CHAPTER 3: OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK

3.1 Research Methodology

Compaction Test
Compaction test is a laboratory method of experimentally determining the optimal moisture content at which
a given soil type will become most dense and achieve its maximum dry density. These laboratory tests
generally consist of compacting soil at known moisture content into a cylindrical mold of standard
dimensions using a compactive effort of controlled magnitude. The soil is usually compacted into the mold
to a certain amount of equal layers, each receiving a number of blows from a standard weighted hammer at
a specified height. This process is then repeated for various moisture contents and the dry densities are
determined for each. The graphical relationship of the dry density to moisture content is then plotted to
establish the compaction curve. The maximum dry density is finally obtained from the peak point of the
compaction curve and its corresponding moisture content, also known as the optimal moisture content.
Equipment:
1. Molds
2. Manual rammer
3. Extruder
4. Balance Scale
5. Drying oven
6. Mixing pan
7. Trowel
8. #4 sieve
9. Moisture cans
10. Graduated cylinder
11. Straight Edge
Optimum Moisture Content Determination
Procedure
1. Depending on the type of mold you are using obtain a sufficient quantity of air-dried soil in large
mixing pan. For the 4-inch mold take approximately 10 lbs, and for the 6-inch mold take roughly 15
lbs. Pulverize the soil and run it through the # 4 sieve.
2. Determine the weight of the soil sample as well as the weight of the compaction mold with its base
by using the balance and record the weights.
3. Compute the amount of initial water to add by the following method:
(a) Assume water content for the first test to be 8 percent.
(b) Compute water to add from the following equation:

Where water to add and the soil mass are in grams. Remember that a gram of water is equal to
approximately one milliliter of water.
4. Measure out the water, add it to the soil, and then mix it thoroughly into the soil using the trowel
until the soil gets a uniform color
5. Assemble the compaction mold to the base, place some soil in the mold and compact the soil in
the number of equal layers specified by the type of compaction method employed (See Photos D
and E). The number of drops of the rammer per layer is also dependent upon the type of mold
used (See Table 1). The drops should be applied at a uniform rate not exceeding around 1.5
 seconds per drop, and the rammer should provide uniform coverage of the specimen surface. Try
to avoid rebound of the rammer from the top of the guide sleeve.
6. The soil should completely fill the cylinder and the last compacted layer must extend slightly above
the collar joint. If the soil is below the collar joint at the completion of the drops, the test point must
be repeated. (Note: For the last layer, watch carefully, and add more soil after about 10 drops if it
appears that the soil will be compacted below the collar joint.)
7. Carefully remove the collar and trim off the compacted soil so that it is completely even with the top
of the mold using the trowel. Replace small bits of soil that may fall out during the trimming process
8. Weigh the compacted soil while its in the mold and to the base, and record the mass.Determine
the wet mass of the soil by subtracting the weight of the mold and base.
9. Remove the soil from the mold using a mechanical extruder and take soil moisture content
samples from the top and bottom of the specimen. Fill the moisture cans with soil and determine
the water content.
10. Place the soil specimen in the large tray and break up the soil until it appears visually as if it will
pass through the # 4 sieve, add 2 percent more water based on the original sample mass, and re-
mix as in step 4. Repeat steps 5 through 9 until, based on wet mass, a peak.

Documentation
Determination of California Bearing Ratio
California bearing ratio is the ratio of force per unit area required to penetrate in to a soil mass with a
circular plunger of 50mm diameter at the rate of 1.25mm / min.

Equipment
1. Moulds
2. Spacer disc
3. Metal rammer
4. Scale
5. Penetration plunger
6. Dial gauge
7. Sieves 19 mm and 4.75 mm

Miscellaneous
1. Mixing bowls
2. Straight edges
3. Soaking tank
4. Drying oven
5. Filter paper
6. Dishes and calibrating measuring jar
Static Compaction
Procedure
1. In this method calculate the mass of wet soil at required moisture content to give a desired density
when compacted in a standard test mould as given below Volume of mould = 2250cc.

Weight of dry soil

(W) = 2250 x MDD.

Weight of wet soil

Ws =

Weight of water = Weight of wet soil - Weight of dry soil

m = Optimum moisture content obtained from the laboratory compaction test.

2. Take oven dried soil sample of calculated weight and thoroughly mix with water (OMC) as obtained
from the above equation and record the empty weight of the mould with base plate, with extension
collar removed (m1)
3. Place the correct mass of the wet soil in to the mould in five layers
4. Gently compact each layer with the spacer disc
5. Place a filter paper on top of the soil followed by a 5cms displacer disc.
6. Compact the mould by pressing it in between the platens of the compression testing machine until
the top of the spacer disc comes flush with the top of the mould and held the load for about 30
seconds and then release.
7. In some soil types where a certain amount of rebound occurs, it may be necessary to reapply load
to force the displacer disc slightly below the top of the mould so that on rebound the right volume is
obtained.
8. Remove the mould from the compression testing machine
9. Remove the spacer disc and weigh the mould with compacted soil (m2) and Replace the extension
collar of the mould.
10. Prepare two more specimens in the same procedure as described above.

Penetration Test
Procedure
1. After 96 hours of soaking take out the specimen from the water and remove the extension collar,
perforated disc, surcharge weights and filter paper
2. Drain off the excess water by placing the mould inclined for about 15 minutes and weigh the mould
3. Place the mould on the lower plate of the testing machine with top face exposed
4. To prevent upheaval of soil in to the hole of surcharge weights, place 2.5kg annular weights on the
soil surface prior to seating the penetration plunger after which place the reminder of the surcharge
weights
 5. Set the plunger under a load of 4 kg so that full contact is established between the surface of the
specimen and the plunger
6. Set the stress and strain gauges to zero
7. Consider the initial load applied to the plunger as the zero load and Apply the load at the rate of
1.25 mm / min
8. Take the readings of the load at penetration of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5
9. Raise the plunger and detach the mould from the loading equipment and collect the sample of
about 20 to 50gms of soil from the top 30mm layer of specimen and determine the water content in
accordance with IS: 2720 (Part 4) 1973.
10. Examine the specimen carefully after the test is completed for the presence of any over size soil
particles, which are likely to affect the results if they happen to be located directly below the
penetration plunger.

DIRECT SHEAR TEST

The test is carried out on either undisturbed samples or remoulded samples. To facilitate the remoulding
purpose, a soil sample may be compacted at optimum moisture content in a compaction mould. Then
specimen for the direct shear test could be obtained using the correct cutter provided. Alternatively, sand
sample can be placed in a dry state at a required density, in the assembled shear box. A normal load is
applied to the specimen and the specimen is sheared across the pre-determined horizontal plane between
the two halves of the shear box. Measurements of shear load, shear displacement and normal
displacement are recorded. The test is repeated foe two or more identical specimens under different normal
loads. From the results, the shear strength parameters can be determined.

Equipment
1. Direct Shear machine
2. Shear box
3. Mould
4. Weighing Scale
5. Vernier Calliper
6. Stop watch
7. Pans

Procedure
1. Assemble the shear box and compact the soil sample in mould after bringing it to optimum
moisture condition
2. Carefully transfer the sample into shear box then place the loading plate on top of the upper porous
plate. After recording the weight of the loading carrier place it is on the loading cap.
 3. Position all dial gauges and set the readings to zero. Remove the alignment screws which hold two
halves of the shear box together
4. Tighten the remaining, two diagonally opposite screws, until there is a small gap between upper
and lower boxes to reduce the frictional force
5. Apply the desired normal load. If there is any vertical displacement, wait till the dial gauges indicate
a constant reading and then reset the dial gauge to zero
6. Check that screws have been removed and then start the motor to produce the desired constant
rate of shearing.
7. Take readings of; Shear load from the proving ring, Shear displacement, and Vertical displacement
at every 10 division increment in horizontal dial gauge.
8. Stop the test when the shear load starts to reduce or remains constant for at least three readings
9. Remove the soil and repeat the procedure with different normal loads at least for another two
samples.

REFERENCE :

Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing, Prof. Krishna Reddy, UIC

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF

MORATUWA SRI LANKA