PE = Plasticity Energy or Strain Energy & PI = Plasticity index.

Above they are both technical terms in Soil Mechanics.

Plasticity Energy or Strain Energy
Strain energy is defined as the energy stored in a body due to deformation. The strain energy per
unit volume is known as strain energy density and the area under the stress-strain curve towards the
point of deformation. When the applied force is released, the whole system returns to its original
shape. It is usually denoted by U.

( A ) The strain energy formula is given as,

U = Pδ / 2 = Fδ / 2A
Where,

U = Strain Energy. (Unit – J – Joule)

δ = Compression or Contraction or Suppression depth of Soil Sample under Applied Force. ( Unit –
mt. or mm)

F = force applied or Load applied. (Unit – Newton or Kgf.)

P = F/ A, ( F = Force or Load applied & A = Area upon Load applied in sq.mt. or sq.mm.)

( B ) When stress σ is proportional to strain ϵ, the strain energy formula is given by,

Where,

U = (V* σ* )/2
σ = stress

= strain

V = volume of body

( C ) Regarding Young’s modulus E, the strain energy formula is given as,

U = σ2 / 2E × V.

Where,

σ = stress,

E = Young’s modulus,

V = volume of body.

Therefore, U = 0.6 J.
Differential Free Swell (DFS in %) test is conducted as per IS: 2720 (Part XL) – 1977.
In this test the free swell index of a soil sample is determined which helps to identify the potential of
a soil to swell.

How to do it:

To determine the free swell index of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part XL) – 1977. Free swell or differential
free swell, also termed as free swell index, is the increase in volume of soil without any external
constraint when subjected to submergence in water. The apparatus used :

i) IS Sieve of size 425µm

ii) Oven

iii) Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g

iv) Graduated glass cylinder- 2 nos., each of 100ml capacity

strong>Procedure to determine Free Swell Index Of Soil i) Take two specimens of 10g each of
pulverised soil passing through 425µm IS Sieve and oven-dry.

ii) Pour each soil specimen into a graduated glass cylinder of 100ml capacity.

iii) Pour distilled water in one and kerosene oil in the other cylinder upto 100ml mark.

iv) Remove entrapped air by gently shaking or stirring with a glass rod.

v) Allow the suspension to attain the state of equilibrium (for not less than 24hours).

vi) Final volume of soil in each of the cylinder should be read out.

REPORTING OF RESULTS Free swell index (%) = {(Vd – Vk) / Vk} x 100%

where,

Vd = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing distilled water.
Vk = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing kerosene.
Free swelling index of soil samples obtained during boring have been presented in the test result. If
the D.F.S. value is more than 50% in that case engineer's provide pile foundation compulsory.

reported by

Er. Kanjakshya Biswal