Soil Properties and Laboratory Tests

Soil Properties and Laboratory Tests

Properties	Tests
Particle size	Sieve and Hydrometer Analysis
Consistency Limits	Liquid, Plastic and Shrinkage Limit
Capacity to absorb and hold moisture	Capillary and Permeability Tests
Cohesion and internal friction	Triaxial, Direct Shear and Bearing tests
Density	Field Density
Settlement Under load	Consolidation test
Volume change	Swell and Shrinkage tests
Unit Weight	Weighing and Calculation of Specific Gravity
Strength	California Bearing Ration (CBR)

Laboratory Tests

The preparation of a soil sample for the different tests is covered in detail in the Standard AASHTO Methods T-87 and T-146.

1. Grading Test
   Standard sieves or screens are used in the test. The sieves are made up of wire-mesh which have square openings. The coarse sieves are designated by the width of openings as 75, 63, 50 and 19 millimeter sieves. The finer sieves are designated as 4.75, 0.425, 0.200, 0.150, or 0.075 millimeter sieves. The widths of opening which corresponds to the sieves commonly used in soil testing are as follows: 
   
   
   

   Width of Opening (Std)	Alternate U.S. Standard Sieve No.
   4.25	4
   2.36	8
   1.18	16
   0.600	30
   0.300	50
   0.150	100
   0.075	200

   
   
   The 2.00 mm sieve is the dividing line between gravel and sand, and the dividing line between sand and silt is 0.05 mm. Material which passes the 0.075 mm sieve is the finest that is used in the sieve analysis, the[ proportion of silt and clay cannot be determined by the test alone.
   
   
   The grading or mechanical analysis has its objective the determination of the proportion of different grain sizes which are present in a soil particles which is finer than a stated sieve or diameter. Two methods of determining the grain size distribution in a soil are in common use: the combined sieve analysis, with a wash test to determine the percentage passing the 0.075 mm sieve.
   
   
   In the first method, a representative sample of soil is selected and divided by passing it over a 2.00 mm. The portion retained is tested by the sieve analysis.  A portion of the material passing the 2.00 mm sieve is dispersed and put into suspension in water. Changes in the specific gravity of the suspension with time are noted by use of a hydrometer. The hydrometer analysis is based upon Stoke's Law which states that the rate of settlement of a particle out from a suspension is function of its size. Since the larger particles settle out of suspension more rapidly than do smaller particles, the time rate of settlement provides a measure of the relative size of the fine soil grains. As the particles settle, the density or specific gravity of the suspension decreases; this change is the information supplied by the hydrometer reading. Known relationship may then be employed to calculate the percentage of grains of various average remaining in suspension or which have settled out. For each of the time intervals specified in the test procedures there may be determined the percentage of the dispersed sample which is finer or coarser than a certain grain size. The standard procedure for mechanical analysis of soils is AASHTO T88.
   
   
   The results of sieve analysis and the hydrometer analysis are combined and the results are presented graphically by means of a particle size distribution curve. The curve is drawn on semi-logarithmic graph sheet with the particle sizes plotted as abscissa on the logarithmic scale and the percentages smaller than the various sizes as ordinates on the arithmetic scale as shown in figure I-1. The meaning of this form of presentation is  shown by examination of the curve. In this particular soil, 4% is gravel since 96% is finer than 2 mm sieve. The soil contains about 36% of sand, since 60% is finer than 0.05 mm. About 34% of the material is of the clay size, less than 0.005 mm.  Thus, 26% of the soil is silt. The make-up of this soil then is gravel 4%, sand 36%, silt 26% and clay 34%.
   
   
   For soil classification purposes as in AASHTO M45, the combined sieve and mechanical analysis is not required. The sieve analysis and the wash test will be sufficient. For detailed standard procedures, see AASHTO Test methods T-11 and T-27, over a nest of sieves, as well as that which passes the 0.075 mm frequently valled "combined silt and clay". The test report is illustrated in Appendix I-1.
   
   
   Significance of Grading Test
   
   This test gives the particle size distribution of a given soil. The shape of the curve drawn will show a glance the general grading characteristics.
   
   The gradation test is widely used in the classification and identification of soils. The classification of soils is covered in detail in AASHTO M45, see Appendix I-2.
   
   The test results are also used in measuring permeability, notably in setting up criteria for drainage filters. It has also been shown that soil capillarity, which is the attraction of water from a water table, is related to an effective diameter. The rise of water in a capillary opening is proportional to the square of an effective diameter.

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