Chapter 4 SOIL TEST AND SURVEY

Sieve Analysis is the process being used to determine the particle sizes of gravel and fine aggregates.

Stoke's Law, "The rate of settlement of solid through a given liquid or gas is proportional to the square of the
diameters of the solid." The AASHTO method as specified is called Hydrometer Test AASHTO designation T-88.

Liquid Limit Test The AASHTO designation T-89 on liquid limit signifies the percentage of moisture at which the
sample changes- by decreasing the water from liquid to plastic state.

Plastic Limit Test AASHTO Designation T-90 signifies the percentage of moisture wherein the sample changes with
lowering wetness from plastic to semi-solid condition. At this stage, the soil mortar starts to crumble when rolled
into threads 1/8" diameter"

Plastic Index Text AASHTO Designation T- 91 is defined as the numerical difference between its liquid limit and its
plastic limit. It is also referred to as the percentage of dry weight.

Shrinkage test measures the changes in volume and weight that occur as partly mixture of, soil and water (except
sieve No. 40). Sample is dried from the near liquid limit to constant weight of 110'C

Hand Feel Test Experienced soil Engineer employs the "hand feel test" to approximately predict the plasticity index
of the soil. The test may include

a) Thread toughness at moisture content approximating tlre plastic limit.

b) The air-dried strength.

c) Dilatancy

Sand Equivalent Test AASHTO Designation T-176 is for field determination of the presence of undesirable quantities
of clay-like materials in soil. Aggregate mixture is based on the volume, rather than on weight.

The Density of soil or weight per cubic foot varies with the peculiarities of the soil itself, the moisture content, and
the compacted device plus the method of their use.

Main Variables in the Soil Proper are:

1. Specific Gravity of the soil particles

2. Particle Size distribution of the soil
3. Grain Shape of Soil Particles

Laboratory Test for Soil Density

1. Laboratory test to set standard for density

2. Field test to measure the density of soil in-placed on the roadway.

Laboratory tests may be subdivided into three, according to the basis of compaction procedures

1. Static test.
2. Dynamic or impact test.
3. Tamping foot or kneading compaction test.

Static Test is determining the maximum density of soil sample in the laboratory.

Dynamic or Impact test. Samples of soils each containing a designated percentage of water are compacted in layers
into molds of specified size.

Tamping Foot or Kneading Compact Test. The material is fed into a rotating mold and compacted by several
repetitive loads applied through tamping shoe shaped like a sector of the circle

Field density test is the means of comparing the density with the laboratory results.
four factors that affect the accuracy of measuring relative density, they are:

1. Change in the soil itself.

2. The sampling methods.
3. The accuracy of laboratory testing for standard density.
4. The accuracy of testing field density.

California Bearing Ratio Method (CBR) combines a load deformation test performed in the laboratory with an
empirical design chart to determine the thickness of pavement base and other layers.

HVEEM Stabilometer Method This method measures the horizontal pressure developed in a short cylinder sample
loaded vertically on its end.

Tri-Axial Design Method This method is used by some agencies for compression tests (see AASHTO Designation T-
234)

Dynamic Modulus Re-compacted or undisturbed samples are tested to deter mine the influence of temperature,
degree of saturation, density, and age on the dynamic response of pavement materials.

Nuclear Devices Test Recently, Nuclear Devices for determining in-place densities and moisture contents are used.
The gauge readings are easily converted to density and prevent moisture using calibration curves or
microprocessors.

1. Soil conditions.
2. Directness of the route
3. Topography
4. Right of way.
5. Neighborhood disruption
6. Environmental consideration

A geophysical method used for sub-surface exploration called refraction seismic method relies on the principle that,
the speed of shock travelling through the earth surface varies, depending upon the kind of materials