Geotechnical Engineering 01: Soil Mecha Particle Size Distribution Site Exploration Geotechnical Engineer work with soils and rocks which are natural materials whose engineering properties can vary dramatically from one place to another, the reason why site exploration is being practiced. The objectives of a site exploration and characterization include the following: > Determining the location and thickness of soil and rock strata > Determining the location of the groundwater table, along with other important groundwater related issues > Recovering samples for testing and evaluation > Conducting tests, either in field or in laboratory, to measure relevant engineering properties > Defining special problems and concerns. Soil Sampling The primary purpose of drilling exploratory borings and digging exploratory trenches is to obtain representative soil samples. These samples are used to determine the subsurface profile and to measure engineering properties of the subsurface materials. > Disturbed Samples (Bulk Sample). The soil is obtained with no attempt to retain the in-place structure of the soil or rock. > Undisturbed Samples. The soil is recovered completely intact and its in-place structures and stresses are not modified in any way. Note! It is impossible to obtain a fullyundisturbed sample due to: Y Shearing and compression during the,process of sampling Y Release of in situ stresses as the sample is removed from the ground. Y Possible drying and desiccation Y Vibration during recovery and transport and yet geotechnical engineers developed various methods in obtaining a high quality samples (relatively undisturbed). Sample Testing > ExSitu Testing (Laboratory Testing). “Ex Situ” is Latin for “out of its original place” and refers to the removal of soil sample from the ground and testing them elsewhere. > In Situ Testing. “In Situ’ is Latin for “in place” and refers to the on-site testing where special equipment are inserted in the ground and testing the soil while its still underground. i ies: It is the numerical result of laboratory experiments and testing. Grain Properties > Particle Size Distribution % Gravel silt %Sand % Clay > Effective Grain Size (Djo) — It is the diameter of the particle-size distribution curve correspond to 10% finer. The effective size of a granular soil is a good measure to estimate the hydraulic conductivity and drainage through soil. any of you lacks wisdom, ask our generous God. He wil give it to you and will not rebuke you for asking.—James 1: 5> Coefficient of Uniformity (C.,) Deo C= 52 Dro Where: Deo is the diameter of the particle-size distribution curve correspond to 60% finer Note! Y Low value of C, indicates Poorly Graded Soil (Steep Curve) Y High value of C, indicates Well Graded Soil > Coefficient of Curvature/Gradient (C.) (D0)? Dy0(De0) Where: Dag is the diameter of the particle-size distribution curve correspond to 30% finer Notel ¥ When the value of C, is in between about 1 and 3, it indicates a Smooth Curve. Y When the value of C, is outside the range above, it usually indicates a Gap Graded Soil > Sorting Coefficient (S,) Where: Das is the diameter of the particle-size distribution curve correspond to 25% finer Drs is the diameter of the particle-size distribution curve correspond to 75% finer Note! Y This parameter is another measure of uniformity and is generally encountered in geological work but not frequently used by geotechnical engineers. Sieve Analysis (ASTM D422) A sieve analysis is a laboratory test that measures the particle size distribution of a soil by passing the soil through a series of sieves. ‘ASTM Standard Sieve Sieve Opening Size 3” Identification Tach mm Bin, 3.0 75.0 Coarse Gravel Zin, 2.0 50.0 3/4" L4in. 15 375 Lin, 1.0 25.0 3/4 in 0.75 19.0 ive) Gravel 3/Bin. 0.374 35 #4 #4 0.187 475 #8 0.0925, 2.36 Coarse Sand 0 0.0787 2.00 #10 #16 0.0865 1.18 #20 0.0335, 0.85 ‘Medium Sand #30 (0.0236 0.60 #40 #40 0.0167 0.425 #50 0.0118 0.30 Fine cand #60 0.00984 0.25 #100 0.00591 0.15 #200 #140 0.00417 0.106 Fines #200 0.00295 (0.075 fore Pan Note! The sieve number indicates the number of opening per inch. Many of you lacks wisdom, ask our generous God. He wil give it fo you and will not rebuke you for asking.—James 1: 5Hydrometer Analysis (ASTM D422) The hydrometer analysis is consists of placing a soil sample with known weight of soil into 1000mL graduated cylinder and filling it with water. The laboratory technician vigorously shakes the cylinder to place the soil particles in suspension. When the suspension reaches uniform density, the cylinder is placed upright and the sol particles begin to settle to the bottom. The downward motion is describe by using Stoke's Law. Particle Size Distribution Curves (% Sieve Passing — Sieve Opening Diagram) A. In determining the parameter above. Pecange past) 2 wo PETE Sap ow cabs | ous For USCS: Fin B. Analyzing the curve. 0 F Perertage paseo) ay > 8 = @ im » » ” v vio Ybor oo a 1 ny so PARES sop oe su sind eal canes : v =a a) Rea eee re reas [ae ie ‘Soll A-The curve indicates Fine Grained Soil Soil B—The curve indicates Coarse Grained Soil ‘Soil C-The curve indicates Well Graded Soil ‘Soil D-The curve indicates Poorly Graded Soil (Uniformly Graded Soil) Soil E-The curve indicates Gap Graded Soil Many of you lacks wisdom, ask our generous God. He will give itfe you and will not rebuke you for asking.—James 1: 5