible, total

mass,
M = M s + Mw

30

Masses

Mass of water, Mw = wGsw


Mass of soil, Ms = Gsw

Va = e (1-Sr)

water

Vw = Sre = wGs

solid

Vs = 1

V=1+e
(Specific volume)

air

Volumes

Three separate phases of a soil element with volume of soil solids equal to one

w = density of water = 1000kg/m3 = 1.0Mg/m3


31

a)

Void ratio (e)


The volume not occupied by solids known as voids volume.
May occupied by water or air or both.
e = volume of voids = Vv = e
volume of solid
Vs 1

b)

c)

(1)

Porosity (n)
To expressing the quantity of voids.
n = volume of voids = Vv
total volume
V
n=
e
(2)
1+e
Specific volume (V)
The total volume of the soil model.
V=1+e
(3)
32

d)

Degree of saturation (Sr) measure how saturated the soil is.


Sr = volume of water = Vw
volume
of void e
Vw = Sre
(4)
% of saturation = 100Sr
w= moisture content
*For perfectly dry soil, Sr = 0
Gs = specific gravity
*For saturated soil, Sr = 1
e)

Air void ratio (Av) ratio of air voids volume to specific volume.
Av = volume of air = Va = e (1-Sr)
total volume 1 + e
1+e
but Sr = wGs/e
Av = e (1-Sr) = e
1- (wGs/e) =
e - wGs
1+e
1+e
1+e 1+e
therefore, Av = e wGs
(5)
1+e
33

f)

Specific gravity (Gs)


Ratio of the mass of a given volume of a material to the mass
of the same volume of water.
Gs = mass of a given volume of a material
mass of the same volume of water
= Ms
(6)
Vsw
Gs = 2.55 to 2.75 with average value = 2.65

g)

Moisture content ()
Ratio of the mass of water to the mass of solid.
w = mass of water = Mw = Vww
mass of solid
Ms
G s w
but Vw = Sre = wGs
Therefore, w = Sre
Gs

(7)
34

h)

Dry density (d) (kg/m3, Mg/m3)


d = mass of solid = ms
total volume
V
therefore, d = Gsw
1+e

i)

(8)

Bulk density (b) (kg/m3, Mg/m3)


b = total mass
total volume
= mass of solid + mass of water
total volume
= Gsw + Vww = Gsw + Srew
1+e
1+e
therefore, b = Gs + Sre w
(9)
35
1+e

j)

Relation between dry density (d) and bulk


density (b)
Gs + Sre w
b =
1+e
= Gs + Sre
d Gs
w
1 +e
Gs
b = Gs + Sre
d Gs
Gs
b
d

1 + wGs
Gs

1 + S re

1+e
1+e

but Sre = wGs

b = (1 + w) d

(10)

36

k) Saturated density (sat) (kg/m3, Mg/m3)


when soil become saturated, Sr = 1 and b becomes
saturated (sat)
From equation (9), the saturated density becomes
sat = Gs + e

(11)

1+e

37

l) Submerged density or effective density (


or sub) (kg/m3)
= sub = sat w

(12)

Note:
b is bulk density above water table
sat is saturated density or bulk density above
water table.
= sub is submerged or effective density
for calculation, use = sub when it
is below water
table. Ground level

Water table

sat

= sub = sat 38
w

m) Unit weight () (kN/m3, N/cm3)


Unit weight is a weight of soil per unit volume
=W
V

= force/unit volume

= .g
(13)
where g = 9.81 m/s
* Formula is same for all condition

39

Determination of Specific Gravity


Fine soil density bottle
Coarse soil gas jar or glass jar fitted with a

conical screw top (pycnometer)


Testing procedure - An appropriate quantity
of dried soil is placed in the jar and weight.
The jar is filled with de-aired water and
agitated to remove any air bubbles. After
carefully topping-up with water, the jar is
weighed again. Finally, the jar is emptied
and cleaned, and the filled with de-aired
water and weighed again.
40

Determination of Specific Gravity


M1 = mass of empty jar
M2 = mass of jar + dry soil
M3 = mass of jar + soil + water
M4 = mass of jar + water only
Then the specific gravity of the soil particles

is obtained as follows:

41

EXAMPLE 1

42

EXAMPLE 2

43

EXAMPLE 3

44

EXAMPLE 4

45

Learning outcome
(WEEK THREE)
At the end of this lecture, students should be
able to:
1.3 Describe and classify the soil based on:
mineral composition, particles sizes and
grading, density, moisture content, void ratio.
Soil consistency Atterberg Limits
and soil
quality test
1.4 Classify the soil using BS and compare
with USA Standard (ASTM)
46

Introduction
Soil is generally classified into 3 phases
Solid, Liquid & Gas
Soil, Water & Air
Solid particles & Voids
Solid particles = Soil particles
Voids = Water + Air

47

Field Identification
Particle size : by implementing visual
examination and feel.
Grading : either the soil is well graded/
poorly graded/uniform graded.
Compactness : sometimes regarded as field
strength and can be reported as loose/
dense/slightly cemented.
Structure : either the soil is classified as
homogenous/inter-stratified/intact/fissured.
48

Field Identification
Cohesion, Plasticity & Consistency : this
method can be used for identifying soil
particles by hand squeezing. Soil can be
classified as either; very soft / soft / firm /
very firm / hard / crumbly.
Dilatancy : dilatancy will exhibits a glossy
water film marking on the surface of the
pat.
49

Field Identification
Dry strength : can be identified by breaking
the soil.
Weathering : can be classified into
unweathered / slightly weathered /
moderately weathered / highly weathered /
fully weathered.

50

Types of Classification

Description is simply what you see and how the soils responds to simple
tests
Classification is a scheme for separating soils into broad groups, each with
broadly similar behavior
There are various classification schemes for different purposes. For civil
engineering purposes soil classifications should be based mainly on
mechanical behavior
There are several schemes published in National Standards. A simple and
universal scheme for soil description is as follows:
1. The nature of soil grains size, grading, shape, surface texture and their
mineralogy
2. The current state of soil current stresses, water content and history of
loading and unloading
3. The structure of fabric layering or bedding, fissuring or jointing and
cementing
4. The formation of the soils may be deposited naturally by water, ice or
wind, may be residual products of rock weathering or may be compacted by
51
machines into embankments and fills

Types of Classification
BS 1377 (British Standards Institutions)
BS 5930 (British Standards Institutions)
ASTM (American Standard of Testing
Materials)
AASHTO (American Association State
Highway & Transportation Official)
MS (Malaysian Standards)

52

Types of Classification
BS 5930 (British Standards Institutions)

53

Types of Classification
BS 5930 (British Standards Institutions)

54

Types of Classification
ASTM or Unified Soil Classification System

55

Soil Classification
Particle Size Test
Typical Grading Curve
Grading Characteristics

56

Soil Classification
Particle Size Test
The aim is to measure the distribution of
particle size in the sample.
When a wide range of sizes is present, the
sample will be sub-divided, and separate tests
carried out on each sub-sample.
Wet sieving is used to separate fine grains from
coarse grains and is carried out by washing soil
specimen on a 60 mm sieve mesh.
57

Soil Classification
Particle Size Test
Dry sieving analyses can only be carried out on
particles > 60 mm; samples (with fines
removed) are dried and shaken through a nest
of sieves of descending mesh size.
Sedimentation is used only for fine soils
(hydrometer test).

58

Soil Classification
Hydrometer analysis
For particle sizes smaller than 0.075mm in diameter
Based on principle of sedimentation of soil grains in water
When soil specimen is dispersed in water, the particles settle at
different velocities
depending on their shape, size and weight and the viscosity of the
water
This analysis is effective for separating soil fractions down to a size of
about 0.5m

59

Classification of Coarse Soil


Particle Size Test
The cumulative percentage quantities finer than
certain sizes (e.g. passing a given size sieve
mesh) are determined by weighing.
Points are then plotted of % finer (passing)
against log size.
A smooth S-shaped curve drawn through these
points is called a grading curve.
60

Classification of Coarse Soil


Particle Size Test
The position and shape of the grading curve
determines the soil class; also, geometrical
grading characteristics can be determined from
the grading curve.

61

Classification of Coarse Soil


Typical Grading Curve

62

Classification of Coarse Soil


Typical Grading Curve
A - a poorly-graded medium SAND (probably
estuarine or flood-plain alluvium)
B - a well-graded GRAVEL-SAND (i.e.. equal
amounts of gravel and sand)
C - a gap-graded COBBLES-SAND
D - a sandy SILT (perhaps a deltaic or
estuarine silt)
E - a typical silty CLAY
63

Classification of Coarse Soil


Grading Characteristics
A grading curve is a useful aid to soil
description.
Grading curves are often included in ground
investigation reports.
Results of grading tests can be tabulated using
geometric properties of the grading curve.
These properties are called grading
characteristics.
64

Classification of Coarse Soil


Grading Characteristics
First of all, three points are located on the
grading curve :
D10 = the maximum size of the smallest 10% of
D30

the sample
= the maximum size of the smallest 30% of

D60

the sample
= the maximum size of the smallest 60% of
the sample
65

Classification of Coarse Soil


Grading Characteristics

66

Classification of Coarse Soil


Grading Characteristics
From these, the grading characteristics are
then calculated :
Effective size = D10
Uniformity coefficient, Cu = D60 / D10
Coefficient of gradation, Cg = (D30) / (D60 x D10)
67

Classification of Coarse Soil


Grading Characteristics
Both Cu and Cg will be 1 for a single sized soil
Cu > 5 indicates a well-graded soil
Cu < 3 indicates a uniform soil
Cg = 0.5 - 2.0 indicates a well-graded soil
Cg < 0.1 indicates a possible gap-graded soil
68

Classification of Coarse Soil

69

Sieving Testing Procedure

Electric Sieve Shaker

70

Hand Operated Sieve Shaker

Sieving Testing Procedure

71

Sieving Testing Procedure

Small
Aperture

Big
Aperture

72

Sieving Testing Procedure

Perforated Plate Sieve


(Square Hole)

Woven Wire Mesh Sieve


73

Sieving Testing Procedure

Perforated Plate Sieve


(Square Hole)

Woven Wire Mesh Sieve


74

Sieving Testing Procedure


Perforated Plate Sieve (Square Hole)

20 mm

20 mm

75

Sieving Testing Procedure


Woven Mesh Sieve

76

Sieving Test Procedure

Sieve Size 37.5mm


Larger Aperture Size

Weigh all the empty test


sieves selected for the
testing including the pan.

Smaller Aperture Size

Sieve Size 3.35mm

Pan

77

Sieving Test Procedure


Weigh the mass of the
soil which is going to be
Used for the testing

Mass of soil = 2458 g


78

Sieving Test Procedure


Size 37.5 mm
Size 28 mm
Size 20 mm
Size 14 mm
Size 10 mm
Size 6.3 mm
Size 5 mm
Size 3.35 mm
Pan

Sieve
Arrangement

Preparing of the Test


Sieve
1st Stage of sieving.
stack the test sieve in a
proper sequence.
In this example, the lid or
cover will be placed on the
top of the sequence.
It then followed by the test
sieve of size 37.5 mm until
the test sieve of size 3.35
mm with the pan at the
bottom most order
of the
79
stack.

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 37.5 mm
Size 28 mm
Size 20 mm
Size 14 mm

Set Up the Sieve Shaker


Transfer the stacked test
sieve to the sieve shaker.
Do not attached the
stabilizing bar yet.

Size 10 mm
Size 6.3 mm
Size 5 mm
Size 3.35 mm
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

80

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 37.5 mm
Size 28 mm
Size 20 mm
Size 14 mm
Size 10 mm
Size 6.3 mm
Size 5 mm

Transferring the Soil


Remove the lid.
Pour the soil to the top
most of the stacked test
sieve.
Be extra careful when
pouring the soil into the
test sieves.

Size 3.35 mm
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

81

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 37.5 mm
Size 28 mm
Size 20 mm
Size 14 mm
Size 10 mm
Size 6.3 mm
Size 5 mm
Size 3.35 mm
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

Get Ready to Shake


Fasten the lid.
Fasten and tighten the
stabilizing bar on top of
the stacked sieve.
Set the dial knob to 10
minutes.
Press On.
The shaking starts.

82

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 37.5 mm
Size 28 mm
Size 20 mm
Size 14 mm
Size 10 mm
Size 6.3 mm
Size 5 mm
Size 3.35 mm
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

Weighing the Retained


Soil on the Test Sieves
Remove the stabilizing
bar on top of the stacked
sieve.
Remove the lid.
Remove the stacked
sieves from the sieve
shaker.
Prepare the test sieves
for individual weighing
with the retained soil.
83

Sieving Test Procedure


No Soil
Retained

Size 37.5 mm

Weighing the Retained


Soil on the Test Sieves

Size 28 mm
Size 20 mm
Size 14 mm
Size 10 mm
Size 6.3 mm
Size 5 mm
Size 3.35 mm
Pan

The mass of soil retained can be obtained


by deducting the mass of the
test sieve
84
obtained during the initial stage of testing.

Sieving Test Procedure


Size 2 mm
Size 1.18 mm
Size 600 m
Size 425 m
Size 300 m
Size 212 m
Size 150 m
Size 63 m
Pan

Sieve
Arrangement

Preparing of the Test


Sieve
2nd Stage of sieving.
Similar to the 1st Stage,
stack the test sieve in a
proper sequence.
The lid or cover will be
placed on the top of the
sequence.
The sequence is the test
sieve size of size 2 mm on
top and the test sieve of
size 63 m with
85 the pan
will be at the bottom.

Sieving Test Procedure


Example :
Total mass of soil used = 2458 g
Stage 1
Sieve size (mm) 37.5
Mass of soil
0

28
55

20

14

100 154

10

6.3

205 305

5.0
199

3.35
275

Retained (g)

Pan Contents = 1165 g

Riffled sample to = 196 g

Stage 2
Sieve size
2
1.18
(mm or m)
Mass of soil 54.3 38
Retained (g)

600

425

300

212

150

63

30

14.2

15.5

13.1

11.2

16.5

Pan Contents = 3.1 g

86

Sieving Test Procedure


S.O.L.A.T
Interface

87

Sieving Test Procedure

S.O.L.A.T
Print Out
Layout

88

Sieving Test Procedure


Pan

Soil Mass of
1165 g

Sieve size 2.0 mm


Maximum Soil Mass of
200 g

Sieve size 1.18 mm


Maximum Soil Mass of
100 g

Riffling the Soil Sample


The mass of the soil
sample collected in the
pan @ passing the 3.35
mm test sieve is 1165 g.
These mass exceeds the
mass that are allocated
for the next stage of test
sieve which is sieve size
2.0 mm (Refer Table).
Riffling has to be
conducted.
89

Sieving Test Procedure

90

Sieving Test Procedure


Soil Mass of
1165 g

Soil Mass of
500 +/- g
This portion will
be discard

Soil Mass of
500 +/- g
This portion will
be riffled again

Riffling the Soil Sample


The riffle box has two
compartments.
When the soil mass is
poured into the riffle box,
it divides the mass into
half @ 2 portions.
In this case, the 1st riffling
process will generate 2
portions of soil with each
has a mass of 500 +/g.
91

Sieving Test Procedure


Soil Mass of
500 +/- g

Soil Mass of
200 +/- g
This portion will
be discarded
Soil Mass of
196 g
This portion will
Be used for the 2nd stage of
sieving

Riffling the Soil Sample


The other half will be reriffled.
Whilst the other half will
be discarded.
In the 2nd riffling process
the amount collected in
each of the portion will be
200 +/- g.
So, the other half will
again be discarded, whilst
the 196 g will be used for
92
the 2nd stage of sieving.

Sieving Test Procedure

S.O.L.A.T
Print Out
Layout

93

Sieving Test Procedure


Size 2 mm
Size 1.18 mm
Size 600 m
Size 425 m
Size 300 m
Size 212 m
Size 150 m
Size 63 m
Pan

Sieve
Arrangement

Preparing of the Test


Sieve
2nd Stage of sieving.
Similar to the 1st Stage,
stack the test sieve in a
proper sequence.
The lid or cover will be
placed on the top of the
sequence.
The sequence is the test
sieve size of size 2 mm on
top and the test sieve of
size 63 m with
94 the pan
will be at the bottom.

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 2 mm
Size 1.18 mm
Size 600 m
Size 425 m

Set Up the Sieve Shaker


Transfer the stacked test
sieve to the sieve shaker.
Do not attached the
stabilizing bar yet.

Size 300 m
Size 212 m
Size 150 m
Size 63 m
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

95

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 2 mm
Size 1.18 mm
Size 600 m
Size 425 m
Size 300 m
Size 212 m
Size 150 m

Transferring the Soil


Remove the lid.
Pour the soil (196 g) to
the top most opening of
the stacked test sieve.
Be extra careful when
pouring the soil into the
sieves.

Size 63 m
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

96

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 2 mm
Size 1.18 mm
Size 600 m
Size 425 m
Size 300 m
Size 212 m
Size 150 m
Size 63 m
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

Get Ready to Shake


Fasten the lid.
Fasten and tighten the
stabilizing bar on top of
the stacked sieve.
Set the dial knob to 10
minutes.
Press On.
The shaking starts.

97

Sieving Test Procedure

Size 2 mm
Size 1.18 mm
Size 600 m
Size 425 m
Size 300 m
Size 212 m
Size 150 m
Size 63 m
Pan

Sieve Shaker
Endecott EFL 2000

Weighing the Retained


Soil on the Test Sieves
Remove the stabilizing
bar on top of the stacked
sieve.
Remove the lid.
Remove the stacked
sieves from the sieve
shaker.
Prepare the test sieves
for individual weighing
with the retained soil.
98

Sieving Test Procedure


Size 2 mm

Weighing the Retained


Soil on the Test Sieves

Size 1.18 mm
Size 600 m
Size 425 m
Size 300 m
Size 212 m
Size 150 m
Size 63 m
Pan

The mass of soil retained can be obtained


by deducting the mass of 99the test sieve
obtained on earlier stage of testing.

Sieving Test Procedure


S.O.L.A.T
Interface

100

Sieving Test Procedure

S.O.L.A.T
Print Out
Layout

101

Sieving Test Procedure

S.O.L.A.T
Print Out
Layout

102

Sieving Test Procedure

S.O.L.A.T
Print Out
Layout

103

Sieving Test Procedure

S.O.L.A.T
Print Out
Layout

104

Sieving Test Procedure


Determine the Characteristics Size :
(from the PSD plot @ chart)
D10 = 0.27 mm
D30 = 1.60 mm
D60 = 5.30 mm

105

Sieving
Grading Characteristics

D60

D30
D10

0.27

1.6

5.3
106

Sieving Test Procedure


Determine the Grading Characteristics :
(i) Effective size = D10 = 0.27 mm
(ii) Coefficient of Uniformity
Cu = D60 = 5.30 = 19.6
D10

0.27
107

Sieving Test Procedure


Determine the Grading Characteristics :
(iii) Coefficient of Gradation or
Coefficient of Curvature
Cg = (D30)2
=
(1.60)2
D60 x D10
= 1.78

(5.30 x 0.27)
108

Sieving Test Procedure


Determine the Percentage of Particle
Size :
(from the PSD plot @ chart)
Gravel = 65 %
Sand= 35 %
Fines = 0 %
109

Sieving
Percentage of Particle Size

65 %
Gravel
35 %
Sand
0%
Fines
(Silt & Clay)

110

Sieving Test Procedure


Classifying the Soil :
(from data @ grading and BS1377/BS5930)
Cu > 5 ; It indicates that it is a well graded
soil.
&
0.5 < Cg < 5 ; It indicates that it is a well
graded soil.
111

Sieving

112

Sieving Test Procedure


Classifying the Soil :
(from data @ grading and BS1377/BS5930)
It is a Well graded Gravel (GW).

113

Lesson Outcomes
(WEEK FOUR)
At the end of the lecture, students should be
able to:#1understand and explain the concept of soil
consistency.
#2understand and explain the usage of soil
classification system.(fine soil classification)

114

Classification of Fine Soils


Consistency Limits & Plasticity
Consistency varies with the water content of
the soil.
The consistency of a soil can range from
(dry) solid to semi-solid to plastic to liquid
(wet).
The water contents at which the consistency
changes from one state to the next are
called consistency limits (or Atterberg limits)
115

Classification of Fine Soils


Two of these are utilised in the classification
of fine soils :
1. Liquid limit (wL) - change of consistency
from plastic to liquid.
2. Plastic limit (wP) - change of consistency
from brittle/crumbly to plastic.
Measures of liquid and plastic limit values
can be obtained from laboratory tests.
116

Classification of Fine Soils


Plasticity Index
Measures of liquid and plastic limit values
can be obtained from laboratory tests.
The consistency of most soils the ground
will be plastic or semi-solid.
Soil strength and stiffness behaviour are
related to the range of plastic consistency.

117

Classification of Fine Soils


The range of water content over which a soil
has a plastic consistency is termed the
Plasticity Index (IP or PI).
IP = Liquid Limit - Plastic Limit
= wL wP
Plasticity Index = Liquid Limit Plastic Limit

Shrinkage
limit

Plastic
limit

Liquid
limit

118

water
content

Classification of Fine Soils


Plasticity Index
IP

Volume

Natural Water Content, W

Semi
Plastic
Solid

Va
VS

Solid

WS

Liquid
Plastic

Wp

WL

119

% Water
Content

Classification of Fine Soils

120

Classification of Fine Soils


Plasticity Chart
Measures of liquid and plastic limit valuesIn
the British Standard Soil Classification fine
soils are divided into ten classes based on
their measured plasticity index and liquid
limit values.
CLAYS are distinguished from SILTS, and
five divisions of plasticity are defined as
given below :
121

Classification of Fine Soils


Low plasticity

wL = < 35%

Intermediate plasticity wL = 35 - 50%


High plasticity
Very high plasticity

wL = 50 - 70%
wL = 70 - 90%

Extremely high plasticity wL = > 90%

122

Classification of Fine Soils

123

Classification of Fine Soils


Plasticity Chart USCS / ASTM

124

Classification of Fine Soils


Activity
Skempton (1953) showed that for a soil with a
particular mineralogy, the plasticity index is linearly
related to the amount of the clay fraction. He coined a
term called activity.
The proportion of clay mineral flakes (< 2 m size) in a
fine soil affects its current state, particularly its
tendency to swell and shrink with changes in water
content.
The degree of plasticity related to the clay content is
called the activity of the soil.
Activity = Ip / (% clay particles)
125

Classification of Fine Soils


Some typical values are:
Mineral

Activity

Soil

Activity

Muscovite 0.25

Kaolin clay

0.4-0.5

Kaolinite
0.40
0.5-0.75

Glacial clay and loess


126

Classification of Fine Soils


The measure of soil strength using Atterberg

limits and the relationship between the soils


natural water content and its consistency
limits, i.e. its natural or in situ consistency is
given by the liquidity index (IL):

Where w =natural or in situ water content


127

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Liquid Limit (LL) Testing
1. Cone Penetrometer Method
2. Casagrande Method
Plastic Limit (PL) Testing
Shrinkage Limit Testing
128

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure (Cone Penetration)
Dial gauge with
360O read out.
Example :
(1O = 0.1 mm)

Height adjustment
for cone and dial
gauge assembly

Cone :
Mass 80 g
Length 35 mm
Angle 30O

Penetration lever.
This lever moves
the dial gauge needle.

Manual cone release and


locking device.
An automatic electric
release and locking device
is also available.

Soil in metal cup :


55 mm diameter
40 mm deep
iDeaz

129

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure (Cone Penetration)
Electric LL Cone
Penetrometer

130

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Cone Penetrometer
Method
Stages involve in
testing :
1. Sample preparation
2. Mixing with water
3. Maturing
4. Remixing
5. Placing in cup

6. Setting up the Cone


Penetrometer
7. Measuring the Cone
penetration
8. Moisture content
determination
9. Remixing & Repeat
test
10.Calculation
11.Results
131

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Soil Sample

Size 425 m
Soil
Passing
Sieve
Size
425 m

1. Sample Preparation
The soil sample that are
used have to pass the
425 micron sieve.
Next a representative
sample is required
weighing around 200250 g.

Pan

Soil retained on pan


200 250 g
132

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Soil retained on pan
200 250 g

Pan

Glass Plate

2. Mixing with Water


Then the sample is
transferred to a flat glass
plate,
Distilled water is added
and the soil and water are
mixed thoroughly with two
palette knives until the
mass becomes a thick
homogenous paste.

133

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Glass Plate

Air Tight
Container

3. Maturing
The paste is then transferred
to an air-tight container for
24 hours to allow the water
time to penetrate the soil
fully.
For a soil of a low clay
content, such as silty soil,
the curing period may be
omitted and the test can be
carried out immediately.
134

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Air Tight
Container

Glass Plate

4. Remixing
Remove the soil from the
container after maturing.
Transfer the soil to the glass
plate.
Remix it with pallette knives
for 10 minutes.
It is essential to obtain a
uniform distribution of water
throughout the sample.
135

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
5. Placing in Cup
Push a portion of the sample
into the cup with a palette
knife taking care not to trap
air.
Strike off the excess and
with the pallette knife to get
a smooth and level surface.
Cone
Penetration
Cup

Cup fully
filled with
soil
136

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
1

6. Setting
Up the Cone
Penetrometer

Pull up the
penetration lever.
Dial gauge will be
set at Zero.

2
4
Adjust the height
till the top of the
cup comes at a
distance where it
do not come into
contact with the
tip of the cone.
iDeaz

Pull out the


locking device.

Push up the cone


until it come into
contact with the
end of penetration
lever.

137

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

6. Setting
Up the Cone
Penetrometer

Once the height of the


equipment has been set,
make sure that the small
gap is sufficient for the
penetration tin can slide
or move easily without
any contact with the tip of
the cone penetrometer.

138

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

7. Measuring
Cone
Penetration

1
Placed the cup
(containing soil)
at the center of
the base @ the
cone tip is at the
center of the cup.

iDeaz

Push in the
2
locking device in
Push In
order to unlock
the cone and
thus, releasing
the cone.
3

Cone
Penetrates

139

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Initial Level

5
Read the dial
gauge reading, ie.
it will
corresponds to
the penetration of
the cone.

7. Measuring
Cone
Penetration

Push down carefully


the penetration lever.
The dial gauge needle
will move.
The lever
should be just come into
contact with the top end
of the cone piece.
Do not exert in pushing
the lever as it would
further penetrate the cup.

*Refer notes

iDeaz

140

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
*

7. Measuring
Cone
Penetration

Release the cone for a period of 5 s (plus or


minus 1 s) if the apparatus is not fitted with an
automatic release and locking device.
After 5s the cone should have, to some extent,
penetrated the smooth surface of the soil.
Record the penetration reading to the nearest
0.1 mm.
Lift out the cone and clean it carefully, to avoid
scratching, then add a little more wet soil and
repeat the test.
141

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
*

7. Measuring
Cone
Penetration

If the difference between the first and second


penetration readings is less than 0.5 mm
record the average of the two penetrations.
If the second penetration is more than 0.5 mm
and less than 1 mm from the first, carry out a
third test.
If the overall range is then not more than 1 mm
record the average of the three penetrations.
If the overall range is more than 1 mm remove
the soil from the cup, remix and repeat until
consistent results are obtained.
142

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
*

7. Measuring
Cone
Penetration

The ideal penetration for a first reading is


between 13 mm to 16 mm.
If it is less than 13 mm, than the test requires a
lot more nos. of tests (more plotting points).
If it is more than 16 mm the nos. of test will be
less and as a results the plotting points will not
look presentable.

143

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
8. Moisture Content
Determination
Take a moisture content
sample of about 10 g from
the cup around the area
penetrated by the cone.
The moisture content sample
should not be smeared into
the container but instead
dropped cleanly by tapping
the spatula held close to the
container.

Tapping
The soil sample falls into
the moisture content tin

144

Oven

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
8. Moisture Content
Determination

145

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Transfer the
remainder of the
soil from the cup
to the glass plate
for remixing

9. Remixing & Repeat Test


Repeat the test at least
three more times using the
same sample of soil.
A further increments of
distilled water have been
added.
Proceeding from the drier
state to the wetter.

146

Glass Plate

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
*

9. Remixing &
Repeat Test

The amount of water added shall be such that


a range of penetration values of approximately
15 mm 25 mm is covered by four or more
test runs and is evenly distributed.
Each time the soil is removed from the cup for
the addition of water the cup and cone must be
thoroughly cleaned, if the soil is to be left for
any length of time it should be covered with a
damp cloth to prevent it drying out.
147

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

10. Calculation

Calculate the moisture content of each test


sample.
Each cone penetration (mm) is plotted as
ordinate against the corresponding moisture
content (%) as abcissa, both to linear scale on
a graph.
Plot the relationship between the moisture
content and the corresponding cone
penetration recorded on a linear chart.
148

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

10. Calculation

X axis : Moisture Content


Y axis : Cone Penetration
Draw a line of best fit between the points.

149

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

10. Calculation

Graph Plot.

150

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

11. Results

From the curve read off the moisture content


corresponding to a cone penetration of 20 mm
to the first decimal place.
Express this moisture content to the nearest
whole number and report it as the liquid limit.
For notification, the plastic limit and plasticity
index are usually reported with the liquid limit.

151

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
1
2

11. Results

Draw the 20 mm line

Intersection of the 20 mm
line with the best fit line

Read off the moisture


content value to the
nearest whole number;
67% i.e LL = 67
152

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure (Casagrande)

iDeaz

153

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Casagrande)

Motorized
Casagrande

154

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Casagrande)

ASTM

BS

Casagrande Liquid
Limit
155
Equipment with Grooving Tools

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Casagrande Method
Stages involve in
testing :
1. Sample preparation
2. Mixing with water
3. Maturing
4. Remixing
5. Setting the equipment
6. Placing soil in the
Casagrande cup

7. Applying the Groove


8. Applying the Blows @
Taps
9. Moisture content
determination
10.Remixing & Repeat test
11.Calculation
12.Results

156

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Soil Sample

Size 425 m
Soil
Passing
Sieve
Size
425 m

1. Sample Preparation
The soil sample that are
used have to pass the
425 micron sieve.
Next a representative
sample is required
weighing around 200250 g.

Pan

Soil retained on pan


200 250 g
157

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Soil retained on pan
200 250 g

Pan

Glass Plate

2. Mixing with Water


Then the sample is
transferred to a flat glass
plate,
Distilled water is added
and the soil and water are
mixed thoroughly with two
palette knives until the
mass becomes a thick
homogenous paste.

158

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Glass Plate

Air Tight
Container

3. Maturing
The paste is then transferred
to an air-tight container for
24 hours to allow the water
time to penetrate the soil
fully.
For a soil of a low clay
content, such as silty soil,
the curing period may be
omitted and the test can be
carried out immediately.
159

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Air Tight
Container

Glass Plate

4. Remixing
Remove the soil from the
container after maturing.
Transfer the soil to the glass
plate.
Remix it with pallette knives
for 10 minutes.
It is essential to obtain a
uniform distribution of water
throughout the sample.
160

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

5. Setting up the
equipment
Height adjustment screw

1cm

Adjust the drop height of the liquid limit device to 1 cm using the
space block or some grooving tool has an attached tip at the end of
the grooving tool.
Measure the drop height from the block to where the bowl hits
161 the
block.

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
6. Placing in Casagrande Cup
With the cup of the
apparatus resting on it's
base, place a portion of the
sample in the cup, without
entrapping air ensure the
cup is filled and level.

162

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

6. Placing in
Casagrande Cup

Soil Level

Soil Level

iDeaz

Soil should be levelled


as flat as possible

The level of the soil to be placed into the


Casagrande cup have to follow the dotted
line as indicated in the picture by using
the pallete knife.
163

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

7. Applying the
Groove

Grooving tool positioned


at the centre of the cup

Movement of grooving tool

iDeaz

The canal created using


the tip of the grooving tool

The level of the soil to be placed into the


Casagrande cup have to follow the dotted
line as indicated in the picture by using
the pallete knife.
164

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

7. Applying the
Groove

The Groove BEFORE applying


the blows @ bumps.

The channel created using


the tip of the grooving tool

The Groove mark


and canal

165

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

8. Applying the
Blows @ Taps

Turn the crank handle at a rate of approximately 2 rotations/s so that the cup
is lifted and dropped, counting the number of bumps.
Continue until the two parts of the sample come into contact at the bottom of
the groove along a distance of 13 mm.
166
Record the number of bumps required.

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

8. Applying the
Blows @ Taps

The Groove AFTER applying


the blows @ bumps.

13 mm

13 mm
The Groove mark
and canal is closed at
a length of 13 mm

13 mm
167

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
9. Moisture Content
Determination
Take a moisture content
sample of about 10 g from
the cup around the area
closed groove area.
The moisture content sample
should not be smeared into
the container but instead
dropped cleanly by tapping
the spatula held close to the
container.

Tapping
The soil sample falls into
the moisture content tin

Oven

168

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
9. Moisture Content
Determination

169

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Transfer the
remainder of the
soil from the cup
to the glass plate
for remixing

10. Remixing & Repeat Test


Repeat the test at least
three more times using the
same sample of soil.
A further increments of
distilled water have been
added.
Proceeding from the drier
state to the wetter.

170

Glass Plate

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
*

10. Remixing &


Repeat Test

The amount of water added shall be such that


a range of blows @ taps @ bumps values of
approximately 35 blows 15 blows count are
covered by four or more test runs and is evenly
distributed.
Each time the soil is removed from the cup for
the addition of water the cup must be
thoroughly cleaned, if the soil is to be left for
any length of time it should be covered with a
damp cloth to prevent it drying out.
171

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

11. Calculation

X axis : Number of Taps Counts (logarithmic)


Y axis : Moisture Content
Draw a line of best fit between the points.

172

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

11. Calculation

Graph Plot.

173

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

12. Results

From the curve read off the moisture content


corresponding to the 25 taps of the cup to the
first decimal place.
Express this moisture content to the nearest
whole number and report it as the liquid limit.
For notification, the plastic limit and plasticity
index are usually reported with the liquid limit.

174

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

12. Results

1
Draw the 25 taps line

Intersection of the
25 taps line with
the best fit line

Read off the moisture


content value to the
nearest whole number;
72.5% i.e LL = 73

25
175

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure
Plastic Limit test
Stages involve in
testing :
1. Sample preparation
2. Mixing with water
3. Maturing
4. Remixing
5. Dry

(Plastic Limit)

6. Create ball shape


7. Hand drying
8. Dividing samples
9. Rolling and threading
10.Determine the
crumbling point
11.Moisture content
calculation
12.Results

*Step 1 3 from LL test


176

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Air Tight
Container

Glass Plate

(Plastic Limit)

4. Remixing
Remove 20 g of the soil from
the container after maturing.
Transfer the soil to the glass
plate.
Remix it with pallette knives
for 10 minutes.
It is essential to obtain a
uniform distribution of water
throughout the sample.
177

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

5. Dry
Allow the soil to dry partially
on the plate until it becomes
plastic enough to be shape it
into a ball.

Glass Plate

178

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

6. Ball shape

Glass Plate

179

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Glass Plate

(Plastic Limit)

7. Hand drying
Mould the ball of the soil
between the fingers and roll
it between the palms of the
hand until the heat of the
hands has dried.
The soil sufficient for slight
cracks to appear on it
surface.

180

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

8. Dividing samples
Devide the sample in two
sub sample of about 10 g
each and carry out a
separate determination on
each portion.
Each portion, futher divide
into 4 more smaller parts.

Glass Plate

10 g
10 g

181

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

9. Rolling and threading


Mould the soil in the finger to
equalize the distribution of
moisture, then form the soil into
the tread about 6 mm diameter
between first finger and thumb of
each hand.
Roll the tread to reduce to about 3
mm in 5 to 10 complete, forward
and backward movement of the
hand.

182

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

10. Crumbling point


Mould it between the fingers to dry
it further. The first crumbling point
is the plastic limit.

3 mm diameter
Cracking
183

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

184

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

11. Moisture Content


Determination
Take a moisture content
sample of all the samples.

The soil sample falls into


the moisture content tin

Oven

185

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

11. Moisture Content


Determination
Take a moisture content
sample of all the samples.

The soil sample falls into


the moisture content tin

Oven

186

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

(Plastic Limit)

12. Results
Moisture content results.

187

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Classification

Moisture content results from


LL.

188

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Classification

Moisture content results from


LL.

189

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Classification

Moisture content results from


LL.

190

Atterbergs Limits
Testing Procedure

Classification

191

Classification
The range of water content over which a soil
has a plastic consistency is termed the
Plasticity Index (IP or PI).
IP = Liquid Limit - Plastic Limit
= wL wP
Plasticity Index = Liquid Limit Plastic Limit

Shrinkage
limit

Plastic
limit

Liquid
limit

192

water
content

Classification

193

Do make a lot of practice on the tutorials questions.


Practice makes better.
End of Week 4 & End of Topic 1
Week 5 : Shear Strength of Soil.
Wasslam & Thank You.

194

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