4 Soils investigation:

Lab tests

Developed by: Professor Michela Marchi

Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and
Material Engineering (DICAM)
University of Bologna
Email: michela.marchi@unibo.it
 Textbook:

BOOK CHAPTERS: 3
SECTIONS: 3.0, 3.4 PHASE IV, 3.5.6, 3.5.8
Importance of site investigations
.
- Adequate knowledge of ground conditions is very important for
analyses, design and construction of geotechnical systems.

- Project delays, soil failures and cost over-run are the results of
inadequate and inappropriate site investigations.

- You need to be able to specify appropriate tests for field and

lab investigations
Lab tests

Laboratory tests are needed to

– classify soils
– to determine strength, settlement, and stiffness
parameters for design and construction.

• Lab tests allow for better control of the test conditions applied to the
soil than in situ tests.

• Laboratory test samples are invariably disturbed, and the degree of

disturbance can significantly affect the test results.

• Sufficient care must be taken to reduce testing disturbances.

Lab tests

Laboratory tests can be divided into two classes:

Class I tests are tests to determine the physical
properties
Class II tests are used to determine the mechanical
properties.
 Summary of main Laboratory Tests to Determine
Physical Properties

Physical Parameters
properties ASTM Test objective determined Purpose
Compaction D 698 To determine the (γ d ) max , wopt Specification of
D 1557 maximum dry density compaction in
and optimum water the field
content
Permeability D 2434 To determine k Estimate of flow
the hydraulic of water and
conductivity seepage
forces; stability
analysis
Maximum and D 4253 To determine emax Soil
minimum dry D 4254 the maximum emin classification
density and minimum
dry density of
coarse-grained
soil
 Summary of main Laboratory Tests to Determine
Physical Properties
Physical Parameters
properties ASTM Test objective determined Purpose
Specific gravity D 854 To determine the Gs To calculate
specific gravity soil density
of soils
Grain size D 422 To determine D10, D50 Soil
determination D 1140 the grain size classification
distribution D10
Cu =
D60
D302
C C=
D10D60
Water content D 2216 To determine w Qualitative
the water content information on
of a soil strength and
deformation
Index test D 4318 To determine PL, LL, PI, SL, Soil
the water content LI classification;
at which soil qualitative
changes phases information on
strength and
settlement
 Summary of main Laboratory Mechanical Test
Exercises on Direct shear tests

Test ASTM Stress Drainage Soil Parameters Advantages Disadvantages

condition condition type
Direct D 3080 Plane strain— Drained Coarse- φ 'cs , • Simple • Soil fails on
shear (DS) stress or grained φ 'p , • Quick predetermined
strain control • Commonly failure plane
αp available • Nonuniform
stress
distribution
• Strains cannot
be determined
Triaxial (T) D 4767 Axisymmetric Drained or All φ 'cs , • Versatile— • Principal axes
D 2850 stress or undrained φ 'p , two stresses rotate only by
D 2166 strain control (axial and 908 instanta-
(for UC su, E radial stresses) neously
tests) and M can be controlled • Nonuniform
independently stress
• Commonly distribution—
available reduce by
Exercises on Triaxial CD, lubricating
CU and UU tests platen
 Summary of main Laboratory Mechanical Test
Exercises on oedometer test

Test ASTM Stress Drainage Soil Parameters Advantages Disadvantages

condition condition type
One- D 2435 Axisymmetric Drained Fine- Cc, Cr, Cα • Simple • One-
dimensional D 4186 grained Cv, s 'zc , • Readily dimensional
consolidation D 5333 mv available
D 454
or λ , κ ,
p 'c
Direct Plane strain Drained All φ 'cs , φ ' p , • Principal • Nonuniform
simple (constant axes rotate stress and
shear load) or
su, G during test strain
(DSS) undrained • Closely distributions
(constant approximates • Not readily
Volume) many field available
conditions
 On your own:
1. Revise your knowledge of laboratory tests using your
Textbook:
Chapter 9: Oedometer test (section 9.7)
Chapter 10: Direct shear and Triaxial (section 10.7)
2. Read in Chapter 3 Sections: 3.0, 3.4 Phase IV, 3.5.6, 3.5.8
 Prof. Michela Marchi

Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Material

Engineering (DICAM)

michela.marchi@unibo.it
https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/michela.marchi/en

www.unibo.it