CE 8: Highway Engineering

and Bridge Design

Soil Test and Survey
• G = specific gravity of solids
• Wa = weight of air
• Ww = weight of water
• Ws = weight of solids
• W = total weight of soil
• Va = volume of air
• Vw = volume of water
• Vs = volume of solids
• Vv = volume of voids
• V = volume of soil mass
• e = void ratio
• n = porosity
• ω = water or moisture content
• γm = unit weight of soil mass
• γd = dry unit weight
• γsat = saturated unit weight
• γb = buoyant unit weight
• Dr = relative density
• LL = liquid limit
• PL = plastic limit
• PI = plasticity index
• SL = shrinkage limit
• LI = liquidity index
Relative Density

For granular soil, the sheer strength and resistance to compression are
related to the density of the soil. Higher strength and resistance to compression are
developed by the soil when it is dense, or compact condition (high density), than
when it is in a loose condition (low density). In a dense condition, the soil void
ratio, is low and high on loose condition.
Relative density is expressed in percentage, thus:
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑒
Dr % = x 100%
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛
Where:
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 - void ratio of the soil in its loosest state
𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 - void ratio of the soil in its densest state
𝑒 - void ratio of the soil in its natural state (in-situ)
In terms of dry unit weight, the relative density is:
1 1
−
γ𝑑 γ𝑑
Dr % = 1
𝑚𝑖𝑛
1 x 100%
γ𝑑
− γ𝑑
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑥

Where:
γ𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛 - dry unit weight in its loosest state
γ𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑥 - dry unit weight in its densest state
γ𝑑 – dry unit weight in its natural state (in-situ)

Designation Dr (%)
Very loose 0 - 15
Loose 15 - 35
Medium dense 35 - 70
Dense 70 - 85
Very dense 85 - 100
Example:
A sample of undisturbed fine sand 0.09ft3, 10lbs. dry weight with
G=2.60 was tested at the maximum density with void ratio of 0.40 and
minimum density with void ratio of 0.90. Find the relative density of
undisturbed sample.
Ans. 87.97%
Example:
A sandy soil has a natural water content of 27.5% and bulk unit
weight of 19.2kN/m3. The void ratios corresponding to the densest and
loosest state are 0.51 and 0.87. Determine the relative density. Assume
G=2.7
Ans. 30.86%
Example:
A test of the density of soil in place was performed by digging a
small hole in the soil, weighing the extracted soil, and measuring the
volume of the hole. The soil (moist) weighed 895g; the volume of the
hole was 426cm3. After drying, the sample weighed 779g. Of the dried
soil, 400g was poured into a vessel in a very loose state. Its volume was
subsequently determined to be 276cm3. That same 400g was then
vibrated and tamped to a volume of 212cm3. G=2.71. Determine the
relative density of the soil.
Ans. 89.47%
Percent Compaction

A soil sample in its natural state has a wet density of 155.1pcf and a moisture content of
36%. After compaction, its maximum dry density is 118.5pcf. Determine the percent
compaction of the soil. G=2.65.
𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙
Percent Compaction = x 100%
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
Ans. 96.24%
Consistency of Soil

Consistency is the term used to describe firmness of the soil (soft, medium, firm, hard).
The consistency of a cohesive soil is greatly affected by the water content of the soil. A gradual
increase of the water content may transform a dry soil from solid state to a semisolid state, to a
plastic state, and after further moisture increase, into a liquid state. The water content at the
corresponding junction points of these states are known as the shrinkage limit, plastic limit, and the
liquid limit, respectively.
Liquid Limit Test

AASHTO designation T-89 on liquid limit signifies the

percentage of moisture at which the sample changes by
decreasing the water from liquid to plastic state. When the
sample is wet than the liquid limit, a grooved sample of the
soil in a cup will flow when when lightly jarred 25times. On
the other hand, if the sample is jarred at the liquid limit,
water separates the soil particles just wide enough to remove
the soil mass shearing strength. Several tests on each sample
are required to reach the moisture content wherein the
groove in the sample is required to close at exactly 25blows.
Plastic Limit Test

AASHTO designation T-90 signifies the percentage of

moisture wherein the sample changes with lowering
wetness from plastic to semi-solid condition. At this
stage, the soil mortar starts to crumble when rolled into
threads 1/8” diameter. Additional water will make the
soil plastic, but sands are non-plastic material that its
non-plastic limit cannot be determined.
Plastic Index Test

AASHTO designation T-91 is defined as the numerical

difference between its liquid limit and its plastic limit. It is
also referred to as the percentage of dry weight. In some
combination, it measures:
• The fineness and shapes of the soil particles
• The interplay of the attractive forces tending to hold the clay
mineral flakes together.
• The thickness and velocity of the water film and,
• The quantity and electrical charges of the cations.
Description of Soil based on Plastic Index

PI Description
0 Nonplastic
1-5 Slightly plastic
5 - 10 Low plasticity
10 - 20 Medium plasticity
20 -40 High plasticity
> 40 Very high plasticity
Description of Soil based on Liquidity Index

LI < 0 Semisolid state – high strength, brittle (sudden) fracture is

expected
0 < LI < 1 Plastic state – intermediate strength, soil deforms like a plastic
material
LI > 1 Liquid state – low strength, soil deforms like a viscous fluid
Example:
The following data were obtained from the Atterberg Limits test for a soil:
Liquid Limit = 41%
Plastic Limit = 21.1%
• What is the Plasticity Index of the soil?
• If the in situ moisture content of the soil is 30%, what is the Liquidity Index of the soil?
• What would be the nature of the soil?
Ans. PI = 19.9%
LI = 0.447
Plastic
 For coarse grain soil or fine grain soil with few particles of clay
of colloidal size, small increase of water above the plastic limit will
cause particles separation, destroying the attractive forces that
provide shearing strength. It simply means that, the difference
between the plastic limit and the liquid limit is small, so that the
plastic index is also small.
On the contrary, for a soil that is high in clay or colloids, more
water will be required before the attractive forces are overcome, and
the strength of the mass is destroyed. In this case, the plasticity
index is numerically high.
Experienced road builders use the Plastic Index as one control
in selecting the materials for under pavement. A common base course
materials specified, requires the plastic index not to exceed 6 while
others insist on not greater than 3. Soils with high plasticity indeces
are much less acceptable for sub-grade in base course.
Shrinkage Test

Shrinkage test measures the changes in volume and weight

that occur as partly mixture of soil and water (except seive no. 40).
Sample is dried from the near liquid limit to constant weight of
110ºC. The results are stated in terms of shrinkage limit, volumetric
change, and lineal shrinkage.
Higher value of shrinkage factor showed that the soil will give
more trouble and problem. The volume of a certain soil increases
when it absorbs water. Soils that are suitable for subgrade and base
course are those that expand very little when moistened. And those
that swell more are considered as poor materials. A common soil
specimen requires volume change limit of 1%.
Example:
Following are the result of a shrinkage limit test:
Initial volume of soil in saturated state = 24.6cc
Final volume of soil in a dry state = 15.9cc
Initial mass in a saturated state = 44g
Final mass in a dry state = 30.1g
• Determine the dry density of the soil in g/cc.
• Determine the void ratio of the soil.
• Determine the shrinkage limit of the soil.
• Determine the shrinkage ratio.
• Determine the specific gravity of the solids.
Ans.
ρ𝑑 = 1.2236
𝑒 = 1.3
SL = 17.28
SR = 1.893
G = 2.813
Thank you