EXERCISE 1,8

Triaxia1 Strear of Dry

Cotresion].ess Soi]-
Objective:
Discussion:
The triaxial test undertaken on a dry cohesionless soil, will

consist of a confining pressure and an axial stress applied. A

confrning stress for a dry cohesionless soil is maintained by

having the soil sample under a vacuum during the test. There

is therefore another triaxial test known as a Vacuum Shear

Test. In ord er that test results will be accurate. The test should
be done on the various void ratios ofthesoil representing loose,

intermediate and dense conditions. The results should be

plotted.

Apparatus:
1. Vacuum shear base and cap

2. Rubber membrane-for holding sample

3. Forming jacket, funnel,.tampers-for moldi.g sample

4. Vacuum gage and source-for internal vacuum

g. legrling machine-to apply aiial load
6. Balance, protractot, t.al", calipers
Procedune:
1. Fasten the rubber membraqe to the vacuum shear,
base, usi.g two tight rubber bands.

2. Attach the vacuum line to the base. Place a forming

' jacket around the membrarre, stretch the top of the

membrane over the jacket, arid connect the jacket to
the vacuum.
3. Place the air-dried sand on the membrane as followsa,

a. For a loose sample, pour the sand through a funnel.

88

b. For a dense sample, tamp and vibrate the gand in

thin layers.
4. Place ihu top cap on the sample and secure t,l.e
inbrnbrane with at least tw.o rubber bands- Admit the

vacuum to the sample and then remove the forming

jacket.

5. Measure the length and average diameter of the

.
'sample.

6. P;;; ; tpherical bearing on the top cap. Lower the

testing machine beam until a slight load is placed on
the sample. Balance or zero the machine'

'7. Adjust the micrometer dial gauge and make the in

itial dial reading.
8. Estimate the failure load. Use loading incrernents of
about one- tenth of the failure -load.

9. Add the load increments at intervals of 30 sec''Rbad

.the micrometer dial 15 sec after adding the load

' and measure the center diameter of the sample. Be

sure to maintain the load constant during each 30
secinterval. Continue'to add load increments until
the sample fails.
l-0. Release the load and measure'the angle of the failur-e

plane. Then release the vacuum and pour the soil into

a container and weigh.

11. Compute the average cross-sectional area of the

*"*fl" for each load by adding the top, bottom an.d

twice the center area, and dividing by four. Compute
the stresses from the areas. To this stress add the con

fining pressure to obtain tJ'.e major principal etress of

axial stress.

12. Compute the strains and plot the major principal

stress-strain curves. The failure stress is the peak of
hrghest point in the curve.

13. Pdt the Mohr diagram and find fi for each different
initial void ratio. PIot a curve of p vs. e.
14. Compute the failure angle from the Mohr diagram and

com'pare it with the neeasured value.

Construction Definition

Types of Construction
Fire Resistive – Type I
 Reinforced concrete, precast concrete, and protected steel frame construction meet the
criteria for Type I construction.
 Generally seen in high-rise residential and commercial buildings.
Non-combustible/limited combustible – Type II
 Ordinarily composed of unprotected metal structural components.
 Metal framing members, metal cladding, or concrete-block construction of the walls
with metal deck roofs supported by unprotected open-web joists are the most
common forms of Type II construction.
  These structures have a one- to two-hour rating depending on building components
(half rating of Type I).
Ordinary – Type III
 Generally found in older schools, mercantile, business, and residential structures.
 Full dimensional lumber.
 Fire-cut joists (allow floors to collapse and masonry walls to remain standing).
 Exterior walls and structural members constructed of non-combustible materials.
 Interior walls, columns, beams, floors, and roofs are completely or partially constructed
of wood.
Heavy timber – Type IV
 Constructed of solid structural members consisting of 6×6, 8×8, and larger dimensional
lumber.
 Modern heavy timber structural members are often engineered by using laminated lumber.
These members can fail much faster as the laminate glues that hold them together can
degrade and vaporize under heat conditions.
 Found in mill factories, barns, churches, new and renovated office spaces, etc.
Wood frame – Type V
 Used in the construction of single- and multiple-family dwellings, commercial, out
buildings, etc.
 Interior wall coverings may be of plaster or drywall.
 May be composed of solid dimensional lumber (Legacy-allows for more burn time and
better structural integrity under fire conditions).
 May be composed of engineered light weight wood and laminate components (promotes
rapid fire spread and reduced structural stability) used in ceiling and floor trusses, and
other composite structural components.
 Platform, balloon, log, post and beam, and plank and beam are all forms of wood frame
construction.

Importance of Construction
Construction is an important sector that contributes greatly to the economic growth of a nation.
Moreover, three factors highlight the importance of construction influence on human
development, impact on the economy, and linkage to other industries.
Construction allows for key projects and infrastructure, without new construction within towns
and cities societies could suffer from a lack of facilities and infrastructure which they may need
to flourish thus undermines human development. People need roads, bridges, buildings, houses,
and many more to continue living in a more productive society.
The construction industry is one of the largest economic activities in a county nation’s working
population depends on construction and its allied activities for their livelihood. the investments
made in the construction industry which is very much required for the economic development of
our nation. These investments increase opportunities.
The Construction Industry is an investment-led sector where the government shows high interest.
Government contracts with Construction Industry to develop infrastructure related to other
industries such as the health, transport as well as education sector. For the prosperity of any
nation, Construction Industry is quintessential.