OBJECTIVES

1. To know the values, importance and significance of soil

in the construction materials

2. Identify each kind of tests and its significance

3. To perform actually each test and apparatus use in each

test

4. Interpret test result and requirements

 SOIL MODULE
I. Reducing Field Sample to testing Size

1. Mechanical Splitter
2. Quartering

II. Soil Tests and Significance

1. Moisture Content Determination

The behavior of a soil is markedly influenced by the
amount of moisture it contains. Moisture content, therefore, is
an important characteristic. By definition, moisture content,
MC, is the ratio of the weight/mass of water in the soil to the
weight/mass of the dry soil after it has been dried to constant
weight/mass at a temperature of 110±5°C.
 Soil Tests and Significance
2. Sieve Analysis (Grading Test)
Particle size / Sieve Analysis is the determination of
particle size distribution in soils by sieve, hydrometer, or a
combined analysis. The method which should be used depends
on the size of the soil grains.
Grain size distribution is widely used in the classification
and identification of soils. It is an important criteria in the
classification of highway subgrade materials. It is also related to
permeability and capillarity of cohensionless soils.
 Soil Tests and Significance

3. Determination of Liquid Limit

The liquid limit is defined as the lowest moisture content
at which the soil will flow upon the application of a very small
shearing force. The liquid limit gives a certain measure of the
shearing resistance of a soil when mixed with water.
 Soil Tests and Significance
4. Determination of Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index
The plastic limit is defined as the minimum moisture
content at which the soil can be readily molded without breaking
or crumbling. Plasticity index indicates compressibility; high P.I.
means high degree of compressibility of a soil. It is also related
to permeability; the higher the P.I. the lower the permeability;
and vice versa.
The limit test and plasticity index are widely used to
control the characteristics of soil which are to be incorporated in
roadways.
 Soil Tests and Significance
5. Determination of Specific Gravity of Soil
It is defined as the ratio of the weight/mass in air of a
given volume of a material to the weight/mass in air of an equal
volume of water at a stated temperature. It is used in connection
with gravimetric-volumetric relationship in soils and various
laboratory tests.

6. Compaction Test (Moisture Density Relation Test of Soil)

Compaction of soil mass involves the application of
energy and addition of water as lubricant. It results in reduction
of pore spaces and increase of density by rearrangement of
particle grains. Thus, the mass becomes more stable and
impermeable,which are desirable characteristics of foundations.
 Soil Tests and Significance
7. Determination of Density of Soil In-Place by the Sand-Cone
Method(Field Density test)
Density of soil is defined as the weight/mass per unit
volume. It is a very significant engineering property of soils as
strength is dependent upon density.
The field density test is widely used as a control test in
embankment construction to ensure adequate compaction.
Highway specifications usually require that embankment should
be compacted to not less than 95% of a maximum density.
Another application of the test in highway work is in connection
with the determination of “pay quantity” of borrow materials,
when the borrow pit is not amenable to direct volumetric
measurements.
 Soil Tests and Significance
8. Organic Content
The test determines the presence of organic materials in
soil by loss on ignition.

9. California Bearing Ratio

This method covers the determination of the bearing
ratio of soil when compacted and tested in the laboratory by
comparing the penetration load of the soil to that of a standard
material.
 SOIL and SOIL AGGREGATES

Soil – refers to the mineral material at or

near the earth’s surface which consists of
air, moisture and other substances which
may be incorporated there in and which
has resulted from natural processes such
as weathering, decay and other chemical
action.
 ENGINEERING
CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL
Materials passing the 75
mm (3”) sieve and retained
A. COARSE - Grained Soil : on No. 200 (0.075 mm)
sieve

B. FINE Grained Soil : Materials passing the No.

200 (0.075 mm) sieve

Inferior than fine grained

C. ORGANIC Soil : soil (unsuitable or
unpredictable material
 ENGINEERING
CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL
A. COARSE - Grained Soil
1. Gravel - Rounded particles which pass the 75 mm
(3”) sieve and retained 2.0 mm (No. 10
sieve)
2. Stone - Crushed or angular particles passing 75 mm
(3”) and retained 2.0 mm (No. 10 sieve)

3. Sand - particles passing 2.0 mm (No. 10 sieve) and

retained 0.075 mm (No. 200 sieve)
 ENGINEERING
CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL
B. FINE Grained Soil :
1. Silt - Particles passing 0.075 mm (No. 200 sieve) and
larger than 0.002

2. Clay - Smaller than 0.002 mm and larger than 0.001

mm
3. Colloids - Smaller than 0.001 mm

C. Organic Soil :
Smaller than 0.001 mm
 ENGINEERING
PROPERTIES OF SOIL
GRANULAR SOILS
1. Good load bearing Qualities
2. Permeable, hence they drained easily
3. Comparatively incompressible when subjected to
static loads
4. Not subject to changes in strength and volume
due to variation in water content. However, loose
granular materials will undergo a considerable
reduction in volume when subjected to vibratory
loads
 ENGINEERING
PROPERTIES OF SOIL
FINE GRAINED SOILS
1. Poor load sustaining quality
2. Highly impermeable
3. Compressible under a sustained load

4. Subject to changes in strength and volume due to

variation in water content
 ENGINEERING
PROPERTIES OF SOIL
ORGANIC SOILS : inferior than fine grained soil
(unsuitable or unpredictable material)
1. MUCK – Consist of thoroughly decomposed
organic material with considerable amount of
mineral soil finely divided with some fibrous
remains

2. PEAT – there is the presence of considerable

fibrous material
 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION
OF
SOIL & SOIL AGGREGATES SAMPLE

MINIMUM QUANTITY
MINIMUM TESTING OF MATERIALS FOR
MATERIALS
REQUIREMENTS EACH SAMPLE
SUBMITTED
1. Soil Aggregates 1 sample per 1500 cu.m.
a. Classification 20 kg
b. Routinary Test 50 kg
c. Moisture Density
Relation and CBR 50 kg

2. Aggregates 1 sample per 1500 cu.m.

a. Coarse Aggregates 70 kg
b. Fine Aggregates 50 kg
 SOIL SAMPLING
The illustrations in Exhibit II show the proper methods
of placing samples in suitable containers for shipment,
and proper identification.

Time and again the need for accurate and scientific

sampling had been greatly emphasized. If samples are
not truly representative, both sampling and testing are
complete waste of time as the test results will be of no
value. Laboratory testing involves much time and great
expense, therefore considerable care and judgment
must be exercised in sampling. The minimum number of
samples that will furnish adequate and trustworthy data
for design should be taken.
 SOIL SAMPLING

The soil sampling the following should be observed:

1. Use new clean containers to avoid contamination.

2. Seal filled containers with clean, dry and tight

fitting lids.

3. Label container clearly and properly

 SOIL CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURE
With required test data available proceed from left to
right on Exhibit 1 and correct group will be found by the
process of elimination. The first group from left into
which the test data will fit is the correct classification.
A–1 Excellent to Good A – 1a, A – 1b
A–2 A – 2 – 4; A – 2 – 6
A – 2 – 5 A; – 2 – 7
A-3

A–4 Fair Silty Soil

A–5

A–6 Poor Clayey Soils

A-7 A – 7 – 5; A – 7 – 6
 Exhibit I
CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS AND SOILS AGGREGATE MIXTURES

Silt-Clay Materials
General Classification Granular Materials (35% or less passing 0.075 mm)
(More than 35# passing 0.075 mm)
A-7
A-1 A-2
Group Classification A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7-5
A-1-a A-1-b A-2-4 A-2-5 A-2-6 A-2-7 A-7-6

Sieve Analysis
Percent passing
2.00 mm (#10) 50 Max. - - - - - - - - - -
0.425 mm (#40) 30 Max. 50 Max. 51 Min. - - - - - - - -
0.075 mm (#200) 15 Max. 25 Max. 10 Max. 35 Max. 35 Max. 35 Max. 35 Max. 36 Min. 36 Min. 36 Min. 36 Min.

Characteristics
of fraction
passing 0.425 mm
(#40)
Liquid Limit - - 40 Max. 41 Min. 40 Max. 41 Min 40 Max. 41 Min. 40 Max. 41 Min.
Plasticity
Index 6 Max. N.P. 10 Max. 10 Max. 11 Min. 11 Min. 10 Max. 10 Max. 11 Min. 11 Min.

Usual Type of
Significance Stone Fragments Siltly or Clayey Silty
Fine Sand Clayey Soils
Constituent Gravel and Sand Gravel and Sand Soils
Materials

General Rating
Excellent to Good Fair to Poor
as Subgrade

* Plasticity Index of A-7 subgroup is equal to or less than LL minus 30. Plasticity Index of A-7 subgroup is greater than LL minus 30
G.I. = (F - 35) [0.2 + 0.005 (LL - 40)] + 0.01 (F - 15) (P1 - 10); where F = % passing 0.075 mm
 IDENTIFICATION – VISUAL AND TEXTURE
Gravel - Rounded or water – worn pebbles. No plasticity
and cohesion. Crunchy underfoot

Sand - Hard and loose grains. Individual grains readily seen

and felt. No plasticity and cohesion. If dry, a cast
formed in the hands will fall apart. If most, a cast
will crumble when touched.
Silt - Fine and barely visible grains
When dry pulverized condition, it feels soft and
floury
Can hardly be made in plastic. Exhibit little or no
strength when air – dried
Cast is easily crushed in the hands
 IDENTIFICATION – VISUAL AND TEXTURE

In the wet state, an inorganic silt can be rolled into thin

threads, but if the threads are more than a few inches long they
will not support their own weight if held by one end.

Clay - Can be made plastic by adjusting its water content.

Exhibit considerable strength when air-dried.
Difficult or impossible to crushed in hands. Clay can
be molded and rolled into thin threads without
breaking or crumbling within a moderate to a wide
range in water content, and threads of considerable
length will support their own weight when held by
one end
 SOIL Informational

Sieve Analysis : Cumulative, % Passing

Sieve Size, mm
9.5
4.75
2.00
0.425
0.075
 SOIL Informational

Hydrometer Analysis : % smaller than, mm

0.050
0.020
0.005
0.001
Liquid Limit
Plasticity Index
Specific Gravity
Organic content, %
Natural Moisture Content, %
What is AGGREGATE?

It is a combination of sand, gravel,

crushed stone slug or other material
composition used as a binding medium
to form as bituminous mix, concrete
pavements, macadam, mortal, etc.
CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATE

1. Natural aggregate – taken from

natural deposits without change in
their nature during production

2. Manufactured aggregate – includes

blust furnace slug shale clay and light
weight aggregate
AGGREGATE ARE FURTHER CLASSIFIED INTO:

1. Fine aggregate – aggregate passing

4.75 mm (No. 4 sieve) and retained
on 0.075 mm (No. 200 sieve)

2. Coarse aggregate –aggregate retained

on 4.75mm (No. 4 sieve)
In selecting an aggregate the following criteria should be
considered:

1. Grading of the aggregate should be uniformed throughout its

period of use and should conform to specifications.

2. Aggregate with unfavorable particle shape should not

necessarily rejected, if other alternatives are very costly.

3. Aggregate that contain appreciable amount of organic

material which may interfere with the setting of cement
should not be used.
In selecting an aggregate the following criteria should be
considered:

4. Aggregate that will not produce concrete of the required

strength should not be used. If required strength can be
attained with an excessive cement factor, use of the
aggregate is not economical and not advisable.

5. Aggregate to be used in concrete exposed to serve

weathering should be essentially free of particles that are
soft or friable.

6. Aggregate containing substances that could react with

alkalies in the cement to cause excessive expansion should
not be used in concrete expose to wetting unless it is
required that low-alkali cement is used.
 QUALTITY CONTROL OF AGGREGATE

1. Examining and testing for acceptability

2. Performance of necessary control tests.

3. Checking that they are properly stored and handled

 ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATE
1. Durable – to determine the wearing resistance of the
aggregate (abrasion)
2. Soundness – chemical action of the aggregate
3. Absorption – determine the porosity of the aggregate
4. Gradation – determine the proper mix proportion of the
aggregate
5. Cleanliness – free from injurious matter

Aggregate whether produced or handled by hydraulic methods or

washed, shall be stockpiled or binned for draining at least 12 hours prior
to batching. If it controls more moisture content or non-uniform moisture
content, aggregates should be drained for more than 12 hours