SOIL MECHANICS PROJECT

Name: Saleha Aftab

Registration No: 17-CE-134
Section: D

Submitted to: DR NAVEED

Particle Size Distribution of a given soil sample by set of sieves………………..04

Grain Size Distribution Curve…………………………………….……………..06

Determination of Liquid Limit of Soil Sample………………………………….07

Flow Curve ……………………………………………………………………..09

Determination of Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soil Sample……………10

USCS Classification System ..…………………………………………………..12

AASHTOO Classification System…..…………………………………………..12

Location :

Jahangira KpK

Coordinates:

Latitude: 33.609˚ (N)

Departure: 72.962˚ (E)

Elevation: 9919 meter

 Particle Size Distribution of a given soil sample by set of sieves

Designation:

ASTM D 6913M ,422

SCOPE:

• This test method is used to separate particles into size ranges and to determine
quantitatively the mass of particles in each range. These data are combined to determine
the particle-size distribution (gradation). This test method uses a square opening sieve
criterion in determining the gradation of soil between the 3-in. (75-mm) and No. 200 (75-
µm) sieves.

• This test method is not applicable for the following soils:

• Soils containing fibrous peat that will change in particle size during the drying,
washing, or sieving procedure.

• Soils containing extraneous matter, such as organic solvents, oil, asphalt, wood
fragments, or similar items. Such extraneous matter can affect the washing and
sieving procedures.

• Some materials that are not soils, but are made up of particles may be tested using this
method.

Significance and Use:

• The gradation (particle-size distribution) curve is used to calculate the coefficient of

uniformity and the coefficient of curvature.

• Selection and acceptance of fill materials are often based on gradation. For example,
highway embankments, backfills, and earthen dams may have gradation requirements.
 • The gradation of a soil is an indicator of engineering properties. Hydraulic conductivity,
compressibility, and shear strength are related to the gradation of the soil.

Apparatus:

• Sieves of different sizes i.e. (4.75mm,2 mm, 0.43 mm, etc.)

• Soil sample

• Electronic balance

Procedure:
• Take a soil sample of about 400g.

• Then apply wet sieve method for better sieve analysis

• Sieves are arranged in descending order of their sizes with a pan at bottom.

• The sieve operation should be conducted by lateral and vertical motion of sieves.

• Sieving should be continue until not more than 1% by mass of residue passes through any
sieve during motion.

• Remove the sieve one by one and note the weight of retained material on
each sieve.

• Then we find the weight of passing material.

• And we find the percentage passing or % age finer of material.

Diameter Soil Retained Soil Retained Soil Passing

Sieve Number
(mm) (g) (%) (%)
#4 4.75 0.5 0.1 99.9
#10 2.00 1.5 0.4 99.5
#40 0.43 1.1 0.3 99.2
#100 0.149 11.2 2.8 96.4
#200 0.075 108.5 27.1 69.3
Pan -------  277.2 69.3 0.0
  TOTAL: 400.0 100.0
Observation and Calculation:

Total=T=400g

Grain Size Distribution Curve:

D10 = N/A D30 = D60 = N/A

N/A
Cc = N/A Cu = N/A

% Gravel = 0.1
% Sand = 30.6
% Fine = 69.3
EXP # 02:

Determination of Liquid Limit of Soil Sample

Designation:

ASTM D 4318

Scope:

• This test method is used to cover the determination of the liquid limit of soils.

• The methods described herein are performed only on that portion of a soil that passes the

425-µm (No. 40) sieve.

Significance and use:

• Atterberg limits of soils are very important in construction. Water content drastically

influences properties of fine-grained soils. The soil will remain in this plastic state until

its liquid limit is exceeded, which causes it to transform into a viscous liquid that flows

when jarred.

• This test is used to test the following conditions in the soil:

• Moisture content 2) Behavior of soil

3) Construction Material

Applications of Atterberg Limits: The liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity

index of soils are also used extensively, either individually or together, with other soil properties

to correlate with engineering behavior such as:

 • Compressibility
• Hydraulic conductivity (permeability)
• Shrink-swell
• Shear strength.
• Estimate consolidation settlement
• Soil classification
• Construction specification.

Apparatus:
• Casagrande apparatus

• Grooving tool

• Drying oven .105-115˚C

• Container for moisture content

• Weighing balance

• Soil sample

Procedure:
• Collect soil sample from field.

• Pass soil sample from sieve no.#40(0.425mm).

• 250g sample required.

• Make a paste with addition of 20% water and properly mix.

• Fill this paste in casagrande apparatus.

• Groove in paste (in centre).

• Rotate the handle of casagrande apparatus with 2 revolutions per second.

 • When paste come in contact with less than of half inch (12.5 mm) or 13 mm or 0.5 inch
than stop revolving and find the liquid limit.

Observation and Calculation:

Weight of water = Ww = W2 – W3

Weight of soil soild = Ws = W3 – W1

M.C = ([W2-W3] / [W3 -W1])*100% (taken along Y-axis in Graph)

No of blows taken along X- axis in Graph

Description Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4

Mass of cont. (g) 28.00 20.50 18.90 20.50
Cont. + wet sample (g) 42.80 31.20 32.30 39.10
Cont. + dry sample (g) 41.07 29.90 30.50 36.20
Wet of water (g) (Ww) 1.73 1.30 1.80 2.90
Dry mass (g) (Ws) 13.07 9.40 11.60 15.70
Water content 13.24 13.83 15.52 18.47
Number of drops 28 23 20 10
Graph:
EXP # 03:

Determination of Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soil Sample:

Designation:

ASTM D 4318

BS 1377-2:1990

Scope:

• This test method is used to cover the determination of the Plastic limit and Plasticity
Index of soils.

• The methods described herein are performed only on that portion of a soil that passes the
425-µm (No. 40) sieve.

Significance and use:

The liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils are also used extensively, either
individually or together, with other soil properties to correlate with engineering behavior such as
compressibility, hydraulic conductivity (permeability), compact-ability, shrink-swell, and shear
strength.

Apparatus:

• Beaker for storing water

• Dish for soil mixing

• Spatula for paste preparation

• Glass plate for preparing thread

• 3mm needle
 • Container for moisture content

• Plastic limit test set

• Drying oven

• Weighing balance

• Sieve no#40(0.425mm)

• Soil sample

Procedure:

• Collect soil sample from field

• Pass it from sieve#40

• Make a paste of 20g soil sample adding 10% water

• Take 8g sample and make ellipsoidal shape

• Thread should be of uniform diameter

• Threads crumbles at 3mm dia

• Compare it with a 3mm dia Rod.

• Then weight it with container and put in oven 24 Hrs.

• Then tak weight after 24 Hrs and Find out the Moisture content.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

Trials 1

weight of empty container=W1 (g) 13

weight of empty container + Wet soil = W2 (g) 19

weight of empty container + dry soil= W3 (g) 18.1

weight of water =Ww = W2-W3 0.9

 weight of soil solids= Ws = W3-W1 5.1

M.C = (Ww/Ws) × 100 ……..for P.L 17.6

The PL is larger than LL. So that we would take PL = zero, that’s mean the soil sample is Non-
Plastic.

Liquid Limit 14
Plastic Limit 0
Plasticity Index (LL – PL) 14

Classification of Soil on Different Systems:

USCS System:

• First of all check the soil passing % through sieve no. 200, it is greater than 50%. So, the
soil is fine grained soil.

• Then check either the liquid limit (LL) is less than 50 or not, it is less than 50.

• Then go to the section of In-organic soil section on the chart.

• Then check the plasticity index that is greater 7 which is 14 The GROUP SYMBOL is
“CL”

• Then check % retained on sieve no. 200 is greater than 30.

• The %sand (30.6) is greater than the % gravel(0.1).

AASHTOO System:
• First of all check the soil passing % through sieve no. 200, it is greater than 35%. So, the
soil is fine grained soil.

• The % passing through sieve no. 200 is 69.3%, which is greater than 35%. So, the soil
may be A4, A5, A6 and A7.

• Then check either the liquid limit is less than 40 or not, it is it is “14”. So, the soil may be
A4 or A6.

• Then check either the plasticity index is less than 10 or not, it is greater than 10 which is
14. So, the soil is A-6.

• The soil is Clayey Soil.

• General rating as subgrade is fair to poor.

• Apply following formula for the GROUP INDEX.

GI = (F200 – 35)*[0.2 + 0.005(LL-40)] + 0.01(F200 – 15)*(PI – 10)

= (69.3-35)*[0.2 + 0.005(14-40)] + 0.01(69.3 – 15)*(14 – 10)

= (34.3)*(0.2 – 0.13) + (0.01)*(40)*(4)

= 4.001

=4