CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA
FENDALL CAMPUS

SOIL MECHANICS (CENG 320)

LABORATORY MANUAL
CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

PREPARED BY:

MOSES Y. BALLAH
Laboratory Technician
Department of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
University of Liberia

Contact details
0886427633/0776137699
E-Mail: ballahmosesy2013@gmail.com

AMENJOR SENAGAH
Teaching Assistant
Department of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
University of Liberia

Contact details
0886819291/0770732283/0775915833
E-Mail: majorsenagah@gmail.com
CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

TABLE OF CONTENT PAGES

1.0 Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
2.0 Why Do Soil Test? ------------------------------------------------------------------------2
3.0 Moisture Content/ Water Content Test ---------------------------------------------------2
3.1 Apparatus for the Testing Of Wc ---------------------------------------------------------2
3.2 Materials to Be Used ---------------------------------------------------------------------------2
3.3 Procedures----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
3.4 Calculations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
4.0 Sieve Analysis Test -------------------------------------------------------------------------3
4.1 Apparatus (Sieve Analysis Test) ------------------------------------------------------------3
4.2 Materials to Be Used ------------------------------------------------------------------------4
4.3 Procedures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
5.0 Specific Gravity Test --------------------------------------------------------------------------4
5.1 Apparatus (Specific Gravity Test) -----------------------------------------------------------5
5.2 Material to Be Used --------------------------------------------------------------------------5
5.3 Procedures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
6.0 Atterberg Limits Tests (Liquid Limits, Plastic Limits, Plasticity Index) ---------------5
6.1 Apparatus (Atterberg Limits Tests) -----------------------------------------------------6
6.2 Materials to Be Used -------------------------------------------------------------------------6
6.3 Liquid Limits Test --------------------------------------------------------------------------6
6.4 Liquid Limits Procedures ---------------------------------------------------------------------6
6.5 -Calculation---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7
6.6 Plastic Limit Test ----------------------------------------------------------------------------7
6.7 Procedures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------7
6.8 Calculation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------7
6.9 Modified Proctor Test– Compaction -----------------------------------------------------7
6.10 Apparatus To Be Used For Modified Proctor Test– Compaction ---------------------8
6.11 Test Procedures---------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
6.12 Calculation and Graph-------------------------------------------------------------------------9
7.0 Standard Proctor Test --------------------------------------------------------------------------9
7.1 Field Procedures --------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
7.2 Apparatus to Be Used For Field Density Test ----------------------------------------9
7.3 Laboratory Procedures ----------------------------------------------------------------------9
8.0 Field Density Test ---------------------------------------------------------------------------9
8.1 Apparatus To Be Used For Field Density Test ---------------------------------------------9
8.2 Laboratory Procedures ----------------------------------------------------------------------10
8.3 Field Procedures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------10
9.0 Report Preparation --------------------------------------------------------------------------10
9.0 Report Preparation --------------------------------------------------------------------------10
10.0 Charts for Test Results -------------------------------------------------------------------11-14
CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Proper laboratory testing of soils to determine their physical properties is an integral part in the
design and construction of structural foundations, the placement and improvement of soil
properties, and specifications and quality control of soil compaction works. It must be kept in
mind that natural soil deposits often exhibit a high degree of no homogeneity. The physical
properties of soil deposit can change to a great extent even within a few hundred feet. The
fundamental theoretical and empirical equations that are developed in soil mechanics can be
properly used in practice if, and only if, the physical parameters used in those equations are
properly evaluated in the laboratory. So, learning to perform laboratory tests of soils plays an
important role in the geotechnical engineering profession.

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

2.0 WHY DO SOIL TEST?

 Whatever structure we build, the ultimate foundation or support is the earth (soil)
 Most construction materials used for structures are obtained from the soil
 Need to study the behavior of soil and its interactions with the structure, to ensure its
stability and safety of the people who use it
 It provides important clues about the soil’s bearing capacity, density, compaction,
presence of organic matter, sand, and contaminants
 To evaluate for suitability in order to properly support every structure built on the soil
 The soil must be able to withstand the weight of any structure applied; otherwise the loss
to property and life may occur.
 The height of the building and the use of materials are decided by the engineer on the
basic of soil testing reports which leads to strong and durable structures etc.
3.0 MOISTURE CONTENT/ WATER CONTENT TEST
The moisture content of a soil (also known as water content) is an indicator of the amount of
water present in soil. By definition, moisture content is the ratio of water in a sample to the mass
of solids in the sample, expressed as a percentage.

Mw
Wc = X 100%
Ms
Wc = moisture content of soil (expressed as a percentage)
Mw = mass of water in soil sample
Ms = mass of soil solids in sample

3.1 APPARATUS FOR THE TESTING OF Wc

MOISTURE CANS OVEN BALLANCE

3.2 MATERIALS TO BE USED

 Soil Page 2
CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

3.3 PROCEDURES
 Record the number on the moisture can and also determine its mass(g) as M 1,
 Place a representative soil in a moisture can and close it to avoid loss of moisture
 Determine the mass of can + wet soil as M2
 Remove the cap from top and place it under the bottom of the can
 Place the sample in oven for at least 24hrs
 Determine the mass of the dry sample as M3

3.4 Calculations
Mass of Water = M2 – M3
Mass of dry soil = M3 – M1

M2 – M3 Mw
Wc = = X 100%
M3 – M 1 Ms

4.0 SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST

In order to classify a soil for engineering purposes, one needs to know the distribution of the
grain sizes in a given soil mass. A sieve analysis which is also called gradation test is a practice
or procedure used to assess the particle size distribution/gradation of granular material by
allowing the material to pass through a series of sieves of progressively smaller mesh size. Note
that as the sieve number increases, the size of the opening decreases. This analysis is used for the
determination of grain sizes of soils, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates and other materials.
4.1 APPARATUS (SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST)

ELECTRICAL SIEVE STANDARD SIEVE WEIGHING PAN BALLANCE

SHAKER

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

BRUSH STOP WATCH

4.2 MATERIALS TO BE USED

 Soil
4.3 Procedures:
 Firstly, air dry or oven dry the sample until there is zero moisture
 Arrange the sieve starting with 37.5mm to 0.075mm and add the pan
 Weigh at least 1000g of soil and placed in the sieve for sieving
 With the aid of a stop watch, sieve for ten minutes
 With the help of a balance, weigh each retained and record on data sheet
 Then calculate the various retained in grams and percent as well as percent passing,
percent cumulative
% retained = individual retained/ total mass of sample after sieving x 100%.Continue from
classroom’s lectures
5.0 SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST
Specific gravity of a given material is defined as the ratio of the density of a given volume of the
material to the density of an equal volume of distills water. Gs = density of soil solids/ density of
water, better still, we can say

YS
GS =
YW

Where: Ys – unit weight of solids

Yw – unit weight of water

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

5.1 APPARATUS SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST

VOLUMETRIC FLASK BALLANCE THERMOMETER PLASTIC SQEEZE

WITH A LID BOTTLE

5.2 MATERIAL TO BE USED

 Distill water
 Soil
5.3 Procedures;
 Clean the volumetric flask well and dry it
 Weigh the volumetric flask and record on data sheet
 Oven dry/air dry the sample soil until there is no moisture
 Weigh some samples and carefully place the dry soil into the flask
 Add water and allowed it to soak for few minutes
 Carefully mix the samples well by placing the palm of the hand tightly over the flask, if
there are no stopper(s).
 Using the plastic squeeze bottle, carefully fill the flask to the brim and weigh both the
soil and the water
 Make sure to take initial and final temperature of the water
 Allow the sample to still for twenty – four (24) hours
After the 24HRS, weigh the sample with the lid and discard the sample.
- Wash the bottle clean and refill with distill water and weigh the water + the flask
- Finally calculate the Gs
6.0 ATTERBERG LIMITS TESTS (LIQUID LIMITS, PLASTIC LIMITS, PLASTICITY INDEX)
The Atterberg limits are a basic measure of the critical water contents of a fine – grained soil: its
shrinkage limit, plastic limit, and liquid limit depending on its water content. A soil may appear
in one of four states: solid, semi solid, plastic and liquid. The Atterberg limits can be used to
distinguish between silt and clay, and to distinguish between different types of silts and clays.
The water content at which the soils changes from one state to the other are known as
consistency limits or Atterberg limits.

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

6.1 APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR ATTERBERG LIMITS TESTS

CASAGRANDI GROOVING SPATULA

APPARATUS TOOL

 MOISTRUE CAN  OVEN  BALANCE

 PLASTIC SQUEEZE  GLASS  TOWEL

BOTTLE

6.2 Materials to be used

 Soil
 Water
6.3 LIQUID LIMITS TEST
When a cohesive soil is mixed with an excessive amount of water, it will be in a somewhat liquid
state and flow like a viscous liquid. However, when this viscous liquid is dried gradually, with
the lost of moisture it will pass into a solid state. With further reduction of moisture, the soil will
pass into a semisolid and then into a solid state. The moisture content (in percent) at which the
cohesive soil will pass from the liquid state to the plastic state or the water content beyond which
soil flows under a specified small force is called liquid limit.
6.4 Liquid Limits procedures
 Sieve at least 500gm of air/oven dry soil on the 425mm sieve and below
 Weigh each of the moisture can and record weight in data sheet
 Fill the plastic squeeze bottle with distill water and gradually add to the soil
 Note; only use portion of the soil and not the entire soil (500gm)
 With the use of the spatula, mix the soil sample with the water at different levels.
 Place the mixed soil (portion) into the silver cup of the casagrandi apparatus and allow it
to go for at least 45 – 50 blow after the grooving had been used to divide the soil in the
cup

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

 After the soil have closed, take portion from the closed point and place it into the
moisture can and weigh the soil + can record in data sheet
 Place the moisture can into the oven to allow it for 16 – 24 hrs. with the temperature of
about 200 degree Celsius
 Finally, after the 24hrs, remove the samples from oven and allow it to cool before
weighing.
 You can now do the calculation
6.5 Calculation
Mass of wet soil – mass of dry soil = mass of water
6.6 PLASTIC LIMIT TEST
Plastic Limit is defined as the moisture content, in percent, at which a thread of soil will just
crumble when rolled to a diameter of 1/8 in. (3.2mm). This test might be seen as somewhat
arbitrary and, to some extent, the result may depend on the person performing the test. With
practice, however, fairly consistent results may be obtained.
6.7 Procedures
 Follow the procedures in liquid limits from 1 – 4
 This is also called rolling test, therefore, roll on plain and smooth surface or preferably
glass material
 Place the sample in moisture can and weigh
 Follow the last three steps under liquid limits
6.8 Calculation
Mass of water (g) = mass of wet soil – mass of dry soil
Plasticity Index is just a calculation
PI = LL - PL
6.9 MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST– COMPACTION
The essence of this test is to be able to determine the optimum moisture content – OMC and the
maximum dry density – MDD at which soil can undergo good compaction. This is also known as
laboratory compaction. Soil compaction is defined as the process of bringing about an increase
in soil density, with a corresponding reduction of the volume of air void but without any change
in the volume of water.

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

6.10 APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST– COMPACTION

MOLD RAMMER 19mm SIEVE POUNDS CHISEL

HAMMER
 MOISTRUE CAN  OVEN  PLASTIC SQUEEZE
BOTTLE
 BALANCE  GRADUATED  BRUSH
CYLINDER

PAN FLAT STRAIGHT

EDGE STEEL-12’’ LONG
6.11 Test Procedures
 Obtained a sample soil either from an oven/ air dry and sieved on the 19mm sieve
 Weigh at least 7kg of the sieve soil for compaction
 Weigh the mold and the base plate but not the collar
 Weigh five moisture cans that is already number
 Measure at least 3% of the weighed soil for water or 210ml of water per mix
 Fill five cylinders to the 210ml mark. Note that this number is note constant but rather
depends on the soil’s condition
 Thoroughly mix the measured soil with the water in one of the cylinder and take a
moisture sample, weigh the soil + can, place sample in oven for 24hrs
 Place the sample soil in the mold, in five (5) layers and give each layers 56 blows
 Remove the collar and level the soil neatly with the mold by using the straight edge
 Use the brush to remove all other soils around the mold before proceeding to the
balance to weigh the mold and the soil
 Repeat the last four steps and record each time in data paper

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

6.12 Calculation and graph

With the moisture results, you can plot a graph showing the MDD and the OMC. This will be
demonstrated during lecture.
7.0 STANDARD PROCTOR TEST
This method was later modified; however, it is still applicable today. In fact, there are people
who are still working with this method.
In Standard Method, most of the procedures are similar except that of the following:
- Sieve the materials(soil) on 4.25mm sieve either air/oven dry
- Weigh at least 4.00kg for compaction
- Compaction should be done in three layers of 25 blow each
Please note that with the exception of the three procedures, all other must be followed.
8.0 FIELD DENSITY TEST
The degree of compaction carry out on a soil to create a high density is what we called field
density. When soils are loosely place together without it been compacted, it can easily be wash
away or deformed. Field density test will help us understand whether or not the soil was
compacted according to specs.
There are two sets of procedures: the laboratory and the field procedures.
8.1 APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR FIELD DENSITY TEST
 A set of cone (a cylinder and a cone)
 A base plate
 Robber brush
 Pan
 1mm sieve
 A scale/balance
 Sandwich bag
 A spoon
 A 2 – 4 pounds hammer
 A chisel

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

8.2 Laboratory Procedures

 Collect some sample of sand and thoroughly wash and air/oven dry
 Sieve the material on the one (1mm) sieve and considered the one passing through 1mm–
0.02mm
 Weigh at least 20kg of the calibrated sand for the field work
 Fill the cylinder and close it well and then provide a flat surface, turn the cylinder over
the flat surface and allowed the sand to flow freely.
 Close the cylinder and weigh the reminder. Process will be explain
8.3 Field Procedures
 Find the flat surface of the compacted area
 Place the base plate in a non - moving position
 Dig into the soil up to 150mm (both diameter and height)
 Place the wet soil obtained from the hole into a plastic material
 Weigh the sample soil on the scale and record the result on data sheet
 Pour the calibrated sand into the cone to fill without shaking it
 Weigh the cone + the sand and record on data sheet
 Place the cone over the base plate and allow the sand to freely flow into the hole until it
come to stop
 Weigh the cone and the balance sand and record on data sheet
 Collect sample of the soil and followed the procedures involved in moisture content
9.0 REPORT PREPARATION
In the classroom laboratory, all experiments will be done in small groups. However, the
laboratory report should be written by each student individually. Each report should contain:
 Cover page – the cover page should include the title of the experiment, name, group
number, and the date on which the experiment was performed.
 The table of content – TOC.
 The body of the report. This should include
- The purpose of the experiment
- Equipment used
- Schematic diagram of main equipment
- Brief description of test procedure
 The results – these should include the data sheets, sample calculation(s) and required
graphs and table(s)
 Conclusion

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA
Project:
Contractor:
Sample ID: Date Sampled:
Test Method: Date Tested:
MOISTURE CONTENT DETERMINATION
Sample Source
Sample Depth
Sampling Date
Sample No. 1 2 3 4 5
Can No.
Mass of can(g)
Mass of can+wet soil(g)
Mass of can+dry soil(g)
Mass of water(g)
Mass of dry soil(g)
Moisture content(%)
Average moisture content(%)

____________________ _____________________________
Technician in charge Contractor's Representative
Geotechnical Division Date Signed:___________________

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA
Project:
Contractor:
Sample ID: Date Sampled:
Test Method: Date Tested:
SIEVE ANALYSIS OF SOIL
Mass of sample before washing (g) 1000
Mass of sample after washing (g)
Size(mm) Retained(g) Retained(%) Cumulative (%) Percent Passing(%)
37.5
25.0
19.0
12.5
9.50
4.75
2.00
1.00
0.425
0.300
0.150
0.075
Pan

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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA
Project:
Contractor:
Sample ID: Date Sampled:
Test Method: Date Tested:
LIQUID LIMIT
Container No.
Mass of container(gm)
Mass of container+wet soil(gm)
Mass of container+dry soil(gm)
Mass of water(gm)
Mass of dry soil(gm)
Water content(%)
No. of blows
PLASTIC LIMIT
Container No.
Mass of container(gm)
Mass of container+wet soil(gm)
Mass of container+dry soil(gm)
Mass of water(gm)
Mass of dry soil(gm)
Water content(%)
Average water content(%)
LIQUID …
Water content(%)

No.of blows
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CENG 320 Lab Manual Department of Civil Engineering

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA
Project:
Contractor:
Sample ID: Date Sampled:
Test Method: AASHTO -180 Date Tested:
COMPACTION TEST
Mass of mold(gm)
Mass of mold+wet sample(gm)
Mass of wet sample(gm)
Volume of mold(cm3)
Bulk density (gm/cm3)
MOISTURE CONTENT DETERMINATION
Container No.
Mass of container(gm)
Mass of container+wet soil(gm)
Mass of container +dry soil(gm)
Mass of wet soil(gm)
Mass of dry soil(gm)
Mass of water(gm)
Water content(%)
Dry density(gm/Cm3)

Modified Proctor Test

DD(gm/cm3)

Water Content(%)

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