Geotechnical Engg. - I 2

G.V.
Acharya Institute of engineering and technology
Depart : CIVIL ENGINEERING
Name of the Process: Guidelines for Practical. Doc. No: CIV / / Ver. No: 00
Subject: Engineering Mechanics Date06/08/2011
YEAR /SEMESTER: Page: 1 of82
Sr. No. Name of Experiment Expt. Manual No. Rev. No. Date
No.
1 Preparation of Dry Soil Sample for 1 CVL/ / EXPT. No.1

Various Test
2 Determination of water content by 2 CVL/ / EXPT. No.2

oven drying method
3 Field Density and Soils By The 3 CVL/ / EXPT. No.3

Core-Cutter Method
4 Determination of Field Dry Density 4 CVL/ / EXPT. No.4

of Soils by the Sand Replacement
Method
5 Determination of specific gravity by 5 CVL/ / EXPT. No.5

density bottle for fine grained soil
6 Dry Sieve Analysis 6 CVL/ / EXPT. No.6
7 Determination of liquid limit. 7 CVL/ / EXPT. No.7
8 Determination of Plastic Limit 8 CVL/ / EXPT. No.8
9 Determination of Shrinkage Limit 9 CVL/ / EXPT. No.9
10 Standard proctor test 10 CVL/ / EXPT. No.10
11 Modified Proctor Test 11 CVL/ / EXPT. No.11
12 Constant head permeability test 12 CVL/ / EXPT. No.12
13 Falling Head permeability test 13 CVL/ / EXPT. No.13
Prepared by Received by Approved by Issued by
N L Shelke & Mithlesh jha Prof. D.M.Joshi Dr.M.Chitle
. H.O.D. Principal Compiled

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G.V.Acharya Institute of engineering and technology
Experiment No.1
NAME OF THE EXPRIMENTS
Preparation of Dry Soil Sample for Various Test

AIM:
1.1 Preparation of dry samples from the bulk soil samples received from the field for
various laboratory tests. referring to IS: 2720 (Part 1) – 1983
APPARATUS
2.1 Wooden Mallet – for breaking soil clods

2.2 Trays – for air-drying of soil, of suitable size and non-rusting material.
2.3 Pulverizing Apparatus – Either mortar or rubber covered pestle or a mechanical
device consisting of mortar or a power-driven rubber covered pestle suitable for
breaking up the aggregation of soil particles without reducing the size of the
individual grains. Pestle and mortar made of soft wood may also be used.
2.4 Sampler – A suitable riffle sampler or sample splitter for quartering the samples
(see IS: 1607-1960 ‘Methods for dry sieving’).
2.5 Sieves – of sizes 75-mm, 63-mm, 37.5-mm, 19-mm, 13.2-mm, 9.50-mm, 6.7-mm,
4.75-mm, 2.00-mm and 425-micron [see IS: 460 (Part I) – 1978 ‘Specification for
test sieves: Part 1 Wire cloth test sieves (second revision) ].
2.6 Drying Apparatus

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a) Drying Oven – Thermostatically controlled, with interior of non-corroding

material to maintain the temperature between 105 and 110oC.
b) Other suitable drying apparatus.
2.7 Balances
a) Capacity 10 kg and minimum sensitivity 100 g.
b) Capacity 2 kg minimum sensitivity 1 g.
c) Capacity 250 g and minimum sensitivity 0.01 g.
3. PROCEDURE
Preparation of samples
3.1 General – Soil sample, as received from the field, is dried in the air or in sun. In wet
weather, a drying apparatus may be used in which case the temperature of the
sample should not exceed 600 C. The flocs may be broken with a wooden-mallet to
hasten drying. The organic matter, like tree roots and pieces of bark should be
removed from the sample. Simlarly, matter other than soil, like shells should also be
separated from the main soil mass. A noting shall be made of such removals and
their percentage of the total soil sample noted. When sample are to be taken for
estimation of organic content, lime content, etc, total sample should be taken for
estimation without removing shells, roots, etc.
3.2 Drying of the Sample – The amount of drying depends upon the proposed test to be
conducted on the particular test to be conducted on the particular sample. The type,
temperature and duration of drying of soil samples for different tests are given in
Table 1. When oven is used for drying, the temperature in the oven shall not exceed

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1100 C (see Note). Chemical drying of samples should not be adopted for any tests.
Note – Soils containing organic or calcareous matter should not be dried at
temperature above 60oC.
3.3 Degree of Pulverization – The big clods may be broken with the help of wooden
mallet. Further pulverization may be done in pestle and mortar. The pulverized soil
shall be passed through the specified sieve for the particular test and the soil retained
on that sieve shall be again pulverized for sieving. This procedure should be
repeated until on further attempts at pulverizing very little soil passes through the
specified sieve. Care should be taken not to break up the individual soil particles
(see Table 1).
4. QUANTITIES OF SAMPLE
4.1 The quantities of soil sample required for conducting various laboratory tests are
given in Table 1 for guidance.
Note – For actual quantities, corresponding part IS: 2720 shall be referred.
Table 2 Quantity of Sample Required for Determination of Water Content
Size of Particles more than 90 percent Minimum quantity of Soil Specimen to

passing be taken for the test Mass in g
425-micron IS Sieve 25

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2-mm IS Sieve 50
4.25-mm IS Sieve 200
9.50 mm IS Sieve 300
19 mm IS Sieve 500
37.5 mm IS Sieve 1000
Table 1 Quantity Of Soil Sample Required For Conducting The Tests
Sr.No Test Type Temperature Amount of soil Degree of Ref to Part of

and Duration of sample required for Pulverization IS: 2720
Drying test (Passing IS Sieve
Size)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
i) Water content Oven, 24 h As given in Table 2 - Part 2
ii) Specific gravity Oven 105-1100C, 50 g for fine- 2 mm Part 3/Sec 1

24 h grained soils 400 g
for fine, medium Part 3/Sec 2
and coarse-grained
soils
iii) Grain Size Analysis Air drying As given in Table 3 - Part 4
iv) Liquid limit Do 270 g 425 micron Part 5

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v) Plastic limit Do 60 g Do Do
vi) Shrinkage factors Air drying 100 g 425 micron Part 6
vii) Compaction
a) Light Compaction Do 6 kg (15 kg if soil 19 mm Part 7

is susceptible to
crushing)
b) Heavy Compaction Do Do 19 mm Part 8
c) Constant mass Do 2 kg 4.75 mm Part 9
viii) Unconfined compressive strength Oven 1100C + 50C 1 kg - Part 10
ix) Triaxial compression Do 1 kg / 5 kg - Part 11

(unconsolidated)
x) Triaxial compression (consolidated) Do Do - Part 12
xi) Direct shear Air drying/Oven 1 kg 4.75 mm Part 12

1100C + 50C
xii) Density index (relative density) Oven, 105 - 1100C As per size of - Part 14
24 h particle given
below
75 mm 45 kg
37.5 mm 12 kg
19 mm 12 kg
9.50 mm 12 kg
4.75 mm 12 kg
xiii) Consolidation properties Air drying/Oven 500 g - Part 15

1100C + 50C
xiv) CBR Air drying 6 kg 19 mm Part 16
xv) Permeability Oven, 105 - 1100C 2.5 kg (100 mm 9.5 mm Part 17

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24 h dia)/5 kg (200 mm
dia)
xvi) Field moisture equivalent Air drying 15 g 425 micron Part 18
xvii) Centrifuge moisture equivalent Do 10 g Do Part 19
xviii) Linear shrinkage Do 450 kg Do Part 20
xix) Chemical tests
a) Total soluble solids Oven, 105 - 1100C 10 g 2 mm Part 21

24 h
b) Organic matter Air drying 100 g Do Part 22
c) Calcium Carbonate Oven, 105 - 1100C 5g - Part 23

24 h
d) Cation exchange capacity Do 80 – 130 g - Part 24
e) Silica sesquioxide ratio Do 15 g - Part 25
f) pH value Do 30 g 425 micron Part 26
g) Total soluble sulphates Do 30 g - Part 27
xx) Vane shear Air drying/oven 250 g - part 30 Part 30

1100C + 50C
xxi) Negative pore water pressure Do 1 kg/5 kg - Part 35
xxii) Permeability of granular soils Air drying/oven 1 kg/5 kg - Part 36

1100C + 50C
xxiii) Stand equivalent value 105 + 50C 1500 g 4.75 mm Part 37
xxiv) Direct shear Air drying Up to 120 g Above 4.75 mm Part 39/Sec 1
xxv) Free swell index Oven dry 20 g 425 micron Part 40
xxvi) Swelling pressure Air drying/Oven 2 kg 2 mm Part 41

dry

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4.2 When a smaller quantity has to be taken out to a bigger soil mass, the representative
sampling shall be done by quartering or riffling.
Note – In the case of coarse gravel or gravelly soils, quartering by forming a cone
shall not be done. The entire sample shall be thoroughly mixed and spread on a flat
surface. The samples so spread shall be divided into four quadrants and diagonally
opposite quadrants mixed. This process shall be repeated till the desired quantity of
sample is obtained.
Table 3 Quantity of Soil Required for Grain Size Analysis
Maximum Size of Material Present in Mass to be taken for Test

Substantial Quantities
Mm kg
75 60
37.5 25
19 6.5
13.2 3.5
9.5 1.5
6.7 0.75
4.75 0.4

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Experiment No.2
NAME OF THE EXPRIMENTS:

Determination of water content by oven drying method
AIM:
Determination of water content which is expressed in percentage referring to IS : 2720 (Part 2 ) –
1973.
APPARATUS:
Container – Any suitable non-corrodible airtight container.
Balance –Minimum sensitivity of balance used of sensitivity 0.01g is used (0.04 percent of the
weight of the soil taken for the test as per Experiment No. 1
Oven – thermostatically controlled oven, with interior of non – corroding material to maintain the
temperature at 110 + 50C.
Desiccators – A suitable average capacity glass desiccators is required. .
THEORY:
The most of the properties of the soil depends upon the presence of moisture content. In clayey
soil this effect is appreciable; therefore, it is the most important properties of the soil. It is
expressed as weight of water to dry weight of soil solids and expressed in percentage as:

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w1  w 2
w X 100
w3  w1
Where,
w = water content percent w3= mass of container with lid dry soil in g, &
w2= mass of container with lid with wet soil in g, w1=mass of container with lid in g.
The soil specimen taken which represented entire soil.. The size of the specimen selected depends
on the quantity required for good representation, which is influenced by the gradation and the
maximum size of particles, and on the accuracy of weighing. The following quantities are
recommended for general laboratory use:
Size of Particles More Than 90 Percent Minimum Quantity of Soil Specimen to

Passing be Taken for Test. Mass in g
425- IS Sieve 25
2-mm IS Sieve 50
9.5-mm IS Sieve 300
19-mm IS Sieve 500
PROCEDURE
 Clean the container with lid, dry and weigh (w1).
 Take the required quantity of the soil specimen in the container crumbled and placed loosely,
and weigh with lid (w2).
 Then keep it in an oven with the lid removed, and maintain the temperature of the oven at 110
+50C

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 Dry the specimen in the oven for 24h. Every time the container is taken out for weighing,
replace the lid on the container and cool the container in a desiccators.
 Record the final mass (w3) of the container with lid with dried soil sample.
.OBSERVATIONS:
1. Determination No. 1 2 3
2. Weight of he container with lid (W1), in g
3. Weight of container with lid + soil (W2), in g
4. Weight of container with lid + dry soil (W3), in g
5. Weight of water (Ww), g
6. Water content, %
7. Average water content, %
CALCULATIONS :
RESULTS:
The average water content obtained as -
PRECAUTIONS:
Clean the containers before and after the use.

Take the all weights by using of least count 0 .01g.
Oven shall be operated while putting power off
DATE OF THE EXPERIMENT
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE SIGNATURE

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Experiment No.3
Field Density and Soils By The Core-Cutter Method

AIM:
Determination of the field density and dry density of the fine-grained natural or compacted soils
free from aggregates using a core-cutter referring to IS: 2720 (Part XXIX) – 1975.
APPARATUS:
Cylindrical Core-Cutter – of seamless steel tube, 130mm long (see Note 1) and 10 cm internal
diameter, with a wall thickness of 3 mm, beveled at one end, of the type illustrated in Fig. 1. The
cutter shall be kept properly greased or roiled
Note 1 – Length of Cutter – If the average density over a smaller depth is required then the
appropriate length of cutter should be used.
Note 2 – Where situations permit, for quality control purposes smaller size cutters have also been
used.
Steel Dolley – 2.5 cm high and 10 cm internal diameter with a wall thickness of 7.5 mm with a lip
to enable it to be fitted on top of the core-cutter (see Fig.).
Steel Rammer – With solid mild steel foot 140 mm diameter and 75 mm height with a
concentrically screwed 25 mm diameter solid mild steel staff. The overall length of the rammer
including the foot a well as the staff should be approximately 900 mm. The rammer (foot and staff

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together) should weigh approximately 9 kg (see Fig.)

Balance – Accurate to 1 g.
Palette Knife - A convenient size is one having a blade approximately 20 cm long and 3 cm wide.
Steel Rule
Grafting Tool or Spade or Pick Axe
Straight Edge – A steel strip about 30 cm long, 2.5 cm wide and 3 to 5 mm thick, with one
beveled edge will be suitable.
Apparatus for Extracting Samples from the Cutter – Optional
THEORY:
The bulk density b that is, the weight of the wet soil per cubic centimeter are calculated from the
following formula:
b = Ws - Wc , g/cm3
Vc
Where
Ws = weight of soil and core-cutter in g.
Wc = weight of core-cutter in g, and
Vc = volume of core-cutter in cm3.
The dry density d, that is, the weight of the dry soil per cubic centimeter shall be calculated from
the following
d = 100 b, g/cm3

100 + w

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Where,
b = bulk density and w = water content of the soil (percent) to two significant figures.
This method is suitable for homogenous soils. In situations where soil is used as construction
materials ex. embankments for road, canal, earthen dams etc. the in-palce density is very
important from stability and strength point of views. Core cutter method is suitable for assessing
the compaction of compacted fill at site. The tests are conducted at particular interval along the
alignment of road, canal or in specified number in large area such service areas lawns etc.
PROCEDURE:
1. The internal volume (Vc) of the core-cutter in cubic centimeters is calculated from its
dimensions which shall be measure to the nearest 0.25 mm.
2. The cutter is weighed to the nearest gram (Wc).
3. In a small area, approximately 30 cm square of the soil layer is exposed and leveled. The steel
dolly is placed on top of the cutter and the latter is then rammed down vertically into the soil
layer until only about 15 mm of the dolly protrudes above the surfaces, care being taken not to
rock the cutter (see Note). The cutter is then be dug out of the surrounding soil, care being
taken to allow some soil to project from the lower end of the cutter. The ends of the soil core
shall then be trimmed flat to the ends of the cutter by means of the straight edge.
4. The cutter containing the soil core is weighed to the nearest gram (Ws).
5. The soil core is removed from the cutter and a representative sample is places in an air-tight
container and its water content (w) determined as discussed earlier experiment..
OBSERVATION:
1. Core cutter No. 1 2 3

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2. Weight of core-cutter + wet soil (Ws), in g
3. Weight of core-cutter (Wc), in g
4. Weight of wet soil (Ws – Wc), in g
5. Volume of core-cutter (Vc), in cm3
6. Bulk density b
Ws - Wc , g/cm3
=
Vc
7. Water content container No.
8. Weight of container with lid (W1), in g
9. Weight of container with lid and wet soil (W2), in g
10. Weight of container with lid and dry soil (W3), in g
11. Water content (w), in present

W = W2 – W3 x 100
W3 – W1
12. Dry density d = 100 b, g/cm3
100 + w
CALCULATIONS:
RESULTS:
The average bulk density is obtained as
The average dry bulk density is obtained as
PRECAUTIONS:
Core is driven in homogenous soil

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Cutter is penetrated vertically to avoid disturbance
Core is trimmed at least 10 mm below the cutting edge cutting
Core is transferred by keeping in horizontal position in the trey
DATE OF THE EXPERIMENT PERFORMED
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE

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Figure: Core cutter apparatus
Experiment No.4

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Determination of Field Dry Density of Soils by the Sand Replacement Method

1. AIM:
Determination, field, and dry density in g/cm3 of natural or compacted fine-and medium-
grained soils for which a small sand-poring cylinder is used.
2. APPARATUS
Small Sand-Pouring Cylinder - Similar in essential details to that shown in Figure
Pouring Cylinder Size A B C D E F G Capacity in

Liters
Small (for fine-and 380 85 200 75 13 +0.1 115 115 3

medium-grained soils)
Note 3- Tolerance on essential dimensions + 1 mm. All dimension in millimeters.

Tools for Excavating Holes – suitable tools, such as a scraper tool similar to that shown in
Fig.2 to make a level surface: bent spoon, dibber
Cylindrical Calibrating Container – with an internal diameter of 100mm and an internal
depth of 150mm of the type illustrated in Figure. fitted with a flange approximately 50mm
wide and about 5mm thick surrounding the open end. The volume of the container should
be given to an accuracy of 0.25 percent.
Balance – accurate to 1 g.
Plane surface: Glass or Perspex Plate or Other Plane Surface – about 450 mm square
and 9 mm thick or larger.

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Metal Container – to collect excavated soil, A convenient size is one about 150 mm
diameter and 200 mm deep with a removable cover.
Cylindrical Steel Core-Cutter – of steel, 127.4 + 0.1 mm long and 100 mm + 0.1 internal
diameter with a wall thickness of 3 mm beveled at one end. One suitable type illustrated in
Fig.5. The cutter shall be kept adequately greased.
Material (sand)
Clean, uniformly graded natural sand passing the 1.00-mm IS Sieve and retained on 600-
micron IS Sieve shall be used. It is free from organic matter, and shall have been oven
dried and stored for a suitable period to allow its water content to reach equilibrium with
atmospheric humidity (see Note)
3. THEORY
The in-place density of natural soil is needed for the determination of bearing capacity of
soils, for the purpose of stability analysis of natural slopes, for the determination of
pressures on underlying strata for calculation of settlement ,etc. In compacted soils the in-
place density is needed to check the amount of compaction that the soil has undergone for
comparison with design data. The correct estimation of the in-place density of both natural
and compacted soils is therefore of importance.
4. PROCEDURE
Calibration of Apparatus
The pouring cylinder is filled so that the level of the sand in the cylinder is within about 10
mm of the top. Its total initial weight (W 1) isfound and shall be maintained constant
throughout the tests for which the calibration is used.

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A volume of sand equivalent to that of the excavated hole in the soil(or equal to that of the
calibrating container) is allowed to run out of the cylinder under gravity. The shutter on the
pouring cylinder shall then be closed and the cylinder placed on a plane surface, such as a
glass plate.
The shutter on the pouring cylinder shall be opened and sand allowed to run out. When no
further movement of sand takes place in the cylinder, the shutter shall be closed and the
cylinder removed carefully.
The sand that has filled the cone of the pouring cylinder (that is, the sand that is left on the
plane surface) is collected and weighed to the nearest gram.
These measurement are repeated at least three times and the mean weight (W2) taken.
Bulk density of the sand (γs).
The internal volume (V) in ml of the calibrating container is determined from the weight of
water contained in the container when filled to the container. The volume may also be
calculated from the measured internal dimensions of the container.
The pouring cylinder is placed concentrically on the top of the calibrating container after
being filled to the constant weight (W 1) The shutter on the pouring cylinder is closed
during this operation. The shutter is opened and sand allowed to run out. When no further
movement of sand takes place in the cylinder, the shutter is closed. The pouring cylinder
shall be removed and weighed to the nearest gram.
These measurements are repeated at least three times and the mean weight (W3) taken.
Measurement of Soil Density
A flat area, approximately 450 mm square, of the soil to be tested is exposed and trimmed
down to a level surface preferably with the aid of the scraper tool.

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The metal tray with a central hole shall be laid on the prepared surface of the soil with the
hole over the portion of the soil to be tested. The hole in the soil is then be excavated using
the hole in the tray as a pattern, to the depth of the layer to be tested up to a maximum of
150 mm.
The excavated soil shall be carefully collected, leaving no loose material in the hole and
weighed to the nearest gram (Ww). The metal tray is removed before the pouring cylinder is
placed in position over the excavated hole.
The water content (W) of the excavated soil is determined by the method specified earlier.
The pouring cylinder filled to the constant weight (W1) as in 4.1.1 is so placed that the
base of the cylinder covers the hole concentrically. The shutter on the pouring cylinder is
closed during this operation. The shutter is then be opened and sand allowed to run out in
the hole. The pouring cylinder and the surrounding area is not be vibrated during this
period. When no further movement of sand takes place the shutter is closed. The cylinder is
removed and weighed to the nearest gram (W4).
5. CALCULATIONS
The weight of the sand (Wa) in g, required to fill the calibrating container shall be
calculated from the following formula :
Wa=W1-W3-W2
Where,
W1 = weight of pouring cylinder and sand before pouring into calibrating container in g,
W3 = mean weight of cylinder with residual sand after pouring into calibrating container

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and cone in g, and
W2 = mean weight of sand in cone in g.

The bulky density of the sand (Ys)in kg/m3 shall be calculated from the following formula :
γs = Wa x 1 000
V
Where
V = volume of calibrating container in ml.

The weight of sand (Wb) in g, required to fill the excavated hole shall be calculated from
the following formula:
Wb = W1 – W4 – W2
Where
W1 = weight of cylinder and sand before pouring into hole in g,
W4 = weight of cylinder and sand after pouring into hole and cone in g, and
W2 = mean weight of sand in cone in g.
The bulk density b, that is the weight of the wet soil per cubic metre shall be calculated
from the following formula:
b = Ww x s kg/m3
Wb
Where

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Ww = weight of soil excavated in g,
Wb = weight of sand required to fill the hole in g, and
s = bulk density of sand in kg/m3
The dry density d, that is, the weight of the dry soil shall be calculated from the following
formula:
d = 100 b, kg/cm3

100 + w
or
d = Wd x s kg/m3
Wb
Where,
W = water content of the soil in percent,
Wd = weight of dry soil from the hole in g, and
Wb = weight of sand required to fill the hole in g.

6. RESULTS:
The following values shall be reported:
a) Dry density of soil in kg/m3 to the nearest whole number. The dry density may also be
calculated and reported in g/cm3 correct to the second place of decimal.
b) Water content of the soil in percent reported to two significant figures.
7. PRECAUTIONS:
The method is applicable to layers not exceeding 150 mm in thickness.

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Since variations in atmospheric humidity affect the water content of the sand, and hence
it’s bulky density, the calibration should be made (or at least checked) during each day’s
work. To overcome the effects of slight variations in grading and particle shape between
batches of sand, each batch should be sampled and calibrated.
Care shall be taken in excavating the hole to see that the hole is not enlarged by levering
the dibber against the side of the hole, as this result in lower densities being recorded.
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE

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OBSERVATIONS
SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD
Calibration
1. Mean weight of sand in cone (of pouring cylinder) (W2) in g

2. Volume of calibrating container (V), in ml
3. Weight of sand (+ cylinder) before pouring (W1), in g
4. Mean weight of sand (+ cylinder) after pouring (W3), in g
5. Weight of sand to fill calibrating container
(W2) = W1 – W3 – W2), in g
6. Bulk density of sand s = Wa, x 100 kg/cm3
V
Measurement of Soil Density
1. Determination No.
2. Weight of wet soil from hole (Ww), in g
3. Weight of sand (+ cylinder) before pouring (W1), in g
4. Weight of sand (+ cylinder) after pouring (W4), in g
5. Weight of sand in hole (Wb = W1 – W4 – W2), in g
6. Bulk density b = Ww x s kg/cm3
Wb
7. Water content container No.
8. Weight of soil for water content determination, in g
9. Weight of oven dried soil, in g
10. Water content (w), percent
11. Dry density b = 100b x kg/m3
100 + w

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Figure . 1 sand-pouring cylinder for the determination of density

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Experiment No.5
1 NAME OF EXPERIMENT
Determination of specific gravity by density bottle for fine grained soil
2 AIM
To determination of the specific gravity of fine grained soils with reference to IS: 2720
(Part 3/Sec 1) – 1983.
3 APPARATUS
The following apparatus is required:
a) Two density bottles of approximately 50 ml to 100 ml capacity with stoppers.
b) A water-bath maintained at a constant temperature to within 100+0.20 c.
f) A balance readable and accurate to 0.001 g.
h) A spatula (a convenient size is one having a blade 150 mm wide; the blade has to be
small enough to go through the neck of the density bottle), or piece of glass rod about 150
mm long and 3 mm diameter.
j) A wash bottle preferably made of plastics, containing air-free distilled water .
4 THEORY
The specific gravity of the soil particles G shall be measured at room temperature. If water
has been used as the air-free, then the following equation shall be used:
G = _____M2 – M1__________
( M4 – M1 ) – ( M3 – M2 )
where

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M1 = mass of density bottle in g;
M2 = mass of bottle and dry soil in g;
M3 = mass of bottle, soil and water in g; and
M4 = mass of bottle when full of water only in g.

The specific gravity shall be calculated at27 0 c. If the room temperature is different than
270 c, the following correction shall be done:
G=KG
Where,
G’ = Corrected Specific gravity at 270 C ,and
K = Relative density of water at room temperature

Relative density of water at 270 c
Specific gravity is useful for various calculation in soil mechanics.
General values of specific gravity are \
All inorganic soil it varies 2.6 to 2.80

Sand 2.72
Sand-silt-clay mixture 2.72
Clay 2.65
4. PROCEDURE
4.1 The complete density bottle with stopper is dried at 105 to 1100 c, cooled in the desiccator
and weighed to the nearest 0.001 g (M1) (see notes).

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4.2 The 50 g oven dried sample is obtained and if necessary, may be ground to pass a 2-mm IS
test sieve. A 5 to 10 g subsample for testing is obtained by riffling and oven-dried at 105 to
1100. This sample is transferred to the density bottle. The bottle and contents together with
the stopper shall be weighed to the nearest 0.001 g (M2).
4.3 Sufficient air-free distilled water is added so that the soil in the bottle is just covered. The
bottle containing the soil and liquid, but without the stopper, shall be placed on the water
bath at a temperature of 1100c.for 1 hr.
4.6 The bottle is removed from the water bath and allow to cooled down at room temperature
and further air-free liquid added until the bottles full. If there is an apparent decrease in
volume of the liquid, the stopper is removed and further liquid added to fill the bottle and
the stopper replaced.
4.7 The stoppered bottle is, wiped dry and the whole weighed to the nearest 0.001 g (M3).
4.8 The bottle shall then be cleaned out and filled completely with air-free liquid, the stopper
inserted and If there is an apparent decrease in the volume of the liquid, the stopper shall be
removed and further liquid added to fill the bottle and the stopper replaced. If the bottle is
still not completely full, this process shall be repeated. The bottle shall then weighed to the
nearest 0.001 g (M4).
5. CALCULATION
6 RESULTS
6.1 The average of the values the specific gravity of the soil particles is obtained as …..
7 PRECAUTIONS

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Weights W3 and W4 are taken after few minutes to ensure that water level in the bottle is
not dropped below the neck of the bottle.
Water should be added after bringing the bottle to cool down at room
Ensure that stoppers are nor interchanged.
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE
SIGNATURE

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OBSERVATIONS
Type of soil
Maximum size of particle
Bottle No. 1 2 3
Empty weight of bottle with stopper (M1)
Empty weight of bottle with stopper + Dry soil (M2)
Empty weight of bottle with stopper + Dry soil + water (M3)
Empty weight of bottle with stopper water (M4)
M2-M1
M3-M2
M4-M1
G = (M2-M2)/((M4-M1)-(M3-M2))
Average Specific Gravity
Temperature of water
Corrected Specific Gravity

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Experimentation No. 6
1 NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT
Dry Sieve Analysis

2 AIM:
Quantitative determination of grain size distribution in soils containing less percentage of
referring to IS: 1498-1970.
3 APPARATUS
Balance – sensitive to 0.1 percent of the mass of sample to be weighted.
Sieves – The following Indian Standard Sieves conforming 20mm,10mm 4.75mm,2-mm, 425-
micron 300 microns, 150 microns and 75-micron IS Sieve.
Oven – Thermostatically controlled to maintain the temperature between 105 and 1000C, with
interior of non-corroding material.
Brushes – sieve brushes and a wire brush or similar stiff brush.
Mechanical Sieve Shaker
4 THEORY
The results of grain size analysis are widely used in soil classification. The data obtained from
grain size distribution curves is used in the design of filters for earth dams to determine the
suitability of soils for road construction.
5 PROCEDURE

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5.1 The soil sample received from the field is dried in oven referring experiment No.1. Soil is then
pulverized by wooden hammer if required. In case of sandy sample no such operation is required.
A 500 g of sample is taken for the dry sieve analysis.
All the sieves are cleaned and arranged in decrease order of size with pan at the bottom of sieve
set.
5.2 Soil sample is then feed in the top sieve and sieving is carried out for 5 minutes.
Material retained in each sieve is then weight and recorded
5.3 Note 1—Depending on the maximum size of material present in substantial quantities in the soil.
The mass of soil sample taken for analysis may be as follows:
Maximum Size of Material Present Mass to be taken for test Kg

in Substantial Quantities mm
75 60
40 25
25 13
19 6.5
12.5 3.5
10 1.5
6.5 0.75
4.75 0.4

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IS Sieve Designation 450-mm Dia Sieves Kg 300-mm Dia Sieves Kg
80-mm 15 6
20-mm 4 2
4.75-mm 1.0 0.5
The mass of the material retained on each sieve is recorded

6 CALCULATION – show sample calculations for % weight retained, cumulative %
retained and % finer.
7 PRECAUTIONS
Clean all sieves before charge is placed.
All weights shall be recorded with 0.01g accuracy balance.
If % loss of material is >1% then repeat the test.
The sieve or sieves shall be agitated so that the sample rolls in irregular motion over the
sieve. No particle shall be pushed through the sieve
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE

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OBSERVATIONS
Type of soil
Initial weight soil
I.S. Sieve Size of Wt. of % weight Cumulative % Finer = 100-

Size Particle material retained % retained %Cumulative
mm retained, g retained

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EXPERIMENT NO.7
1. NAME OF EXPERIMENT
Determination of liquid limit.
2 AIM
Determination of liquid limit test by Mechanical method (using Cassagrande’s apparatus)
referring to IS: 2720 (Part 5) – 1983 and to determine following indices
a) Flow index (see 3.5.2)
b) Plasticity index (see 8)
c) Toughness index (see 9)
d) Liquidity index (or water plasticity ratio)
e) Consistency index
3 APPARATUS
Mechanical Liquid Limit Device – Cassagrande type
Grooving Tool – type A and B
Porcelain Evaporating Dish – about 12 to 15 cm in diameter
Flat Glass Plate – 10 mm thick and about 45 cm square or larger
Spatula – flexible, with the blade about 8 cm long and 2 cm wide (for mixing soil and
water in the porcelain evaporating dish).
Balance – sensitive to 0.01 g.
Oven – thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to maintain the

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temperature between 1050 and 1100 c.

Wash Bottle or Beaker – containing distilled water.
Containers – air-tight and non-corrodible for determination of moisture content.
4 THEORY
The liquid limit of soils are dependent on the amount and type of clay in a soil and form
the basis for the soil classification system for cohesive soils based on the plasticity tests.
Besides their use for identification, the plasticity tests give information concerning the
cohesion properties of soil and the amount of capillary water
which it can hold. They are also used directly in specifications for controlling soil for use
in fill. These index properties of soil have also been related to various other properties of
the soil.
5 PROCEDURE
5.1 Soil Sample – A sample weighing about 120 g is taken from the thoroughly
mixedportion of material passing 425-micron IS Sieve obtained in accordance with
Exp. No. 1.
5.2 Adjustment of the Mechanical Device

The liquid limit device is inspected to determine that it is clean, dry an in good working
order, that the cup falls freely and it dose not have too much side play at its hinge. The
grooving tool shall also be inspected to determine that it is clean and dry.

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Using the gauge on the handle of the grooving tool or a separate gauge and by means of
the adjustment plate of the mechanical liquid limit device, the height through which the
cup is lifted and dropped is adjusted so that the point on the cup which comes in contact
with base falls through exactly one centimeter for one revolution of the handle. The
adjustment plate is then be secured by tightening the screw.
5.3 Test method
About 120 g of the soil sample passing 425-micron IS is mixed thoroughly with distilled
water in the evaporating dish or on the flat glass to form a uniform paste.
The paste shall have a consistency that will required 30 to 35 drops of the cup to cause
the required closer of the standard groove
The soil is then re-mixed thoroughly before the test. A portion of the paste is placed in
the cup above the spot where the cup rests on the base, squeezed down and spread in to
position shown in fig. 1, with as few strokes of the spatula as possible and at the same
time trimmed to a depth of one centimeter at the point of maximum thickness, returning
the excess soil to the dish.
The soil in the cup is divided by firm strokes of the grooving tool among the diameter
through the centre line of the cam follower so that a clean, sharp groove of the proper
dimensions is formed. In case where grooving tool, Type A does not give a clear grove as
in sandy soils, grooving tool Type B or Type C is be used.
The cup is fitted and dropped by turning the crank at the rate of two revolutions per
second until the two halves of the soil cake come in contact with bottom of the groove
along a distance of about 12 mm. This length is confirmed with the end of the grooving
tool or a ruler. The number of drops required to cause the groove close for the length of

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12 mm is be recorded.
A little extra of the soil mixture is added to the cup and mixed with the soil in the cup.
The pat is made in the cup and the test repeated as above. In no case dried soil be added
to the thoroughly mixed soil that is being tested. The procedure given in above is
repeated until two consecutive runs give the same no of drops for closer of the groove.
A representative slice of soil approximately the width of the spatula, extending from
about edge to edge of the soil cake at right angle to the groove and including that portion
of the groove in which the soil flowed together, is taken in a suitable container and its
moisture content expressed as a percentage of the oven-dry weight otherwise determined
as described earlier experiment. The remaining soil in the cup is transferred to the
evaporating dish. The cup and the grooving tool cleaned thoroughly.
The operations specified in above steps are repeated for at least four more additional
trials (minimum of five in all. In each case, the number of blows is recorded and the
moisture content determined as before.
The specimens is prepared of such consistency that the number of drops required to close
the groove is not less than 15 or more than 35 and the points on the flow curve are evenly
distributed in this range.
The test proceeds from the drier (more drops) to the wetter (less drops) condition of the
soil.
The test may also be conducted from the wetter to the drier condition provided drying is
achieved by kneading the wet soil and not by adding dry soil.
5.4 Determination of Liquid Limit and Flow Index.

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Liquid Limit (wL) – ‘A flow curve’ is plotted on semi-logarithmic graph representing

water content on the arithmetical scale and the number of drops on the logarithmic scale.
The flow curve is a straight line drawn as nearly as possible through the four or more
plotted points. The moisture content corresponding to 25 drops as read from the curve is
rounded off to the nearest whole number and reported as the liquid limit of the soil.
Flow Index (If) – The flow curve (straight line) plotted on semi-logarithmic graph as in
extended at either end so as to intersect the ordinates corresponding to 10 and 100 drops.
The slope of this line expressed as the difference in water contents at 0 drops and at 100
drop is reported as the flow index.
6 RESULTS
The results are
Liquid limit
Flow index
Plasticity index
Toughness index
Liquidity index
Consistency index.
7 PRECAUTIONS
7.1 To avoid tearing of the sides of the groove or slipping of the soil cake on the cup, up to
six strokes, from front to back or from back to front counting as one stroke, is permitted.

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Each stroke penetrates a little deeper until the last stroke from back to front scrapes the
bottom of the cup clean. The groove is made with as few strokes as possible.
7.2 With soils having slow plasticity indices, it is sometimes difficult to cut a smooth groove
in the soil with grooving tool, Type A. Grooving tool, Type B or Type C may be used in
such cases. Grooving tool, Type B inserts a wedge into the pat of soil causing the two
halves of the pat to slide at the cup-soil interface. During the test, the tendency is then for
the soil of slide back again on this same face instead of flowing as it should do. It should,
therefore, be used with caution.
7.3 Some soils tend to slide on the surface of the cup instead of the soil flowing. If this
occurs, the results should be discarded and the test repeated until flowing does occur. If
sliding still occurs, the test is not applicable and a note should be made that the liquid
could not be obtained.
7.4 Care shall be taken to see that the soil paste not dry out too rapidly between repeat tests
as the number of blows for closure will increase gradually as the sample dries out.

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Figure: Grooving Tools

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8 OBSERVATIONS
Type of soil: Size of particles: passing 0.425 mm

State of soil : Oven Dried Type of grooving tool used:
Weight of dry soil
Number of rotation
N.M.C. of soil
Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5
No. of drops
Container No.
Mass of empty
container (M1)
Mass of empty
container + wet soil
(M2)
Mass of empty
container + dry soil
(M2)
Water contain, w %

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Figure : Liquid limit Device

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Experiment No.8
Name of Experiment
Determination of Plastic Limit
1. Aim
To determine the plastic limit referring IS: 2720 (Part 5) – 1983
2 Apparatus
Spatula – flexible, with the blade about 8 cm long and 2 cm wide, Bowl for mixing soil
and water).
Surface for Rollin – ground-glass plate 20 x 15 cm
Containers – air-tight to determine moisture content
Balance – sensitive to 0.01 g
Oven – thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to maintain
the temperature between 105 and 1000C.
Rod – 3 mm in diameter and about 10 cm long.
2 THEORY
The plastic limit of soil is dependent on the amount and type of clay in a soil and form
the basis for the soil classification system for cohesive soils based on the plasticity tests.
Besides their use for identification, the plasticity tests give information concerning the
cohesion properties of soil and the amount of capillary water

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which it can hold. They are also used directly in specifications for controlling soil for use
in fill. These index properties of soil have also been related to various other properties of
the soil.
3 PROCEDURE
A sample weighing about 20g from the thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing
425-micron IS Sieve is taken.
At a stage in the process of mixing of soil and water at which the mass becomes plastic
enough to be easily shaped into a ball.
A portion of the soil sample in the plastic state should is taken for the plastic limit test.
The soil sample is mixed thoroughly with water in an evaporating dish or on the flat glass
plate till the soil mass becomes plastic enough to be easily moulded with fingers.
A ball shall be formed with about 8 g of this plastic soil mass and rolled between the
fingers and the glass plate with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass into a thread of
uniform diameter throughout its length. The rate of rolling is in between 80 and 90
strokes/min counting a stroke as one complete motion of the hand forward and back to
the starting position again.
The rolling is done till the threads are of 3 mm diameter. The soil shall then be kneaded
together to a uniform mass and rolled again.
This process of alternate rolling and kneading shall be continued until the thread
crumbles under the pressure required for rolling and the soil can no longer be rolled into
a thread.
The pieces of crumbled soil thread are collected in an air-tight container and the moisture
content determined is described in moisture content determination.
4 RESULTS

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Plastic limit is calculated as … %
5 PRECAUTIONS
The soil sample is mixed thoroughly with water in an evaporating dish or on the flat glass
plate till the soil mass becomes plastic enough to be easily moulded with fingers.
The crumbling may occur when the thread has a diameter greater than 3 mm. This shall
be considered a satisfactory end point, provided the soil has been rolled into a thread 3
mm in diameter immediately before.
At no time shall on attempt be made to produce failure at exactly 3 mm diameter by

allowing the thread to reach 3 mm, then reducing the rate of rolling or pressure or both,
and continuing the rolling without further deformation until the thread falls apart.
In the case of sandy soils, plastic limit should be determined first, when plastic cannot be
determined; the plasticity index should be reported as Np (non plastic).
When the plastic limit is equal to or greater than the liquid limit, the plasticity index shall
be reported as zero.

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OBSERVATIONS
Type of soil: Size of particles: passing 0.075 mm

State of soil : Oven Dried
Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5
Container No.
Mass of empty
container (M1)
Mass of empty
container + wet soil
(M2)
Mass of empty
container + dry soil
(M2)
Water contain, w %
Average Water
contain, w %

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Experiment No. 9
NAME OF EXPERIMENT :
Determination of Shrinkage Limit

1. AIM
To determine shrinkage limit (remoulded soil) and shrinkage ratio.

2. APPARATUS
2.1 The evaporating dish, spatula, shrinkage dish, straight edge, glass cup, prong plate, plain
plate and measuring cylinder.
2.2 Oven – thermostatically controlled to maintain the temperature between 105 and 1100C,
with interior of non-corroding material.
2.3 Sieve – 425-micron IS Sieves
2.4 Balances – sensitive to 0.1g.
3.5 Mercury – clean, sufficient to till the glass cup to over-flowing
3 THEORY
Recently it has been recognized that shrinkage upon drying is also indicative of the
structure of the soil. The greater the shrinkage, the more dispersed the structure. It is
possible, therefore, to study the shrinkage behavior of undisturbed soil of natural or man-
made deposits and get an idea of its structure. In this revision, the term shrinkage limit
(undisturbed soil) has been introduced to define this property and a method included for
its determination. Consequently, the term originally known as shrinkage limit has been

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re-designated as shrinkage limit (remoulded soil).
4. PROCEDURE
Preparation of Soil Paste
Place about 30 g of the dry soil sample passing through 0.425 mm IS sieve. The
evaporating dish and thoroughly mix with distilled water in an amount sufficient to fill
the soil voids completely and to make the soil pasty enough to be readily worked into the
shrinkage dish without entrapping air bubbles. In the case of friable soils, the amount of
water required to obtain the desired consistency is equal to or slightly greater than the
liquid limit; in the case of plastic soils, it may exceed the liquid limit by as much as 10
percent.
Weight and Volume of the Shrinkage Dish -
Determine the weight of the clean empty shrinkage dish and record. Determine the
capacity of the shrinkage dish in cubic centimeters, which is also the volume of the wet
soil pat, by filling the shrinkage dish to overflowing with mercury, removing the excess
by pressing the plain glass plate firmly over the top of the shrinkage dish in such a way
that the plate is flush with the top of the dish and no air is entrapped, weighing the
mercury held in the shrinkage dish to an accuracy of 0.1 g and dividing this weight by the
unit weight of mercury to obtain the volume. Record this volume as the volume of the
wet soil pat. (V)
Filling the Shrinkage Dish - Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of
silicone grease or Vaseline or some other heavy grease to prevent the adhesion of soil to

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the dish. Place in the centre of the shrinkage dish an amount of the soil paste equal to
about one-third the volume of the shrinkage dish, and allow the paste to flow to the edges
by tapping the shrinkage dish on a firm surface cushioned by several layers of blotting
paper, rubber sheet or similar material. Add an amount of the soil paste approximately
equal to the first portion, and tap the shrinkage dish as before until the paste is thoroughly
compacted and all included air has been brought to the surface. Add more soil paste and
continue the tapping until the shrinkage dish is completely filled and excess soil paste
stands out about its edge. Then strike off the excess soil paste with a straight edge, and
wipe off all soil adhering to the outside of the shrinkage dish.
Weigh immediately the shrinkage dish and record the weight as the weight of the
shrinkage dish and wet soil pat. Allow the soil pat to dry in air until the colour of
the pat turns from dark to light.
Keep the dish in air before put in oven to avoid the cracks due to sudden reduction
in moisture. Then oven-dry the part in the shrinkage dish to constant weight at 105
to 1100C, cool in a room temperature and weigh immediately after removal from the
desiccator. Record the weight of the shrinkage dish and dry soil.
Volume of the Dry Soil Pat
Fill the glass cup to overflowing with mercury and remove the excess mercury by
pressing the glass plate with the three prongs firmly over the top of the cup,
collecting the excess mercury in a suitable container. Carefully wipe off any
mercury which may be adhering to the outside of the cup,
Place the cup, filled thus with mercury, in the evaporating dish taking care not to
spill and mercury from the glass cup, and place the oven-dried soil pat on the

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surface of the mercury in the cup.
Then carefully force the pat under the mercury by means of the glass plate with the
same prongs and press the plate firmly over the top of the cup, the displaced
mercury being collected in the evaporating dish without spilling out of it.
Determine its volume by dividing this weight by the unit weight of mercury. Record
this volume as the volume of the oven-dry soil pat Vo.
5 CALCULATIONS
Shrinkage Index (I s ,) --The numerical difference between the plastic limit and
shrinkage limit (remoulded soil).
Shrinkage Limit (Remoulded Soil) (ws) - The maximum water content expressed as
percentage of oven-dry weight at which any further reduction in water content will
not cause a decrease in volume of the soil mass, the soil mass being prepared
initially from remoulded soil.
Shrinkage Ratio (S R) -The ratio of a given volume change, , expressed as a
percentage of tile dry volume, to the corresponding change in water con tent above
the appropriate shrinkage limit, expressed as a percentage of the Weight of the oven
dried soil.
Volumetric Shrinkage (Volumetric Change) (VS) – The decrease in volume,
expressed as a percentage of the soil mass when dried, of a soil mass when the water
content is reduced from a given percentage to the appropriate shrinkage limit.
Moisture Content (w)---Calculate the moisture content of wet soil pat (see 5) as a

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percentage of the dry weight of the soil as follows:
w = W - W0 x 100
W0
Where,
w = moisture content of the pat
W = weight of wet soil pat obtained by subtracting the wet of the
shrinkage dish from the weight of the dish and wet pat, and
W 0 = weight of wet soil pat obtained by subtracting the wet of the
shrinkage dish from the weight of the dish and dry pat.
Shrinkage Limit (Remoulded Soil) (ws)--- calculate the shrinkage limit using the
following formula:
ws = w - [ V – Vo ]
Wo
ws = shrinkage limit in percent,
w = moisture content of wet soil pat (see 7.1) in percent,
V = volume of wet soil pat in ml,
Vo = volume of dry soil pat in ml,and
Wo= weight of oven-dry soil pat in g.

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6. RESULT
The shrinkage limit obtained as …%
Shrinkage Parameters
Shrinkage Ratio
Volumetric Shrinkage
7 PRECAUTIONS
Care shall be taken to ensure that no air is trapped under the soil pat. Weigh the
mercury so displaced by the dry soil pat to an accuracy of 0.1g
DATE OF SUBMISSION
OBSERVATIONS
Type of soil
Weight of Dried soil
Size of particle
A Determination of initial moisture content, w
Determination No.
Shrinkage Dish No.
Weight of dish in g, W1
Weight of dish + wet soil specimen in g, W2
Weight of oven-dry soil specimen wos in g, W3
Weight of water,g Ww =W3-W2
Weight of dry soil,g, Wd =W3-W2

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Water content, w=Ww/Wd

Determination of volume of wet soil pat(shrinkage dish), V
Evaporating dish No.
Weight of mercury displaced by the oven-dry specimen, W4
Volume of the oven-dry soil specimen in cm3 V = W4/13.6
Determination of Dry Volume of soil pat, Vd
Weight of mercury displaced by dry soil pat, g, W5
Volume of dry soil pat, Vd = W5/13.6
Shrinkage limit
Shrinkage limit is given as
ws= w- [(V-Vd)rw]/Wd

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Figure: Shrinkage Dish Figure: Glass Cup

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Figure: Glass plate with three prongs
Experiment No.10
NAME OF EXPERIMENT
Standard proctor test
1 AIM
Determination maximum dry density and optimum moisture content using light
compaction
2. APPARATUS
Proctor Mould with base plate and coller. Diameter 100 mm, Height 125.6 mm,
Capacity 945 mm 3.
Sample Extruder (Optional) - It consists of a jack, level - frame or other device
adopted for the purpose of extruding compacted specimens from the mould.
Balances - one, of capacity 10 kg sensitive to 1 g and other of capacity 200 g
sensitive to 0.01 g
Oven - thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to
maintain temperature between 105 and 110°C.
Container - any suitable non-corrodible airtight container to determine the water
content for tests conducted in the laboratory.
Steel Straightedge - a steel straightedge about 30 cm in length and having one
bevelled edge.
Sieve -4.75-mm and 19-mm IS sieves conforming to the requirements of IS : 460
(Part l)-1978.
Miscellaneous tools, such as tray or pan, spoon, trowel and spatula, or a suitable
mechanical device for thoroughly mixing the sample of soil with additions of
water.
Metal Rammer – Mass 2.6 kg, height of fall 310 mm
3. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE
A representative portion of air-dried soil material and large enough to provide

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about 6 kg of material passing a 20 -mm IS Sieve (for soils not susceptible to

crushing during compaction), or about 15 kg of material passing a 19-mm IS sieve
(for soils susceptible to crushing during compaction), is taken. This portion is
sieved on a 19-mm IS Sieve and the coarse fraction rejected after its proportion of
the total sample has been recorded.
THEORY
To accomplish this, a laboratory test which will give a degree of compaction
comparable to that obtained by the field method used is necessary: This procedure is
satisfactory for cohesive soils but does not lend itself well to the study of the
compaction characteristics of clean sands or gravels which displace easily when struck
with the rammer.. With knowledge of the water density relation as determined by this
test, better control of the field compaction of soil fill is possible because the optimum
moisture content and the density which should be obtained are known by using this test
procedure and these can be checked by field control tests.
4. PROCEDURE
For soil not susceptible to crushing during compaction– The procedure is as
follows:
A 5-kg sample of air-dried soil passing the 19-mm IS sieve is taken (see Note 2).
The sample is mixed thoroughly with a suitable amount of water depending on the
soil type.
The mould, with base plate attached, is weighted to the nearest 1 g (m 1). The
mould is placed on a solid base, such as a concrete floor or plinth and the moist
soil is compacted into the mould, with the extension attached, in three layers of
approximately equal mass, each layer being given 25 blows from the 2.6 kg
rammer dropped from a height of 310 mm above the soil. The blows are disturbed

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uniformly over the surface of each layer.
The amount of soil used is sufficient to fill the mould, leaving not more than about
6 mm struck off when the extension is removed. The extra sample is removed and
the compacted soil is levelled off carefully to the top of the mould by means of the
straightedge. The mould and soil are then be weighed to 1 g (m 2).
The compacted soil specimen is removed from the mould and placed on the
mixing tray. The water content of representative sample of the specimen is
determined as per procedure discussed earlier.
The remainder of the soil specimen is broken up, rubbed through the 19-mm ISI
test sieve, and then mixed with the remainder of the original sample. Suitable
increments of water is added successively and mixed into the sample, and the
above procedure for each increment of water added.
The total number of determinations made is at least five, and the range of moisture
contents is such that the optimum moisture content, at which the maximum dry
density occurs, is within that range.
A sample weighing about 60 kg and passing the 40 mm IS Sieve is used for the
test. Soil is compacted in three layers, each layer being given 55 blows of the 2.6
kg rammer. The rest of the procedure is same as in 5.1 or 5.2.
5. CALCULATIONS
Bulk Density – m in g/ml, of each compacted specimen shall be calculated from

the equation:
m = m2 – m1
Vm
Where,

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m1 = mass in g of mould and base;
m2 = mass in g of mould, base and soil and
Vm = volume in ml of mould
The dry density, d in g/ ml, shall be calculated from the equation:
d = m
1+w
Where,
w = water content of soil
6 RESULTS
The Maximum Dry Density is g/cm 3
Optimum moisture content %
7 PRECAUTIONS
The water added for each stage of the test should be such that a range of moisture
contents is obtained which includes the optimum moisture. In general, increments
of 1 to 2 percent are suitable for sandy and gravelly soils and of 2 to 4 percent for
cohesive soils.
To increase the accuracy of the test, it if often advisable to reduce the increments
of water in the region of the optimum moisture content.
It is necessary to control the total volume of soil compacted; since it has been
found that if the amount of soil struck off after removing the extension is too
great, the test results will be inaccurate.

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Compaction in Large Size Mould – For compacting soil containing coarse material
up to 37.5 mm size, the 2250 ml mould should be used
The operator must ensure that the tube of the rammer is kept clear of soil so that
the rammer always falls freely.
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE

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OBSERVATIONS
Size of particle No. of layers

% of soil above 19 mm No. of blows
Capacity of mould Diameter of mould
Type of hammer Height of mould
1 Empty weight of mould with base
mould m1
2 Mass of mould with compacted soil
m2
3 Mass of compacted soil m3
4 Bulk density g/cm3
5 Can No.
6 Empty mass of can
7 Mass of can with moist soil
8 Mass of can with dry soil
9 Mass of water
10 Moisture content, w
11 Dry density g/cm3

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Figure: Assembly of mould Figure: Details of Mould

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Figure: Details of light hammer

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Experiment No.11
NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT
Modified Proctor Test

1. AIM
Determination of the relation between the water content and the dry density of
soils using heavy compaction referring to IS: 2720 (Part 8) – 1983.
2. APPARATUS
Cylindrical Metal Mould --Either of 100 mm diameter and I 000 cm 3 volume or
150 mm diameter and 2 250 cm volume.
Sample Extruder (Optional) - It consists of jack, lever frame or other device
adopted for the purpose of extruding compacted specimens from the mould.
Balances - One of 10 kg capacity sensitive to I g, and other of 200 g capacity
and sensitive to 0.01 g.
Oven - thermostatically controlled, with interior of non-corroding material to
maintain temperature between 105 and I 10°C.
Container - Any suitable non-corrodible airtight container to determine tile
water content for tests conducted in the laboratory.
Steel Straightedge - A steel straightedge about 30 cm in length and having one
bevelled edge.

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Sieve - 4.75-mm, 19-mm and 37.5-mm IS sieves

Mixing Tools - Miscellaneous tools, such as tray or pan, spoon, trowel and
spatula or a suitable mechanical device for thoroughly mixing the sam ple of
soil with additions of water.
Metal Rammer - Metal Rammer - Heavy compaction rammer 4.9 kg mass with
height of fall 450 mm.
3. THEORY
To accomplish this, a laboratory test which will give a degree of compaction
comparable to that obtained by the field method used is necessary: This procedure is
satisfactory for cohesive soils but does not lend itself well to the study of the
compaction characteristics of clean sands or gravels which displace easily when
struck with the rammer.. With knowledge of the water density relation as determined
by this test, better control of the field compaction of soil fill is possible because the
optimum moisture content and the density which should be obtained are known by
using this test procedure and these can be checked by field control tests.
4. SOIL SPECIMEN
crushing during compaction), or about 15 kg of material passing a 19-mm IS
sieve (for soils susceptible to crushing during compaction), is taken. This
portion is sieved on a 19-mm IS Sieve and the coarse fraction rejected after its
proportion of the total sample has been recorded.

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crushing during compaction), or about 15 kg of material passing a 19-mm IS
sieve (for soils susceptible to crushing during compaction), is taken. This
portion is sieved on a 19-mm IS Sieve and the coarse fraction rejected after its
proportion of the total sample has been recorded.
5. PROCEDURE
Soil Not Susceptible to Crushing During Compaction
A 5-kg sample of air-dried soil passing the l9-mm 1S test sieve is taken The
sample is mixed thoroughly with a suitable amount of water depending on the
soil type.
The mould, of 1000 cm3 capacity with base plate attached, is weighed to the
nearest 1 g. The mould is placed on a solid base, such as a concrete floor or
plinth and the moist soil is compacted into the mould, with the exten sion
attached, in five layers of approximately equal mass, each layer being given 25
blows from the 4.9-kg rammer dropped from a height of 450 mm above the soil.
The blows are distributed uniformly over the surface of each layer.
The mould and soil shall then be weighed nearest to 0.1 g (m2).
The compacted soil specimen is removed from the mould and placed on tile
mixing tray. The water content of a representative sample of the specimen shall
be determined.
The remainder of the soil specimen is broken up, rubbed through the 19-mm IS
test sieve, and then mixed with the remainder of the original sample. Suitable
increments of water is added successively and mixed into tile and the above
procedure from operations is repeated for each increment of water added. The

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total numbers of determinations made are at least five, and the moisture con -
tents are such that the optimum moisture content, at which the maximum dry
density occurs, is within that range.
Compaction in Large Size Mould -- For compacting soil containing coarse
material tip to 37.5 turn size, the 2 250 cm3 mould is be used. A sample
weighing about 30 kg and passing the 37.5min IS sieve is used for tile test. Soil
is compacted in five layers, each layer being given 55 blows of the 4.9-kg
rammer. The test of the procedure is the same as in above.
6. CALCULATIONS
Bulk Density - Bulk density, m in g/cm3 of each compacted specimen shall be

calculated from the equation:
m = m2 - m1
Vm
Where
m1 = mass in g of mould and base
m2 = mass in g of mould, base and soil
Vm = volume in cm3 of mould.
Dry Density - The dry density, d in g/cm3, shall be calculated from the
equation:
m = 100  m
100 + w
Where,
w = moisture content of soil in percent.

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The dry densities, ye obtained in a series of determinations shall be plotted

against the corresponding moisture contents w. A smooth curve shall be drawn
through the resulting points and the position of the maximum on this curve
shall be determined.
7. RESULTS
The Maximum Dry Density …… g/cm 3
Optimum Moisture Content ……..%
8 PRECAUTIONS
The water added for each stage of the test should be such that a range of
moisture contents is obtained which includes the optimum moisture. In general,
increments of 1 to 2 percent are suitable for sandy and gravelly soils and of 2 to
4 percent for cohesive soils.
To increase the accuracy of the test, it if often advisable to reduce the
increments of water in the region of the optimum moisture content.
It is necessary to control the total volume of soil compacted; since it has been
found that if the amount of soil struck off after removing the extension is too
great, the test results will be inaccurate.
Compaction in Large Size Mould – For compacting soil containing coarse
material up to 37.5 mm size, the 2250 ml mould should be used
The operator must ensure that the tube of the rammer is kept clear of soil so
that the rammer always falls freely.

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DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE
OBSERVATIONS
Size of particle No. of layers

% of soil above 19 mm No. of blows
Capacity of mould Diameter of mould
Type of hammer Height of mould
1 Empty weight of mould with base
mould m1
2 Mass of mould with compacted soil
m2
3 Mass of compacted soil m3
4 Bulk density g/cm3
5 Can No.
6 Empty mass of can
7 Mass of can with moist soil
8 Mass of can with dry soil
9 Mass of water
10 Moisture content, w
11 Dry density g/cm3

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Experiment No. 12
NAME OF EXPERIMENT:
Constant head permeability test
1 AIM
Laboratory determination of coefficient of permeability of soils using constant
head methods referring the IS: 2720 (Part 17) – 1986
2 APPARATUS
Permeability mould- Diameter 100 mm and 127.3 mm height
The compaction rammer as per compaction test (for dynamic compaction only).
Constant Head Tank - A suitable water reservoir capable of supplying water to
the permeater under constant head for constant head test arrangement.
Stop watch, graduated cylinder vernier caliper and thermometer
3 THEORY
The knowledge of the permeability is essential in the solution of many
engineering problems involving flow of water through soils such as: dewatering
and drainage of excavations, back-fills and sub grades; Determining yield of
water bearing strata; Assessing seepage through the body of earth dams and;
Computing losses from canals. This methods is recommended for soils with
coefficient of permeability in the range 10 3 to 10 -7 cm/s and maximum particle
size of 9.5 mm.
4 SAMPLE PREPARATION
4.1 Disturbed Soil Sample
A 2.5-kg sample is taken from a thoroughly mixed air-dried or oven-dried

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material
The sample is placed in the mould is either static or dynamic method. In static
method the quantity of dry soil and moisture contents are determined from
compaction test results or any other given values. The sample is mixed
uniformly till the colour of sample is same.
The permeameter mould shall be weighed empty to the nearest 1 gram. After
greasing lightly the inside of the mould, it shall he clamped between the
compaction base plate and the extension collar. The assembly shall he kept on
a solid base.
Tile dry density for remoulding of soil samples shall be either the field density or
the value the maximum dry density estimated by the compaction tests or any
other density at which the permeability is desired. The moisture content used for
compaction is the optimum moisture content or the field moisture as the case
may be. The compactive effort may be varied to simulate field conditions. Static
compaction may also be used where necessary. After completion of compaction,
the collar, if attached, shall be removed and excess soil trimmed level with the
top of the mould. The base shall be detached and the mould full of the compacted
specimen shall be weighed.
The sample is then saturated for 15 to 20 minutes and it is confirmed by checking
the inlet and outlet flow.
5 PROCEDURE
For a constant head test arrangement, the specimen is connected through the top
inlet to the constant head water reservoir. The bottom outlet is opened and when
the steady state of flow has been established, the quantity of flow for a
convenient time interval is collected and weighed or measured. Alternatively, the
height of water in the indicator pipe is check foe 10 minutes.
The linearity (of Darcy's law) between the hydraulic gradient and the average

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velocity of flow for soil under test should be established by performing the test
over a range of hydraulic gradients. The hydraulic gradients in the permeability
test should preferably include the hydraulic gradient likely to occur in the field
and deviation from linearity observed should be noted.
5.1 Record of Observation
The inside diameter and the height of the permeameter are measured The heights
H1, and H2 are measured to determine the head loss h. The temperature of water
is also measured and recorded.
During the test, observations are made of volume of water, Q collected in a
graduated jar in time t and are recorded in the table.
For the purpose of getting a quantitative description of the state of the sample,
after the test, the weight of wet soil specimen Wt is measured and recorded. Its
dry weight W d is measured after drying for 24 hours. The water content, is
computed and noted. From the knowledge of the specific gravity G s of specimen
and water content w, void ratio e and degree of saturation S are determined.
6 CALCULATIONS
The permeability k T at temperature T is calculated as:
Q h
k
At L
T
k 27  k T
 27
in which
k27 = permeability at 27°C,
r = coefficient of viscosity at T°C,
27 = coefficient of viscosity at 27°C
Q = quantity in cm 3

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A = area of specimen in cm 3
L = Length of sample and
t = time in seconds.
6 RESULTS
The coefficient of permeability values at temperatures T and 27 0C
PRECAUTIONS
Porous stones used must be saturated for 48 hours and boiled after the
experiment. The air vent must frequently is opened to release the entrapped air.
The distilled water is used for the experiment.
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE

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OBSERVATION
PERMEABILITY BY CONSTANT HEAD METHOD
Soil identification ______________

Diameter of specimen (D) ____________ cm
Length of Specimen (L) _____________ cm
Area of Specimen (A) _______________ cm 2
Volume of Specimen (V) ____________ cm 3
Hydraulic Gradient I = h/L ___________
Temperature of water T = ____________ 0C
SI No. Quantity Q cm 3 Time, t seconds Permeability Remarks
Q h
kT 
At L
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Weight of wet soil specimen after test, W 1 = ________________ g
Weight of dry soil specimen W s = _______________ g
Water content, W = W 1 – Ws x 100 = _____________ percent

Ws
Specific gravity of specimen, G = ________________
Void ratio, e = VGs – Ws = ______________

Ws
Degree of saturation, S = Gs . W = _______________ percent
E
T
Permeability at 27 0 C, k 27  k T = _________________ cm / s
 27

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Experiment No. 13
NAME OF EXPERIMENT:
Falling Head permeability test
1 AIM
Laboratory determination of coefficient of permeability of soils using constant
head methods referring the IS: 2720 (Part 17) – 1986
2 APPARATUS
2.2 Permeability mould- Diameter 100 mm and 127.3 mm height
The compaction rammer as per compaction test (for dynamic compaction only).
2.3 Set of Stand Pipes - Glass stand pipes for falling head (variable head) test
arrangement, varying in diameter from 5 to 20 mm, fixed on wall.
2.4 Stop watch, graduated cylinder
3 THEORY
The knowledge of the permeability is essential in the solution of many
engineering problems involving flow of water through soils such as: dewatering
and drainage of excavations, back-fills and sub grades; Determining yield of
water bearing strata; Assessing seepage through the body of earth dams and;
Computing losses from canals. This methods is recommended for practically
impervious soils with coefficient of permeability in the range 10 -3 to 10-7 cm/s
and maximum particle size of 2 mm.
4 PROCEDURE
For a falling head test arrangement, the specimen is connected through the top
inlet to selected stand-pipe. The bottom outlet is opened and the 'time interval

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required for the water level to fall from a known initial head to a known final
head as measured above the control of the outlet shall be recorded.
The stand-pipe shall be refilled with water and the test repeated till three
successive observations give nearly same time interval; the time intervals being
recorded for the drop in head from the same initial to final values, as in the first
determination. Alternatively, after selecting the suitable initial and final heads
h, and h2 respectively, time intervals shall be noted for the head to fall from h 1
 h1 h2 to and similarly from to  h1 h2 h2. The time intervas is the same;
otherwise the observation are repeated after refilling the stand-pipe.
The dimensions of specimen, length L and diameter D, are measured and
recorded in Appendix B. Area u of stand-pipe is recorded. The temperature T,
of water is also measured and recorded.
During the test, observations are made of initial time t i , final time if, initial
head hi final head h f,
At the end of the test, the weight of wet soil specimen W, is measured and
recorded. Then the sample is dried in the oven for 24 hours and the dry weight
W S is measured and recorded. The water content, W is computed and noted.
Void ratio, e, and degree of saturation S are calculated using spe cific gravity W
of the specimen and water content, W.
CALCULATIONS
At temperature T of water, the permeability k T is calculated as:
KT = 2.303 a L log 10 h1
A (t f – t i) h2

And the permeability at 27 oC is given by k 27  k T
T
 27
Other parameters are calculated are determined such asthe water content, w,
void ratio.e and degree of saturation s,.

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RESULTS
The coefficient permeability values at temperatures T and 27 0C is … cm/s
PRECAUTIONS
DATE OF SUBMISSION
GRADE
SIGNATURE
OBSERVATION
PERMEABILITY BY FALLING HEAD METHOD
Soil identification ______________

Diameter of specimen (D) ____________ cm
Length of Specimen (L) _____________ cm
Area of Specimen (A) _______________ cm 2
Volume of Specimen (V) ____________ cm 3
Diameter of stand pipe d cm
Area of stand pipe a ------------------------- cm 2
Head loss h = H 1 – H 2 = _____________ cm

Hydraulic Gradient I = h/L ___________
Temperature of water T = ____________ 0C

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SI No. Initial Head Final Head Time, t Permeability , Remarks

seconds k, cm/s
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Weight of wet soil specimen after test, W 1 = ________________ g
Weight of dry soil specimen W s = _______________ g
Water content, W = W 1 – Ws x 100 = _____________ percent

Ws
Specific gravity of specimen, G = ________________
Void ratio, e = VGs – Ws = ______________

Ws
Degree of saturation, S = Gs . W = _______________ percent
E

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G.V.

Acharya Institute of engineering and technology

Depart : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Subject: Engineering Mechanics Date06/08/2011

YEAR /SEMESTER: Page: 1 of82

1 Preparation of Dry Soil Sample for 1 CVL/ / EXPT. No.1

2 Determination of water content by 2 CVL/ / EXPT. No.2

3 Field Density and Soils By The 3 CVL/ / EXPT. No.3

4 Determination of Field Dry Density 4 CVL/ / EXPT. No.4

5 Determination of specific gravity by 5 CVL/ / EXPT. No.5

6 Dry Sieve Analysis 6 CVL/ / EXPT. No.6

7 Determination of liquid limit. 7 CVL/ / EXPT. No.7

8 Determination of Plastic Limit 8 CVL/ / EXPT. No.8

9 Determination of Shrinkage Limit 9 CVL/ / EXPT. No.9

10 Standard proctor test 10 CVL/ / EXPT. No.10

11 Modified Proctor Test 11 CVL/ / EXPT. No.11

12 Constant head permeability test 12 CVL/ / EXPT. No.12

13 Falling Head permeability test 13 CVL/ / EXPT. No.13

Prepared by Received by Approved by Issued by

N L Shelke & Mithlesh jha Prof. D.M.Joshi Dr.M.Chitle

. H.O.D. Principal Compiled

Depart : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Subject: Engineering Mechanics Date06/08/2011

YEAR /SEMESTER: Page: 2 of82

NAME OF THE EXPRIMENTS

Preparation of Dry Soil Sample for Various Test

2.1 Wooden Mallet – for breaking soil clods

2.6 Drying Apparatus

Prepared by Received by Approved by Issued by

N L Shelke & Mithlesh jha Prof. D.M.Joshi Dr.M.Chitle

. H.O.D. Principal Compiled

Depart : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Subject: Engineering Mechanics Date06/08/2011

YEAR /SEMESTER: Page: 3 of82

a) Drying Oven – Thermostatically controlled, with interior of non-corroding

Prepared by Received by Approved by Issued by

N L Shelke & Mithlesh jha Prof. D.M.Joshi Dr.M.Chitle

. H.O.D. Principal Compiled

Depart : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Subject: Engineering Mechanics Date06/08/2011

YEAR /SEMESTER: Page: 4 of82

Table 2 Quantity of Sample Required for Determination of Water Content

Size of Particles more than 90 percent Minimum quantity of Soil Specimen to

Prepared by Received by Approved by Issued by

N L Shelke & Mithlesh jha Prof. D.M.Joshi Dr.M.Chitle

. H.O.D. Principal Compiled

Depart : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Subject: Engineering Mechanics Date06/08/2011

YEAR /SEMESTER: Page: 5 of82

4.25-mm IS Sieve 200

9.50 mm IS Sieve 300

37.5 mm IS Sieve 1000

Table 1 Quantity Of Soil Sample Required For Conducting The Tests

Sr.No Test Type Temperature Amount of soil Degree of Ref to Part of

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

i) Water content Oven, 24 h As given in Table 2 - Part 2

ii) Specific gravity Oven 105-1100C, 50 g for fine- 2 mm Part 3/Sec 1

iii) Grain Size Analysis Air drying As given in Table 3 - Part 4

iv) Liquid limit Do 270 g 425 micron Part 5

Prepared by Received by Approved by Issued by

N L Shelke & Mithlesh jha Prof. D.M.Joshi Dr.M.Chitle

. H.O.D. Principal Compiled

Depart : CIVIL ENGINEERING