Tests to Analyse and Classify the Plasticity, Particle Size and Engineering Properties of Soils
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Tests to Analyse and Classify the Plasticity, Particle Size and
Engineering Properties of Soils
CIVL2410 Soil Mechanics: Classification Lab Report
SID: 510460929
1.1 Abstract
This report describes the experiments regarding plasticity and particle size analysis,
specifically through the experiments of Cone Penetrometer, Atterberg Tests, and Sieving
and Hydrometer Tests. The aim of these experiments was to use experimental methods to
classify and identify the engineering properties of given soils. Through the examination
of the moisture contents present within the soil, and the examination of the particle sizes
for another sample, the soils were classified through the Unified Soils Classification
Systems (USCS). The liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index were identified for a
set of sample soils, whereas the grading curve was determined for another sample of soil.
By examining the grading curve, the soil sample which exhibited behaviours of sand,
displayed the composition of the typical grading curve of C: Well graded with some clay.
Examining the plasticity of another soil sample, which exhibited behaviour of clay, found
that through the discovery of its plastic and liquid limits, it was determined that the soil
was an inorganic clay with high plasticity. The liquid limit was on average 56.9 with an
accompanying plastic limit of 19.8 with an average plasticity index of 37.1. This was
used within the USCS to classify that the soil was an inorganic clay (CH).
2.1 Introduction
Soil is a particulate material with engineering properties that are difficult to control.
Classification is undertaken to understand the likely behaviours of specific soils. It is
important that engineers understand these behaviours to determine the limitations of the
soil which they must work with. Fine and coarse grained soils observe differences in the
ability to resist plastic deformation, as well as differing in strength and stiffness. These
differences in properties lead to different usability depending on a soils classification.
By undertaking experiments following the Australian Standard AS1289 Section 3, in
conjunction with Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), the plasticity and particle
size of a given soil core sample can be determined. A sieve and hydrometer experiments
were undertaken to determine the grading curve of the provided cohesionless soil.
Atterberg tests alongside a cone penetrometer test were performed on cohesive soils to
determine the plastic and liquid limits of the given soil. The aim of these experiments was
to classify the provided soil to gain an understanding of the engineering properties and
the practical usability of the soil.
3.1 Methodology
3.1.1 Plasticity: Liquid Limit - The “25 Blows” Method
To begin the experiment, measure eight little trays which will hold the soil samples.
These trays should be labelled and their weights should be recorded. For the plasticity
experiment, use three samples of soils which have been premixed with nominal water
which are close to the liquid limit. Choose one of the soil samples and place a little
sample inside of the liquid limit apparatus and level it out so that the height of soil is
level with the apparatus base. Using a standard grooving tool, create a groove within the
soil by scraping to the bottom of the bowl. Once the groove has been created within the
soil, rotate the handle of the apparatus twice per second, until the groove has closed up.
During this process, count the blows of the apparatus until the groove has closed. Record
the amount of blows and clean out the bowl. Repeat the same experiment with the same
sample until the amount of blows between two consecutive tests is not greater than one.
Use a small sample from the bowl and place it into a tray and weigh the tray with the soil.
Repeat this for each different soil sample and record the amount of blows (Appendix 1.1).
3.1.2 Plasticity: Liquid Limit - The Cone Penetrometer Method
Choose one of the soil samples and fill up a small container and level the top surface of
the soil. Place the container within the penetrometer and lower the cone so that it just
touches the surface of the soil. Set the dial gauge to zero, and release the cone for five
seconds, and then lock it. Record the final penetration value (Appendix 1.2) and use one
of the eight little trays and put in a small sample from the container. Reset the cone, and
repeat the experiment with the different soil samples.
3.1.3 Plasticity: Plastic Limit - The “Make-a-Snake” Method
Weigh a saucer which will be used for later calculations. Using a soil sample which has
been dried to near the plastic limit, roll 10
of the soil into a “slug” with a diameter
??
3
of approximately 5 mm. Continue rolling the “slug” until the diameter is 3 mm. If the soil
doesn’t crumble, create a ball with the rolled “slug” and repeat the process again. Once
the “slug” crumbles at 3 mm in diameter, flatten 1
of the soil and place it in the
??
3
saucer and weigh the soil and saucer. Place the saucer inside an oven which has been set
on medium heat and leave it in for thirty seconds and weigh the soil again. Change the
temperature to medium-low and place the saucer in the oven for twenty seconds and
weigh it and repeat the experiments until the weights on successive are at least (<1%
difference). Record the values (Appendix 1.3).
3.2.1 Particle Size Analysis: Sieving
Using a tub of sandy soil, weigh the soil within the tub and record the mass. Using a set
of clean sieves, measure the mass of each individual sieve within the set and record the
values. (Sieve sizing in Appendix 1.5). Assemble the sieves in order, and pour the soil
into the sieves and place the sieves into a shaking machine for three to four minutes.
Disassemble the sieves and weigh each tray with its captured soil. Set aside the bottom
sieve for the hydrometer test.
3.2.2 Particle Size Analysis: Hydrometer
Before the experiment, measure the mass of a hydrometer. Pour the soil from the bottom
of the sieve into a shaker and add approximately 150 ml of distilled water into the shaker.
Turn on the shaker for 5 minutes, and after it is finished, place soil into a graduated
cylinder. Make sure to clean out the shaker completely and pour as much of the soil into
the cylinder. Add water into the cylinder until it is filled to the 1000 ml mark. Cover the
top of the graduated cylinder and rotate it vertically to properly mix the soil with the
water. As the cylinder is undergoing the mixing, get ready to use the timer. Place the
cylinder down and immediately place the hydrometer and thermometer inside and start
the timer. At time intervals of 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 4 minutes and
8 minutes, observer and record the values (Appendix 1.6) for temperature and hydrometer
readings on the meniscus.
𝑅'
ℎ
4.1 Results
The following results from the experiments are shown below.
Number of Blows
Moisture Content
(%)
Sample
Preliminary
Final
1
21
22
54.5
2
40
41
53.6
3
41
42
62
Fig. 1: “25 Blows” Experiment Results and Calculated Moisture Content
Fig 1 demonstrates the results from the 25 blows experiment in which the highest
moisture content came from sample 3, which saw a significantly higher moisture content
as compared to sample 2 which had a similar number of blows.
Cone Penetration (mm)
Moisture
Content (%)
Sample
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
1
24
23.3
22
23.1
64.4
2
18.6
17.5
18.7
18.3
56.3
3
17.5
16.6
17.4
17.2
53.7
Fig. 2: Cone Penetration Experiment Results and Calculated Moisture Content
Fig 2 shows that the cone was able to penetrate deeper with samples with a higher
moisture content, demonstrating the plasticity of the soil.
Moisture Content (%)
Test
Microwave Method
Standard Method
1
21.5
27.5
2
18.1
17.3
Average:
22.4
Fig. 3: Moisture Content of PL Snake Method
Fig 3 shows the results obtained to find moisture content using the “Snake Method”. This
would then be used to determine the Plastic Limit of the soil. In comparison to the other
testing method, the moisture content is significantly lower. The average of the microwave
method values would be taken as the plastic limit (
AS 1289.3.2.1)
Sample
Water (g)
Dry Soil (g)
Moisture Content
(%)
LL 25 Blows 1
3.78
6.93
54.5
LL 25 Blows 2
2.74
5.11
53.6
LL 25 Blows 3
4.65
7.5
62
LL Cone 1
4.98
7.73
64.4
LL Cone 2
5.11
9.08
56.3
LL Cone 3
5.89
10.96
53.7
PL Snake 1
0.11
0.4
27.5
PL Snake 2
0.13
0.75
17.3
Fig 4: Calculated Moisture Content of all Experiments
Fig 4 highlights the moisture contents calculated for each experimental method. Cone
Penetration test 1 exhibited the largest moisture content, whereas the “Snake” sample 2
exhibited the lowest, displaying the significance of the reduction in moisture content
through friction.
The moisture content of each experiment were calculated as shown in Appendix 1.4
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