UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (CoET)

DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
TR 231: GEOLOGY FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

SOIL LABAROTORY REPORT: SOIL PROPERTIES AND SOIL INDEX

REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2022-04-00872

STUDENT NAME: NORASCUS NOVATH BIJANA

LECTURER NAME: DR P.M.S.BUJULU.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: FRI 16th FEBRUARY, 2024

 PRACTICAL 01: SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Soil classification involves grouping soil into different groups according to size and their
properties. There are different methods of classifying soil according to their sizes for coarser soil
we use dry sieving, and wet sieving. For fine soil we use sedimentation analysis, and Atterberg
limits (Liquid limit and Plastic limits).

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this practical was:

i. To determine the particle size distribution

ii. To determine the Atterberg limits

THE GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS

A: DRY SIEVING

The aim of this practical was to determine the particle size distribution of a soil coarser than
0.063mm

APPARATUS

The apparatus used in this practical were:

i. Set of sieves
ii. sieve shaker
iii. weigh balance
iv. wire brush
v. oven

PROCEDURES

a. The sample of soil was oven-dried at 1050 for about 24 hours.

b. 305g of soil sample measured on weigh balance and sieved on sieve sizes greater than
8mm up to 0.4mm sieve.
 c. Amont of a soil passing on 0.4mm sieves was ignored / neglected, and mass of soil retain
on sieve from 0.4mm and above was recorded to obtain percentage passing of soil sample
on sieve sizes greater than 0.4mm.

WET SIEVING

The aim of this practical was to determine the particle size distribution of a soil coarser than
0.063mm. the main different between wet and dry sieving, for the wet sieving soil sample is
soaked for a required time, then is washed into a 0.063mm sieve to remove fines, then followed
by dry sieving.

PROCEDURE

a. The sample of soil was oven-dried at 1050 for about 24 hours.

b. Soil sample was sieved at 0.4mm sieve and 50g of the soil sample passing through
0.4mm sieve was weigh.

c. 50g was soaked with distilled water 100ml and Sodium Hexametaphosphate 15ml for a
required time in order to avoid flocculation of soil grains.
d. The soaked sample is then washed into 0.063mm sieve. The sample retain is taken into
the oven for dry sieving after 24 hours. Fine particles which passing with water is taken
for sedimentation analysis
e. Dry sieving is followed for the sieve sizes from 0.4mm up to 0.063mm. mass soil sample
retain on each sieve was recorded for determining percentage passing of a soil from
0.4mm to 0.063.
The table below summarizes the results obtained from the practical

Total mass of oven dried sample Mo 305g

Mo represents Xo =100% of total sample Max grain size 4.00mm

Sieve Sieve Mass Percentage Total Reduced Remarks

size +sample retained of Passing Percentage
Mo Yo Zo
Sieve

mm G g % % %
Zo=XoYo
4 522 0.00 0.00 100 100 100
522

2 516 0.50 0.2 99.8

515.5

1 488.2 7.8 2.6 97.4

480.4

0.4 513.8 67.8 22.2 77.8 75

464.0

Sum M 76.10

Smaller 0.4: Mo- M 22.8 75 75

Fine sieving of fraction:0.4 >d >0.063 of sedimentation

Sample Md : 50g ; Md represents X1= % of t.s
Z1 =X1-Y1
100
0.25 430.5 14.0 % of M1 Y1 Z1

416.5 28.0 72 54.0

0.125 417.2 6.20 12.4 59.6 44.7

411.0
 0.063 396.2 6.90 13.8 45.7 34.4

389.3

B: SEDIMENTATION (HYDROMETER)

The aim of this practical was to determine the particle size distribution of the fine-grained soils
(clay and silt) by the hydrometer method, we use this method for particles of size less than
0.063mm`

APPARATUS

i. Hydrometer
ii. Cylinder
iii. Thermometer
iv. Stirring device
v. Stop watch.

PROCEDURES

a. The sample of soil was oven-dried at 1050 for about 24 hours.

b. Soil sample was sieved at 0.4mm sieve and 50g of the soil sample passing through
0.4mm sieve was weigh.
c. 50g was soaked with distilled water 100ml and Sodium Hexametaphosphate 15ml for a
required time in order to avoid flocculation of soil soil grains.
d. The soaked sample is then washed into 0.063mm sieve. The suspension (passing on
0.063mm sieve) is taken for sedimentation analysis
 e. Suspension for sedimentation analysis should fill cylinder of 1litre stirred carefully.

f. After stirring the suspension, hydrometer is inserted into the cylinder and stop watch is
tarted and starting to record hydrometer reading after every required time (30 sec, 1min,
2mins, 4mins, 8mins, 15mins, 30mins, 1hr, 2hrs, 4hrs and 24hrs)

Combined sieve-Sedimentation Curve

Nomo graphic Chart of Stokes Law

The results of the experiment was recorded in the table below
Meniscus corr Cm=g/cm3 Dispersing agent

15mls hexametaphosphate

Temperature corr Cv=1.5G/cm3 (if temperature is constand)

Density ρs ρ s =2.65g/cm3
Dry mass of sample Md =50.0g S 0.4 = 75 (from sieving

Sedimentation only Sieving +sedimentation

Percentage smaller d: S 0.4=percentage smaller 0.4mm from sieving

ρs( R+Cv ) Sd= percentage smaller d from sedimentation

sd=
Md (ρs−1) Sd res=percentage smaller d relative to the total sample

Sd res= S 0.4 . Sd
 Date Time Elapsed Hydrom Corr Aequiv Temp Corr R+Cv Sd Sd
res
Time Reading Reading Diam V Temp

R` R=R`+Cm d Cv

H Min Sec g/cm

3
g/cm
3 mm ℃ g g % %
3 3
cm cm
30 12.5 13.5 0.065 27.2 1.5 15.2 48.2 36.1

60 10.2 11.2 0.04 13.7 40.8 30.0

2 8.5 9.5 0.033 11.0 36.4 26.5

4 7.5 8.5 0.023 10.0 32.2 24.1

8 6.5 7.5 0.017 9.0 28.9 21.6

15 6.0 7.0 0.012 27.2 1.5 8.5 27.3 20.8

30 5.0 6.0 0.009 7.5 24.1 18.1

1 4.2 5.2 0.006 6.7 21.6 16.8

2 4.2 5.2 0.004 6.7 18.3 13.6

4 3.2 4.2 0.003 5.7 12.9 9.7

24 1.5 2.5 0.0013 27.2 1.5 4.0

DETERMINATION OF ATTERBERG LIMITS

A: LIQUID LIMIT W L

The aim of this practical was to determine the water content WL of a given soil

-Liquid limit is the water content of cohesive soil where soil changes from plastic to the liquid
state and starts to behave as liquid and its shearing resistance is almost negligible.

APPARATUS

The following apparatus were used in this practical

-Casagrande apparatus and the grooving tool.

 PROCEDURES

a. A soil of mass 200g passed through 0.4mm sieve and then was divided into portions from
which soil water paste were prepared
b. A soil water paste was filled into bowl of given size and its surface was smoothened
parallel to the base plate
c. A groove was formed right through the paste as shown in the figure above with a special
groove cutter
d. The bowl was lifted to a given height and released to drop freely onto a rubber base at a
constant rate of two blows per second
e. When the bottom of the groove was closed over a distance of 10mm the procedure was
stopped and the number of blows was recorded
f. The procedure was repeated until two consecutive tests yielded the same number of
blows.
g. The water content was determined on the sample taken from where the groove closed
(mid of sample)
h. The test was performed with 4 different water content which
The table below summarizes the result of the experiment.

Borehole /Trial pit KUNDUCHI Sampling depth 0.5m

Liquid Limit Plastic Limit

Container No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

No of blows 38 39 39 28 29 29 23 24 24 15 16 16 - - -

Wet sample + M1 g 41.07 37.75 40.12 44.33 28.5 36.9 89.8

Container

Dry sample M2 g 36.97 34.90 35.94 39.80 27.68 28.6 30.0

+container 2

Container Mc g 24.50 26.63 24.33 28.00 22.94 23.0 25.65

9

Water M1- M2 Mw g 4.10 2.85 4.18 4.53 0.74 0.81 0.72

Dry sample Md g 12.46 8.27 11.61 11.80 4.74 4.93 4.35
M2- Mc

Water W 0.32 0.345 0.360 0.384 0.156 0.16 0.166

content 4
Mw
Md

THE GRAPH OF WATER CONTENT AGAINST No OF BLOWS

PRACTICAL 02: INDEX PROPERTIES

INTRODUCTION

Soil is a three phased system, consisting of solid particles, water and air. The three phases are
arranged and for each soil the appearance, the relationship between the phases is different. The
particle size distribution reveals the grain sizes and their perceptual distribution in a soil sample
the letter represents a certain condition in the field which is investigated in the laboratory and in
the field. The index properties give more information about the relationship between phases
NATURAL (BULKY) DENSITY

The bulk density of a soil sample is the mass of soil per unit volume, including both solids and
pore spaces. It is typically expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or kilograms per
cubic meter (kg/m³). To calculate bulk density, you divide the mass of the soil by its volume,
considering both the solid and pore spaces.

Mass of a soil sample (g)

Bulk density=
volume occupied by soil ( cm 3 )

In laboratory there are three methods of determining bulk density of a soil

i. Core cutter method

ii. Wax method
iii. pycnometer

DETERMINING BULK DENSITY BY THE CORE CUTTER METHOD

APPARATUS

The apparatus used in this practical were:

i. Core cutter / U4
ii. Hammer
iii. Piece of wood
iv. Balance
v. Oven and Vernier caliper and extruder

Sample Collection

Obtain undisturbed soil sample using a soil core sampler (core cutter or U4). Core cutter is used for
shallow depth while U4 is used for deep depth. Sampler should be sharp one side. Trim the ends of the
soil core to achieve a smooth and flat surface. Length and diameter of the core (15 to 16cm) and 10cm
respectively

Core cutter is drive into the required depth (2m) to obtain undisturbed soil sample.

Sample Mass Measurement:

Weigh the entire soil core to determine the mass, provided that mass of core cutter is known (1436g).
where mass of soil + sampler (3330g)

Mass of soil = (mass of sampler + soil) – mass of sampler

=1894g

Soil Moisture Content:

Determine the moisture content of the soil core by oven-drying a soil sample.

Mass of water ∈a soil(g)

Moisture content=
mass of dry soil ( g )

Calculate Dry Mass:

Subtract the moisture content from the total mass to obtain the dry mass of the soil.

Dry mass = undisturbed soil mass – mass of water

Calculate Core Volume:

Calculate the volume of the soil core using the measured length and diameter. The volume of a cylinder is

V = πr²h

where r is the radius and h are the height.

Bulk Density Calculation:

Calculate the bulk density using the formula

Mass of a soil sample (g)

Bulk density=
volume occupied by soil ( cm 3 )

Dry density

Is obtained by using the formular

bulk density (g)

dry density =
1+ moisture content

Repeat the process for multiple cores at least 3 samples from different locations to ensure
representative results.

BULK DENSIITY DETERMINATION

 LABORATORY FOR SOIL MECHANICS

Project …………………………………………………………….

Project no ………………………………………………………….

Borehole pit ………………………………………………………...

Depth…………………………………………….

Borehole ID TP 1 TP2 TP3 Average

Sample tube depth, m 2

Mass of sampler + soil, M1g 3330

Mass of sampler, M2 g 1436

Mass of sample,M=M1-M2 (g) 1894

Volume of sampler, cm3 908

M 3 2.09
Bulk density ρbulk = , g/cm
V

Water content, % 19

ρ bulk 3 1.76
Dry density ρdry= , g/cm
1+W

Dimension of sampler h= 11.8 cm and d= 9.9 cm

MOISTURE CONTENT

Container No U1

Container + Sample (wet), g 94.90

Container + Sample (dry), g 84.32

Mass of container, g 30.92

Moisture content, % 19

BULK DENSITY BY PYCNOMETER METHOD

APPARATUS
The apparatus used in this practical were:

Pycnometer, Stoper, weigh balance and oven

Determining bulk density by the pycnometer method involves the following steps:

a. Sample Collection: Collect a representative soil sample from the desired location.
b. Sample Preparation: Air-dry the soil sample to remove excess moisture. Crush and
grind the soil to a fine powder.
c. Pycnometer Preparation: Clean and dry the pycnometer thoroughly. Weigh the empty
pycnometer.
d. Sample Mass Measurement: Weigh a known mass of the soil sample and add it to the
pycnometer.
e. Pycnometer Filling: Add a known volume of water to the pycnometer, making sure the
soil is fully immersed.
f. Pycnometer Weighing: Weigh the pycnometer filled with soil and water.
g. Calculate Bulk Density: Calculate the bulk density using the formula: Bulk Density =
(Mass of Soil + Mass of Water) / Volume of Water.
h. Determination of Water Density: Determine the density of water at the temperature of
the experiment.
i. Calculate Dry Bulk Density: Correct the bulk density for the water content by
subtracting the water density.

COMPUTATION

Mass of a dry soil( g)

density of soil=
volume of pycnometer ( cm 3 )

DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOLID PHASE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 14 15
3
 Pycn no.
Lab. no

Mp+w2
Mp+S

Mw1

Mw2
date

ρs =
ρw1

ρw2
Mp

Ms
5-4 7-5

11-4
No. No. G G g g ͦ g/cm3 g G ͦ g/cm3

C C

162 101 50.27 93.75 0.99438 135.32 99.32 0.99585 2.614

14.27
36

162 102 93.12 0.99438 134.73 98.66 0.99580 2.653

36.07

50.46

14.39

162 102 93.12 0.99438 134.73 98.66 0.99580 2.653

36.07

50.46

14.39

PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING BULK DENSITY BY WAX METHOD

APPARATUS

The apparatus used in this practical were:

i. Core cutter / U4,

ii. Hammer,
iii. Piece of wood,
iv. Balance, Oven,
v. Vernier caliper and
vi. Extruder.

Determining bulk density by the wax method involves the following steps:

a. Sample Collection: Collect a representative soil sample from the desired location.
b. Sample Preparation: Air-dry the soil sample to remove excess moisture. Crush and
grind the soil to a fine powder.
 c. Wax Melting and Preparation: Melt paraffin or wax to a liquid state. Prepare a
container or mold for the wax, ensuring it's large enough to accommodate the soil
sample.

Soil Sample Imprinting: Place the dry, powdered soil into the wax mold. Imprint the soil by
pressing it into the wax while ensuring it fills the mold completely.

d. Wax Solidification: Allow the wax to solidify around the soil sample.
e. Remove Excess Wax: Trim any excess wax from the molded sample, leaving only the
wax-encased soil.
f. Weigh the Wax-Encased Soil: Weigh the wax-encased soil to determine its mass.
g. Calculate Bulk Density: Calculate the bulk density using the formula:

Mass of a wax−Encased Soil ( g)

Bulk density of soil=
volume of Wax ( cm3 )

Repeat the procedure with additional soil samples to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Project No. sampling depth……….

Borehole (m)

Density of wax, ρ = 0.9 g/cm3

No. 1 2 3 4

Mass of sample, g M 997

Mass of specimen after Mo 997

wrapping, g

Mass of specimen after M1 1057

waxing, g (in air)

Mass of wax = M1 -Mo (g) Mp 60

Mass of wax sample M2 417

suspended in water

Volume of specimen V 565

 M 1−M o
V= 1 M p , cm3
−
ρw ρp

M ρ 1.76
Nature density, ρ = , g/cm3
V

Container No E4

Container + Sample (wet), g 25.70

Container + Sample (dry), g 24.53

Mass of container, g 16.32

Mass of water, g Mw 1.17

Mass of dry soil Md 8.21

Water content, % W 14.2

ρ bulk 3 ρd 1.541
Dry density ρdry= , g/cm
1+W