Faculty

Course
Year/
Semeste
r

: Engineering & Science

: Bachelor of Civil Engineering
(Hons)
: Y1S3

Unit Code : UEMX2413

Unit Title : Soil Mechanics
Lecturer

: Mr Lee Min Lee

Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Assignment Grouping Form

No
1
2
3
4
5

Name
Lim Wei Tai
Lim Kah Kien
Lim Xiao Phen
Lim Wen Yee
Lim Jack Hoong

Student ID
1304218
1302610
1303164
1403690
1304408

Practical 1-Soil Classification Tests

Soil Classification Tests - Part 1
Determination of Particle Size Distributions through Mechanical Sieve Analysis
Title
Soil Classification Tests (part 1)
Objective
To determine the particle size distributions through mechanical sieve analysis.
Apparatus
1) Test Sieve having the following aperture size:
5mm, 3.35mm, 2mm, 1.18mm, 0.6mm, 0.425mm, 0.3mm, 0.212mm, 0.150mm,
0.063mm, 0mm.
2) Electrical balance
3) Drying oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 105c to 110c.
Procedures
1) Approximately 500g of soil ( M total ) was placed in the top of the sieve stack.
2) The sieve stack was placed in a mechanical shaker and shaked for 10 minutes.
3) The material retained in each sieves was weighted and then the percentage by weight of the
total sample passing through each sieve was calculated.

Result
Sieve
opening
size(mm)

5.000
3.350
2.000
1.180
0.600
0.425
0.300
0.212
0.150
0.063
0.000
Total

Mass of
each
empty
sieve (g)

Mass of
Sieve (g)
+ Mass of
soil retain
(g)

Mass of
soil (g)

Percentage of
soil retained

Cumulative
percentage of
soil retained

Percentage
of finer

429
372
396
368
352
351
328
332
322
315
319

504
405
433
415
409
384
335
378
426
365
326

75
33
37
47
57
33
7
46
104
50
7
496

15.12
6.65
7.46
9.48
11.49
6.65
1.41
9.27
20.97
10.08
1.41

15.12
21.77
29.23
38.71
50.20
56.85
58.27
67.54
88.51
98.59
100.00

84.88
78.23
70.77
61.29
49.80
43.15
41.73
32.46
11.49
1.41
0.00

90
80
70
60
50

Percentage of finer %

40
30
20
10
0
1

10

Sieve opening (mm)

Graph 1- Particle grain size distribution
Calculation
From the graph,
D 10=0.16 mm
D 30=0.22 mm
D 60=1.20 mm
D
1.20
Cu= 60 =
=7.5
D10 0.16
2
( D30 )
0.222
Cc=
=
=0.252
( D10 ) ( D60 ) 0.16 x 1.20

Soil Classification Tests - Part 3

Determination of Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit through Cone Penetrometer Method
General
Liquid limit is an empirically established moisture content at which a soil passes from liquid
state to the plastic state, while plastic limit is a moisture content at which a soil passes from
plastic to semi-solid state. Both of the parameters provide a means of classifying a soil.
Sample preparation
1. Pulverize 500 g of air-dried soil passing the sieve size 0.425mm.
2. Add 80 ml of water into the soil. Mix as thoroughly as possible. Keep the moist soil in a
plastic bag for a period of 1 week to allow the soil moisture to become uniform and to
recover the soil's natural plasticity.
Apparatus
1. A flat glass plate, of which a convenient size is 10mm thick and about 500mm square, on
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

which the soil is mixed.

Two palette knives or spatulas.
A penetrometer as used in bituminous material testing complying to BS2000: Part 49.
A cone of stainless steel or duralumin.
One or more metal cups.
Apparatus for the moisture content determination of fine-graded soils.

7. A wash bottle containing distilled water.

8. A metal straightedge about 100mm long.
9. A stopwatch readable to 1s.

Procedures for Liquid Limit

1. A sample of about 300g was taken from the soil paste prepared andplaced on the glass
plate.
2. The prepared paste was mixed for at least 10 minutes using the two palette knives. If
necessary added more distilled water until the first cone penetration reading is about
15mm.
3. A portion of the mixed soil was pushed into the cup with a palette knife, be aware of not
to trap air. The excess soil was stroke off with the straightedge to give a smooth level
surface.
4. With the penetration cone locked in the raised position, the supporting was lowered
assembly so that the tip of the cone just touched the surface of the soil. When the cone
was in the correct position, a slight movement of the cup will just marked the soil surface.
The stem of the dial gauge was lowered to contact the cone shaft. The reading of the dial
gauge was recorded to the nearest 0.1mm.
5. The cone was released for a period of 5 1s. If the apparatus is not fitted with an
automatic release and locking device, take care not to jerk the apparatus during this
operation. After locking the cone in position, the stem of the dial gauge was lowered to
contact the cone shaft and recorded the reading of the dial gauge to the nearest 0.1mm.
The difference between the beginning and the end of the drop as the cone penetration was
recorded.
6. The cone was lifted out and cleaned carefully to avoid scratching.
7. A moisture content sample of about 10g was taken from the area penetrated by the cone.
The moisture content was determined.
8. Step 3 to 7 were repeated at least three more times using the same sample of soil to which
further increment of distilled water have been added. Proceeded from the drier to the
wetter condition of the soil. The amount of water added shall be such that a range of
penetration values of approximately 15mm to 25mm was covered by four or more test
runs and was evenly distributed. Each time soil was removed from the cup for the
addition of water, the cup was washed and dried.
9. If at any time during the above procedure the soil has to be left for a while on the glass
plate cover the soil with evaporation dish or a damp cloth to prevent the soil drying out.

Procedures for Plastic Limit

1. The plastic limit is the moisture content of the soil under test when remoulded and rolled
between the tips of the fingers and a glass plate such that longitudinal and transverse
cracks appear at a rolled diameter of 3mm.
2. A sample of about 20g is taken from the soil paste prepared and placed on the glass plate.
3. The prepared paste is thoroughly mixed with water until the soil becomes plastic enough
to be shaped into a ball.
4. Approximately 8g-12g of the moistened soil is taken and formed into a uniform mass
roughly elliptical in shape.
5. The ball of soil is rolled by tips of the fingers on the glass plate with just enough pressure
to form an elongated thread as rolling proceeds.
6. If the soil can be rolled to a thread 3 mm thick without crumbling, amassed it and rerolled it.
7. Rolling and amassing is repeated until the soil crumbles under slight pressure required for
rolling and the thread is nearly 3mm before it crumbled.
8. Gather portions of the crumbled soil and the moisture content of the soil is recorded
immediately.

Result
Liquid limit
Mass of
empty
container
Sample
(g)
1
21
2
20

Mass of
container
+ wet soil
(g)
31.6
29.3

Mass of
container
+ dry
soil (g)
28.1
26.1

Mass
of
water
(g)
3.5
3.2

Mass
of dry
soil (g)
7.1
6.1

Moisture
content
(%)
0.4930
0.5246

Penetration
(mm)
16.9
17.1

3
4
5

19.8
20
19.8

30.3
31.6
33.3

36.0
38.0
41.0

5.7
6.4
7.7

10.5
11.6
13.5

19.8
21.8
23.0

0.5429
0.5517
0.5704

25
f(x) = 85.98x - 26.41

20
15

Penetration (mm)
10
5
0
0.48

0.49

0.5

0.51

0.52

0.53

0.54

0.55

0.56

0.57

0.58

Water content (%)

The equation obtains from the graph:
y = 85.98x - 26.41
When the penetration = 20,
20=85.98 x26.41
x=53.98

Liquid limit = 53.98%

Plastic limit
Mass of plate

Mass of plate

Mass of 3 dry Mass of

Mass of dry

Average

(g)

and wet soil

soil sample

soil (g)

moisture

water (g)

sample (g)
(g)
20.1
25.8
25.0
0.8
4.9
Table 3: The average moisture content of the soil threads with 3mm
Plastic limit = 16.33%
Plasticity index = 53.98% - 16.33%
= 37.65%
Discussion
Questions:

content (%)
16.33

1) Classify the soil in accordance with British Soil Classification System (BSCS)
From the graph we can conclude that:
Soil finer than 0.06mm

=> 2%

Soil finer than 2mm

=> 70%

Hence, it is course soil.

2% is fine
68% is sand
30% is gravel
Hence, it is more on sand.
2% soil finer than 0.06mm

less than 5% of soil finer than 0.06mm

Cu = 7.5 , Cc = 0.252 ,
=> Not satisfying well graded sand range Cu 6 and 1<Cc<3 ( Poor Graded, SP )
Hence, it is slightly silty or clayey SAND
From the shape of sieve analysis graph,
Hence, it is gap graded with symbol = SPg
Thus, the conclusion of the soil sample is classified as Poorly Graded gap graded SAND with
slightly silty or clayey, ( SPg ).

4) What is the importance of liquid limit and plastic limit in soil classification?
Importance of Liquid limit and Plastic limit :
1. Can be used to determine the plasticity index by the equation of
Plasticity index = Liquid limit Plastic limit

2. By using the A-line classification chart for fine soil (BSCS) or plasticity chart (USCS),
liquid limit
and plasticity index can be used to determine or classify the soil.
Advantage : The soil consistency is a practical and an inexpensive way to distinguish between
silts and clays.
All the results were obtained from the experiment and it was also tabulated.
For part 1, Graph 1 is plottedfor particle grain size distribution. From the graph, Cu and
Cc is calculated to classify the soil in accordance to BSCS. So, throughout the the experiment,
we are able to classify the soil as Poorly Graded gap graded SAND with slightly silty or
clayey, SPg.
For part 3, the graph of penetration value (mm) against water content (%) was plotted
from the data obtained in the experiment. By drawing a best fit line according to the graph data,
the liquid limit is determined when the penetration is 20 mm which is 53.98%. For the plastic
limit test, the soil samples which broke off when it was rolled approximately 3mm in diameter
was placed in a dish. After that, it was placed in the oven for 24 hours to evaporate the water to
determine the average moisture content, 16.33% which is the plastic limit. Therefore, we
obtained the plasticity index to be 37.65%
After carrying the experiment, the result might not so accurate due to some reason.
During the cone penetrometer experiment, the soil is added with water and mixed until a certain
consistency. Then, it was putting into a container to carry out the further test. However, different
strength and ways to put the wet soil into container will cause the soil to be more packed or
loose. It will lead to the low accuracy in the result obtained. It is also happen to the plastic limit
test, the different of finger pressure will cause the inaccuracy of the result.
Conclusion
The mechanical sieve result is as shown in the table and graph. The soil can be classified as
Poorly Graded gap graded SAND with slightly silty or clayey, SPg. From the cone penetrator
method, the liquid limit obtained from the sample prepared is 53.98% while the plastic limit is
16.33%. The plasticity index of the soil sample is 37.65%.

Practical 2-Soil compaction test

Title:
Soil compaction test
Objective:
To determine the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of a soil sample.
Apparatus and materials:
10 kg of dry soil, water, measuring cylinder, compaction mould with head and base, standard
proctor, corrosion-resistant metal tray, oven, palette knife, electronic balance.
Procedure:
1. A 2 kg of dry soil and 12% of water (240ml) were prepared.
2. An empty weight of a compaction mould with its base attached was measured.
3. The 2 kg of soil was mixed thoroughly with the 240ml of water on a corrosion-resistant
metal tray.
4. The head of the compaction mould was attached.
5. The soil was divided into 3 parts equally. The first part of the soil was filled into the
compaction mould. The layer of soil was compacted for 27 blows by using a standard
proctor. The proctor was lifted up to full height and allowed it to free fall onto the soil for
each blow. The compaction was repeated for the remaining two layers.
6. The mould head was removed and the excess soil was struck off. The soil at the side of
the mould was cleaned up.
7. The weight of the mould and the soil was measured. The result was recorded.
8. The soil sample form the mould was extruded out by using the proctor.
9. A small portion of the soil was took for determine the water content.
10. The step 1 to 9 was repeated 4 times with increasing of water content (15%, 18%......).
Result:
Soil sample
Volume of water add into soil
(ml)
Weight of mould (kg)
Weight of mould + soil (kg)
Weight of soil(compacted)(kg)
Weight of container (kg)
Weight of container + soil
(sample of moisture content)
(wet) (kg)

A
240

B
300

C
360

D
420

E
480

4.575
5.418
0.843
0.020
0.118

4.575
5.518
0.943
0.020
0.275

4.575
5.655
1.080
0.020
0.406

4.575
5.555
0.980
0.020
0.240

4.575
5.587
1.012
0.020
0.250

Weight of soil (sample of

moisture content) (wet) (kg)
Weight of container +
soil(sample of moisture
content) (dry) (kg)
Weight of soil (sample of
moisture content) (dry) (kg)
Water content (%)
Dry density when 0%(Mg/m3)
Dry density when 5%(Mg/m3)
Dry density when 10%
(Mg/m3)

0.098

0.255

0.386

0.220

0.230

0.107

0.229

0.327

0.189

0.200

0.087

0.209

0.307

0.169

0.180

12.644
2.013
1.912
1.812

22.000
1.694
1.609
1.524

25.733
1.593
1.513
1.434

30.178
1.488
1.413
1.339

27.778
1.543
1.466
1.389

Table 1

Calculation:
The internal volume, V = 1litre = 1000cm3 = 0.001m3
Bulk density, = weight of compacted soil / internal volume
A (240ml):

= 0.843kg / 0.001m3 = 843kg/m3 = 0.843Mg/m3

B (300ml):

= 0.943kg / 0.001m3 = 943kg/m3 = 0.943Mg/m3

C (360ml):

= 1.080kg / 0.001m3 = 1080kg/m3 = 1.080Mg/m3

D (420ml):

= 0.980kg / 0.001m3 = 980kg/m3 = 0.980Mg/m3

E (480ml):

= 1.012kg / 0.001m3 = 1012kg/m3 = 1.012Mg/m3

Dry density, d = 100 / 100+w

A (240ml):

d = 100(0.843) / 100 + 12.644 = 0.748 Mg/m3

B (300ml):

d = 100(0.943) / 100 + 22.000 = 0.773 Mg/m3

C (360ml):

d = 100(1.080) / 100 + 25.733 = 0.859 Mg/m3

D (420ml):

d = 100(0.980) / 100 + 30.178 = 0.753 Mg/m3

E (480ml):

d = 100(1.012) / 100 + 27.778 = 0.792 Mg/m3

Va
100
Dry density, d =
1
w
+
s 100 w
d is the dry density (in Mg/m3)
1

is the particle density (in Mg/m3)

is the density of water (in Mg/m3), assumed equal to 1

Va

is the volume of air voids in the soil, expressed as a percentage of total volume of
the soil (equal to 0%, 5%, 10% for the purpose of this plot)

is the moisture content (in %)

Particle density,

s = 2.7Mg/m3

For 0% air void, V a = 0%.

A (240ml)
d = 1 / [ (1 / 2.7) + ( 12.644 / 100(1) ) ]
= 2.013Mg/m3
B (300ml)
d = 1 / [ (1 / 2.7) + ( 22.000 / 100(1) ) ]
= 1.694Mg/m3
C (360ml)
d = 1 / [ (1 / 2.7) + ( 25.733 / 100(1) ) ]
= 1.593Mg/m3
D (420ml)
d = 1 / [ (1 / 2.7) + ( 30.178 / 100(1) ) ]
= 1.488Mg/m3
E (480ml)
d = 1 / [ (1 / 2.7) + ( 27.778 / 100(1) ) ]
= 1.543Mg/m3
For 5% air void, V a = 5%.
A (240ml)
d = (1 (5 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (12.644 / 100(1))]
= 1.912Mg/m3
B (300ml)
d = (1 (5 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (22.000 / 100(1))]
= 1.609Mg/m3
C (360ml)
d = (1 (5 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (25.733 / 100(1))]
= 1.513Mg/m3

D (420ml)
d = (1 (5 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (30.178 / 100(1))]
= 1.413Mg/m3
E (480ml)
d = (1 (5 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (27.778 / 100(1))]
= 1.466Mg/m3
For 10% air void, V a = 10%.
A (240ml)
d = (1 (10 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (12.644 / 100(1))]
= 1.812Mg/m3
B (300ml)
d = (1 (10 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (22.000 / 100(1))]
= 1.524Mg/m3
C (360ml)
d = (1 (10 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (25.733 / 100(1))]
= 1.434Mg/m3
D (420ml)
d = (1 (10 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (30.178 / 100(1))]
= 1.339Mg/m3
E (480ml)
d = (1 (10 / 100)) / [(1 / 2.7) + (27.778 / 100(1))]
= 1.389Mg/m3

Graph:

Graph of dry density vs moisture content

2.5
2

0% air void curve

1.5

5% air void curve

Dry density,d/Mg/m3

10% air void curve

Dry density,d/Mg/m3

0.5
0
10 15 20 25 30 35
Moisture content,w /%

The maximum dry density is 0.859Mg/m3 and the optimum moisture content is 25.73%.

Discussion:
During soil compaction test, the soil will be compressed. In the process of soil compaction, the
soil particles are press together, reducing pore spaces between them while increasing the soils density.
Besides that, during compaction test, water will be added into the soil samples to compact the soil and
find the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the soil sample. Because the compacted
soils density and water content has been altered from the soil samples original, it cannot be used to do
other test. To obtain an accurate data, we must always use the same soil sample that have not gone
through any testing or processing.
Optimum moisture content is the percentage of water present in soil at which a specific
compaction force can dry the soil mass to its maximum dry weight. For different soil, the optimum
moister content and maximum dry density are different. Soil compaction reduces the compressibility and
permeability of soil and increases soil density, giving it strength and stability, therefore a stronger
foundation for buildings. In the compaction process, it will dense the soil, fill in the pore spaces, improve
the shear resistance of the soil, and provide better water movement through the soil particles.

The soils that after compaction test is not advisable to reuse for other test. It is because
the compaction test is a disturbed sample. Compaction is a process to increase the density of the
soil mass by mechanical means, which usually involves rolling, vibrating, tamping or
combination of these processes. Such process is to rearrange the soil particles with expulsion of
air in the voids of soil mass without major changes in pore water. Due to this process, the soil
was already compacted means that most of the air from the soil was expel out. The soil now lost
the original properties. Thus, the soil after compaction test cannot reuse for other test.
Conclusion:
The maximum dry density of the soil sample is 0.859Mg/m3 and the optimum moisture content is 27.3%.

Practical 3-Falling Head Permeability Test

Apparatus
1 A permeameter cell comprising:
Cell body, with cutting edge (core cutter), 100mm diameter and 130 mm long. Perforated
base plate with straining rods and wing nuts.
Top clamping plate.
Connecting tube and fittings.
2 Standpipe panel fitted with glass standpipe tubes of different diameters, each with a valve
at its base and connecting tubing. A typical range of tubes comprises diameters of 1.5, 3
and 4.5mm, which are suitable for soils of intermediate permeability such as silts.
3 Source of de-aired and distilled water.
4 Vacuum line and gauge or mercury manometer, and water trap.
5 Steel wood
6 Small tools: funnel, trimming knife, spatula, etc.
7 Thermometer
8 Stopwatch
9 Immersion tank with overflow
Preparation and assembly
1 Calibration od manometer tubes
If the areas of cross section of the three manometer tubes are not known, they should be
determined as follows for each tube.
Fill the tube with water up to a known mark near the top of the scale, observed to the
nearest mm.
Run off the water from the tube into a weighed beaker, until the level in the tube has
fallen by about 500 mm or more.
Read the new level on the scale, to the nearest mm.
Wight the beaker containing water from the tube (weighing should be the nearest 0.01g).
Area of cross section of tube (mm) is given by equation
1000 mw
a=
h1 h
Where
mw
Mass of water (g)
h
Initial level in tube (mm)
h
Final level in tube (mm)
Repeat the measurements two or three times for each tube, and average the result.
Measure the height h (mm) of the overflow from the soaking tank above de datum.
Make a mark about 500 mm below the top of the manometer tube on the scale, and
measure its height y 1 (mm) about the datum. Make another mark near the bottom of
the tubes, but at least 200 mm above the overflow level of the soaking tank, y 2 mm
above datum. Calculate
h1= y 1 h0
h2= y2 h0
h3= h 1 h2

The intermediate mark is made at a height of

level.
2

y 3 = ( h3 + h0 mm above datum

These marks are denoted by h1 , h3 , h2 in Fig 10.38.

Preparation of cell
Dismantle the cell. Check that the sealing rings are in good condition and lightly coat
them with silicone grease. Ensure that the ends of the cell body are true and free from
distortion, and undamaged, and that watertight joints are made when sealing rings and
end plates are clamped in position.
See that the cell body is clean and dry and weigh it to the nearest 0.1g (m1). Measure the
mean internal diameter (D) and length (L) to the nearest 0.5mm.
Saturating sample
Allow water to flow upwards through the sample under the small external head in the
soaking tank and by capillary action. If the water level in the tank falls by an amount
greater than that due to evaporation loss it is a positive indication that the sample is
taking up water. It may be necessary to allow this process to continue overnight or for
24 h or longer, for a low permeability soil.

Procedure
1 Water was allowed to fall down through the sample, and the water level in the standpipe
was observed. As soon as the level h was reached, the timer clock was started. The time
when the level reached h and when it reached h were observed and recorded, then the
clock was stopped.
2 The standpipe can be refilled for a repeat fun. Three of four test runs should be done
consecutively.
Calculations, plotting and expression of results
1 During each run the time taken for the standpipe water level to fall from h1 to h3 should
be the same as from h3 to h2 to within about 10%. If the difference is much more than
this, the test run should be repeated. Calculate the average time for each set of test runs (t
minutes).
2) The permeability k of the sample is calculated from equation
h
aL
m
k =3.84
log 10 a 105 ( )
At
hb
s

( )

Where
a
L
A
T
ha/hb

area of cross section of tube (mm2)

length of sample (mm)
area of cross section of sample (mm2)
average time for each set of test runs (minute)
represent in turn by (h1/h3) and (h3/h2)

h1 = 170.0cm
h2=167.5 cn
h3=162.5 cm
Calculation
( 92)
a=
=63.62 mm
4
2
(100.25 )
A=
=7893.3 mm
4
To find the permeability k,
ha
aL
5
k =3.84
log 10
10 (m/s)
At
hb

( )

k 1=3.84

( 63.62 ) ( 134 )
170.0
log 10
105
167.5
( 7893.3 ) ( 10 )

= 2.668 108 m/s

k 2=3.84

( 63.62 ) ( 134 )
167.5
log 10
105
165.2
( 7893.3 ) ( 10 )

= 2.490 108

k=

m/s

k 1+ k 2
2

= 2.579 108

m/s

Discussion
1) This is because when the permeability is greater than 10^-4 m/s, the water is flowing with a
speed consider very fast since that the step while taking record in the falling head test may not be
success. Constant head test is suitable to be used to determine the permeability of those soils.
2) The typical saturated permeability values for coarse sand is from 102 m/s to 104 m/s,
for fine sand is from 104 m/s to 105 m/s ; For silty clay is from 105 m/s to 107 m/s
; For clay is < 108 m/s. (refer to the lecture note)
The sample in this experiment is a type of clay