DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS

Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 1
DISTRUBED SOIL SAMPLING

I. Objective
To prepare and store soil samples for laboratory use in the determination of soil
properties and structure.

II. Apparatus
Spade or shovel
Moisture tight sample containers
Balance
Oven
#10 and #40 sieves
Rubber mallet or rubber- covered pestle

III. Procedure

1. Clear the area of grass and vegetation where the sample is to be obtained.
2. With the use of spade or shovel, disturb sample of not less than 2.5 kg
3. Break the sample with the use of the rubber mallet or a rubber tipped pestle.
4. Obtain a representative sample of the amount required to perform the desired
test.

1
 5. Thoroughly mix the material passing through No. 10 sieve.
6. Separate the material which is not used in step 5 by means of No. 4 sieve and
grind those that cannot pass through with a pulverizing apparatus in such a
manner as to break up the aggregation without breaking the individual grains.
Discard the material retained and again thoroughly mix the materials passing
through the No.4 sieve for physical test.
7. Place the soil in a container with adequate space such as plastic bags, cans, and
glass jars for large quantities and glass jars for small samples.
8. Place a label on sample for future use.
9. Store sample in a cool room.

IV. Data and Tabulation

Sample Sizes for Test

Test Type of Sample Weight No. Req.

Specific gravity Disturbed 500g 1

Grain size Oven Dried 600g 1

1. Passing #10 500g 1
sieve
2. Unsieved
Liquid Limit Disturbed, not dried 250g 2
Passing #40 sieve

COMPUTATIONS

2
ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

3
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 2
SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST
I. Objective
To determine the specific gravity of soil which is necessary in the computation of
soil ratio, degree of saturation, and grain size analysis.
II. Apparatus.
Distilled water
Pycnometer bottles
Thermometer
Oven
Balance

III. Procedure
A. Bottle Calibration
1. Weigh the pycnometer bottle
2. In a, pycnometer add distilled water at room temperature up to the meniscus of
the calibration mark of the bottle.
3. Dry the outside of the bottle and up to the neck of the inside part
4. Weigh the bottle plus water.
5. Measure the room temperature.
6. Place the thumb over the open end of the bottle and turn it upside down and
back to mix the water, and then take the temperature.

4
 7. Heat the bottle by placing it in a warm water bath. Repeat steps 2 to 6 each time
removing enough water to bring the meniscus to the calibration mark.
Temperature must be in a range between 40 ◦C to 60 ◦C
8. Plot the calibration curve
B. Specific gravity Determination
a. Cohesionless Soil
1. Put 50/30 grams of oven dry soil passing through no.10 sieve into a
calibrated pycnometer which is already half full of distilled water.
2. Remove all of the air which is entrapped in the soil by continuous agitation
for 10 minutes.
3. Add water to bring the bottom of the meniscus to the calibration curve.
4. Dry the bottle both the outside and inside portions
5. Weigh the bottle with the soil and water in it.
6. Record the temperature of the bottle.

b. Cohesive Soil
1. Make a sample of the soil to be tested into a smooth paste by mixing
it with distilled water. The sample should be approximately 50 grams
passing through No. 10 sieve in dry weight.
2. Pour the paste into the pycnometer.
3. Follow steps 2-7 in procedure a.
4. Pour the entire mixture in a large evaporating dish of known weight;
rinse the pycnometer to ensure collection of all the soil.
5. Dry the soil, soil it and determine its dry weight.
IV. Data and Computation
Determination No. Trial T rho

Wt. Of Flash + Water+ soil (W, gm) 1

Temperature ◦C, T 2

Wt. Of Flash + Water (W. gm) 3

Wt. of dry Soil, Ws. Gm 4

Rho of water at T. Gt 5

5
 Specific Gravity of Soil, Gs 6

Formula:
G’s= Ws/Ws-(W1)+(W2)
Ws= dry weight of soil
W1= weight of pycnometer + soil and water
W2= weight of pycnometer + water from calibration curve
C2= specific gravity at 20 ◦C
Gs= KG’s where K+ (relative / density of water at temp X9 /ml
-------------------------------------------------------------
(relative /density of water at 20 ◦C 9/ml = 998,kg/m3

COMPUTATIONS

ILLUSTRATION

6
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

7
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 3
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS

I. Objective
To find the grain size distribution of a soil sample and identify whether the soil is
well graded or not.

II. Apparatus

Set of sieves - # 200,100,50,30,20,10,140,60,40,20,

Balance
Brush

8
 III. Procedure

A. Sieve Analysis
1. Weigh all sieves to be used up to 0.1 gram.
2. Select test sample and break soil into its individual particles with the fingers or a
rubber tipped pestle.
3. Weigh a specimen of approximately 500 grams.
4. Sieve the soil through a nest of sieves by hand for the least 10minutes
5. Weigh to 0.1 gram each sieve with the soil in it.
6. Subtract the weight obtained in step 1 from those of step 5 to give the soil
retained in each sieve.

COMPUTATIONS

ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

9
CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

10
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 4

DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT, UNIT WEIGHT, VOID RATIO, AND DEGREE OF

SATURATION OF A SOIL SAMPLE.

I. Objective

To determine the water content, unit weight, void ratio, and degree of saturation of soil in
preparation for more elaborate test like compaction and seepage.

II. Apparatus

Container
Balance
Oven
Beaker
Large knife, wire saw, spatula
Small metal can
Graduated cylinder
Paraffin

11
 III. Procedure

A. Ware Content
1. Weigh the container without the soil sample.(30g)
2. Weigh the container and soil sample
3. Dry the container with the soil sample at a constant temperature between 105 ◦C to
100◦C.
4. For drying time, depend it upon the size and type of soil (1-6) hours.
5. Remove the container and let it cool to room temperature.
6. If the sample is to be weighed within one hour, cool it at room temperature. If the
sample is not to be weighed at once be place it in a dessicator cooling.

B. Unit Weight Determination

1. Trim a sample of soil to about 1 ½ inches in diameter and 2 to 3 inches in length.

The surface should be smooth and rounded.
2. Weigh to 0.1 gram
3. Compute the unit weight on grams / cu. Cm. or pound / cu. Feet.

C. Void Ratio and Degree of Saturation Determination

1. Oven dry the sample and find Ww and final Vw.

2. Determine the V5 of the soil by displacement and final Vv(Vv=V-V5)

IV. Data Sheet:

Water Content Determination

Sample Can No.

Wt. of wet sample + can
Wt. of dry sample + can

12
 Wt. of water
Wt. of Can
Wt. of dry sample
Water content, W
Sample Location

Unit weight:

Volume of Measurement Volume of Immersion Displacement

Width of sample in cm ____________________ Wt. of Sample _______________________

Or diameter in cm _____________________ Wt. of Dry Sample ____________________
2
Area in cm _____________________ Volume of Dry Sample _________________
Height of sample in cc _____________________
Weight of sample in gm ____________________
Unit weight on gm / cc _____________________
Unit weight on pcf ______________________

Void ratio, Porosity, Degree of Saturation :

Average Water Content, w= __________________________

Specific gravity of solids, Gs __________________________________________
Void ratio, e= __________________________
Porosity, n __________________________
Degree of Saturation, S __________________________

13
COMPUTATIONS

ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

14
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 5
DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT, PLASTIC LIMIT AND PLASTICITY INDEX

I. Obejective

To determine some of the purpose of Atterberg Limits of a soil sample finding the index
Finding the index properties of the sample.

II. Apparatus

 Liquid Limit Set

Liquid Limit Device
Groving Tool
Mixing Dish

 Plastic limit set

Glass Plate

 Spatula
 Dry Cans

15
  Oven
 Balance
 Distilled Water

III. Procedure : All samples to be used should have passed the No. 40 sieve.

A. Liquid Limit Determination

1. Place the sample on mixing dish and add to it 15 – 20 ml of distilled water,

then stir the sample , knead, and chop with a spatula. An additional (1-3 ml)
water is added and the same procedure is undertaken.

2. Place the sample on the liquid limit device to a depth of 10 mm at the point of
maximum thickness. Make a groove at the middle of the sample with the use
of a grooving tool, allowing a maximum of 6 strokes for it.

3. Turn the crank at a rate of two revolutions / second until the two sides of the
sample come in contact along a distance of ½ inch. Record the number of
revolutions and take a sample for water content determination. A minimum of
10 revolutions must be made before a sample comes in contact by ½ inch.

4. Repeat the same operation for samples with more than 25 revolutions.
This is done by adding soil to the sample.

5. Plot the flow curve and determine the liquid limit.

B. Plastic Limit Determination

1. Place an air dried sample in a mixing dish and thoroughly mix with distilled
water until the mass becomes plastic enough to be easily shaped into a ball.
Take a portion of sample ( 8 grams ) and use it for the test,.

2. Form sample into an ellipsoidal shaped mass. Roll this mass between fingers
in a piece of glass. The pressure should be sufficient to roll the mass into a
thread of uniform diameter through its length. The rate of rolling shall be
between 80-90 strokes per minute.

16
 3. When the diameter of the thread becomes 3.2 mm (1/8) inch break the
thread into 8 pieces and squeez it between the thumbs and fingers of both
hands into a uniform mass roughly ellipsoidal in shape and reroll it. Continue
this alternate rolling to a thread 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) in diameter, gathering
together, kneading and rerolling until the thread crumbles under the pressure
required for rolling and soil can no longer be rerolled into a thread.

4. Determine the water content of the sample.

IV. Calculation

1. The liquid limit is expressed as the moisture content in percentage of the

oven-dry weight corresponding to 25 blows.

Water Content= W1-W2 X 100

W2

W1 = weight of wet sample

W2= weight of oven- dry sample

Plot the percent moisture as ordinate on an arithmetic scale against the

number of blows as abscissa on logarithmic scale. Draw a straight line connecting these points. This is
called the flow curve.

2. The plastic limit is expressed as the moisture content in percentage of the

oven-dried weight of the crumbled soil thread.

Plastic Limit = (W a-W b) X 100

Wb

W a = weight of crumbled soil thread

W b+=Weight of oven – dried crumbled soil thread

V. Tabulation

17
 Liquid Limit

Run No. 1 2 3 4
Weight of wet soil + container
Weight of dry soil + container
Weight of Water Ww
Weight of container
Weight of dry soil Ws
Water content N=Ww X 100
Ws
No. of Blows

Plastic Limit Natural Water Content

Run No. 1 2 3
Weight of wet soil + container
Weight of dry soil + container
Weight of water Ww
Weight of container
Weight of dry soil Ws
Water Content
Plastic Limit Average

COMPUTATIONS

18
ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

19
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 6
PERMEABILITY TEST

I. Objective
To find the coefficient of permeability of soil in the laboratory for seepage calculations.

II. Apparatus

 Permeabilty assembly
 Stop Watch
 Balance
 Scale, caliper, sieves, thermometers

III. Procedures

A. Constant Head

1. Select a representative sample of air – dried - soil or sand containing less 10% of
particle passing the No. 200 (0.074) sieve and equal in volume to twice the amount
for filling the permeameter chamber (approximately 800 grams)

20
2. Mix sufficient moisture into the soil to prevent segregation of particle sizes during the
placing in the permeameter. The water content should be such that the mixture just
flow freely to form layers.

3. Remove the chamber cap and upper chamber from the unit by unscrewing the three
knurled cap nuts and lifting the units off the tie rods. Position one porous stone on the
support ring in the base of the chamber.

4. Using a scoop or funnel, four the prepared specimen in a circular manner into the
lower to a depth of + 1.5 cm. so that a uniform layer is formed. Compact the layer of
soil to the desired density, using an appropriate tamping device. Repeat the
procedure.

5. Connect a vacuum pump or a suitable aspirator to the outflow line. Assemble the
constant head funnel and meter stick to the funnel rod, using the clamp to support
the lower portion of the funnel. Adjust the constant head funnel to the desired head.
Record the distance between the funnel over flow port and the chamber outflow port.

6. Using a pinch clamp, seal the inflow tube near the inflow port at the bottom of the
unit. Fill the constant head funnel with water from the source to be used while testing
(A constant flow of water into the funnel will be required.)

7. Apply a vacuum of approximately 20 inches for 15 minutes to remove air tapped in

the specimen and form the voids. After evacuation gradually open the pinch clamp
and slowly allow the sample to saturate under the vacuum. Disconnect the vacuum
pump when the chamber is filled with water.

8. Place the graduated flask to receive the outflow from the chamber. Fully open and
remove the pinch clamp from the inflow line and regulate the flow of water into the
constant head funnel, such that a stable condition under flow from both the funnel
overflow port and the chamber outflow line is achieved.

9. Using the following equation: calculate the coefficient or permeability

K= QL
T(∆H) A

21
 Q= discharge

L= Length of soil sample

T= Time

∆H = Hydraulic head difference

A = Area of soil sample

COMPUTATIONS

ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

22
CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

23
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 7
COMPACTION TEST

I. Objective

To test the compaction of soil in the laboratory for rood or construction site compaction
analysis.

II. Apparatus

 Compaction mold and hammer

 Moisture sprayer
 No. 4 sieve
 Rubber tipped pestle
 Scoop
 Straight edge and knife
 Large mixing pan
 Balance
 Drying oven
 Dessicator
 Drying cans

24
III. Procedure

1. Weigh the empty mold to 0.01 kg.

2. Obtain a 6 lb. representative specimen of the soil sample to be tested. Break sample with
the use of rubber pestle and pass through No. 4 sieve.

3. Using the soil passing through No. 4 sieve, form a 2 to 3 inch layer
4. Using a one foot drop. Rotate the hammer to ensure a uniform distribution of blows,
press the soil until it is smooth and compact it with a specific numbers of evenly
distributed blows of the hammer,
5. Repeat the same procedure for the second and third layers seeing to it that a uniform one
– foot drop is maintained.

6. After compaction of the third layer put the soil slightly above the top rim of the mold.

7. Remove the collar and trim off the soil from the top of the mold. Start trimming along the
center and work towards end of the mold.

8. After the soil has been made even with the top of the mold and all base soil cleaned from
the outside, weigh the cylinder and sample to .10 lb.

9. Remove the soil from cylinder and obtain a representative sample 100 gm for a water
content determination. The water content sample should be made up with specimens
from the top, middle, and bottom of the compacted soil.

10. Break up by hand the soil removed from the cylinder and remix with original sample and
raise its water content by approximately 3% by adding water to the sample with sprayer
before and after the spraying. The amount of water added is known.

11. Keep repeating the procedures for five to six times until soil is sticky. Use 3%
approximate water content.

25
 12. Compute the dry density of each sample and plot on graphing paper.

COMPUTATIONS

ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

26
RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

27
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 8
IN PLACE DENSITY OF SOIL DETERMINATION

I. Objective

To find the dry density of soil in actual condition.

II. Apparatus

 Digging tools
 Sand – cone apparatus
 Sand
 Balance
 Drying equipment
 Miscellaneous equipment

28
III. Procedure

A. Volume of Jar Determination

1. Weigh the jar and funnel.

2. Fill the jar with water and weigh.

3. Determine temperature of the water.

4. Repeat procedures 1 to 3 twice and get the average weight.

B. Bulk Density of sand determination

1. Place the apparatus upright and fill the funnel with sand.

2. Open the valve and, keeping funnel half full, fill the apparatus

3. Close valve suddenly and empty excess sand.

4. Determine net mass of sand by weighing the apparatus.

C. Mass of Sand required to fill funnel

1. Put sand in apparatus and invert the apparatus on a plain level surface.

2. Open the valve and keep open until after sand stops running, and close valve
sharply.

3. Weigh the apparatus with remaining sand and determine the loss of sand. This
amount is the required mass to fill the funnel.

D. Density of Soil is in Place Determination

1. Level the surface so that it is of level plane.
2. Invert apparatus and place it on the ground and mark the outline of the
funnel.

29
 3. Dig a hole bounded by the funnel, being very careful to avoid disturbing the
soil around the hole. Place all the soil dug up on a container and clean the
hole.
4. Place apparatus with the funnel in contact with the ground and open valve,
and after sand has stopped flowing, close the valve.
5. Weigh the apparatus with remaining sand and determine the mass of the
sand used in test.
6. Weight the material that was removed from the test hole.
7. Secure a representative sample for moisture determination.
8. Dry and weigh the sample.

IV. Calculation

V1 = volume of the density apparatus in cu. Cm.

W 1 = grams of water required to fill apparatus
Px = density of H2O at Tx
V1 = W 1
Px

Calculation of the bulk density of the sand is as follows

Ps = bulk density of sand in grams /cc

W2 = grams of sand required to fill apparatus
V1= volume of apparatus in cu.cm.

Calculation of the moisture content and the dry mass of the material removed from test hole.

W= W 3-W 4 x 100
W4
1 1
W4 = W3
W+1
W 0 = % moisture of material from the test hole
W 3 = moist mass of moisture sample in grams
W 4 = dry mass of moisture sample in grams
4
W 3 = moist mass material from the test hole in grams
1
W 4 = dry mass of material from the test hole in pounds

30
 W 5 = grams of sand used
W 6 = grams of sand in funnel
1
W 3 = total moist mass of soil
1
W 4 = total dry mass of soil

Calculation of the place dry density of the material tested is as follows:

V2 = W 5-W 6
Ps

1
Dry Density Pd = W 4
V2

COMPUTATIONS

ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

31
CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

32
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 9
CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST

I. Objective
To determine the CBR of soil for the design of paraments.

II. Apparatus

 CBR mold
 Loading device
 Hammer
 Soaking tank
 Spacer disk
 Drying oven
 Apparatus for measuring expansion
 Miscellaneous tools such as mixing pans,
 Dial indicators
 Spoons, straight edge, balance, drying
 Oven, Surcharge weight
 Dessicator and drying can
 Penetration piston

33
III. Procedure

A. Soak Test

1. Prepare a 33kg sample by having the material passed through a ¾ inch sieve and
retained in a No. 4 Sieve. Select a representative portion weighing approximately
11kg. for a moisture density test. The remainder of the sample is divided into three
portions weighing approximately 7kg each.
2. Using the 11 kg portion determine the optimum moisture content and maximum dry
density by compaction test method.
3. A total of three specimens will be obtained in the compaction test method and their
compacted densities range from 95% to 100 % of maximum dry density determined
in step 2.
4. Take the first 5 kg sample and place it gradually in the mold so that there is a 2 to 3
inch layer.
5. Press the soil gently so it will have a smooth surface.
6. Using a 12’ free drop, compact the soil at even blows of the 5.5 lbs hammer,
7. Repeat the procedure for each layer until all three layers are compacted. After
rd
compaction of the 3 layer, the surface of the soil should be slightly above the top rim
of the collar.
8. Remove the collar and trim the soil evenly with the top of the mold. In order to
remove the collar, it must be rotated to break the bond between it and the soil before
lifting it off the mold, thus preventing the removal of some of the compacted soil when
the collar is taken off. The trimming consists of many small scrapping operations, the
straight edge beginning at the central axis and working toward the edge of the mold.
9. Weigh the soil and the mold after all loose soil are cleaned from the outside of the
mold.
10. Place the swell plate with the adjustable stem on the soil sample in the mold and
apply sufficient weights to produce an intensity of loading equal to the mass of sub-
base and base courses and surfacing above the tested material, but in no case shall
the mass be less than 4.54kg.
11. Place the tripod with dial indicator in top of the mold and make an initial dial reading.
12. Immerse the mold in water to allow free access of water to top and bottom of the
specimen. During soaking, maintain the water level in the mold and the soaking tank
approximately 25.4 mm above the top of the specimen. Soak the specimen for 96
hours.

34
 13. At the end of 96 hours, make a final reading on the soaked specimen and calculate
the swell, as a percentage of the initial sample length.

Percent swell = change in length in inches during soaking

4.584 inch

14. Remove the specimen from the soaking tank, pour the water off the top, and allow to
drain downward for 15 minutes. Care shall be taken not to disturb the surface of the
specimen during removal of the water. After draining, remove the surcharge weight
and perforated plate.
15. Place a surcharge of annular and slotted weights on the specimen equal to that used
during soaking. To prevent displacement of the soft materials into the hole, the
surcharge weight should be placed around the piston.
16. Set the penetration piston with a 4.54 kgs load then set both penetration dial indicator
and the load indicator to zero.
17. Apply the loads to penetration piston so the rate of penetration is uniform at 1.3mm
per minute. Record the load when the penetration is.64, 1.27, 1.91, 2.54, 5.08, and
7.52mm load reading at penetration.
18. Take penetration readings as outlined in the “General Discussion” and take the
corresponding load – dial readings. Extrude the sample and take two additional
representative water – content samples.

B. Unsoaked Test
1. Prepare approximately 4.5 kg of fine grained No.4 sieve material or 5.5kg of 19mm
max-size material to the optimum moisture content of the soil as determined by the
appropriate compaction effort (compaction test). If it is desired to cure the soil for a
more uniform moisture distribution, mix the soil with the necessary percentage of
moisture and store in a sealed container for about 12 to 24 hours prior to the test.
2. Just before making the compacted mold of soil, take a representative water – content
sample ( at least 100g for fine- grained soil).
3. Weigh the mold less than the base plate and collar.
4. Clamp the mold to the base plate, insert the spacer disk (the 15.1 5.1 cm solid round
disk) in the mold, and cover with a piece of the filter paper.
5. Compact the soil according to ASTM D698 or D1557 Method B or D for the soil used
or as specified by the instructor. Take a final representative water- content sample
from the remaining soil.

35
 6. Remove the collar and trim the specimen smooth and flush with the mold. Using fine-
grained soil, patch any holes formed when scrapping the specimen flush with the
mold. For coarse- grained soils, use any soil particles for patching which are smaller
than the hole.
7. Remove the base plate and spacer disk, weigh the mold + compacted soil, and
determine the wet unit weight.
8. Place a piece of filter paper on the base plate, invert the specimen (so the 5.1 cm
gap is on top ), and attach the base plate so the soil is in contact with the filter paper
on the base.
9. Place sufficient slotted weight (but not less than 4.5kg ) on the sample to stimulate
the required overburden pressure.
10. Place the specimen in the compression machine and set the piston using a setting
load no greater than 4.5 kg. Set load and penetration or deformation dials to zero.

Penetration Standard Unit Load

mm inches MPA PSI
2.5 .10 6.9 1000
5.0 .20 10.3 1500

IV. Data and Tabulation

Mold no.____ Mold no.____ Mold no.___

Surcharge Surcharge Surcharge
Penetration Position Load Load Position Load Load Position Load Load
Dial reading Dial reading Dial reading

36
Final water Content, w% Top 1/3
(soaked, unsoaked) Middle 1/3
sample Bottom 1/3
Average

Wet Unit wt. = _____________________ Dry unit wt.=_________

___________
______________________ __________
__________

COMPUTATIONS

ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

37
CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

38
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 10
UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST

I. Objective
To determine the shearing of cohesive soil.

II. Apparatus
Unconfined compression device

III. Procedure

1. Prepare a disturbed soil sample obtained from the standard penetration test.
2. The sample should have a length to width ratio of 1 to 2- 2 1/2 .
3. Determine the dimensions of the test specimen before starting the test.
4. Center the specimen on the lower platen under the loading head. Lower the upper
platen to contact the specimen. Adjust the strain dial to zero.
5. Load is applied to the specimen by turning the hand crank.
6. Take strain and load readings at desired interval until the specimen fails.
7. Determine the moisture content of the soil specimen and the final dimensions of soil
sample after the test.

39
 IV. Computations

a.) Unit Strain = Compression

Initial Height

b.) Corrected Area = Original Area

1-Unit Strain
c.) Unit Stress = Load
Corrected Area

V. Data and Tabulation

Initial Diameter D0 ___________ Final Diameter De ____________

Initial Area A0 ___________ Final Area Ae ____________

Initial Height H0 ____________ Final Height He ____________

Initial Volume V0 ____________ Volume Ve ____________

Corr Area =

Test Data

Elapsed Axial Load Strain Dial Total Strain Unit Strain Corrected Stress
Load Area
Time- Min
Dial

40
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

41
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS
Dasmariñas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Name : _________________________ Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : __________ Date Completed: __________

No. of Hours Required : __________ Date Due : __________

Rating : __________

EXERCISE 11
VISUAL CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF SOIL

I. Objective
To become familiar with the identification of soil by visual classification

II. Apparatus : None

III. Procedure
1. Obtain four different soil samples.
2. Examine each sample for particle size, color, moisture status, consistency or relative
density, and texture.
3. Tabulate results of examination.
4. Classify soil according to Unified Classification System and AASHTO System.
5. Determine the relative quality of soil sample for use in a specific engineering project.

Visual Description and Classification of Soil

The visual description and classification of soil is important as most minor structures and
occasionally some major structures are designed solely on the information obtained in this manner.

A. Description

42
 Preliminary identification or logging of a borehole is usually made on small slightly
disturbed samples which are taken at 1’0” intervals by the drilling contractor and stored in sealed
plastic bags. The engineer can then determine the number and nature of tests on representative
undisturbed samples which are also taken during drilling operations. The preliminary log may be
modified as the undisturbed samples are opened for testing and by the results of the soil test.

We generally divide the description of a soil into two parts:

1. General description, consisting of

Colour Moisture Status Consistency Texture Relative Density

e.g. Red Moist Stiff Clay

Particular characteristics (minor details)

a. Color

Color is important as it enables correlations to be made between different

boreholes and it is a pointer to the geological and sedimentation history of the
soil. Some details are given below.

Black soils – generally due to organic matter, black minerals or sulphides of iron
(ferric), which have been formed under reducing conditions (i.e. no- oxygen )
below water level , e.g. marine or swamp deposits. Most of these soils oxidize if
sampled and plasticity. Black clay soils are also formed as residual soils from the
weathering of limestone’s present in the materials.

Grey soils – generally formed under reducing conditions below water i. e., marine
or freshwater deposits. However, reduction has not been as severe and the
colorless ferrous sulphides have been formed. Silts are often grey because of the
presence of mica particles.

White soils- generally due to the mineral glauconite which requires reducing
conditions.

43
 Yellow and red soils- generally alluvial soils as iron compounds are oxidized
when carried by the river waters.

Mottling – generally indicates impeded drainage and the probable formation of a

perched water table in the wet season. It is often important to know this.
Described as “ Grey, mottled red yellow..”

Mixture- generally indicates impeded drainage and the probable formation of a

perched water table in the wet season. It is often important to know this.
Describes as “ Brown, white and yellow..”

b. Moisture Status

Use terms dry, moist and wet. In sands, there is not much difficulty in classifying.
In clays, an approximate classification is-

Dry I1 < 0.2

Moist 0.2 <I1 <0.5
Wet I1 > 0.5

c. Consistency, Relatively Density (Strength)

For clay, use the consistency classification as follows:

From Laboratory test From Visual Classification

Underdrained cohesion(p.s.f.)

Very soft 250 Easily penetrated by fist

Soft 250-500 Easily penetrated by thumb
Firm 500-1000 Penetrated by thumb
Stiff 1000-2000 Penetrated by thumb with great effort
Very stiff 2000-4000 Indented by thumb nail
Hard 4000 Indented by thumb nail with great effort

44
 For sand, use relative density classification as follows:

Relative Density (%) Field Standards Penetration Tests

Blows/ft

Very loose to 15 % 0-4

Loose to 35% 4-14
Medium to 65% 10-30
Dense to 85% 30-50
Very Dense to 100% 750

The classification from the blows per foot is only valid for sand at depth.
Corrections ( Alpan 1964) are necessary for sand at shallow depths.

d. Texture

Generally use grave, sand (fine, medium or coarse), silt and clay. All variations
ca be used with dominant material being placed at the end in capitals

e.g.

Clayey fine SAND

Silty CLAY

It is often necessary to determine the percentage of sand and silt in a clay soil
very accurately or this markedly affects soil behavior. Use adjectives slightly, as, very,
e.g.

Slightly silty CLAY slightly silty CLAY

Very sandy CLAY very sandy CLAY

If it is not possible to determine the dominant particle size then describe as SAND- CLAY,
SILT-SAND, etc.

45
 The natural description is usually based on the feel of the soil. Gravel can be
seen and felt and sand can be identified by its gritty feel. Clay soils can be moistened to
be above the plastic limit). If the soil is mainly clay, then it will feel smooth and will
develop a shiny surface when cut with a knife. If the soil contains silt, it will be more
rough and will be more fiable, i.e., it can be broken into smaller particles more easily.

The presence of silt can also be determined by the dilatancy or shaking test. The
soil is moistened, shaken and hit in the palm. If water comes to the surface quickly, then
it is a sand. If it arrives after a period of time, it contains silt. Clay does not react because
of the lower permeability and the slower pore water movement.

The grain size distribution can also be determined approximately by shaking a

sample in a test tube. The proportion settles in about 30 sec., the silt in about 90 minutes.
This is very rough but is particularly useful to determine the percentage of fine grained
soil (silt and clay) required in the classification system.

If the soil consists of a mixture of two distinct soils which are separated from one
another (e.g. varves), then both soils are generally described.

Examples:

Grey moist, stiff CLAY and brown, dry dense SAND. However, if one soil is minor
and will not appreciably influence the soil behavior, then it is described as an inclusion
under particular characteristics.

A. PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS

These minor characteristics are appended to the general description so that they
do not detract from the main description but will provide further information. Common
minor
Structural features- fissures, slickensides, root holes, bedding planes, e.g. with –
numerous slicken sides at 30 dip.

Inclusions- modules (often lateritic or calcareous) organic remains, shells,

(indicate percentage) e. g., with occasional white, soft, calcareous modules at 45
(5%).

46
 Plasticity- use terms low, medium, high, and very high, e.g. with very high plasticity

Cements- e.g. with weak calcerous cement binding grains.

Odor- local or geological name –e.g. padi clay, Bangkok clay.

Small changes of texture or colour- it is often clearer in the bore log to describe
minor variations of texture or colour within the one strata as particular characteristics,
rather than draw a separate strata, e.g. with – red, moist silty SAND layer between
44’-0 and 44’-6”

B. Classification (see class notes for details)

G- gravel
S- sandy
C- clay
w- well graded
M- silt
Pt- Peat
P- Poorly graded
L- Low plasticity
H- High Plasticity

IV. Data and Tabulation

A. Description

Soil Moisture Consistency Grading Color Texture Mineral Max Size.

Sample or Rel. Density

Soil Plasticity
Soil plasticity Liquid Limit Plastic Limit P.I. G.I.

47
A
B
C
D

B. Classification

Soil Sample AASHTO Unified

A
B
C
D

Quality of Materials

Soil Sample Highway Base Foundation Earth Dam Irrigation Canal

course Material Lining
A
B
C
D

COMPUTATIONS

48
ILLUSTRATION

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CONCLUSIONS
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

49