REPORT LAB SOIL

1.0 DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT (STANDARD METHOD - OVEN

DRYING METHOD)

1.1 OBJECTIVE

The water content is the most frequently determined soil characteristic. It is defined
as the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of the dry soil grains in a soil mass. The
water content is a good indication of the strength of clay soils.

The standard method of determining the moisture content is by over-drying at 105-

110 degrees but several other methods are available as rapid alternatives more suitable to
site conditions. In this experiment you are required to compare these tests for a clay and
granular soil.

1.2 APPARATUS

1. A thermostatically controlled oven set at a temperature of 105 110C.

2. Sample tins.

3. Balance readable and accurate to 0.01 g.

1|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

1.3 PROCEDURE
1. The sample container shall be cleaned, dried and weighed to 0.01g.

2. Place the soil loosely in the container.

4. Weigh the every of container.

5. Weigh the every contents of soil sample.

2|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

6. Then place in the oven. Time period required are differences depending on the type of soil
and sizes of the sample. Usually 16-24 hour enough for drying most soils.

7. The sample will be deemed to be dry when the differences in successive weighing of the
cooled sample at four hourly intervals do not exceed 0.1 % of the original weight of the
sample.

1.4 CALCULATION

3|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

The moisture content of the soil (m) shall be calculated as a percentage of the dry
soil weight, from the formula:-

m = m2 m3 100 %

m3 m1

Where,

m1 = mass of container

m2 = mass of container and wet soil

m3 = mass of container and dry soil

Container 1

Moisture content = 72.115-64.234x 100%

64.234 -27.948

= 21.719%

Container 7

Moisture content = 79.779 - 70.756 x 100%

70.756 -27.626

= 20.92%

Container 9

Moisture content = 76.2-69.336 x 100%

69.336 -31.46

= 18.122%

4|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

1.5 RESULTS

The moisture content of the soil (m) should be reported to two significant figures foe
values up to 10 % and to the nearest whole number for higher values.

Moisture Form
Content 2.A
Location Job Ref
Borehole/
FSPU, UiTM Shah Alam Pit no.
Soil Sample
Description No. m
Determination of moisture content Depth
Test Method BS 1377: Part 2: 1990: 3.2 Date 28/1/2010
Related test
Specimen
ref.
Container
no. 1 7 9
Mass of wet soil +
container (m) g 72.115 79.779 76.2
Mass of dry soil +
container ( m) g 64.234 70.756 69.336
Mass of container (m) g 27.948 27.626 31.46
Mass of moisture (m -
m) g 7.881 9.023 6.864
Mass of dry soil (m - m) g 36.286 43.13 37.876
Moisture
Content w = (m - m) 100% 21.719 20.92 18.122
(m - m)
Operator Checked Approved

1.6 CONCLUSION
As conclusion, from the test that had been done, the percentages of every moisture
contents for each sample of soils are not same because it has different mass of moisture. It
means that, mass of moisture for each strata of soil is different by each others depending
mass of moisture and mass of moisture content.

5|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

2.0 DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION BY DRY SIEVING

2.1 OBJECTIVE

This test covers the quantitative determination of the particle size distribution in a soil
down to the fine and size. This method shall not be used unless it has been shown that for

6|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

the type of material under test it gives the same results as the methods of analysis by wet
sieving.

2.2 APPARATUS

1. Trays / Sieve

A nest of BS test sieves of required sizes:

5 mm, 2 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 m, 425 m, 300 m, 212 m, 150 m, 63 m
Appropriate receiver

2. Sample Divider

Used for put the sample before the test done.

Help in giving measured quantities of sample.

3. Weighing balance

Help in giving the accurate mass of samples.

7|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

4. Trays

The last layer in the BS sieve that act to catch the sample that pass through the
0.063 mm.

5. A thermostatically controlled oven

Oven set at a temperature of 105 110 C

7. Sieve Brushes

Used to clean up the sieve from any material after the test done.
There are two (2) types of brushes; one for large size of sieve and for small size of
sieve.

The sample will be deemed to be dry when the differences in successive weight of
the cooled sample at 4 hourly intervals do not exceed 0.1% of the original weight of the
sample.

2.3 CALCULATIONS

The moisture content of the soil (m) shall be calculated as a percentage of the dry soil
weight, from the formula:-

M = m2 m3 x 100%

8|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

m3 m1

Where

m1 = mass of container

m2 = mass of container and wet soil

m3 = mass of container and dry soil

2.4 RESULTS

The moisture content of the soil (m) should be reported to two significant figures for value up
to 10% and to the nearest whole number for higher values.

LOCATION JOB REF.

Borehole/ pit no.

Soil Description Sample no.

Depth m

Test Method BS 1377: Part 2: 1990 : 3.2 Date

Related test

Specimen ref. 1 2 3

Container no. 1 7 9

Mass of wet soil + container (m2) g 72 80 76

Mass of dry soil + container (m3) g 64 71 69

Mass of container (m1) g 28 28 31

Mass of moisture (m2-m3) g 8 9 7

9|Page
REPORT LAB SOIL

Mass of dry soil (m3-m1) g 36 43 38

Moisture content, w 22.22 20.93 18.42

= (m2 m3 / m3 m1) x 100 %

10 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

2.5 CONCLUSION

From the test result, it can be concluded that the soil have average moisture content.
It is because, the type of sample soil can easily absorb water and at the same time it can
also easily discharge the water through exposure from sun heat. It can be said that the soil
has been tested is clay type because according to BS 5930: 1981, soil with 50% and above
moisture is considered as sandy clay or stiff clay.

11 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

3.0 DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT USING THE CONE PENETROMETER

3.1 OBJECTIVE

The liquid limit is defined as the moisture content corresponding to a come penetration
of 20 mm.

3.2 APPARATUS
1. A flat surface (glass surface).

2. Spatula.

3. Penetrometer apparatus

12 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

4. A cone of stainless steel or duralumin approximately 35 mm long, with a smooth, polished

surface and an angle of 30 + 1.

5. A metal cup approximately 55 mm in diameter and 40 mm deep with the rim parallel to the
flat base

6. A plastic wash battle containing distilled water.

7. Mortar and pestle.

13 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

8. 0.42500 BS test sieve.

3.3 PROCEDURE OF LIQUID LIMIT

1. A soil sample are take from lab which it material passing the 0.425mm BS test sieve. We
are weighting 200g from the soil to do this test. Before we are weight the soil sample, we
must crush it with mortar and pestle. After that, the sieve process must do to make sure the
soil is passing like BS want.

2. After that, the sample are placed on the flat glass and mixed thoroughly with distilled water
using the spatula until the mass becomes a thick homogeneous paste.

14 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

3. We are taken some part of the sample to be pushed into a metal cup with using spatula
which taking care not to trap air. The excess soil shall be struck off and leveled to five a
smooth surface.

4.The sample in the metal cup will place on the base in Penetrometer cone apparatus which
placed lower, so that it just touches the surface of the soil. When the cone is the correct
position, a slight movement of the cup will just mark the surface of the soil and the reading of
redial gauge is noted to the nearest 0.1mm. Then, the cone is released for a period of 5+1
second.

5. After the cone has been locked in position the dial gauge shall be lowered to the new
position of the cone shaft and the reading noted to the nearest 0.1mm are taken. We are
recorded the difference between the readings at the beginning and end of the test as the
cone penetration.

15 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

6. The core is lifted out and cleaned carefully. Then, a little more of wet soil is added to the
cup and the same process at 2 to 6 is repeated.

3.4 PROCEDURE OF PLASTIC LIMIT

1. We are selected a sample weighting from the material (passing the 0.425mm BS test
sieve) remaining after the liquid limit test. We are reduced the water content of the soil to a
consistency at which it can be rolled without sticking to the hands by spreading and mixing
continuously on the glass plate. The weights of empty tin/container are being recorded.

2. From the sample, select a portion and form into an ellipsoid. We are rolled this mass
between the palm or fingers and the glass plate with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass
into a thread of uniform diameter throughout its length. Continue to alternate rolling,
gathering, kneading, and re-rolling until the thread crumbles under the pressure required for
rolling.

16 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

3. Gather the portions of the crumbled thread together and place in a moisture tin/container.

4. We are repeating steps 2 and 3 until the moisture tin contains in about 3 pieces of moist
soil. Record the mass of the moist soil and tin/container to the nearest 0.01g. Place the
moist soil and tin in a drying oven.

5. We are recorded the mass of the oven dried soil and moisture tin/containers to the
nearest 0.01g to get the result.

3.5 CALCULATION OF THE LIQUID LIMIT FOR THE SOIL.

1. Calculate moisture content

For example:

W = m2 m3 x 100

m3 m1

= (31.000 29.000) x 100

(29.000-25.000)

= 50.00%

17 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

2. Plot the relationship between the moisture content and the corresponding cone
penetration recorded on a linear chart, with the percentage moisture content as ordinates
on the linear scale. (Based on graph paper).

4. The moisture content corresponding to a cone penetration of 20 mm shall be taken as

the liquid limit of the soil.

20mm, liquid limit =38.5 %

5. Express this moisture content to the nearest whole number and report it as the liquid
limit.

Liquid limit = 34.00%

Plastic limit = 24.03%
Plasticity Index = Liquid limit - Plastic limit
= 9.97%

From plasticity chart, a point having the coordinates (Liquid Limit = 34.00%, Plasticity
Index = 9.97% ) falls within the zone labeled ML, i.e. the soil is a SILT(M-Soil) of low
plasticity.

3.6 RESULT:

PLASTIC LIMIT Test no. 1

Container no. 12

Mass of wet soil + container , g (m2) 46.00

Mass of dry soil + container , g (m3) 41.00

Mass of container , g (m1) 22.00

Mass of moisture , g (m2-m3) 5.00

Mass of dry soil , g (m3-m1) 19.00

Moisture content % (m2-m3) / (m3-m1) 26.32

18 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

LIQUID LIMIT Test no. 1 2 3

Initial dial gauge reading (mm)

14.1 13.8 14.6 17.9 19.6 18.9

Final dial gauge reading (mm)

31.0 35.0 27.4

Average penetration(mm) 14.1 18.8 31.1

Container no. g 5 9 10

Mass of wet soil + container 33 42 38

Mass of dry soil + container 33 40 36

Mass of Container 27 33 26

Mass of moisture 2.00 4.00 3.00

Mass of dry soil 6.00 10.00 7.00

Moisture content 33.33 40.00 42.86

3.7 CONCLUSION

The graph shows the result when this is increase the percentage of moisture content
when the penetration cone increase. This is good result because it is increase in the
percentage of the moisture content. So, we know that liquid limit can be defined as the
water content, in percent, of a soil at the arbitrarily defined boundary between the
semi-liquid and plastic states and its also corresponding to a cone penetration of 20mm.

4.0 PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST

19 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

4.1 OBJECTIVE

In this test a relationship between the moisture content and the dry density of a soil is
established for a standard compactive effort. Hence it is possible to determine the optimum
moisture content to give the maximum dry density, i.e. the densest state to compaction.

4.2 APPARATUS

1 Proctor mould of internal diameter 102mm, height

116mm and volume 994ml. The mould is fitted with
a detachable base plate and an extension collar
52mm high.

2 2.5kg Rammer with a 305mm fall (manual

apparatus or the automatic mechanical apparatus)

3 Balance of 7 kg capacity and accurate to 1 g.

4 Metal straight edge and spatula

4.3 PROCEDURE

20 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

1 Weigh the mould with its base plate attached but

without its collar.

2 Mix 2.5 kg of the soil under test with a 180 ml of water

(representing an initial moisture content of 6%). \

3 Attach the collar to the mould and compact the soil in

three equal layers by giving each layer 25 uniformly
distributed blows of the rammer falling freely through a
distance of 305mm onto the soil.

4 The last layer should project into the collar. Remove

the collar and trim off the soil level with the top of the
mould.

5 Then weigh the mould, base plate the soil.

21 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

6 Extrude the soil from the mould and take

representative sample for moisture content
determination.

7 Re-mix the extruded soil with the remainder of the

original sample and increase the moisture content by
3 per cent.

8 Repeat the above procedure and continue until there

is no change in the weight of the compacted soil
required to fill the mould or the weight decreases.

4.4 CALCULATION

1. Bulk density of the compacted soil in the mould is determined by using this formula:

= m2 m1

22 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

1000

Where:

m1 = Mass of mould + base plate (g)

m2 = Mass of mould + base plate + compacted soil (g)

2. Dry density of the soil is determined from the bulk density and moisture content using this
formula:

d = 100

100 + w

Where:

w = Moisture content (%)

3. Moisture content is determined by using this formula:

w = m2 m3 x 100%

m3 - m1

Where, Test No. Unit 1 3 3

Mass of mould + base + g 6845 6879 6762

m1 = mass of containers
compacted specimen (m2)
m2 = mass of container and wet soil
Mass of mould + base (m1) g 4944 4944 4944
m3of compacted
Mass = mass of container and dry
specimen g soil 1901 1935 1818

4.5 RESULT: (m2-m1)

Bulk density p=(m2-m1) Unit Mg/m

15 1.90116 1.9351 1.818

1000

Moisture content container no. 11 8 3

Moisture content (w) % 16.67 13.04 27.27

Dry density p= 100p Mg/m 1.655 1.733 1.701

23 | P a g e
100 + w

Water ml 180 360 540

REPORT LAB SOIL

Container no.

Mass of wet soil + container (m2) g 39.00 59.00 50.00

Mass of dry soil + container (m3) g 37.00 53.00 46.00

Mass of container (m1) g 22.00 24.00 27.00

Mass of moisture (m2-m3) g 2.00 6.00 4.00

Mass of dry soil (m3-m1) g 15.00 29.00 19

Moisture content % 13.33 20.69 21.05

w=(m2-m3) x 100

(m3-m1)

4.6 CONCLUSION

We can conclude that the moisture content of the soil is related to the dry density of
the soil. The graph for the sample one to two is increases because water is added to the
sample and for the sample two to three the graph is decreases. This is depends on the
mass of compacted specimens. If the graph is still not decreases, continuation of this test
must do it to get the graph decrease in the end of the test. We must do this test because; it
can determine the strength of the soil and can given information about that type of soil and
how to take the best solution in construction work.

24 | P a g e
REPORT LAB SOIL

25 | P a g e