CHAPTER THREE

BASIC GEO-ENGINEERING CHARACTERISTICS

3.1: Introduction
The engineering properties are essentially a function of the physical and chemical
characteristics of soil deposits. Smith (1985) pointed out that meaningful research into
the engineering properties should be multi-disciplinary and include geotechnical,
engineering and mineralogy of the soils. There are various standard methods, which
are used to determine the engineering properties of the material i. e. ASTM, BS etc.

In this research work, ASTM methods have chosen for the laboratory investigation.
The geotechnical properties such as grain size analysis, specific gravity, moisture
content, atterberg limits and activity of Clay have been presented, compared and
evaluated in this chapter. The borehole stratigraphy is related to the geotechnical
properties of the soil which also discussed in this chapter.

3.2: Borehole stratigraphy

Stratigraphy of the study area is revealed from the rocks encountered in the borehole
of the area. Six borings, each extending to the depth of 60’-0” have been selected and
executed as per direction of authority. The detailed bore log characteristics are
attached in the Appendix-A. The stratigraphic succession of the area is given in the
table 3.1.

Table 3.1: The Stratigraphic Succession of the study area base on borelog data.
Unit Rock Type Lithologic Description Symbol
Pale red ash spotted medium plastic stiff to very
Soft to stiff
C stiff clay with small amount medium plastic
Clay
soft clay at the top.
Medium Pale reddish yellow low to medium stiff/dense
B
dense Silt silt; trace fine sand, little clay.
Yellow to light reddish yellow medium dense to
A Fine sand
dense fine sand with little silt.

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Individual rock unit has different lithology of the study area from six boreholes and
other characteristics that are described below:-

UNIT A: Mainly very fine sand and some silt constitute the unit. Sand is yellow to
light reddish yellow and light yellow in color, dense to very dense in nature, and very
fine grained. Some silt is also present in this unit. The top of this unit ranges from 40
to 50 feet.

UNIT B: Unit B overlies the unit A in this section. The unit is mainly composed of
pale reddish yellow low to medium stiff/dense silt; trace fine sand, little clay. The fine
sand percentage increases in the lower part of this unit. The top of this unit lies at
depth 20 feet from the surface.

UNIT C: Unit C overlies the unit B. The unit is mainly composed of pale red ash
spotted medium plastic stiff to very stiff clay with small amount medium plastic soft
clay at the top. The bottom of this unit lies at depth 15 to 20 feet from the surface.

3.3: Moisture Content

The moisture content values have been determined by oven drying method and all the
test results are presented in table 3.2. The natural moisture content values of the soils
lie between 19.6% to 25.60% are vary at different depths and at different boreholes
are shown in (table 3.2 and figure 3.1 & 3.2).

Table 3.2: Moisture content values of the studied soil samples.

BH. No. Sample No. Depth (ft) Natural Moisture Content (%)
UD-1 8.5 22.26
1
UD-2 13.5 20.58
UD-1 8.5 25.60
2
UD-2 13.5 21.18
UD-1 8.5 21.6
3
UD-2 13.5 20.46
UD-1 8.5 21.48
4
UD-2 13.5 21.13
UD-1 8.5 20.55
5
UD-2 13.5 20.43
UD-1 8.5 22.13
6
UD-2 13.5 19.6

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The studied area considered to be Madhupur Clay according to its various
characteristics. WASA (1991) reported that the moisture content of the Madhupur
clay ranges from 25% to 31%. Hague (1994) mentioned that the natural moisture
content of the Madhupur clay formation lies between 18% to 28%. Islam (1997)
mentioned that the natural moisture. Nairuzzaman (2000) pointed out that the natural
moisture contents of Madhupur clay ranges from 16% to 29%. Ahammed, et al.
(2006) mentioned that the natural moisture content of the Madhupur clay formation
lies between 13% to 30%. The obtained results are very much closer to that of Haque
(1994), Islam (1997), Nairuzzaman (2000) and Ahammed, et al. (2006).

Moisture Content (%)

18 20 22 24 26
8

10
Depth (ft)

11
BH-3

12 BH-1

13 BH-2

14

Figure 3.1: Variation of moisture content values with respect to depth for the
samples of BH-01 to BH-03.

Moisture Content (%)

18 20 22 24
8

10
Depth (ft)

11 BH-6

12 BH-4

BH-5
13

14

Figure 3.2: Variation of moisture content values with respect to depth for the
samples of BH-04 to BH-06.

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3.4: Particle Size Analysis
The particle size distribution of all the samples of the study area is listed in table 3.3
and the distribution characteristics are shown in Appendix-B. The variations of the
grain size (sand & silt) with respect to depth are shown in figures 3.3 to 3.6. Sand
percentages range from 3% to 82% and the values are increased with increasing depth
which is shown in figure 3.3 & 3.4. Silt percentages range from 18% to 74% and the
values are decreased with increasing depth (figure 3.5 & 3.6). The clay percentage
ranges from 22% to 25%.

Table 3.3: Grain size distributions of the study area.

Grain percent (%) Grading Properties
BH Sample Depth
Sand Silt Clay Cg = D302
no. no. (ft) Cu=D60/D10
(%) (%) (%) D10.D60
UD-1 8.5 3 72 25 - -
1
D-25 25 34 66 00 6.5 1.66
D-12 60 82 18 00 2.43 0.97
D-6 30 35 65 00 5.34 1.49
2
D-9 45.0 74 26 00 3.03 1.16
UD-1 8.5 3 74 23 - -
3 D-9 45.0 30 70 00 8.13 1.51
D-11 55.0 53 47 00 3.57 1.08
4 D-5 25.0 28 72 00 9.35 1.23
D-10 50.0 58 42 00 6.11 1.26
D-3 15.0 4 74 22 - -
5
D-12 60.0 68 32 00 3.70 1.71
UD-1 8.5 4 72 24 - -
6
D-11 55.0 79 21 00 2.5 1.11

Grim (1962) noted that the grain size or the fineness of particles largely affects limit
values and permeability values of a soil. According to Young & Warkentin (1975),
particle size distribution influences the strength and compressibility of soils both of
which are important in the consideration of bearing and stability of engineering
purposes.

Serajuddin and Ahmed (1967) mentioned that the Madhupur clay consists of 5% to
45% clay fractions. WASA (1991) pointed out that the Madhupur clay consists of 5%
to 18% clay fractions. Haque (1994) suggested that the Madhupur clay consists of
10% to 15% clay fractions. Islam (1997) mentioned that the Madhupur clay consists

17
of 8% to 27.6% clay fractions. Nairuzzaman (2000) pointed out that the Madhupur
clay consists of 3% to 15.75% clay fraction. The obtained clay percentages are very
closer to the value determined by WASA (1991), Haque (1994), Islam (1997), and
Nairuzzaman (2000).

The co-efficient of uniformity (Cu) and co-efficient of gradation (Cg) have been
determined and the values are presented in table 3.3. The values of the co-efficient of
uniformity range between 2.43 to 9.35 and the values of co-efficient of gradation
range from 0.97 to 1.71. The clay percentages are not found for each sample in the
study area, so co-efficient of uniformity (C u) and co-efficient of gradation (C g) can not
measure accurately.

Sand (%)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
0

10
BH-3
20
BH-1
Depth (ft)

30 BH-2

40

50

60

70

Figure 3.3: Variation of sand percentages for the samples of BH-01 to BH-03.

Sand (%)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
0

10
BH-6
20
Depth (ft)

BH-4
30
BH-5
40

50

60

70

Figure 3.4: Variation of sand percentages for the samples of BH-04 to BH-06.

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 Silt (%)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
0

10 BH-3
BH-1
20
BH-2
Depth (ft)

30

40

50

60

70

Figure 3.5: Variation of silt percentages (%) for the samples of BH-01 to BH-03.

Silt (%)
15 25 35 45 55 65 75
0

10

20
Depth (ft)

30

40
BH-6
50 BH-4

60 BH-5

70

Figure 3.6: Variation of silt percentages (%) for the samples of BH-04 to BH-06.

Smith (1990) mentioned that if C u < 4.0, then the soil is uniformly graded and C u >
4.0, represents well grading. But according to Whitlow (1990), C u < 3.0 represents
uniform grading and Cu > 5.0 represents well grading soil. Whitlow (1990) also
mentioned that most well graded soils will have the value of ‘C g’ between 0.5 to 2.0.
The obtained values of ‘Cu‘and ‘Cg’ for the studied clay soils suggest that it is
uniformly graded to well graded according to Smith (1990) and Whitlow (1990).

3.5: Specific Gravity

The observed specific gravity values of all samples are in the range of 2.61 to 2.66
and are shown in table 3.4. The small variations of specific gravity may be due to the

19
variation of size range, depths, the technique of pretest preparation and testing
procedure, types of clay minerals and due to the degree of desiccation (Gidigasu,
1976). The specific gravity values decrease with increasing depth (figures 3.7 & 3.8).

Table: 3.4: Specific gravity values of the study area.

BH. No. Sample no. Depth (ft) Specific Gravity Values
UD-1 8.5 2.66
D-5 25.0 2.63
1
D-12 60.0 2.61
D-6 30.0 2.63
2 D-9 45.0 2.61
UD-1 8.5 2.66
D-9 45.0 2.63
3
D-11 55.0 2.62
D-5 25.0 2.64
4
D-10 50.0 2.62
D--3 15.0 2.65
5
D-12 60.0 2.62
UD-1 8.5 2.66
6
D-11 55.0 2.60

Lambe (1956) mentioned that the specific gravity value of most soil lies between 2.65
to 2.85. Grim (1962) pointed out that the specific gravity values of all clay minerals
vary within the range from 2.5 to 2.8. Bowles (1984) pointed out that the specific
gravity of soils generally ranges from 2.55 to 2.80 but most soils being between 2.60
to 2.75. Haque (1994) mentioned that the specific gravity values of the Madhupur
clay formation lie between 2.37 to 2.63. Islam (1997) mentioned that the specific
gravity of the Madhupur clay formation ranges from 2.51 to 2.70. Nairuzzaman
(2000) pointed out that the specific gravity of Madhupur clay value ranges from 2.44
to 2.71. The observed value of studied area is very close to the values of Bolwles
(1984) & Islam (1997) and also consistent with the quoted values of Islam (1997) &
Nairuzzaman (2000).

Gidigasu (1976) reported that the specific gravity of illite is 2.64 to 3.00, chlorite is
2.60 to 3.00, kaolinite is 2.60 to 2.68 and of montmoritlonite is 2.22 to 2.75. The
obtained values are closer to the values recommended by Gidigasu (1976) for
kaolinite. Haque (1994) also mentioned that the Madhupur clay soil is illitic and
kaolinitic in mineralogical composition. So the present investigation is satisfactory.

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 Spe cific Gravity
2.6 2.61 2.62 2.63 2.64 2.65 2.66 2.67
0

10

20
Depth (ft)

BH-3
30
BH-1
40
BH-2

50

60

70

Figure 3.7: Variation of specific gravity values for the samples of BH-01 to BH-03.

Specific Gravity
2.59 2.6 2.61 2.62 2.63 2.64 2.65 2.66 2.67
0

10

20
BH-6
Depth (ft)

30
BH-4

40 BH-5

50

60

70

Figure 3.8: Variation of specific gravity values for the samples of BH-04 to BH-06.

3.6: Atterberg limits

An important index test for clayey soils the Atterberg limit test or Consistency test
which is used to describe the physical state i.e. the degree of coherence between
particles of a soil at a given moisture content and examines the effect of changes in
moisture content on the plasticity of clay soils. There are three Atterberg limits-
a) Liquid limit, b) Plastic limit and c) Plasticity index.

3.6.1: Liquid Limit (LL)

The obtained test results are given in table 3.5 with others atterberg limit values. The
liquid limit values range from 28% to 48%. The difference of liquid limit values for
these boreholes is negligible which is shown in figure 3.9 & 3.10.

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Table 3.5: Atterberg consistency limit values of the study area.
Atterberg Limit
BH Sample Depth
no. no. (ft) Liquid Limit Plastic Limit Plasticity
(%) (%) Index (%)
D-1 5 47.00 33.00 14.00
1
UD-2 13.5 45.00 33.50 12.00
UD-1 8.5 48.00 34.00 14.00
2
UD-2 13.5 47.00 33.00 14.00
D-1 5 48.00 34.00 14.00
3
UD-2 13.5 46.00 33.00 13.00
D-1 5.0 48.00 35.00 13.00
4 D-4 20.0 28.00 22.00 6.00
UD-1 8.5 48.00 34.00 14.00
5
UD-2 13.5 46.00 33.00 13.00
D-1 5.0 48.00 34.00 13.00
6
D-3 15.0 47 34 13.00

The liquid limit values of any clay mineral may vary over a wide range, even for a
given absorbed cation type (Mitchell, 1976). For any given clay mineral, the range in
liquid limit values is greater than the range in plastic limit values. Grim (1962) also
mentioned that there is no single liquid limit that is characteristic of a particular clay
mineral.

British Standard 1377 (1975) and Head (1992) mentioned that in low plasticity clays
the liquid limit is <30%, in intermediate plasticity clays, the liquid limit ranges from
30% to 50% and the high plasticity clays, the liquid limit is >50%. The obtained
results suggest that the studied soil is intermediate plasticity silty clay. Only one
sample of BH-4 (depth 20ft) shows low plasticity nature (LL-28%).

Serajuddin and Ahmed (1967) mentioned that the liquid limit value of Madhupur clay
ranges from 26% to 66%. Wasa (1991) reported that the liquid limit value of the
Madhupur clay ranges from 47% to 52%. Haque (1994) determined that the liquid
limit values of the Madhupur clay formation lie between 30% to 51% in Casagrande
method where as 46.5% to 60% in cone penetrometer method. Islam (1997)
mentioned that the liquid limit values of the Madhupur clay formation range from
32.24% to 62.68%. Nairuzzaman (2000) pointed out that the liquid limit value of
Madhupur clay value ranges from 28.5% to 59%, average 45.72%. Ahammed, et al.

22
(2006) reported that liquid limit value of the Madhupur clay formation lies between
36.25% to 60.27%. The observed values are closer to the quoted values of Serajuddin
and Ahmed (1967), Haque (1994), Islam (1997) and Nairuzzaman (2000).

Grim (1962) pointed out that the liquid limit values for montmorillonites vary from
about 119% to 700%; for illites from 29% to 100% and for kaolinites from 35% to
75% and for illite-montmorillonite mixture from 48% to 62%. For some natural
mixture of illites, Grim (1962) quoted the liquid limit values range from 52% to 60%.
The obtained values are closer to the values recommended by Grim (1962) for
kaolinite and illite which also consistent with the Madhupur clay soil.

Liquid Limit (%)

30 35 40 45 50
0
2
4
6
Depth (ft)

8
10 BH-3

12 BH-1

14 BH-2

16

Figure 3.9: Variation of liquid limit (%) values for the samples of BH-01 to BH-03.

Liquid Limit (%)

20 25 30 35 40 45 50
0

5
Depth (ft)

10

15
BH-6

BH-4
20
BH-5

25

Figure 3.10: Variation of liquid limit (%) values for the samples of BH-04 to BH-06.

23
3.6.2: Plastic limit (PL)
The obtained results are shown in table 3.5 with liquid limit, plasticity index and
liquidity index values. The plastic limit values for the samples of different boreholes
range from 22% to 35%. The variation of plastic limit values with respect to
boreholes is shown in figure 3.11 & 3.12.

Serajuddin and Ahmed (1967) mentioned that the plastic limit value of Madhupur
clay from lies between 5% to 27%. Wasa (1991) reported that the plastic limit value
of the Madhupur clay ranges from 25% to 26%. Haque (1994) determined that the
plastic limit values of the Madhupur clay formation lie between 30% to 51%. Islam
(1997) mentioned that the plastic limit values range from 14.89% to 23.23% for the
Madhupur clay of the Gazipur area. Nairuzzaman (2000) pointed out that the plastic
limit value of Madhupur clay value ranges from 18.3% to 34.77%; average is 25.57%.
Ahammed, et al. (2006) reported that plastic limit value of the Madhupur clay
formation ranges from 16.54% to 20.0%. The observed plastic limit values of the
studied area are closer to the quoted values of Nairuzzaman(2000).

Craig (1990) mentioned that most fine-grained soils exist naturally in the plastic state
and the plasticity due to the presence of clay minerals or organic minerals. The soil
exhibits no permanent deformation and simply fracture with no plastic deformation
(Smith, 1990). White (1955) mentioned that the plastic limit values of
montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite range from 51% to 97%, 34% to 43% and 26% to
38% respectively. Grim (1962) pointed out that montmorillonites and illites have
higher plastic limits, whereas kaolinite have generally lower values. He also
mentioned that the plastic limit values vary from 48% to 97% for montmorillonites,
21% to 26% for illites, and 30% to 37% for kaolinite and from 25% to 36% for
mixtures of illite and montmorillonite. Gillot (1987) pointed out that plastic limit
values vary from about 60% to 100% for montmorrilonite, about 35% to 50% for illite
and from 25% to 35% for kaolinite.

The obtained values are closer to the values recommended by White (1955), Grim
(1962) and Gillot (1987) for kaolinite and illite. The results are also consistent with the
mineralogy of Madhupur clay soil.

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 Plastic Limit (%)
32.8 33 33.2 33.4 33.6 33.8 34 34.2
0
2
4
Depth (ft)

6
8
10 BH-3
12 BH-1

14 BH-2

16

Figure 3.11: Variation of plastic limit (%) values for the samples of BH-01 to BH-03.

Plastic Limit (%)

20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36
0

5
Depth (ft)

10

15 BH-6

BH-4
20
BH-5

25

Figure 3.12: Variation of plastic limit (%) values for the samples of BH-04 to BH-06.

3.6.3: Plasticity index (PI)

The obained plasticity index values generally lie between 6% to 14% and the results
are shown in table 3.5. The variation of plasticity index values with respect to
boreholes is shown in figure 3.13 & 3.14.

Serajuddin and Ahmed (1967) mentioned that the plasticity index value of Madhupur
Clay ranges from 9% to 38%. WASA (1991) reported that the plasticity index value
of the Madhupur Clay ranges from 22% to 26% whereas Haque (1994) determined
that the plasticity index values lie between 10% to 31%. Islam (1997) mentioned that
the plasticity index values of the Madhupur Clay formation of the Gazipur area range

25
from 11.35% to 39.13%. Nairuzzaman (2000) pointed out that the plasticity index
value of Madhupur clay ranges from 10.2% to 27.4%. In the present study, the
obtained values of plasticity index are less to the value recommended by Serajuddin
and Ahmed (1967), Haque (1994), Islam (1997) and Nairuzzaman (2000).

According to Bell (2000), if the plasticity index value <1%, then the soil termed as
non-plastic. Similarly if it is 1% to 7%, 7% to 17%, 17% to 35% and >35% then
termed as slightly plastic, moderately plastic, highly plastic and extremely plastic. So,
the studied soil might be moderately plastic in nature according to Bell (2000).

Plasticity Index (%)

11.5 12 12.5 13 13.5 14 14.5
0

2 BH-3

4 BH-1
BH-2
6
Depth (ft)

8
10

12
14

16

Figure 3.13: Variation of plasticity index (%) values for the samples of BH-01 to
BH-03.

Plasticity Index (%)

5 7.5 10 12.5 15
0

5
Depth (ft)

10

15
B H-6
B H-4
20 B H-5

25

Figure 3.14: Variation of plasticity index (%) values for the samples of BH-04 to
BH-06.

26
Grim (1962) mentioned that montmorillonite has a plasticity index value of 75% to
600%, illite 23% to 50%, kaolinite has 1% to 40%, with usual value of about 25%.
Grim (1962) also pointed out that the illite-smectite mixture shows higher plasticity
index value. The obtained values are closer to the values recommended by Grim
(1962) for kaolinite.

3.7: Engineering soil classification of the studied samples

From the plasticity chart, (after BS 5930, 1981) as shown in figure 3.15, it is observed
that most of the plotted values lie below the ‘A’-line. According to British soil
classification system, the soils of the study area can be characterized as intermediate
plasticity silt. The studied soils are classified as MI from their position on the
plasticity chart.
Plasticity index (%)

Liquid Limit (%)

Figure 3.15: Plasticity chart of the studied clay soils [modified after BS 5930,
(1981)].

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