Soil Mechanics

Laboratory

ST.PETER’S
COLLEGE ILIGAN
CITY
MURSHED M. AMER

BSCE-IV
EXERCISES 1:

DISTURBED SOIL SAMPLING,

LABELLING AND STORAGE

Objective:

Discussion:

Disturbed soil sampling is an important factor in the determination of the

properties of soil. The correct method of sampling will lead to more accurate
result in the determination of soil properties and structure. The storage of a
sample, after it has been obtained, is as important as sampling itself. If the storage
is not done adequately it will lead to a change in some of the properties of the
sample. The labeling of a sample is necessary for easy identification of the sample
and to avoid confusion if different persons undertake the sampling and testing of
the soil sample. A better filing the sampling and testing of the soil sample. A
better filing of soil samples will also mean better control of data acquisition.

Apparatus:
1. Soil auger
2. Spade of shovel
3. Moisture tight sample container
4. Petrowax or paraffin

Procedure:
1. Clear the area of grass and vegetation where the sample is to be obtained.
2. With the use of soil auger, the soil is bored until desired depth is reached
and obtain a disturbed sample.
3. Record the depth of each type of soil strata.
PROCESSING:
1. CLEAR THE AREA OF THE GRASS AND VEGETATION WHERE THE SAMPLE
IS TO BE OBTAINED.

2. WITH THE USE OF SOIL AUGER, THE SOIL IS BORED WHERE THE DESIRE
DEPTH IS REACED AND OBTAIN A DISTURBED SAMPLE.
3. Record the depth of each type of soil strata.

First sample of the disturb soil.

1 ft or 12 inch depth.

Second sample of disturb soil.

2 ft or 24 inch depth.

Third sample of disturb soil.

3 ft. or 36 inch depth,
LABORATORY RECORD:

Project no. 1
Location: SPC COMPOUND
Boring no.: 1
Description of soil: Clay
Elevation of ground surface: 1meter
Depth of sample bottom: 36 inches
No. of sample in shipment: 3
Type of sample: Disturbed Soil
Original Size of sample
Condition of sample

SAMPLE DATA FOR FILES

SOIL DISTURBED PROFILE

GROUND

FIRST
SAMPLE

SECOND
SAMPLE 36 INCHES

THIRD
SAMPLE

Figure 1
ACTIVITY NO.2

PREPARING DISTURBED SOIL SAMPLE FOR TEST

OJECTIVES:

To prepare a soil sample as received from the field for mechanical analysis the
determination of the soil characteristics and the compaction test.

Apparatus:

Balance’ Pulverizing Apparatus consisting of mortar and pestle, Standard Sieves No. 4,
10 and 40 and sampler either a splitter or a quartering canvass.

Procedure:

1. The soil sample as received from the field shall be thorough air dried and then
broken up in the mortar with a rubber covered pestle or suitable mechanical
device in such a way as to avoid re the natural size of the soil particles. Grading
test of tis materials as received shall be performed. A representing test sample of
the amount required to perform the desired test shall then be selected by the
method of quartering or by a sample splitter.

2. The portion of the air dried sample selected for the sieve analysis shall be passed
through the no. 40 sieve. The fraction retained shall be ground in the mortar
which a pestle in the same manner as when the original sample was prepared
for the desired testes, the ground soil shall again be passed through the no. 10
sieved. The fractions passing the no. 10 sieve in the both sieving operations shall
be thoroughly mixed and a portion weighing approximately 115 grams shall be
selected for the mechanical analysis.

3. The remaining portion of the material passing the no. 10 sieved shall then be
passed through the no. 40 sieve. The fraction passing shall be thoroughly mixed
and used for the determination of the soil characteristics.

4. The portion of the air dried sol selected for the compaction test shall be
separated by means of a no. 4 sieve. The fraction retained shall be ground with
the rubber covered pestle until the soil aggregations are broken up into
individual grains. The ground soil shall then be passed through the no. 4 sieve.
The fraction retained after the second sieving shall be discarded. The fraction
passing he no. 4 sieve in both serving operation shall be thoroughly mixed and
used for the compaction test.
DISCUSSION:

1. WHY IS IT NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM IMMEDIATELY THE DESIRED TEST ON THE

ORIGINAL SAMPLE AS RECEIVED FROM THE FIELD?

It is because the soil sample is wet and this must be dry it first. And the big
particles must be pulverized into small particles. And so we can start the test so we can
see the difference of it.\

PROCESS:

1. The soil sample as received from the field shall be thorough air dried and then
broken up in the mortar with a rubber covered pestle or suitable mechanical
device in such a way as to avoid re the natural size of the soil particles.
Grading test of tis materials as received shall be performed. A representing
test sample of the amount required to perform the desired test shall then be
selected by the method of quartering or by a sample splitter.
2. The portion of the air dried sample selected for the sieve analysis shall be
passed through the no. 40 sieve. The fraction retained shall be ground in the
mortar which a pestle in the same manner as when the original sample was
prepared for the desired testes, the ground soil shall again be passed through
the no. 10 sieved. The fractions passing the no. 10 sieve in the both sieving
operations shall be thoroughly mixed and a portion weighing approximately
115 grams shall be selected for the mechanical analysis.
3. The remaining portion of the material passing the no. 10 sieved shall then be
passed through the no. 40 sieve. The fraction passing shall be thoroughly
mixed and used for the determination of the soil characteristics.

4. The portion of the air dried sol selected for the compaction test shall be
separated by means of a no. 4 sieve. The fraction retained shall be ground
with the rubber covered pestle until the soil aggregations are broken up into
individual grains. The ground soil shall then be passed through the no. 4 sieve.
The fraction retained after the second sieving shall be discarded. The fraction
passing he no. 4 sieve in both serving operation shall be thoroughly mixed
and used for the compaction test.
ACTIVITY NO.3

QUARTERING METHOD OF SPLITTING SAMPLES

Objectives:

To split an aggregate sample to the desired amount if a sample splitter is not available.

Theory:

This test is to reduce field sample to testing sample.

Apparatus:

A piece of canvass or any similar durable material at least a meter square and shovel.

Procedure:

1. Place the sample on the canvass or similar material.

2. Shovel the material in a cone shaped pile
3. Mix the sample by shoveling from the bottom of the pile to the top of the cone
allowing the material to run down equally in all direction.
4. Spread the cone into a flat circular pile by drawing the material from the center
outward with the shovel until it spread to an event thickness.
5. Divide the flat pile into quarter and two diagonally opposite quarter rejected.
6. Mix the remaining quart and the process of piling, flattering and rejecting two
quarters repeated until the sample is reduced to the desired size.

Discussion:
1. What should be the criterion in judging weather the quartering process has been
done well.
PROCESS:
1. Place the sample on the canvass or similar material.
ACTIVITY NO.4

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS

Objectives:

Discussion:
The grain size test is an exercise in identifying the size of the soil grains present. The size
when plotted on a grain size curve will be a guide to the interrelation of the different
grain size and it can also be a source for the identification of the original soil. A
characteristics of the soil that can be identified from the grain size chart is weather the
soil is well grated or not.

Apparatus:

1. Set of Sieves
2. Balance
3. Brush

Procedure:

1. Weigh all sieves to be used up to 0.1 gram.

2. Select the test sample and break soil into its individual particles with the finger or a
rubber tipped pestle.
3. Weigh a specimen of approximately 500 grams.
4. Sieve the soil through a nest of sieves by hand for at least 10 minutes.
5. Weigh to 0.1 gram each sieve with the soil in it.
6. Subtract the weight obtained in stop 1 from those of step 5 to give the soil retained in
#200 sieve.
PROCESS:
1. Weigh all sieves to be used up to 0.1 grams.

2. Select test sample and break soil into its individual particles with the fingers or a
rubber tipped pestle.

3. Weigh a specimen of approximately 500 grams.

4. Sieve the soil through a nest of sieves by hand for at least 10 minutes.

5. Weigh to 0.1 gram each sieve with the soil in it.

COMPUTATION:

SIEVE NO. MASS OF MASS OF RETAINED CUMULATIVE PASSING

SIEVE SIEVE SOIL PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE
AND SOIL
SIEVE #10 500g 650g 150g

SIEVE #40 500g 600g 100g

SIEVE #50 450g 500g 50g

SIEVE 450g 490g 40g

#100
SIEVE 400g 500g 100g
#200
∑=440g

Percent retained:

Sieve #10:
150/440=2.93x100
=293.33
Sieve #40:
100/440=4.4x100
=440
Sieve #50:
50/440=8.8x100
=880
Sieve #100:
40/440=11x100
=1100
Sieve #200:
100/440=4.4x100
=440