Lab #1 Description & identification of soils

Done By: Arman Askarpoor (45356) & Syed Waqas(45785 )

Submitted to: Dr. Aqeel Ahmed

Date of submission: 19/02/14

Spring 2014
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Abstract
This experiment was mainly about the identification of soils. Different types of soil were given to students to conduct tests on them such as texture, dilatancy, plasticity,and visually analyze their characteristics.

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Table of Contents

Abstract Table of Contents List of Figures Figures Objective Theory Experimental Set-up & Procedure

ii iii iv v 1 1 2 3

Results 4 Discussion 6 Conclusion 6 Applications 7 Recommendations 7 References

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List of Figures
Fig1- Dune Sand Fig2 - Beach Sand Fig3 - Clay Fig4 - Fine Aggregate Table1 - Results v v v v 3

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List of Figures

Fig1 - Dune Sand

Fig2 - Beach Sand

Fig3 - Clay

Fig4 - Fine Aggregate

Objective To visually identify different soil samples, and also apprehend them based on their distinguished soil properties.

Theory There are three types of rocks and those are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. When magma goes under cooling and crystallization igneous rocks are formed. If these igneous rocks go under weathering and transportation, sediments are formed. After this, sediment go under cementation , compaction and lithification to form Sedimentary Rocks. Then, metamorphic rocks are formed when heat and pressure is applied to the sedimentary rocks. This cycle is repeated over the generations for the formation of these rocks. On the other hand, these rocks play a significant role in different types of soil. In addition to this, for this experiment, students were involved in determining different types of soil based on the following characteristics: Color: red or yellow for iron, beige for silica; gray for aluminum; green for copper\ Texture: smooth or rough Gradation: poorly or uniformly graded Particle shape: round or angular Dilatancy: this can be tested by adding water and shaking it water will appear and disappear if squeezed. Water Dissolving: This test is observed by adding soil to the water. The test is used to see whether the soil settles immediately or dissolves in water. Dry Strength: weak or strong
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Experimental-Setup & Procedure Equipment Used Cup or dish for mixing the soil Knife or spatula for mixing and smoothing out the soil Flat glass or metal plate for rolling out the soil Supply of water Hot plate or oven to dry out clouds of soil

Procedure Samples were presented to the student to conduct the test. Identify the properties of the soil visually such as color. Touch the soil and predict its texture. Then add water to check dilatancy. Add soil in the flask of water and observe whether it settles immediately or dissolves in water. Take a sample of soil and add few drops of water on it, and determine the plasticity nature Place a sample of the soil in the oven(if necessary) to predict its strength.

Results Table 1 - Results

Discussion The different types of soils were identified by the different properties shown in Table 1. Color The color of the sand comes from minerals present in the soil or the stained organic material. For example in the first sample the soil was reddish brown which is the color of Iron (mineral) that is present in the soil. For sample 2& 3 the beige color tells us that Silica is present in the soil. Finally, the grey color in the third trial indicated that aluminum is present in the solid. Texture The texture of the soil was determined by holding a sample in the hand & feeling whether the particles are smooth or rough Gradation Gradation is how the grain sizes are distributed. If all the grain sizes were the same then we have a uniform gradation while if they are not then it is non-uniform. In our experiment only the third trial shown in table 1 had a non-uniform gradation because of different grain sizes. Particle Shape The particle shape was identified by physically feeling the soil or simply looking at the handout provided. It is the shape of the grains; it can be round or angular. In our experiment all the samples were round except for the third sample which was angular and this was noticed because of the rough texture.

Dilatancy Then a process was done known as dilatancy test where we poured water into the soil and rolled out our hand and checked whether the water stays in the soil or the water flows out of the soil. If the water flowed then the soil is positive charged as water is also positively charged and therefore they repel each other. While a negative charge will bond the water and soil and no water flows when we shake our hand. In the experiment only the second sample had a negative charge.

Plasticity Plasticity indicated how closely the soils were bonded together when an amount of water was added to the soil. If it was loosely bonded and particles broke up from each other easily it was categorized as non-plastic. While if it had strong bond and particles were stuck together and the soil could be easily shaped, it was called plastic. Only the second sample was plastic in our experiment.

Mineralogy From the color of the soil we managed to identify the type of mineral included in the soil. Even sometimes from the smell it is identifiable.

Dry strength The dry strength was basically the strength of the soild in dry state which can be physically observed. The lab handout also helped us determine this property.

Water dissolving The soil was poured into a water flask. Particles with positive charge settled down at the bottom of the container without forming clouds because of repulsion by positive

water charges, while the one with negative charge interacted and dissolved forming clouds before settling down. Identification Finally, having known all the properties above we were able to identify the different types of soil we were dealing with.

Conclusion Overall, the experiment was very useful in helping us identify different soils based on their properties. The experiment was very simple and quick to carry out. It required simple visual skills, physical feeling of the soil & a set of small tests.

Application It is important for civil engineers to identify the different types of the soils & know their properties before building onto it. For example, if the soil strength is weak then a structure that is built on it will settle down and collapse as the soil does not have enough bearing capacity. Additionally, when building a structure near the sea, it is important to know the surrounding soil. It is important to have a non-plastic soil so that when water seeps into soil; it does not stay absorbed and making it easy change shape (strength) when it interacts with water.

Recommendation
Take repeats for more accurate results When doing dilatancy test & checking plasticity, be careful not to pour a lot of water Make sure the soil is completely dry before doing the experiment

Reference

Lab Handout
http://projects.math.arizona.edu/~sp2007/sdgroup.html http://www.american-sand.com/ http://whitefieldminerals.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=12 http://www.livescience.com/38163-where-beach-sand-comes-from.html