EXERCISE 11

In Place Density of Soil Determination

Objective:

Discussion:

The determination of in place density is under taken to determine the density of soil inside. This test
will be used as a guide to determine the shear strength of coarse grained soil. The test is usually done
for borrow pits to determine if compaction effort has been adequately done.

Apparatus:

1. Digging tools
2. Density apparatus
3. Sand
4. Balance
5. Drying equipment
6. Miscellaneous equipment

Procedure:

A. Volume of Jar Determination

1. Weigh the jar and funnel.
2. Fill the jar with water the remove excess water and weigh jar filled with water.
3. Determine temperature of water.
4. Repeat procedures 1 to 3 twice and get the average weight.
B. Bulk Density of Sand Determination

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1. Place the apparatus upright and fill the funnel with sand.
2. Open the valve and, keeping funnel half full, fill the apparatus.
3. Close valve suddenly and empty excess sand.
4. Determine net mass of sand by weighing the apparatus

Mass of Sand required to Fill Funnel

1. Put sand in apparatus and invert apparatus on a plain level and plain surface.
2. Open the valve and keep open until after sand stops running, and close valve sharply.
3. Weigh the apparatus with remaining sand and determine the loss of sand. This amount is
required mass to fill the funnel.

Density of Soil in In Place Determination

1. Level the surface so that it is of level plane.

 2. Invert apparatus and place it on the ground and mark the outline of the funnel.
3. Dig a hole bounded by the funnel, being very careful to avoid disturbing the soil around the
hole. Place all the soil dug up on a container and clean the hole.
4. Place apparatus with the funnel in contact with the ground and open valve, and after sand
has stopped flowing, close the valve.
5. Weigh the apparatus with remaining sand and determine mass of sand used in test.
6. Weigh the material that was removed from the test hole.
7. Secure a representative sample for moisture determination.
8. Dry and weigh the sample.

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Calculation:

V1= volume of the density apparatus in cu. Cm.

G= grams of water required to fill apparatus
T= water temperature & volume correction
V1= G x T
Calculation of the bulk density of the sand is as follows.
W1=62.427 W2
V1
W1= bulk density of sand in pound per cubic feet
W2= grams of sand required to fill apparatus
V1= volume of apparatus in cu. cm.

Calculation of the moisture content and the dry mass of material removed from test hole.
WO= W3-W4/W4 X 100
WO= % moisture of material from test hole
W3= moist of moisture sample in grams

W6= 2205 w5 / W0 + 100

W4= dry mass of moisture sample in grams
W5= moist mass material from test hole grams
W6= dry mass of material form test hole in pounds
W7= grams of sand used
W8= grams of sand in funnel

Calculation of the in place dry density of the material tested is as follows:

V= W7 – W8 / 453.6 W1

Dry Density W = W6 /V

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EXERCISE 12
California Bearing Ratio Test

Objective:

Discussion:

The determination of the California Bearing Ratio is usually associated with the design of flexible
pavements. The CBR is determined as a ratio of the percentage of the subgrade and the wearing surface
loads. As soon as CBR value is known the thickness of the subgrade for specific wheel load is
determined.

Apparatus:
1. CBR mold
2. Hammer
3. Spacer disk
4. Apparatus for measuring expansion
5. Dial indicators
6. Surcharge weight
7. Penetration piston
8. Loading device
9. Soaking tank
10. Drying oven
11. Miscellaneous tools such as mixing pans, spoons, straight edge, balance, drying oven, dessicator
and drying can.
Procedure:
1. Prepare a 33kg sample by having the material pass through a ¾ inch sieve and retain in No. 4
sieve Select a representative portion weighing approximately 11 kg for a moisture density test.
The remainder of the sample is divided into three portion weighing approximately 7 kg each.
2. Using the 11 kg portion determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry density by
compaction test method.

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3. A total three specimens will be obtained in the compaction test method ant their compacted
densities range from 95 percent to 100 percent of maximum dry density determined in step 2.
4. Take the first 5-kg sample and place it gradually in the mold so that there is a 2 to 3inch layer.
5. Press the soil gently so it will have a smooth surface.
6. Compact the soil at even blows of the 5.5-lb hammer, using a 12” free drop.
7. Repeat the procedure for each layer until all three layers are compacted. After compaction of
the 3rd layer the surface of the soil should be slightly above the top rim of the collar.
8. Remove the collar and trim the soil evenly with the top of the mold. In order to remove the
collar, it must be rotated to break the bond between it and the soil before lifting it off he mold,
thus preventing the removal of some of some of the compacted soil when the collar was taken
off. The trimming consists of many small scrapping operations, straight edge beginning at the
central axis and working toward the edge of the mold.
 9. Weigh the soil and the mold after all loose soil are cleaned from the outside of the mold.
10. Place the swell plate with the adjustable stem on the soil sample in the mold and apply
sufficient weighs to produce an intensity of loading equal to the mass of the sub-base and base
courses and surfacing above the tested material, but in no case shall the mass be less than 4.54
kg.
11. Place the tripod with dial indicator in top of the mold and make an initial dial reading.
12. Immerse the mold in water to allow free access of water to top and bottom of the specimen.
During soaking, maintain the water level in the mold and the soaking tank approximately 25.4
mm above the top of the specimen. Soak the specimen for 96 hours.

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13. At the end of 96 hours make a final reading on the soaked specimen and calculate the swell as
a percentage of the initial sample length.
Percent swell= change in length in inches during soaking/ 4.584 inch
14. Remove the specimen from the soaking tank, pout the water off the top and allow to drain
downward for 15minutes. Care shall be taken not to disturb the surface of the specimen during
removal of the water. After draining, remove the surcharge weights and perforated plate.
15. Place a surcharge of annular and slotted weigh on the specimen equal to that used during
soaking. To prevent displacement of soft materials into the hole, the surcharge weight should
be placed around the piston.
16. Set the penetration piston with a 4.54 kg load then set both penetration dial indicator and the
load indicator to zero.
17. Apply the loads to the penetration piston so the rate of penetration is uniform at 1.3 mm per
minute. Record the load when the penetration is .64, 1.27, 1.91, 2.54, 5.08 and 7.52 mm load
reading and penetration.
18. Take penetration readings outlined in the “General Discussion” and take the corresponding
load-dial readings. Extrude the sample and take two additional representative water-content
samples.

Procedure for unsoaked test:

1. Prepare approximately 4.5kg of fine-grained No.4 sieve material or 5.5 kg of 19mm max-size
material to the optimum moisture content of the soil as determined by appropriate
compaction effort (compaction test). If it is desired to cure the soil for a more uniform
moisture distribution, mix the soil with the necessary percentage of moisture and store in a
sealed container for about 12 to 24 hours prior to the test.

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2. Just before making the compacted soil, take a representative water-content sample (at least
100 for fine-grained soil).
3. Weigh the mold less the base plate and collar.
4. Clamp the mold to the base plate, insert the spacer disk (the 15.1 5.1 cm solid round disk) in
the mold and cover with a piece of filter paper.
5. Compact the soil according to ASTM D698 or D1557 Method B or D for the soil used or as
specified by the instructor. Take a final representative water-content sample from the
remaining soil.
6. Remove the collar and trim the specimen smooth and flush with the mold. Using fine-grained
soil, patch any holes formed when scraping the specimen flush with the mold. For coarse-
grained soil, use any soil particles for patching which are smaller than the hole.
7. Remove the base plate and spacer disk, weigh the mold+ compacted soil, and determine the
wet unit weight.
8. Place a piece of filter paper on the base pate, invert the specimen (so the 5.1 cm gap is on top),
and attach the base plate so the soil is in contact with the filter paper on the base.
9. Place sufficient slotted weights (but not less than 4.5 kg) on the sample to stimulate the
required over burned pressure.
10. Place the specimen in the compression machine and set the piston using a setting load no
greater than 4.5 kg. Set load and penetration or deformation dials to zero.

Penetration Standard Unit Load

Mm Inches MPA PSI
2.5 .10 6.9 1000
5.0 .20 10.3 1500

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 BEARING RATIO TEST

Project________________________________________ Job No. ____________________

Local of Project____________________________ Boring No. _______ Sample No.______
Description of Soil __________________________________________________________
Tested by _________________________________________________________________
CBR Test Load Data (soaked, unsoaked) Strike out as possible
Penetration Mold No. ____________ Mold No. ____________ Mold No. ____________
Surcharge____________ Surcharge____________ Surcharge____________

Piston Load Piston Load dial Piston Load dial

dial reading Load reading Load reading Load

Final water Top 1/3

content, w Middle 1/3
% (soaked, Bottom 1/3
unsoaked) Average
sample

Wet unit wt = ___________________________ Dry unit wt = _________ __________

___________________________ _________ __________
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Computation Sheet
CBR= Actual Unit Load / Standard Unit Load x 100

CBR Rating Uses

0-3 very pool subgrade
3-7 poor to fair subgrade
7-20 fair sub base
20-50 good base and sub base
Greater excellent base

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EXERCISE 13
Consolidation Test
Objective:

Discussion:

A consolidation test determined the compressibility of the soil and its time rate of compression.
The date obtained are required for estimating the amount of settlement and the rate of the settlement
structures, and the amount of swelling which can occur when the load on a soil stratum is reduced , by
excavation. The test itself is simple but time consuming. Occasionally, a sample mat require as long as 2
to 3 days for 100 percent consolidation under each increment. Error principally arises from sample
disturbance and careless handling. Proper trimming of some samples may require several hours and
utmost care must be exercised to prevent straining weak samples and disturbing them.

Essential Apparatus:
1. Consolidometer with micrometer dial gauge.
2. Loading machine capable of maintaining constant loads up to 2000 or 3000 lb for long period of
time
3. Trimming knives, wire saws.
4. Trimming lathe or special cutter having same diameter as consolidation ring
5. Glass plates, oven
6. Balance 2000g capacity, 0.1 sensitivity
7. Graph paper, 5 cycle, 4 sheets

Sample Preparations
1. Weigh the consolidometer ring and 2 glass plates. Measures the inside diameter of the ring.
2. Select a cutter and/or trimming lathe having the same diameter as the ring.
3. Curve the sample to a diameter slightly greater than the ring and to thickness of 2 inches.
4. Trim the sample to the exact diameter using the lathe and force the cutter over the sample.
5. Slide the sample into the ring and trim flush with the ring. Place a glass plate over the trimmed
end, invert glass sample and trim the other side. Place a second glass plate on this side ( for
protection and to prevent evaporation) and weigh.
6. Soak the porous plates in water and then wipe away the excess water. Place the plates and the
sample in the consolidometer and assemble it for use.

Test Procedure:
1. Balnce and zero the loading machine. Place the consolidometer beneah the loading beam and
slowly bring the beam to bear lightly on the spherical bearing cap of the consolidometer.
2. Re-balance and zero the loading machine. Adjust and read the micrometer dial gauge.
3. Apply the first load 500lb per sq ft, and read the micrometer dial at the following total elapsed
times: ¼ min, ½ min, 1 min, 2 min, 8 min, 16 min, 32 min, 1hr, 2hrs, 4hrs, 8hrs, 10hrs, 24hrs.
Other times maybe used as long as the intervals are similar. Plot the curve of the dial reading vs
the logarithm time in minutes. This will form a reversed “s” with straight line sloping tangents
which represents 100 percent consolidation. Do not stop making readings until this shapes
appears.
4.