Civil Engineering Department

Semester VI

Lab 1
Granulometric Analysis

Introduction
Granulometric Analysis (sieve analysis) is an experiment used in many
applications especially in civil engineering to determine the quality of the soil and
to determine its classification according to different available standards. It also
gives us information about the permeability and stability of the soil. This method
is used for particles of diameter >80μm.

Classification Standard: The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) is a soil

classification system used in engineering and geology to describe the texture and
grain size of a soil. It takes into consideration several factors and calculated
coefficients (Cu and Cc).

 coefficient of uniformity:
 coefficient of curvature:

where:
- D10: corresponding to diameter where 10% of the sample
has passed
- D30: corresponding to diameter where 30% of the sample
has passed
- D60: corresponding to diameter where 60% of the sample
has passed

Objective
The Sieve Analysis Test allows us to:

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 Determine the relative proportions of different grain sizes as they are

distributed among certain size ranges.
 Classify the soil (GW, GP, SW, SP…)
 Obtain data from the grain size distribution curves that will be used
in the design of filters for earth dams, in the suitability of soil for
road construction, and in the prediction of soil-water movement
(although permeability tests are more used).

Apparatus
 Stack of sieve including pan cover
 Balance with accuracy 0.001Kg
 Mechanical sieve shaker
 Extra pan for the whole sample
 Brush to poke soil particles out the openings

Procedure
1- Clean the sieves using cleaning brush if any particles are struck in the openings.

2- Measure the mass of the soil sample, sieves, and the receiving pan used.

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3- Arrange the sieves in order as the smaller openings sieve to the last and larger
openings sieve to the top.

4- Place the sample in the top sieve.

5- Put the whole set of sieves in the mechanical shaker and close the stack using a
lid.

6- Allow the shaker to work for a two minutes.

7- Remove the sieve set from the shaker and weigh each sieve.

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Calculations

Cumulative Retained Passing

Sieve Partial
Retained Percentage Percentage
size(mm) Mass(kg)
Mass(kg) (%) (%)

16 0.254 0.245 1.36 98.64

11.2 0.302 0.556 2.99 97.01
4.75 0.433 0.989 5.32 94.68
2 0.669 1.658 8.92 91.08
1.7 0.702 2.36 12.7 87.3
1.18 0.777 3.137 16.88 83.12
0.71 0.85 3.987 21.46 78.54
0.25 2.881 6.868 36.97 63.03
0.18 2.914 9.782 52.66 47.34
0.125 2.926 12.708 68.41 31.59
0.09 2.932 15.648 84.24 15.76
Pan 2.935 18.575 100 0
Total 18.575 - - -

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Size Distribution
100

90

80
Cumulative Passing mass(%)

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Equivelant Diameter(mm)

Results:
Total mass = 3.808 kg

Pan mass = 0.873 kg

Sample mass = 2.935 kg

D10 = 0.085

D30 = 0.13

D50 = 0.19

D60 = 0.23

Cu = = 2.7

Coefficient of curvature:

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Cc = = 0.864

D50 = 190 µm > 80 µm  grained soil

%percentage < 2mm = 91.08 >50%  sand

%percentage < 80µm >12%

Therefore the soil is considered of double classification and double symbol

SA/SL – Lp/Lt/Ap/At

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Lab 2
Oedometer Compression Test
Introduction:
An oedometer test is a kind of geotechnical investigation performed in
geotechnical engineering that measures a soil's consolidation properties.
Oedometer tests are performed by applying different loads to a soil sample and
measuring the deformation response. The results from these tests are used to
predict how a soil in the field will deform in response to a change in effective
stress.

Oedometer tests are designed to simulate the one-dimensional deformation and

drainage conditions that soils experience in the field. The soil sample in an
oedometer test is typically a circular disc of diameter-to-height ratio of about 3:1.
The sample is held in a rigid confining ring, which prevents lateral displacement
of the soil sample, but allows the sample to swell or compress vertically in
response to changes in applied load. Known vertical stresses are applied to the top
and bottom faces of the sample, typically using free weights and a lever arm. The
applied vertical stress is varied and the change of the thickness of the sample is
measured.

Objective:

Determine Cs and Cc of a given sample of soil from the compressibility curve.

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Procedure:
we apply successive vertical charges each time doubling the masses (2, 4,8,16) kg.

After the application of each single charge we measure the settlement of the soil
after complete stabilization (end of the consolidation phase).

We then trace the curve of consolidation to get the values of Cs and Cc.

Apparatus
The oedometer consists of:
 a specimen where the soil sample is placed no revised
 porous stone used to allow for drainage of loads application
 a fixed ring that prevents lateral deformation

Collected Data:
The applied force is 10

The stress is force over surface. The force is applied on a circular disk of diameter
10 cm which means ;

= initial height of the sample= 2.7 cm

d = 7.1 cm
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Charge (kg) stress (Mpa) settlement Δh (%)

(mm)
2 0.05 0.43 1.6
4 0.1 0.64 2.37
8 0.2 1.15 4.25
16 0.4 1.68 6.2
Discharge (kg) Stress (Mpa) settlement Δh (%)
(mm)
8 0.2 1.68 6.2
4 0.1 1.54 5.7
2 0.05 1.49 5.51

Charge (kg) Stress (Mpa) settlement Δh (%)

(mm)
4 0.1 1.5 5.55
8 0.2 1.56 5.7
16 0.4 1.65 6.1
24 0.6 2.08 7.7

32 0.8 2.51 9.3

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Stress-Settlement
10
9
8
7
6
5
%

4
3
2
1
0
0.01 0.1 1
stress

Conclusion:
: Coefficient of consolidation

: Coefficient of swelling

 slope of the tangent at the load

⁄


⁄

The intersection of the 2 tangents drawn from the 2 curves, gives the point

correspond to the preconsolidation stress.

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Lab 3
Shear Box Test

Introduction:

The test is carried out on either undisturbed samples or remolded samples. To

facilitate the remolding purpose, a soil sample may be compacted at optimum
moisture content in a compaction mold. Then specimen for the direct shear test
could be obtained using the correct cutter provided. Alternatively, sand sample can
be placed in a dry state at a required density, in the assembled shear box.
A normal load is applied to the specimen and the specimen is sheared across the
pre-determined horizontal plane between the two halves of the shear box.
Measurements of shear load, shear displacement and normal displacement are
recorded. The test is repeated foe two or more identical specimens under different
normal loads. From the results, the shear strength parameters can be determined.

OBJEVTIVES
To determine the shear strength parameters for a given soil using the direct shear
test.

Theory:

The strength of a soil depends on its resistance to shearing stresses. It is made up

of basically the components;
1. Frictional – due to friction between individual particles.
2. Cohesive - due to adhesion between the soil particles

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The two components are combined in Coulomb’s shear strength equation,

Where shearing resistance of soil at failure

c = apparent cohesion of soil
= total normal stress on failure plane
ø = angle of shearing resistance of soil (angle of internal friction)
This equation can also be written in terms of effective stresses.

Where c’ = apparent cohesion of soil in terms of effective stresses

= effective normal stress on failure plane
ø’ = angle of shearing resistance of soil in terms of effective stress
=
= pore water pressure on failure plan

Materials and Equipment:

• Direct shear device.

• Load and deformation dial gauges.

• Soil sample.

• Balance.

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Procedure:
1.Assemble the shear box

2. Compact the soil sample in mold after bringing it to optimum moisture

condition

3. Carefully transfer the sample into shear box

4. Place the loading plate on top of the upper porous plate. After recording the
weight of the loading carrier place it is on the loading cap.

5. Position all dial gauges and set the readings to zero. Remove the alignment
screws which hold two halves of the shear box together

6. Tighten the remaining, two diagonally opposite screws, until there is a small
gap between upper and lower boxes to reduce the frictional force

7. Apply the desired normal load. If there is any vertical displacement, wait till the
dial gauges indicate a constant reading and then reset the dial gauge to zero

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8. Check that screws have been removed and then start the motor to produce the
desired constant rate of shearing

9. Take readings of:

a) Shear load from the proving ring

b) Shear displacement (i.e. Horizontal displacement)

c) Vertical displacement at every 10 division increment in horizontal dial gauge

10. Stop the test when the shear load starts to reduce or remains constant for at
least three Readings

11. Remove the soil and repeat the procedure with different normal loads at least
for another two samples

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Results and Analysis:

Test 1:

h=3.3cm

S=6*6 cm2

Velocity =10mm/min

Mass of sample=224g

Mass applied= 8kg

Normal stress σ

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M ΔL (µm) ΔH Effort τ=F/S εa εh=ΔH/H Section corrigée

(kg) (mm) (N) (kpa) =ΔL/L (%) (mm²)
(%)
8 0 0 0 0 0 0 60*60=3600
0.5 10 86 23.8 0.833 0.3 3599.97
1 3.2 117 32.5 1.666 0.09 3599.94
1.5 3.2 140 38.8 2.5 0.09 3599.91
2 0 171 47.5 3.333 0 3599.88
2.5 14 198 55 4.166 0.42 3599.85
3 11 199 55.2 5 0.33 3599.82
3.5 22 226 62.7 5.833 0.66 3599.79
4 37 230 63.8 6.666 1.12 3599.76
4.5 31 228 63.3 7.5 0.93 3599.73
5 47 223 61.9 8.333 1.42 3599.7
5.5 44 217 60.2 9.166 1.33 3599.67
6 40 210 58.3 10 1.21 3599.64
6.5 40 200 55.5 10.833 1.21 3599.61
7 40 194 53.8 11.666 1.21 3599.58
7.5 40 192 53.3 12.5 1.21 3599.55
8 40 190 52.7 13.333 1.21 3599.52

τKpa
70
60
50
τmax=63.8kpa
40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
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∆h/h %
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
-20
Δl/l (%)

Test 2:

h=3.2cm

S=6*6cm

Velocity =10mm/min

Mass of sample= 217.6g

Mass applied= 20kg

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M ΔL µ ΔH Effort τ F S ε ε ΔH H Section corrigée

(kg) (mm) (N) (kpa) ΔL L (%) (mm²)
(%)
20 0 0 0 0 0 0 60*60=3600
0.5 0 123 34.16 0.833 0 3599.97
1 2 149 41.3 1.666 0.058 3599.94
1.5 6 228 63.3 2.5 0.176 3599.91
2 12 269 74.7 3.333 0.352 3599.88
2.5 18 296 82.2 4.166 0.529 3599.85
3 24 297 81.6 5 0.705 3599.82
3.5 27 306 85 5.833 0.794 3599.79
4 27.9 288 80 6.666 0.82 3599.76
4.5 28 267 73.3 7.5 0.823 3599.73
5 27.5 254 70.5 8.333 0.808 3599.7
5.5 26 245 68 9.166 0.764 3599.67
6 25 243 67.5 10 0.735 3599.64
6.5 24 242 67.2 10.833 0.705 3599.61
7 23 240 66.66 11.666 0.676 3599.58
7.5 22.3 235 65.2 12.5 0.655 3599.55
8 21 234 65 13.333 0.617 3599.52

τmax = 82.2kpa

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τKpa
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6Δl/l (%) 8 10 12 14

∆h/h %
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
-0.1 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Δl/l (%)

Test 3:

h=3.3cm

S=6*6cm

Velocity=10mm/min

Mass applied = 12kg

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M ΔL µ ΔH Effort τ F S ε ε ΔH H Section corrigée

(kg) (mm) (N) (kpa) ΔL L (%) (mm²)
(%)
12 0 0 0 0 0 0 6*6=36
0.5 5 93 25.8 0.833 0.15 3599.97
1 5 124 34.4 1.666 0.15 3599.94
1.5 5 148 41.1 2.5 0.15 3599.91
2 5 181 50.27 3.333 0.15 3599.88
2.5 6 197 54.7 4.166 0.18 3599.85
3 7 206 57.2 5 0.21 3599.82
3.5 7 214 59.4 5.833 0.21 3599.79
4 1 215 59.7 6.666 0.03 3599.76
4.5 0 202 56.1 7.5 0 3599.73
5 0 183 50.8 8.333 0 3599.7
5.5 0 177 49.1 9.166 0 3599.67
6 0 178 49.4 10 0 3599.64
6.5 0 186 51.6 10.833 0 3599.61
7 1 185 51.3 11.666 1 3599.58
7.5 2 183 50.8 12.5 2 3599.55
8 3 186 51.67 13.333 3 3599.52

τmax=59.7kpa

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τ Kpa
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Δl/l (%)

∆h/h %
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
-0.5
Δl/l (%)

k τmax(kpa)

21.83 63.8

54.5 85

32.7 59.7

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τmax(kpa)
90
80 y = 0.7223x + 43.248
R² = 0.7832
70
60
Axis Title

50
40 ꚍmax(kpa)
30 Linear (ꚍmax(kpa))
20
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Axis Title

τ = c + σtanυ

τ =0.7223σ+43.248

Then, c=43.248 tanυ=0.7223 thus υ=35.84°

Conclusion:

In the above experiment the obtained cohesion of soil tested is c=43.248 which
indicates that this soil sample is cohesive (clay).

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Lab 4
Permeability Measurement

Introduction
The constant head permeability test is a common laboratory testing method used to
determine the permeability of granular soils like sands and gravels containing little
or no silt. This testing method is made for testing reconstituted or disturbed
granular soil samples.

The constant head permeability test involves flow of water through a column of
cylindrical soil sample under the constant pressure difference. The test is carried
out in the permeability cell, or permeameter, which can vary in size depending on
the grain size of the tested material. The soil sample has a cylindrical form with its
diameter being large enough in order to be representative of the tested soil. The
testing apparatus is equipped with an adjustable constant head reservoir and an
outlet reservoir which allows maintaining a constant head during the test. The
permeability cell is also equipped with a loading piston that can be used to apply
constant axial stress to the sample during the test. During the test, the amount of
water flowing through the soil column is measured for given time intervals.

Knowing the height of the soil sample column L, the sample cross section S, and
the constant pressure difference Δh, the volume of passing water Q, and the time
interval Δt, one can calculate the permeability of the sample as

Δ
Δ Δ S Δ Δ S

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Objective
To determine the coefficient of permeability of a soil using constant head method.

Description of Test
There are two general types of permeability test methods that are routinely
performed in the laboratory:

- The constant head test method. The constant head test method is used for
permeable soils (k>10-4 cm/s) and
- The falling head test is mainly used for less permeable soils (k<10-4 cm/s).

Materials
- Permeameter
- Tamper
- Balance
- Scoop
- 1000 mL Graduated cylinders
- Watch (or Stopwatch)

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Procedure

 Fill reservoir to the outlet level with water. Place the perforated
plate on the specimen and place the mold and specimen on the “U”
shaped hanger to give a head of water . Level the mold with the aid
of the nuts on the three vertical studs, and introduce water to the top
of the specimen.
 Allow percolation for some time to ensure a high degree of
saturation and uniformity of test results.
 Allow water to run into the intake reservoir at a rate slightly faster
than the rate of flow through the specimen. Waste the excess
through the intake overflow tube into the sink. The outlet reservoir
must be full to the point of overflow before the test is begun. The
excess water from the outlet reservoir during the test is the amount
that has flowed through the specimen.

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 Determine the quantity of flow (Q) by means of either a graduated

container or by weighing, and determine the elapsed time (t) for the
quantity of flow. Record these determinations.
 Make several test runs and average the results. If the first reading
gives a much higher permeability than the second or third readings,
disregard the first reading. The second and third readings are usually
in close agreement. Subsequent readings after a prolonged period of
time will show a considerable decrease in the rate flow. This
decrease in flow is probably due to entrapped air or migration of
fines to the bottom of the test specimen.
 Record the head of water (H) and height of sample (L).

Results
Sample diameter = 9 cm
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Section height = 20cm

Δh = 166 cm

Area = π*r^2 = 63.6 cm2

volume(ml) Time(sec) Permeability K

150 120 2.37*10^-3

210 45 1.98*10^-3

Conclusion
Δ
Δ Δ S Δ Δ S

k = coefficient of permeability,

Q = quantity of water discharged,

L = distance between manometers,

S = cross-sectional area of specimen,

Δt = interval time of discharge,

Δh = difference in head on manometers.

The average of the calculated permeabilities gives the approximate correct

permeability of the sample:

K=2.175*10^-3 cm/s

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