Ex.

No: 1
Date:

DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF SOIL SOLIDS

AIM
To determine the specific gravity of soil solids.

THEORY AND APPLICATION

Specific gravity of soil solids is the ratio of weight, in air of a given volume; of dry soil
solids to the weight of equal volume of water at 4ºC.Specific gravity of soil grains gives
the property of the formation of soil mass and is independent of particle size. Specific
gravity of soil grains is used in calculating void ratio, porosity and degree of saturation,
by knowing moisture content and density.
The value of specific gravity helps in identifying and classifying the soil type.

APPARATUS
1. Pycnometer
2. 450 mm sieve
3. Weighing balance
4. Oven
5. Glass rod
6. Distilled water

PROCEDURE
1. Dry the pycnometer and weigh it with its cap. (W1)
2. Take about 200gmof oven dried soil passing through 4.75mm sieve into the
pycnometer and weigh again (W2).
3. Add sufficient de-aired water to cover the soil and screw on the cap.
4. Shake the pycnometer well and remove entrapped air if any.
5. After the air has been removed, fill the pycnometer with water completely.
6. Thoroughly dry the pycnometer from out side and weigh it (W3).
7. Clean the pycnometer by washing thoroughly.
8. Fill the cleaned pycnometer completely with water up to its top with cap screw
on.
9. Weigh the pycnometer after drying it on the outside thoroughly (W4).
10. Repeat the procedure for three samples and obtain the average value of specific
gravity.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Determine the specific gravity of soil grains (G) using the following equation

( W2 – W1 )
G=
( W2 – W1 ) - ( W3 – W4 )
Where
W1 = Empty weight of pycnometer.
W2 = Weight of pycnometer + oven dry soil
W3 = Weight of pycnometer + oven dry soil+ water
W4 = Weight of pycnometer + water

OBSERVATION FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY DETERMINATION

Sample W1 in gms W2 in gms W3 in gms W4 in gms Specific

Number Gravity
G
1

RESULT

Average specific gravity of soil solids G =

Ex. No: 2
Date:

DETERMINATION OF GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL

BY SIEVE ANALYSIS

AIM
To conduct sieve analysis of soil to classify the given coarse grained soil.

THEORY AND APPLICATION

Grain size analysis is used in the engineering classification of soils. Particularly coarse
grained soils. Part of suitability criteria of soils for road, airfield, levee, dam and other
embankment construction is based on the grain size analysis. Information obtained from
the grain size analysis can be used to predict soil water movement. Soils are broadly
classified as coarse grained soils and fine grained soils. Further classification of coarse
grained soils depends mainly on grain size distribution and the fine grained soils are
further classified based on their plasticity properties. The grain size distribution of coarse
grained soil is studied by conducting sieve analysis.

APPARATUS
1. A set of Sieves 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm ,1.18 mm ,0.60mm, 0.30 mm 0.15 mm
0.075mm including lid and pan
2. Tray
3. Weighing Balance
4. Oven
5. Sieve Shaker
6. Brush

PROCEDURE
1. Weigh 500gms of oven dry soil sample, of which grain size distribution has to be
studied.
2. Take the soil sample into 75μ sieve.
3. Wash the soil sample keeping it in the sieve. Washing of soil sample means: place
the soil in the sieve and gently pour water over the soil so that it wets the soil and
remove the fine particles in the form of mud, leaving only the sand and gravel
size particles in the sieve.
4. Transfer the soil retained in the sieve after washing into a tray. Invert the sieve
into the tray and pour water gently so that all the soil particles retained in the
sieve are transferred ito the tray.
5. Keep the tray in the oven for 24 hours at 105ºc to dry it completely.
6. Weigh the oven dry soil in the tray (W)
7. The weight of the fine grained soil is equal to 500 – W
8. Clean the sieve set so that no soil particles were struck in them.
9. Arrange the sieves in order such that coarse sieve is kept at the top and the fine
sieve is at the bottom. Place the closed pan below the finest sieve.
 10. Take the oven dried soil obtained after washing into the top sieve and keep the lid
to close the top sieve.
11. Position the sieve set in the sieve shaker and sieve the sample for a period of 10
minutes.
12. Separate the sieves and weigh carefully the amount of soil retained on each sieve,
This is usually done by transferring the soil retained on each sieve on a separate
sieve of paper and weighing the soil with the paper.
13. Enter the observations in the Table and calculate the cumulative percentage of
soil retained on each sieve.
14. Draw the grain size distribution curve between grain size on log scale on the
abscissa and the percentage finer on the ordinate.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS

Weight of the soil taken for testing (W) =
Sl.N Aperture size Weight of soil % Weight Cumulative Percentage
o of retained (gm) Retained Percentage Finer
sieve in mm Retained
1 4.75mm
2 2.36mm
3 1.18mm
4 0.600mm
5 0.300mm
6 0.212mm
7 0.150mm
8 0.075mm

REFERENCE CALCULATION
1. % Weight retained = weight of soil retained on IS sieve
weight of soil taken for testing

2. Cumulative percentage retained (in Sl.No.3) = Σ Percentage of weight retained in IS

sieve till Sl.No.3
3. Percentage finer = 100 – Cumulative percentage retained

GRAPH
Plot the graph (semi – log graph) between percentage finer and grain size (mm).From the
graph, obtain the percentage of coarse (D60), medium (D30) and fine sands (D10).
Uniformity coefficient Cu = D60 / D10
Coefficient of Curvature Cc = (D30)2 / D60 x D10

RESULT
Uniformity Coefficient Cu =
Coefficient of Curvature Cc =
The type of soil sample given is
EX.NO: 3
DATE
DETERMINATION OF GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SOILS
BY HYDROMETER ANALYSIS

AIM
To conduct Hydrometer analysis of soil to study the grain size distribution of the fine
grained soil.

APPARATUS
1. Hydrometer
2. Dispersion cup with mechanical stirrer with complete accessories
3. Glass jar 1 lt capacity
4. Deflocculating agent
5. Stop watch
6. Thermometer

THEORY
The hydrometer method, based on continuous sedimentation principle, is widely
used in all soil mechanics laboratories. Sedimentation is the process whereby a steady fall
of particles occurs through a liquid at rest. Particle sizes are determined from Stoke’s law
which relates velocity of a particle falling through a liquid to the diameter of the particle,
the specific gravity of the particle and the viscosity of the liquid.

SOLUTION PREPERATION AND CALIBRATION:

1. Take about 40 grams of deflocculating agent, mix it with 150 ml of water. Leave
the mix for 15 minutes.
2. Transfer the content into 1lt jar, and fill the jar with water upto 1000ml mark.
This gives the deflocculating solution to be used for hydrometer analysis.
CALIBRATION OF HYDROMETER:
1. Take about 800ml of water in 1 measuring cylinder. Place the cylinder on a
table and observe the initial reading.
2. Immerse the hydrometer in the cylinder. Take the reading after the immersion.
3. Determine the volume of hydrometer (VH), which is equal to the difference
between the final and initial readings.
4. Determine the area of the cross – section (A) of the cylinder. It is equal to the
volume indicated between any two graduations divided by the distance
between them. The distance is measured with an accurate scale.
5. Measure the distance between the hydrometer neck and the bottom of the
bulb. Record it as the height of the bulb (h).
6. Measure the distance (H) between the neck to each of the marks on the
hydrometer (Rh).
7. Determine the effective height (He), corresponding to each of the mark (Rh),
as
V
He = H + ½ h− H( A )
 8. Draw a calibration curve between He and Rh. Alternatively, prepare a table
between He and Rh. The curve may be used for finding the effective depth H e
corresponding to reading Rh.
MENISCUS CORRECTION:
1. Insert the hydrometer in the measuring cylinder containing about 700ml of
water.
2. Take the readings of the hydrometer at the top and at the bottom of the
meniscus.
3. Determine the meniscus correction, which is equal to the difference between
the two readings.
4. The meniscus correction (Cm) is positive and is a constant for the hydrometer.
(Cm = +0.4)
5. The observed hydrometer reading (Rh’) is corrected to obtain the corrected
hydrometer reading (Rh) as Rh = Rh’ + Cm
COMPOSITE CORRECTION:
1. Insert the hydrometer in the measuring cylinder containing about 700ml of
water. Note down the reading of hydrometer at the top of the meniscus.
2. Take 150 ml of deflocculating solution in a measuring jar of 1 lt, dilute it to
1000ml. Transfer the diluted solution into another jar till 700ml is filled.
3. Now insert the hydrometer in 700ml diluted deflocculating solution. Note
down the reading of hydrometer at the top of the meniscus.
4. The difference between the hydrometer reading placed in water and diluted
deflocculating solution is obtained. The negative of this value is taken as the
composite correction (C). (C = - 0.4)

PROCEDURE:
1. Take about 50 grams of soil sample retained on pan after performing sieve
analysis experiment.
2. Add 150 ml of diluted deflocculating solution to the soil sample. Leave it for 15
minutes.
3. Transfer the soil solution into 1lt jar and dilute it with water till 1000 ml mark is
filled in the jar.
4. Place the stopper on top of the jar and swirl it for a minute. Insert a thermometer
to determine the temperature of the solution.
5. Drop the hydrometer as soon as the jar is placed on a flat surface, and start the
stop watch.
6. Note down the hydrometer and temperature reading at intervals of 0 min, ½ min,
1 min, 2 min, 4 min, 8 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour and 24 hours.
7. Apply the correction factors and determine He at each interval.
8. Determine the particle size and percentage finer at each time interval.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:
S.No. OBSERVATION
Elapsed Hydrometer Composite
Temperature
Time (t) reading (Rh’) Correction (C)

S.No. CALCULATION
Height He Particle size (D) Percentage finer
Reading R = Rh’ + C
(cm) (mm) (N)

FORMULAE USED:
He
Particle size D (in mm) = M

0.3 η
1 /2
√ t

M=
[ d(G−1) ρw ]
= 1.33 x 10-3
η = viscosity of water (poise)
G = specific gravity of solids
ρw = density of water (gm/ml)
g = 981 cm/sec2
G R
Percentage finer N = (
G−1 M s )
x 100
Ms = mass of dry soil in 1000ml suspension
R = corrected hydrometer reading

GRAPH:
Plot the graph (semi – log graph) between percentage finer and grain size (mm).

RESULT:
The percentage of silt is
Ex. No: 4
Date:

DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT OF SOIL

AIM
To determine liquid limit of the given soil sample.

THEORY AND APPLICATION

Liquid limit is the water content expressed in percentage at which the soil passes from
zero strength to an infinitesimal strength, hence the true value of liquid limit cannot be
determined. For determination purpose liquid limit is that water content at which a part of
soil, cut by a groove of standard dimensions, will flow together for a distance of 12.5mm
under an impact of 5 blows in a standard liquid limit apparatus with a height of fall of
1cm.

APPARATUS
1. Casagrande Liquid limit device
2. Grooving tool
3. 425 micron sieve
4. Spatula
5. Mixing bowl
6. Wash bottle
7. Drying oven
8. Sensitive balance

PROCEDURE
1. Adjust the cup of liquid limit apparatus with the help of grooving tool gauge and
the adjustment plate to give a drop of exactly 1cm on the point of contact on the
base.
2. Take about 120gm of an air dried soil sample passing 425μ sieve.
3. Mix the soil thoroughly with some distilled water to form a uniform paste.
4. Place a portion of the paste in the cup of the liquid limit device; smooth the
surface with spatula to a maximum depth of 1 cm. Draw the grooving tool
through the sample along the symmetrical axis of the cup, holding the tool
perpendicular to the cup.
5. Turn the handle at a rate of 2 revolutions per second and count the blows until the
two parts of the soil sample come in contact with each other, at the bottom of the
groove, along a distance of 10mm.
6. Transfer about 15 gm of the soil sample forming the wedge of the groove that
flowed together to a water content bin, and determine the water content by oven
drying.
7. Transfer the remaining soil in the cup to the main soil sample in the bowl and
mix thoroughly after adding a small amount of water.
8. Repeat steps 4 – 7 .Obtain at least five sets of readings in the range of 10 – 40
blows.
 9. Record the observations in the Table.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS

1. Use the table for recording number of blows and calculating the moisture content.
Use semi-log graph paper. Take number of blows on log scale (X –Axis) and
water content on nominal scale (Y – axis). Plot all the points.
2. Read the water content at 25 blows which is the value of liquid limit.
TABLE Observation for Liquid limit
Sl.N Description 1 2 3 4 5
o
1 No. of blows
2 Container number
3 Weight of container + wet
soil
4 Weight of container +dry
soil
5 Weight of water (3) – (4)
6 Weight of container
7 Weight of dry soil (4) – (6)
8 Moisture content (w) (5) /
(7)
9 Moisture content in
percentage

RESULT
Liquid limit of the soil =
Ex. No: 5
Date:

DETERMINATION OF PLASTIC LIMIT OF SOIL

AIM
To determine plastic limit of the given soil sample.

THEORY AND APPLICATION

The moisture content expressed in percentage at which the soil has the smallest plasticity
is called the plastic limit. Just after plastic limit the soil displays the properties of a semi
solid
For determination purposes the plastic limit it is defined as the water content at which a
soil just begins to crumble when rolled into a thread of 3mm in diameter.
The values of liquid limit and plastic limit are directly used for classifying the fine
grained soils. Once the soil is classified it helps in understanding the behaviour of soils
and selecting the suitable method of design construction and maintenance of the
structures made-up or and resting on soils.

APPARATUS
1. Glass plate
2. 425 micron sieve
3. Spatula
4. Mixing bowl
5. Wash bottle
6. Moisture content bins
7. Drying oven
8. Sensitive balance

PROCEDURE
1. Take about 30g of air dried soil sample passing through 425μ sieve.
2. Mix thoroughly with distilled water on the glass plate until it is plastic enough to
be shaped into a small ball.
3. Take about 10g of the plastic soil mass and roll it between the hand and the glass
plate to form the soil mass into a thread of as small diameter as possible. If the
diameter of the thread becomes less than 3 mm without cracks, it indicates that
the water added to the soil is more than its plastic limit, hence the soil is kneaded
further and rolled into thread again.
4. Repeat this rolling and remoulding process until the thread start just crumbling at
a diameter of 3mm.
5. If the soil sample start crumbling before the diameter of thread reaches 3mm (i.e
when the diameter is more than 3mm) in step 3, it shows that water added in step
2 is less than the plastic limit of the soil. Hence, some more water should be
added and mixed to a uniform mass and rolled again, until the thread starts just
crumbling at a dia of 3mm.
 6. Collect the piece of crumbled soil thread at 3mm diameter in an airtight container
and determine moisture content.
7. Repeat this procedure on the remaining masses of 10g.
8. Record the observations in Table and obtain the average value of plastic limit.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS

TABLE Observation for Plastic limit
Sl.N Description 1 2 3 4 5
o
1 Container number
2 Weight of container + wet
soil
3 Weight of container +dry
soil
4 Weight of water (2) – (3)
5 Weight of container
6 Weight of dry soil (3) – (5)
7 Moisture content (w) (4) /
(6)
8 Moisture content in
percentage

RESULT
Plastic limit of the soil =
EX.NO: 6
DATE
DETERMINATION OF SHRINKAGE LIMIT OF SOILS

AIM
To determine shrinkage limit of the soil

APPARATUS
1. Shrinkage dish
2. Porcelain evaporated dish
3. Mercury
4. Balance

PROCEDURE
1. 100 gm. of soil sample from a thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing
through 425 micron IS sieve is taken.
2. About 30 gm. of above soil sample is placed in the evaporating dish and
thoroughly mixed with distilled water to make a paste.
3. The weight of the clean empty shrinkage dish is determined and recorded.
4. The dish is filled in three layers by placing approximately 1/3rd of the amount of
wet soil with the help of spatula.
5. Then the dish with wet soil is weighed and recorded immediately.
6. The wet soil cake is air dried until the colour of the pat turns from dark to light.
Then it is oven dried at a temperature of 1050 C to 1100 C for 12 to 16 hours. The
weight of the dish with dry sample is determined and recorded. Then the weight
of oven dry soil pat is calculated (W0).
7. The shrinkage dish is placed in the evaporating dish and the dish is filled with
mercury, till it overflows slightly. Then it is be pressed with plain glass plate
firmly on its top to remove excess mercury. The mercury from the shrinkage dish
is poured into a measuring jar and the volume of the shrinkage dish is calculated.
This volume is recorded as the volume of the wet soil pat (V).
8. A glass cup is placed in a suitable large container and the glass cup removed by
covering the cup with glass plate with prongs and pressing it. The outside of the
glass cup is wiped to remove the adhering mercury. Then it is placed in the
evaporating dish which is clean and empty.
9. Then the oven dried soil pat is placed on the surface of the mercury in the cup and
pressed by means of the glass plate with prongs, the displaced mercury being
collected in the evaporating dish.
10. The mercury so displaced by the dry soil pat is weighed and its volume (Vo) is
calculated by dividing this weight by unit weight of mercury.
OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS
TABLE
Sl.No Description Trial Trial Trial
1 2 3
1 Weight of dish + wet soil pat in gms
2 Weight of dish + dry soil pat in gms
3 Weight of water present (2-3)
4 Weight of shrinkage dish , empty (gms)
5 Weight of dry soil pat Wo = (2 – 4)
6 Moisture content of soil pat
(W) = (3) / (5) x100
7 Weight of weighing dish + Mercury
8 Weight of weighing dish empty
9 Weight of mercury in shrinkage dish
10 Volume of wet soil pat (V)
11 Weight of weighing dish + mercury after immersing the
dry soil pat(gms)
12 Weight of mercury displaced (gms)
13 Volume of dry soil pat (Vo)
14 Shrinkage limit

MODEL VALUES TABLE

Sl.N Description Trial Trial 2 Trial
o 1 3
1 Weight of dish + wet soil pat in gms 43 45 44
2 Weight of dish + dry soil pat in gms 38 40 39
3 Weight of water present (2-3) 5 5 5
4 Weight of shrinkage dish , empty (gms) 25 26 26
5 Weight of dry soil pat Wo = (2 – 4) 13 14 13
6 Moisture content of soil pat
38.46 35.71 38.46
(W) = (3) / (5) x100
7 Weight of weighing dish + Mercury 798 799 797
8 Weight of weighing dish empty 32 32 32
9 Weight of mercury in shrinkage dish 135 136 135
10 Volume of wet soil pat (V) 10.02
9.955 9.956
9
11 Weight of weighing dish + mercury after immersing
711 707 709
the dry soil pat(gms)
12 Weight of mercury displaced (gms) 87 92 88
13 Volume of dry soil pat (Vo) 6.416 6.785 6.489
14 Shrinkage limit 11.23 12.54 11.79
W = moisture content of soil pat
V = Volume of wet soil pat
Vo = Volume of dry soil pat
Wo = Weight of dry soil pat
Density of mercury = 13.56 g/cm3

CALCULATION:
V = Volume of wet soil pat = Weight of mercury (in step 9) / density of mercury
Vo = Volume of dry soil pat = Weight of mercury displaced / density of mercury
Density of mercury = 13.56 g/cm3
Determine average shrinkage limit and specify it as result.

RESULT
Shrinkage limit =
Ex. No: 7
Date:

DETERMINATION OF FIELD DENSITY (UNIT WEIGHT ) OF SOIL BY

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

AIM

To determine the field density of soil at a given location by sand replacement method.

APPARATUS
1. Sand pouring Cylinder
2. Calibrating can
3. Metal tray with a central hole
4. Dry sand (Passing through 600 micron sieve )
5. Balance
6. Metal tray
7. Scraper tool
8. Glass plate

THEORY AND APPLICATIONS

In core cutter method the unit weight of soil obtained from direct measurement of weight
and volume of soil obtained from field. Particularly for sandy soils the core cutter method
is not possible. In such situations the sand replacement method is employed to determine
the unit weight. In sand replacement method a small cylindrical pit is excavated and the
weight of the soil excavated from the pit is measured. Sand, whose density is known, is
filled into the pit. By measuring the weight of sand required to fill the pit and knowing
the density of soil , volume of the pit is calculated .Knowing the weight of soil excavated
from the pit and the volume of pit the density of soil is calculated. Therefore in this
experiment there are two stages (1) Calibration of sand density and (2) Measurement of
soil density.

PROCEDURE
CALIBRATION OF SAND DENSITY
1. Measure the internal dimensions diameter (d) and height (h) of the calibrating can
and compute its internal volume V. [d = 10 cm, h = 12.73 cm]
2. Fill the sand pouring cylinder (SPC) with sand with 1 cm top clearance to avoid
any spillover during operation and find its weight (W1)
3. Place the SPC on a glass plate, open the slit above the cone by operating the valve
and allow the sand to run down. The sand will freely run down till it fills the
conical portion. When there is no further downward movement of sand in the
SPC, close the slit.
 4. Find the weight of the SPC along with the sand remaining after filling the cone
(W2)
5. Place the SPC concentrically on top of the calibrating can. Open the slit to allow
the sand to rundown until the sand flow stops by itself. This operation will fill the
calibrating can and the conical portion of the SPC. Now close the slit and find the
weight of the SPC with the remaining sand(W3)

MEASUREMENT OF SOIL DENSITY

1. Clean and level the ground surface where the field density is to be determined.
2. Place the tray with a central hole over the portion of the soil to be tested.
3. Excavate a pit into the ground, through the hole in the plate, approximately 15cm
deep (Close the height of the calibrating can) The hole in the tray will guide the
diameter of the pit to be made in the ground.
4. Collect the excavated soil into the tray and weigh the soil (W)
5. Determine the moisture content of the excavated soil.
6. Place the SPC, with sand having the latest weight of W3, over the pit so that the
base of the cylinder covers the pit concentrically.
7. Open the slit of the SPC and allow the sand to run into the pit freely, till there is
no downward movement of sand level in the SPC and then close the slit.
8. Find the weight of the SPC with the remaining sand W4.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

TABLE
CALIBRATION OF UNIT WEIGHT OF SAND
Sl.No Description Trial No Trial No Trial No
1 2 3
3
1 Volume of the calibrating container, V (cm )
2 Weight of SPC + sand W1 (gms)
3 Weight of SPC + sand W2
After filling conical portion on a flat surface
(gms)
4 Weight of SPC + sand W3
After filling calibrating can (gms)
5 Weight of sand required to fill cone
Wc = W1-W2
6 Weight of sand required to fill cone and can
Wcc= W2-W3
7 Weight of sand in calibrating can
Wcc – Wc
8 Unit weight of sand
Wcc – Wc / V
 TABLE
DETERMINATION OF UNIT WEIGHT OF SOIL
Sl.N Description Trial No Trial No Trial No
o 1 2 3
1 Weight of SPC after filling the hole and
Conical portion W3
2 Weight of SPC after filling the pit W4

3 Weight of sand in the pit

Wp = (W3 – W4) – Wc
4 Volume of sand required to fill the pit
Vp = Wp / γsand
5 Weight of the soil excavated from the pit
(W)
6 Wet unit weight of the soil W/V (g/cc)

7 Moisture content of field sample (w) (%)

8 Bulk density γb = W/Wp x γsand (g/cc)
9 Dry unit weight of the soil γd = γb/ (1+w)
(in g/cm3)

MODEL VALUE TABLE

CALIBRATION OF UNIT WEIGHT OF SAND
Sl.N Description Trial No Trial No Trial No
o 1 2 3
1 Volume of the calibrating container, V 999.8 999.8 999.8
(cm3)
2 Weight of SPC + sand W1 (gms) 6810 6805 6813
3 Weight of SPC + sand W2 6368 6360 6370
After filling conical portion on a flat surface
(gms)
4 Weight of SPC + sand W3 4620 4622 4624
After filling calibrating can (gms)
5 Weight of sand required to fill cone 442 445 443
Wc = W1-W2
6 Weight of sand required to fill cone and can 1748 1738 1746
Wcc= W2-W3
7 Weight of sand in calibrating can 1306 1293 1303
Wcc – Wc
8 Unit weight of sand 1.31 1.293 1.303
Wcc – Wc / V
 MODEL VALUE TABLE
DETERMINATION OF UNIT WEIGHT OF SOIL
Sl.N Description Trial No Trial No Trial No
o 1 2 3
1 Weight of SPC after filling the hole and 4620 4622 4624
Conical portion W3
2 Weight of SPC after filling the pit W4 2740 2742 2745

3 Weight of sand in the pit 1438 1435 1436

Wp = (W3 – W4) – Wc
4 Volume of sand required to fill the pit 1097.7 1109.8 1102.1
Vp = Wp / γsand
5 Weight of the soil excavated from the pit 1945 1944 1953
(W)
6 Wet unit weight of the soil W/V (g/cc) 1.945 1.944 1.953

7 Moisture content of field sample (w) (%) 13.56% 13.96% 13.23%

8 Bulk density γb = W/Wp x γsand (g/cc) 1.77 1.75 1.77
9 Dry unit weight of the soil γd = γb/ (1+w) 1.55 1.53 1.56
(in g/cm3)

RESULT

1. Dry unit weight of the soil

2. Wet unit weight of the soil
3. Moisture content of field sample
Ex. No: 8
Date:

STANDARD PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST

AIM

To determine Optimum Moisture Content and Maximum dry density for a soil by
conducting standard proctor compaction test.

THEORY
Compaction is the process of densification of soil mass, by reducing air voids under
dynamic loading. On the other hand though consolidation is also a process of
densification of soil mass but it is due to the expulsion of water under the action of
continuously acting static load over a long period.
The degree of compaction of a soil is measured in terms of its dry density. The degree of
compaction mainly depends upon its moisture content during compaction, compaction
energy and the type of soil. For a given compaction energy, every soil attains the
maximum dry density at a particular water content which is known as optimum moisture
content (OMC)

APPLICATIONS
Compaction of soil increases its dry density, shear strength and bearing capacity. The
compaction of soil decreases its void ratio permeability and settlements. The results of
this test are useful in studying the stability earthen structures like earthen dams,
embankments roads and airfields .In such constructions the soils are compacted. The
moisture content at which the soils are to be compacted in the field is estimated by the
value of optimum moisture content determined by the Proctor compaction test.

APPARATUS
1. Cylindrical mould of capacity 1000cc ,internal diameter 100mm and height 127.3
mm
2. Rammer
3. Mould accessories
4. Balance
5. Graduated jar
6. Straight edge
7. Spatula
8. Oven
9. Moisture bins

PROCEDURE
1. Take about 3 kg of air dried soil
 2. Sieve the soil through 4.36mm sieve. Take the soil that passes through the sieve
for testing
3. Take 2.5 kg of the soil and add water to it, to bring its moisture content to about
4% in coarse grained soils and 8% in case of fine grained soils
4. Clean, dry and grease the mould and base plate .Weigh the mould with base plate.
Fit the collar.
5. Compact the wet soil in three equal layers by the rammer with 25 evenly
distributed blows in each layer.
6. Remove the collar and trim off the soil flush with the top of the mould. In
removing the collar rotate it to break the bond between it and the soil before
lifting it off the mould.
7. Clean the outside of the mould and weigh the mould with soil and base plate.
8. Remove the soil from the mould and obtain a representative soil sample from the
bottom, middle and top for water content determination
9. Repeat the above procedure with 8, 12, 16 and 21 % of water contents for coarse
grained soil and 14, 18, 22 and 26 % for fine grained soil samples approximately.
The above moisture contents are given only for guidance. However, the moisture
contents may be selected based on experience so that, the dry density of soil
shows the increase in moisture content. Each trial should be performed on a fresh
sample.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

1. Enter all the observations in Table and calculate the wet density.
2. Calculate the dry density by using the equation
Diameter of the mould, d (cm) = 10
Volume of the mould v (cm3) = 981.75
Height of the mould, h (cm) = 12.5
Weight of the mould W1 (gms) = 3152
TABLE WITH DATAS
Sl.N Description Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial
o 1 2 3 4 5
1 Weight of mould + Compacted wet soil
(W2) in gms
2 Weight of Compacted wet soil
W = W2 – W1 in gms
3 Wet density of soil γb= (W2-W1)/V
g/cm3
4 Bin number
5 Empty weight of bin in gms
6 Weight of bin + wet soil in gms
7 Weight of bin + dry soil in gms
8 Weight of water (6) – (7)
9 Weight of dry soil (7) – ( 5)
10 Moisture content w (8) /(9)
11 Moisture content in percentage
12 Dry density γd = γb/ (1+w)
 (in g/cm3)

TABLE WITH DATAS

Sl.N Description Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5
o
1 Weight of mould + Compacted wet 4652 4736 4794 5002 4995
soil
(W2) in gms
2 Weight of Compacted wet soil 1500 1584 1642 1850 1843
W = W2 – W1 in gms
3 Wet density of soil γb= (W2-W1)/V 1.528 1.613 1.673 1.884 1.877
g/cm3
4 Bin number 2 4 1 7 5
5 Empty weight of bin in gms 15 16 15 15 15
6 Weight of bin + wet soil in gms 28 35 30 32 34
7 Weight of bin + dry soil in gms 27 33 28 29 30
8 Weight of water (6) – (7) 1 2 2 3 4
9 Weight of dry soil (7) – ( 5) 12 17 13 14 15
10 Moisture content w (8) /(9) 0.0833 0.117 0.1538 0.2143 0.2666
6
11 Moisture content in percentage 8.33 11.76 15.38 21.43 26.66
12 Dry density γd = γb/ (1+w) 1.411 1.443 1.449 1.552 1.482
(in g/cm3)

GRAPH:
1. Plot the moisture content on X axis and dry density on Y axis .Draw a smooth
curve passing through the points called compaction curve.
2. Read the point of maximum dry density and corresponding water content from the
compaction curve (OMC).

RESULT
1. Optimum Moisture Content OMC (%) =
2. Maximum dry density (gm/cc) =
Ex. No: 9
Date:

DETERMINATION OF PERMEABILITY OF SOIL BY

VARIABLE HEAD METHOD

AIM
To determine the coefficient of permeability of a given soil sample by conducting
Variable head test.

THEORY AND APPLICATION

The property of the soil which permits water to percolate through its continuously
connected voids is called its permeability .Water flowing through the soil exerts
considerable seepage forces which has direct effect on the safety of hydraulic structures.
The quantity of water escaping through and beneath and earthen dam depends on the
permeability of the embankment and the foundation soil respectively. The rate of
settlement of foundation depends on the permeability properties of the foundation soil.

APPARATUS
1. Permeability apparatus with accessories
2. Stop watch
3. Measuring jar
4. Funnel

PROCEDURE
1. Compact the soil into the mould at a given dry density and moisture content by a
suitable device. Place the specimen centrally over the bottom porous disc and
filter paper.
2. Place a filter paper, porous stone and washer on top of the soil sample and fix the
top collar.
3. Connect the stand pipe to the inlet of the top plate. Fill the stand pipe with water.
4. Connect the reservoir with water to the outlet at the bottom of the mould and
allow the water to flow through and ensure complete saturation of the sample.
5. Open the air valve at the top and allow the water to flow out so that the air in the
cylinder is removed.
6. Fix the height h1 and h2 on the pipe from the top of water level in the reservoir
7. When all the air has escaped, close the air valve and allow the water from the pipe
to flow through the soil and establish a steady flow.
8. Record the time required for the water head to fall from h1 to h2.
9. Change the height h1 and h2 and record the time required for the fall of head.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS
Calculate the coefficient of permeability of soil using the equation.
K = 2.303 aL / At Log10(h1/h2)
K = Coefficient of permeability
a = Area of stand pipe (sq.cm)
t = Time required for the head to fall from h1 to h2 (sec)
A = Cross sectional area of the soil sample (sq.cm)
L = Length of soil sample (cm)
h1 = Initial head of water in the stand pipe above the water level in the reservoir (cm)
h2 = final head of water in the stand pipe above the water level in the reservoir (cm)
(i) Diameter of the stand pipe (cm) = 3cm
(ii) Cross sectional area of stand pipe (sq.cm) = π/4 x 32
(iii) Length of soil sample (cm) =
(iv) Area of soil sample (sq.cm) = π/4 x 112

Sl.N Initial head Final head Time interval Coefficient of

o h1 in cm h 2 in cm t (sec) Permeability(cm/sec)

RESULT
Coefficient of permeability of the given soil sample =
Ex. No: 10
Date:

CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST

AIM
To determine the California bearing ratio by conducting a load penetration test in the
laboratory. 

THEORY
The california bearing ratio test is penetration test meant for the evaluation of subgrade
strength of roads and pavements. The results obtained by these tests are used with the
empirical curves to determine the thickness of pavement and its component layers. This
is the most widely used method for the design of flexible pavement.
This instruction sheet covers the laboratory method for the determination of C.B.R. of
undisturbed and remoulded /compacted soil specimens, both in soaked as well as
unsoaked state. 
It is the ratio of force per unit area required to penetrate a soil mass with standard circular
piston at the rate of 1.25 mm/min. to that required for the corresponding penetration of a
standard material.
C.B.R. = Test load/Standard load x 100

Penetration of Standard load    Total standard load

plunger    (mm) (kg/cm2) (kg)
2.5 70 1370
5 105 2055
APPARATUS
1. Cylindrical mould with inside dia 150 mm and height 175 mm
2. Extension collar of 50mm height and detachable base plate of 10mm thick for
cylindrical mould.
3. Spacer disc
4. Metal rammer
5. Weights (Annular metal weight and several slotted weighs)
6. Loading machine
7. Metal penetration piston 50mm dia and 100 mm length
8. Dial gauge
9. Sieve 2.36mm
10. Stop watch
11. Measuring jar
12. Funnel
PROCEDURE:
PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN
1. Take about 4.5 to 5.5 kg soil sample passing through 2.36mm IS sieve.
2. Mix it thoroughly with the required water (optimum moisture content).
3. Fix the extension collar and base plate to the mould. Insert the spacer disc over
the mould. Place the filter paper on the top of the spacer disc.
4. Fill the mix soil in the mould in three layers. Each layer to be compacted 25 times
using hammer, allowed to fall free.
5. Remove the collar and trim off soil.
6. Turn the mould upside down and remove the base plate and the displacer disc.
7. Weight the mould with compacted soil and determine the bulk density and dry
density
8. Put filter paper on the top of the compacted soil (collar side) and clamp the
perforated base plate on to it. 
TESTING:
1. Place the mould assembly with the surcharge weights on the penetration test
machine.
2. Seat the penetration piston at the center of the specimen with the smallest possible
load, but in no case in excess of 4 kg so that full contact of the piston on the
sample is established.
3. Set the dial gauge to read zero. Apply the load on the piston so that the
penetration rate is about 1.25 mm/min.
4. Record the load readings at penetrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5,
10 and 12.5 mm. Note the maximum load and corresponding penetration if it
occurs for a penetration less than 12.5 mm.
5. Detach the mould from the loading equipment. Take about 20 to 50 g of soil from
the top 3 cm layer and determine the moisture content. 

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION:

TABLE
BULK DENSITY AND DRY DENSITY OF SAMPLE
S.No Description Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
.
1 Optimum water content (%) 
2 Weight of mould + compacted specimen (gms)
3 Weight of empty mould (gms)
4 Weight of compacted specimen = (2) – (3) (gms)
5 Volume of specimen cm3
6 Bulk density g/cc
7 Dry density g/cc
8 Moisture content (%)
 TABLE
PENETRATION TEST
LC of proving ring = 0.25kg LC of penetration dial = 0.01mm
S.No. Penetration Dial Load Dial Corrected
Readings Penetration Reading Ring Load Load
(mm) (kg)
1 0
2 0.5
3 1.0
4 1.5
5 2.0
6 2.5
7 3.0
8 4.0
9 5.0
10 7.5
11 10
12 12.5

TABLE WITH READINGS

PENETRATION TEST
LC of proving ring = 0.25kg LC of penetration dial = 0.01mm
S.No. Penetration Dial Load Dial Corrected
Readings Penetration Reading Ring Load Load
(mm) (kg)
1 0 0 0 0
2 50 0.5 203 50.9
3 100 1.0 408 102
4 150 1.5 531 132.75
5 200 2.0 629 157.25
6 250 2.5 733 183.25
7 300 3.0 814 203.5
8 400 4.0 881 220.25
9 500 5.0 915 228.75
10 750 7.5 1118 279.5
11 1000 10 1185 296.25
12 1250 12.5 1296 324

GRAPH:
Draw a graph with penetration (in mm) in X-axis and Load (in kg) in Y-axis. Determine
the test load corresponding to 2.5mm and 5.0mm penetration.

CALCULATION:
CBR of specimen at 2.5mm penetration =
Test load at 2.5mm penetration/Standard load at 2.5mm penetration x 100
CBR of specimen at 5mm penetration =
Test load at 5mm penetration/Standard load at 5mm penetration x 100

RESULT:
C.B.R. of specimen at 2.5 mm penetration                              
C.B.R. of specimen at 5.0 mm penetration           
Ex. No: 11
Date:
DETERMINATION OF FREE SWELL INDEX OF SOIL

AIM:
To determine the free swell index of soil.

THEORY:
Free swell or differential free swell, also termed as free swell index, is the increase in
volume of soil without any external constraint when subjected to submergence in water.
Free Swell Index Degree of expansiveness
<20 Low
20 – 35 Moderate
35 – 50 High
>50 Very high

APPARATUS:
1. IS Sieve of size 425µm
2. Oven
3. Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g
4. Graduated glass cylinder- 2 nos., each of 100ml capacity

PROCEDURE:
1. Take two specimens of 10g each of pulverised soil passing through 425µm IS
Sieve and oven-dry.
2. Pour each soil specimen into a graduated glass cylinder of 100ml capacity.
3. Pour distilled water in one and kerosene oil in the other cylinder upto 100ml
mark.
4. Remove entrapped air by gently shaking or stirring with a glass rod.
5. Allow the suspension to attain the state of equilibrium (for not less than 24hours).
6. Final volume of soil in each of the cylinder should be read out.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION:

S.No. Volume of specimen in Volume of specimen in Free swell index =
cylinder containing cylinder containing ([Vd – Vk] / Vk)x
distilled water (Vd) kerosene (Vk) 100
1 10 8.5 17.65
2 10 8 25
3 10 8.5 17.65
Free swell index = ([Vd – Vk] / Vk)x 100

RESULT:
The free swell index of soil sample is . The degree of expansion of soil is .
.

Ex. No: 12
Date:
TRIAXIAL COMPRESSION TEST ON COHESIONLESS SOIL

AIM
To determine the shear strength of cohesionless soil in its dry state, by triaxial
compression test.

APPARATUS
1. Triaxial load frame with proving ring and deformation dial
2. Specimen mould
3. Tamper
4. Vacuum supply
5. Balance
6. ‘O’ Rings
7. Rubber membrane

PROCEDURE:
1. Place a porous stone 37mm diameter at the base of triaxial cell and roll up a
membrane at slide it on the base. Bind the membrane with an ‘O’ ring r rubber
strip.
2. Place a split barrel type specimen mould around the rubber membrane and fold
the top portion of the membrane down over the mould.
3. Weigh, dry sand upto 0.1g and place the sand within the membrane by tamping,
taking cannot to tear the membrane. Amount of tamping depends on the
denseness of the sample desire. After obtaining a length of sample 2 to 2.25 times
its diameter, again weigh the remaining san. The difference in the weight is the
weight of sand used in the preparation of the sample.
4. Put the top porous stone and the loading block on the sample. Roll up the
remaining length of membrane on to the top loading block and seal it with ‘O’
rings.
5. Now remove the split barrel type specimen mould and apply a vacuum 20 to
25cm mercury to the sample, through the botton duct of the triaxial base –
observe the membrane for holes, ducts and if found, the sample must be remade.
Take two to four measurements of length L0 are the diameter d0 of the sample and
compute the average. Compute the initial area of cross section A 0 cm2 using the
average diameter. Place the lucite cylinder on the cell base which is free of dia
and by tightening the screws get an airtight seal. Place the cell in the compression
machine a make the contact of the loading piston with the proving ring of the
loading machine.
6. Apply a predetermined lateral pressure 3 to the cell using appropriate lateral
pressure device, chamber fluid being water in most instances. During this period
the proving ring dial is likely to deflect due to the upward cell pressure on the
piston base. Carefully raise the cell unit mounte on the machine so that the
 recontact between the top of the loading block and loading ring established. Now
note down the initial reading on the proving rind dial, and in most instances is
preferable to keep it to zero.
7. Attach a deformation dial to the top of the triaxial cell and set the dial to zero.
8. Set the compression machine to the desired strain rate between 0.05 to .1cm/min.
Switch on the compression machine and take simultaneously load versus
deformation dial readings. Take readings until load holds constant and then falls
off or to slightly beyond the estimated 20% strain value. Throughout the duration
of the test ensure that the lateral pressure do not appreciable.
9. After the sample fails shut off the bottom value connecting the lateral pressure
chamber, reverse the compression machine and drain of the cell water.
10. Remove the lucite cover. Prepare a new specimen to the same approximate
density and make at least two additional test with different lateral pressures.

FORMULAE:
Compute the axial strain,  = L/L0

Calculate the corrected area, A = A0/(1-), cm2

Deviatoric load, P = Proving ring reading x calibration factor

Obtain the deviatoric stress, d = P/A Kg/cm2

Obtain a plot a deviatoric stress versus axial strain and scale off the peak value of
the d or d corresponding to 20% axial strain, if it occurs earlier. With this deviator
stress obtain the value of the major principal stress

1 = 3 + d

Plot, Mohr’s circles for three or more number of tests and fit a tangent to these
circles passing through the origin and obtain the slope of the tangent as the angle of
internal friction of the sand sample tested.

Compute the tangent modulus and the secant modulus using the slope of the
stress-strain curve and report the observed values. Report the dry density of the samples
at which it was tested.

OBSERVATION:
Description of soil
Average diameter of the sample D0, cm = 3.81
Initial length, L0 cm = 8.5
Initial Area A0, cm = 11.4
3
Volume of sample, V cm = 96.91
Calibration factor for proving ring, 1 div. = 0.1464
Least count of deformation dial 1 div. = 0.001
Cell Pressure, 3, kg/ cm2 = 1.0546
Dry weight of sand used in the sample preparation, g = 153.5
Specific gravity Gs = 2.66
Dry density γd, g/cm3 = 1.7
Void ratio, e = 0.67

Deformatio Change in Axial Corrected Proving Deviatoric Deviatioric

n dial length strain  = Area A = ring dial load, P kg stress d =
reading div. L, cm L/L0 A0/1- reading P/A
cm2 kg/cm2
20 0.0508 5.976 11.47 4 0.5856 0.051
40 0.1016 11.953 11.54 5 0.732 0.063
60 0.1524 17.929 11.61 5 0.732 0.063
80 0.2032 23.905 11.68 92 13.4688 1.1531
100 0.254 29.882 11.75 141 20.6424 1.7568
120 0.3048 35.858 11.82 171 25.0344 2.1179
160 0.4064 47.8117 11.97 216 31.622 2.6417
200 0.508 50.764 12.12 254 37.185 3.0680
240 0.6096 71.717 12.28 290 42.456 3.4573
280 0.7112 83.67 12.44 321 46.994 3.7726
320 0.8128 95.62 12.61 341 49.922 3.9589
360 0.9144 107.58 12.77 339 49.629 3.8863
380 0.9652 118.55 12.80 336 49.190 3.8250

RESULTS
Angle of internal friction = 400
2
Initial tangent Modulus, kg/ cm = 57
Secant modulus, kg/cm2 = 40
0
The angle of internal friction at 1.7g/cc is 40 . Hence the soil is classified as dense sand.