LIST OF EXPERIMENT

1- To determine the dry density of the soil by core cutter methods.

2- To determine in-situ dry density by the sand replacement method.

3- To determine the dry density of a soil sample by water displacement

method.
4. To determine the unconfined compressive strength of a cohesive soil.
5 To determine the compaction characteristics of a soil specimen by Proctors test.
6 To determine the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of a soil specimen.
7- Determination of shear Parameters by Triaxial Test.
8 BEARING CAPACITY BY PLATE LOAD TEST (IS 1888 : 1982).

Experiment No:- 1
To determine the dry density of the soil by core cutter methods.
THEORY:- A cylindrical core cutter is a seamless steel tube. For determination of the dry density
of the soil, the cutter is pressed into the soil mass so that it is filled with the soil The cutter filled
with the soil is lifted up. The mass of the soil in the cutter is determined The dry density is obtained
as

(M/V)
P=
=
1+ w
1 + w
where M = mass of the wet soil in the cutter;
V = internal volume of the cutter; w = water content.
EQUIPMENT:(1) Cylindrical core cutter; 100 mm internal diameter and 130 mm long;
(2) Steel rammer, mass 9 kg overall length with the foot and staff about 900 mm;
(3) Steel dolly, 25 mm high and 100 mm internal diameter,
(4) Weighing balance, accuracy 1 g;
(5) Palette knife;
(6) Straight edge, steel rule, etc
PROCEDURE:-

(1) Determine the internal diameter and height of the core cutter to the nearest 0.25 mm.
(2) Determine the mass (M1) of the cutter to the nearest gram.
(3) Expose a small area of the soil of mass to be tested. Level the surface, about 300 mm square in
area.
(4) Place the dolley over the top of the core cutter and press the core cutter into the soil mass using
the rammer.
Stop the process of pressing when about 1.5mm of the dolley protrudes above the soil surface.
(5) Remove the soil surrounding the core cutter, and take out the core cutter. Some soil would
project from the lower end of the cutter.
(6) Remove the dolley. Trim the top and bottom surface of the core cutter carefully using a straight
edge.
(7) Weigh the core cutter filled with the soil from the cutter. Take a representative sample for the
water content determination. Determine the water content, as described in Experiment 30.1

DATA SHEET FOR DRY DENSITY BY CORE METHOD

S.No

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.

Observations and calculations

Determination No.
1
2

Observations
Core cutter
501
Internal diameter
100 mm
Internal height
129.75 mm
Mass of empty core cutter (M1).
1130 g
Mass of core cutter with soils (M2) 3120 g
Calculations
Mass of wet soil, M M2 M1
1990 g
Volume of cutter. V
1019.05 ml
Water content (determined as in
Experiment 30-1).
17.75 %
(6)/(7)
Dry density =
1+ (8)
1.66 gm/ml

RESULT. Dry density = 1.666 g/ml.

502

503

Experiment No:- 2
To determine in-situ dry density by the sand replacement method.
THEORY:- A hole of specified dimensions is excavated in the ground. The mass of the excavated
soil is determined.
The volume of the hole is determined by filling it with clean, uniform sand whose dry density (s)
is determined separately by calibration. The volume of the hole is equal to the mass of the sand
filled in the hole divided by its dry density.
The dry density of the excavated soil is determined as
(M/V)
d =
1+w
Where M = mass of the excavated soil; V = volume of the hole; and w = water content.
EQUIPMENT:(1) Sand-pouring cylinder;
(2) Calibrating container, 100 mm diameter and 150 mm height;
(3) Soil cutting and excavating tools, such as a scraper tool, bent spoon;
(4) Glasss plate, 450 mm square, 9 mm thick;
(5) Metal container to collect excavated soil;
(6) Metal tray, 300 mm square and 40 mm deep with a hole of 100 mm in diameter at the centre;
(7) Weighing balance;
(8) Moisture content cans;
(9) Oven;
(10) Desiccator.
Clean, uniform sand passing 1 mm IS sieve and retained on 600 micron IS sieve in sufficient
quantity.
Part-I Calibration
PROCEDURE :(1) Determine the internal volume of the calibrating container by filling it with water an
determining the mass of water required. The mass of water in grams is approximaterly equal to the
volume in milliliters. The volume may also be determined from the measured dimensions of the
container.
(2) Fill the sand-pouring cylinder with sand, within about 10 mm or its top. Determine the mass of
the cylinder (M1) to the nearest gram.
(3) Place the sand-pouring cylinder vertically on the calibrating container.
Open the shutter and the calibration container. When there is no further movement of the sand in
the cylinder, close the shutter.
(4) Lift the pouring cylinder from the calibrating container and weigh if to the nearest gram(M3).
(5) Again fill the pouring cylinder with sand, within 10 m of its top.
(6) Open the shutter and allow the sand to run out of the cylinder. When the volume of the sand let
out is equal to the volume of the calibrating container, close the shutter.
(7) Place the cylinder over a plane surface, such as a glass plate. Open the shutter. The sand fills
the cone of the cylinder. Close the shutter when no further movement of sand takes place.
(8) Remove the cylinder. Collect the sand left on the glass plate.

Determine the mass of sand (M2) that had filled the cone by weighing the collected sand.
(9) Determine the dry density of sand, as-shown in the data sheet, part-I.
Part II. Dry Density
PROCEDURE:(1) Expose an area of about 450 mm square on the surface of the soil mass. Trim the surface down
to a level surface, using a scraper tool.
(2) Place the metal tray on the leveled surface.
(3) Excavate the soil through the central hole of the tray, using the hole in the tray as a pattern. The
depth of the excavated hole should be about 150 mm.
(4) Collect all the excavated soil in a metal container, and determine the mass of the soil (M).
(5) Remove the metal tray from the excavated hole.
(6) Fill the sand-pouring cylinder within 10 mm of its top. Determine its mass (M1).
(7) Place the cylinder directly over the excavated hole. Allow the sand to run out of the cylinder by
opening the shutter.
Close the shutter when the hole is completely filled and no further movement of sand is observed.
(8) remove the cylinder form the filled hole. Determine the mass of the cylinder (M4).
(9) Take a representative sample of the excavated soil. Determine its water content, as explained in
the experiment 30 1.
Determine the dry density of soil as shown in the data sheet, Part II.
DATA SHEET FOR SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD
Part I. Calibration for Dry Density of Sand
S.No.

Observations and calculations

Determination No.
1

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Observations
Volume of calibrating cone (Vc)
Mass of pouring cylinder (M1), filled with sand
Mass of puring cylinder after pouring sand into
The calibrating container and cone (M3)
Mass of sand in the cone (M2)
Calculations
Mass of sand in the calibrating container
Mc = (2) (3) (4)
Dry density of sand
Ps = Mc/Vc

980 ml
11040 g
9120 g
450 g
1470 g

1.5 g/ml

Part-II. Dry Density of soil.

S.No.

Observations and calculations

Determination No.
1

1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.
7.

8.

Observations
Mass of excavated soil (M)
Mass of pouring cylinder (M1), filled with sand
Mass of pouring cylinder after pouring into the
Hole and cone (M4)
Calculations
Mass of sand in the hole Ms, = M1 M4 M2
Volume of sand in the hole V = Ms/s
Bulk density, = M/V
Water content, determined as in experiment
30-1 (w), say,

M/V
Dry density =
=
1+w
1+w

RESULT. Dry density = 1.72 g/ml.

2310 g
11040 g
8840 g
1750 g
1166.67 ml
1.98 g/ml
15%
1.5 g/ml

EXPERIMENT NO:- 3
To determine the dry density of a soil sample by water displacement method.
THEORY:- A soil specimen of regular shape is coated with paraffin wax to make it impervious to
water. The total volume (Vt) of the waxed specimen is found by determining the volume of water
displaced by the specimen. The volume of the specimen (V) is given by
(Mt M)
V = Vt
p
where Mt = mass of waxed specimen; M = mass of the specimen without wax; p = density of
paraffin.
M/V
Dry density of specimen
=
1+w
EQUIPMENT:(1) Water-displacement apparatus;
(2) Weighting balance, accuracy 1 g;
(3) Paraffin was;
(4) Cutting knife;
(5) Heater;
(6) Oven;
(7) Measuring jar;
(8) Brush;
(9) Water content container.
PROCEDURE:(1) Take the soil specimen. Trim it to a regular shape. Avoid re-entrant corners. Weigh the
specimen (M).
(2) Take some paraffin wax and melt it on a heater. Apply a coat of melted paraffin wax to the
specimen with a brush. When it has hardened, apply another coat.
Take the mass of the waxed specimen (Mt).
(3) Fill the water-displacement apparatus with water. When the overflow occurs, close the valve.
(4) Place a measuring jar below the overflow tube of the apparatus. Open the valve.
(5) Immerse the waxed specimen slowly into the water in the apparatus. Water overflows. Collect
the overflowed water in the jar.
Determine the volume of the water collected (Vt).
(6) Take out the waxed specimen from the apparatus. Dry it from outside.
(7) Remove the paraffin wax by peeling it off.
(8) Cut the specimen into two pieces. Take a representative sample for the water content
determination. Determine the water content, as in Experiment 30.1.

DATA SHEET FOR WATER-DISPLACEMENT METHOD

Density of paraffin (p) = 0.91 g/ml.
S.No.

Observations and calculations

Determination No.
1

1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.
7.

8.

Observations
Mass of specimen (M)
Mass of waxed specimen (Mt).
Volume of waxed specimen by waterDisplacement (Vt)
Calculations
Mass of wax = Mt - M
Volume of wax (Vp) = (Mt M)/p
Volume of specimen (V) = Vt Vp
Water-content, as in experiment 30-1,(w)

Dry density (d) =

650 g
681 g
362 g

31 g
34.06 ml
327.06 ml
13%

M/V
1.75g/ml
1+w

RESULT. Dry density of soil = 1.75 g/ml.

Experiment No. 4
To determine the unconfined compressive strength of a cohesive soil.
THEORY:- The unconfined compressive strength (qu) is the load per unit area at which the
cylindrical specimen of a cohesive soil fails in compression.
P
qu =
A
Ao
Where P = axial load at failure; A = corrected area =
where Ao initial area of the specimen;
= axial
1
Strain = change in length/original length.
The undrained shear strength (s) of the soil is equal to one half of the unconfined
compressive strength, s = qu/2.
EQUIPMENT:(1) Unconfined compression apparatus, proving ring type;
(2) Proving ring, capacity 1 kN, accuracy 1 N;
(3) Dial gauge, accuracy 0.01 mm;
(4) Weighing balance;
(5) Oven;
(6) Stop watch;
(7) Sampling tube;
(8) Split mould, 38 mm diameter, 76 mm long;
(9) Sample extractor;
(10) Knife;
(11) Vernier calipers;
(12) Large mould.
PROCEDURE:(1) Prepare the soil specimen at the desired water content and density in the large mould.
(2) Push the sampling tube into the large mould, and remove the sampling tube filled with the soil.
For undisturbed samples, push the sampling tube into the clay sample.
(3) Saturate the soil sample in the sampling tube by a suitable method.
(4) Coat the split mould lightly with a thin layer of grease. Weigh the mould.
(5) Extrude the sample out of the sampling tube into the split mould, using the sample extractor
and the knife.
(6) Trim the two ends of the specimen in the split mould. Weigh the mould with the specimen.
(7) Remove the specimen from the split mould by splitting the mould into two parts.
(8) Measure the length and diameter of the specimen with a vernier calipers.
(9) Place the specimen on the bottom plate of the compression machine. Adjust the upper plate to
make contact with the specimen.
(10) Adjust the dial gauge and the proving-ring gauge to zero.
(11) Apply the compression load to cause an axial strain at the rate of to 2% per minure.
(12) Record the dial gauge reading, and the proving ring reading every thirty seconds upto a strain
of 6%. The reading may be taken after every 60 seconds for a strain between 6% to 12%, and every
2 minutes or so beyond 12%.

(13) continue the test until failure surfaces have clearly developed or until an axial strain of 20% is
reached.
(14) Measure the angle between the failure surface and the horizontal, if possible.
(15) Take the sample from the failure zone of the specimen for the water content determinations.
DATA SHEET FOR UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST
Initial length of the specimen, Lo =
Initial area of the specimen, Ao =
Mass of empty split mould =
Mass of the specimen, M =
Water content, w =

Initial diameter of the specimen, Do =

Initial volume of the specimen, Vo =
Mass of split mould + specimen =
Bulk density, pd =
Dry density, pd =
G pw
Void ratio, e =
-1
Pd

Specific gravity of solids, G =

wG
Degree of saturation, S =

x 100
e

Observation

Calculations

Dial gauge
SNo.

Elapsed
Time Reading

Proving ring

Deformation
(L)
Reading

Load
(P)

Strain

Corrected
area A = Ao/
(1 )

Compressive
stress
() = P/A

Lo

Plat a curve between the compressive stress as ordinate, and axial strain, as abscissa.
RESULTS. From the plot, unconfined compressive strength, qu =
qu
Shear strength, s =

=
2

Experiment No. 5
To determine the compaction characteristics of a soil specimen by Proctors
test.
THEORY:- Compaction is the process of densification of soil by reducing air voids. The degree
of compaction of given soil is measured in terms of its dry density. The density is maximum at the
optimum water content. A curve is drawn the water content and the dry density to obtain the
maximum dry density and the optimum water content.
M/V
Dry density =
1+w
Where M = total mass of soil; V = volume of soil; and w = water content.
EQUIPMENT:(1) Compaction mould, capacity 1000 ml;
(2) Rammer, mass 2.6 kg;
(3) Detachable base plate;
(4) Collar, 60 mm high;
(5) IS sieve 4.75 mm;
(6) Oven;
(7) Desiccator;
(8) Weighing balance, accuracy 1 g;
(9) Large mixing pan;
(10) Straight edge;
(11) Spatula;
(12) Graduated jar;
(13) Mixing tools, spoons, trowels, etc.
PROCEDUDRE:(1) Take about 20 kg of air-dried soil. Sieve it through 20 mm and 4.75 mm IS sieves.
(2) Calculate the percentage retained on 20 mm sieve, and 4.75 mm sieve, and the percentage
passing 4.75 mm sieve. Do not use the soil retained on 20 mm sieve. Determine the ratio of
fraction retained and that passing 4.75 mm sieve.
(3) If percentage retained on 4.75 mm sieve is greater than 20, use the larger mould of 150 mm
diameter. If it is less than 20%, the standard mould of 100 mm diameter can be used. The following
procedure is for the standard mould.
(4) Mix the soil retained on 4.75 mm sieve and that passing 4.75 mm sieve in the proportions
determined in Step (2) to obtain about 16 to 18 kg of soil specimen.
(5) Clean and dry the mould and the base plate. Grease them lightly.
(6) weigh the mould with the base plate to the nearest 1 gram.
(7) Take about 16-18 kg of soil specimen. Add water to it to bring the water content to about 4% if
the soil is sandy and to about 8% if the soil is clayey.
(8) Keep the soil in an air-tight container for about 18 to 20 hours for maturing. Mix the matured
soil thoroughly. Divide the processed soil into 6 to 8 parts.
(9) Attach the collar to the mould. Place the mould on a solid base.
(10) Take about 2 kg of the processed soil, and place it in the mould in 3 equal layers.
Take about one-third the quantity first, and compact it by giving 25 blows of the rammer. The
blows should be uniformly distributed over the surface of each layer.

The top surface of the first layer should be scratched with a spatula before placing the second layer.
The second layer should also be compacted by 25 blows of rammer. Likewise, place the third layer
and compact it.
The amount of the soil used should be just sufficient to fill the mould and leaving about 5
mm above the top of the mould to be struck off when the collar is removed.
(11) Remove the collar, and trim off the excess soil projecting above the mould using a straight
edge.
(12) Clean the base plate and the mould from outside. Weigh it to the nearest gram.
(13) Remove the soil from the mould. The soil may also be eject out.
(14) Take the soil samples for the water content determination from the top, middle and bottom
portions. Determine the water content, as in Experiment 30-1
(15) Add about 3% of the water to a fresh portion of the processed soil, and repeat the steps 10 to
14.

DATA SHEET FOR COMPACTION TEST

Diameter of mould = 100 mm
Height of mould = 127.3 mm
Volume of mould, V = /4 x (10.0)2 x 12.73 = 1000 ml
Specific gravity of solids, G = 2.67

SNo.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8.

9.

Observations and Calculations

Observations
Mass of empty mould + base plate
Mass of mould + base plate + compacted soil
Calculations
Mass of compacted soil, M = (2) (1)
M
Bulk density, p =
V
Water content, w (Determined as in Sect. 30-1)
P
Dry density, pd =
1+w
G pw
Void ratio, e =
-1
pd
Dry density at 100 % saturation
G pw
(pd) theomax =
1+wG
wG
Degree of saturation, S =
x 100

Plot a curve between w, as abscissa, and pd as ordinate.

RESULT. Max. dry density (from plot) =
Optimum water content (from plot) =

Determination
1
5105 g
6710 g
1605 g
1.61 g/ml
9%
1.48 g/ml

0.80

2.15 g/ml

30 %

2 3 4

Experiment No. 6
To determine the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of a soil specimen.
THEORY:- The California Bearing Ratio test is conducted for evaluating the suitability of the sub
grade and the materials used in sub-base and base of a flexible pavement.
The plunger in the CBR test penetrates the specimen in the mould at the rate of 1.25 mm
per miunte. The loads required for a penetration of 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm are determined. The
penetration load is expressed as a percentage of the standard loads at the respective penetration
level of 2.5 mm or 5.0 mm.
Penetration load
CBR value =
x 100
Standard load
The CBR value is determined corresponding to both penetration levels. The greater of these values
is used for the design of the pavement.
EQUIPMENT:(1) CBR mould, inside diameter = 150 mm, total height = 175 mm, with detachable extension
collar, 50 mm high, and detachable base plate, 10 mm thick.
(2) Spacer disc, 148 mm diameter, 47.7 mm high.
(3) Rammers, light compaction, 2.6 kg, drop 310 mm; heavy compaction, 4.89 kg, drop 450 mm.
(4) Slotted masses, annular, 2.5 kg each, 147 mm diameter, with a hole of 53 mm diameter in the
centre.
(5) Cutting collar, steel, which can fit flush with the mould both outside and inside.
(6) Expansion measuring apparatus, consisting of a perforated plate, 148 mm diameter, with a
thread screw in the centre and an adjustable contact head to be screwed over the stem, and a metal
tripod.
(7) Penetration piston, 50 mm diameter, 100 mm long.
(8) Loading device, capacity 59 kN, equipped with a movable head (or base) at a uniform rate of
1.25 mm minute.
(9) Two dial gauges, accuracy 0.01 mm.
(10) IS sieves, 4.75 mm and 20 mm size.
PROCEDURE.
(1) Sieve the sample through 20 mm IS sieve. Take the material passing 20 mm IS sieve for the
test. However, make allowance for large size material by replacing plus 20 mm size material by an
equal amount of material which passes 20 mm IS sieve, but is retained on 4.75 mm IS sieve.
(2) Take about 4.5 to 5.5 kg of the material, as obtained in step (1). Mix it thoroughly with the
required quantity of water.
If the sample is to be compacted at optimum water content and the corresponding dry density, as
found by compaction test (light compaction or heavy compaction), take exact quantity of water and
the soil to make sure that the water content is equal to the optimum water content.
(3) Fix the extension collar to the top of the mould. Also fix the base plate to the bottom.
(4) Insert the spacer disc over the base, with the central hole of the disc at the lower face. Place
coarse filter paper disc on the top of the displacer disc.
(5) Take the soil sample in the mould. Compact it using either the light compaction rammer or the
heavy compaction rammer, as desired. For light compaction, the soil is to be compaction, the soil is
to be compacted in 3 equal layers, each layer is given 56 blows by 2.6 kg rammer with drop of 310
mm. For heavy compaction, the soil is compacted in 5 equal layers, each layer is given 56 blows by
4.89 kg rammer with drop of 450 mm.

(6) Remove the extension collar. Trim even the excess compacted soil carefully with a straight
edge with the top of the mould. Any hole that may form on the surface of the compacted soil by the
removal of the coarse particles should be patched with small size particles and leveled.
(7) Loosen the base plat. Remove the base plate and the spacer disc.
(8) Weigh the mould with the compacted soil.
(9) Place a filter paper disc on the base plate. Invert the mould with the compacted soil. Clamp the
base plate. Place a perforated disc fitted with an extension stem on the specimen top after placing a
filter disc.
(10) Place annular masses to produce a surcharge equal to the mass of the base material and
wearing cost of the pavement expected. Each 2.5 kg annular mass is equivalent to 70 mm of
construction material. However, a minimum of two annular masses should be placed.
(11) Immerse the mould assembly in a tank full of water. Allow free access of water to the top and
bottom of the specimen.
(12) Mount the tripod of the expansion measuring device on the edge of the mould, and take the
initial reading of the dial gauge.
(13) Keep the mould in the tank undisturbed for 96 hours. Take the readings of the dial gauge
every 24 hours, and note the time of reading.
Maintain water level constant in the tank. Take the final reading at the end of 96 hours.
(14) Remove the tripod. Take out the mould from the tank. Allow the specimen to drain off for 15
minutes. Remove all the free water on the mould, without disturbing the surface of the specimen.
(15) Weigh the mould with the soaked specimen.
(16) Place the mould containing the specimen, with the base plate in position but the top face
exposed, on the lower plate of the loading machine. Place the required surcharge masses on the top
of the soaked specimen.
(17) Seat the penetration plunger at the centre of the specimen to establish full contact between the
plunger and the specimen. The seating load should be about 40 N.
(18) Set the load dial gauge and the displacement dial gauge to zero. The initial load already
applied to the plunger should be considered as zero.
(19) Apply the load on the plunger. Keep the rate of penetration as 1.25 mm/minute.
Record the load corresponding to penetrations of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5,
10,0 and 12.5 mm. However, record the maximum load and the corresponding penetration if it
occurs at a penetration of less than 12.5 mm.
(20) At the end of the test, raise the plunger, and remove the mould from the loading machine.
(21) Take about 20 to 50 g of soil specimen from the top 30 mm layer for the water content
determination. If the water content of the whole specimen is required, take soil specimens from the
entire dep

DATA SHEET FOR CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST

Optimum water content =
Mass of mould + compacted soil =
Bulk density =

SOAKING AND SWELLING

Dry density before soaking =
Bulk density before soaking =
Bulk density after soaking =
Surcharge mass during soaking =

Mass of empty mould =

Mass of compacted soil =
Dry density =

Date and,
time
Dial gauge
reading
Total
expansion
Final reading initial reading
Final expansion ratio =
Initial height
PENETRATION TEST
Surcharge mass used =
Water content after penetration test =

Penetration dial gauge

Corrected S
S.No. Dial gauge
reading
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Load dial gauge

Penetration
(mm)

Dial gauge
reading

Load
(kN)

LOAD

0.0 mm
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
4.0
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5

Plot the load-penetration curve. Find the corrected loads, after zero correction, corresponding to
penetrations of 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm.
RESULT.
Corrected load at 2.5 mm
CBR (2.5 mm) =

x 100
13.44
Corrected load at 5.0 mm

CBR (5.0mm) =

x 100
20.16

EXPERIMENT NO - 7
AIM:- Determination of shear Parameters by Triaxial Test.
Material & Equipment:1) Triaxial cell without transparent chamber capable of resisting internal fluid
pressure of 1000 N/m2 complete with all accessories
2) Apparatus for applying & maintaining the desired fluid pressure in the cell, to an
accuracy of 10 or 5 KN/m2.
3) Compression machine,
4) Dial Guage range .01 mm
5) seamless rubber membranes
6) membrane stretcher
7) Rubber Rings
8) Split mould, trimming knife , wire saw- meter straight-edge, sample extruder, thin
Walled tubes , soil lathe, mter box etc,
9) water content determation tins,
10) Balance
11) stop watch
TEST PROCEDURE:1. SAMPLE PREPARATION1) Undisturbed specimen: If the undisturbed sample has been collected in a thin walled tube having
the same internal diameter as that of the specimen required for testing. The sample may be
extruded out with the help of samle extruder, & pushed into the split mould. The sample should b
extruded from the tube pusing from the cutting edge side. The end of the specimen are trimmed flat
& normal to its axis. The split mould should be lightly oiled from inside. The specimen is then
taken out, carefully, from the slpli mould , and its length, diameter, weight should be measured to
an accuracy enabling the bulk density to be calculated to an accuracy of 1.0 per cent. A portion
of the soil trimmings is placed for water content determination. The specimen is then placed on
one of the end caps and the other end cap is put on the top of the specimen. The rubber membrane
is then placed around the specimen using the membrane stretcher. The membrane is sealed to the
end caps by means of rubber tings. The specimen is then ready to be placed on the pedestal in the
triaxial cell.

2. UNDISTURBED SPECIMEN.
If the undisturbed soil sample brought from the field is of large diameter then the specimen
diameter, the sample may be cut to size either by means of thin walled tube or hand trimming or by
a soil lathe. If a block sample has been obtained from the field. A rectangular prism slightly larger
than the required final dimensions of the specimen is cut from the block sample. The ends of prism
are made plane and parallel using meter box. The prism is then placed in the soil lathe. And excess
soil is cut off in thin layers. The trimming operation the sample between end cutting operation is
continued until a cylindrical specimen results. The rest of the procedure for enclosing the specimen
in the membrane etc, is the same as described in step 1.

3. REMOULDED SPECIMEN.
Remolded specimens may be prepared by compacting the soil, at required water content and dry
density, in a big size mould by static or dynamic method, and then preparing the cylindrical
specimen of required dimensions by the method described in step in 2 above.
(II) UNDRAINED TRIAXIAL COMPRESSION TEST
1. Cover the pedestal in the triaxial cell with a solid end cap or keep drainage valve closed. Place
the specimen assembly centrally on the pedestal. Assemble the cell, with the loading ram initially
clear of the top of the specimen, and place it in the loading machine.
2. Admit the operating fluid in the cell, and raise its pressure to the desired value. Adjust the
loading machine to bring the loading ram a short distance away from the set on the top cap of the
specimen. Read the initial reading to the load measuring gauge. Adjust the loading machine further
so that the loading ram comes just in contact with the seat on the top of the specimen. Note the
initial reading of the dial measuring axial compression.
3. Apply the compressive force at constant rate of axial compression, such that failure is produced
in a period of approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Take the simultaneous reading of load and
deformation dials, define the stress-stain curve. Continue the test until the maximum value of stress
has been passed or until an axial strain of 20 per cent has been passed.
4. Unload the specimen and drain off the cell fluid. Dismantle the cell and take out the specimen.
Remove the rubber membrane and note down the mode of failure. Weigh the specimen. Keep
samples for water content determination.
5. Repeat the test on three or more identical specimens under different cell pressure.
Tabulation of observations. The test results are tabulated as shown in Table 18.7
TABLE 18.7 DATA AND OBSERVATION SHEET FOR UNDRAINED TRIAXIAL TEST
(i) Soil specimen measurement :
Height :
Diameter :
Initial mass :
Final mass :

Area :
Volume :
Water content :
Final water content :

(II) UNDRAINED TRIAXIAL TEST :

Comp.dial
reading

Load Comp. Strain Crrected Load Vertical Deviator Stress

gauge
of
area
stress
stress
ratio
reading sample
1
1 3 1/3

(III) SUMMARY OF RESULTS :

Test No.

Cell pressure
( 3 )

Deviator stress at failure

(1 3 )

1 at
failure

1 at failure
3

1.
2.
3.
4.

CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS :

1. The difference between the initial pressure and subsequent reading of the load measuring
device is the axial load applied to the specimen in addition to that due to cell pressure.
2. The area A of the specimen at any stage of the test is determined by

A0
A

Where

A0L0
=
L

A0 = initial area of specimen ;

L0 - L
L0

L0 = initial length of specimen

L = Length of specimen at the stage of the test at which area A is to be determined.
3. The deviator stress (1 3 ) or the principal stress difference at any stage of the test is
determined by dividing the additional axial load by the area A.
4. For each test, a plot may be made between (1 3 ) and .
5. The shear parameters are obtained from a plot of Mohr circles for which purpose peak
value of principal stress difference (1 3 ) or principal stress-ratio (1 / 3 ) or the
ultimate value as desired may be used.

EXPERIMENT NO 8
BEARING CAPPACITY BY PLATE LOAD TEST (IS 1888 : 1982)
Plate load test is a field test to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of soil, and the
probable settlement under a given loading. The test essentially consists in loading a rigid plate at
the foundation level, and determining the settlements corresponding to each load increment. The
ultimate bearing capacity is then taken as the load at which the plate starts sinking at a rapid rate.
The method assumes that down to the depth of influence of stresses, the soil strata is reasonably
uniform.
1. BEARING PLATE :
The bearing plate is either circular or square, made of mild steel of not less than 25 mm in
thickness and varying in size from 300 to 750 mm with chequered or grooved bottom (Fig. 24.20).
The plate is provided with handles for convenient setting and centre marked.
Except in case of road problems or circular footings, square plates may be adopted. For clayey
and silty soils and for loose to medium dense sandy soils with N < 15, a 450 mm square plate or
concrete block shall be used. In case of dense sandy or gravely soils (15 < N < 30), three plates of
reaction of sizes 300 mm to 750 mm shall be used depending upon the practical considerations of
reaction loading and maximum grain size. The size of the plate shall be atleast four times the
maximum size of the soil particles present at the test location.
2. TEST PIT :
The test pit, usually at the foundation level, having in general normally of width equal to five times
the test plate (Bp) or block, shall be have a carefully leveled and cleaned bottom at the foundation
level, protected against disturbances or changes in natural formation. The test pits should
preferably have steps to conveniently go in the pit for setting and for taking observations.
3. LOADING ARRANGEMENT :
The loading to the test plate may be applied with the help of a hydraulic jack. The reaction of the
hydraulic jack may be borne by either of the following two methods :
(a) Gravity loading platform method (Fig. 24.22)
(b) Reaction truss method (Fig. 24.23)
(a) GRAVITY LOADING METHOD
In the case of gravity loading method, a platform is constructed over a vertical column
resting on the test plate, and the loading is done with the help of sand bags, stones or concrete
blocks. The general arrangement or the test set-up for this method is shown in Fig. 24.22.
When load is applied to the plate, it sinks or settles. The settlement of the plate is measured with
the help of sensitive dial gauges. For square plate, two dial gauges are used. The dial gauges are
mounted on independently supported datum bar. As the plate settles, the ram of the dial gauge
moves down and settlement is recorded. The load is indicated on the load-gauge of the hydraulic
jack.
(b) REACTION TURSS METHOD :
Fig. 24.23 shows the arrangement when the reaction of the jack is borne by a reaction truss.
The truss is held to the ground through soil anchors. Theses anchors are firmly driven in the soil
with the help of hammers. The reaction truss is usually made of mild steel sections. Guy ropes are
used for the lateral stability of the truss.
Indian Standard Code (IS : 1888-1982) recommends that the loading of the plate should
invariably be borne either by gravity loading platform (Fig. 24.22) or by the reaction truss (Fig.
24.23) . The use of the reaction truss is more popular now-a-days since this is simple, quick and

less clumsy. No support of loading platform should be located within a distance of 3.5 times size of
the test plate from its centre.
4. SETTING OF THE PLATE : The test plate shall be placed over a fine sand layer of maximum
thickness 5 mm, so that the centre of the plate coincides with the centre of the reaction girder/
beam, with the help of a plumb and bob and horizontally leveled by a spirit level to avoid eccentric
loading. The hydraulic jack should be centrally placed over the plate with the loading column in
between the jack and the reaction beam so as to transfer the load to the plate. A ball socket
arrangement shall be inserted to keep the direction of the load vertical throughout the test. A
minimum seating pressure of 70 g/ cm2 (0.7t/m2) shall be applied and removed before starting the
load test.
5. LOAD INCREMENTS : Apply the load to soil in cumulative equal increments upto 1 kg/ cm2
(10t/m2) or one fifth of the estimated ultimate bearing capacity, whichever is less. The load is
applied without any impact, fluctuation or eccentricity and, in case of hydraulic jack, load is
measured over the pressure gauge, attached to the pumping unit dept over the pit, away from the
testing plate, through extending pressure pipes.
6. SETTLEMENT AND OBSERVATIONS :
Settlement should be observed for each increment of load after an interval of 1, 2.25, 4, 6.25, 9, 16
and 25 minutes and thereafter at hourly intervals to the nearest 0.02 mm. In case of clays soils, the
time-settlement curve shall be plotted at each load stage and load shall be increased to next stage
either when the curve indicates that the settlement has exceeded 70 to 80 percent of probable
ultimate settlement at that stage or at the end of 24 hour period. For soils other than clays soils,
each load increment shall be kept for not less than one hour or upto a time when the rate of
settlement gets appreciably reduced to a value of 0.02 mm/min. The test shall be continued till a
settlement of 25 mm under the normal circumstances or 50 mm in special cases such as is dense
gravel, gravel and sand mixture is obtained or till failure occurs, whichever is earlier. Alternatively,
where settlement does not reach 25 mm, the test should be continued to atleast two times the
estimated design pressure. If needed, rebound observations may be taken while releasing the load.
7. LOAD SETTLEMENT CURVE AND ULTIMATE BEARING CAPACITY :
A load settlement curve is plotted out to arithmetic scale. From this load settlement curve, zero
correction which is given by the intersection of the early straight line or nearly straight line of the
curve with zero load line shall be determined and subtracted from the settlement readings to allow
for the perfect seating of the bearing plate and other causes. Four typical curves are shown in Fig.
24.24. Curve A is typical for loose to medium cohesionless soil: it is straight line in the earlier
stages but flattens out at later stage, and there is no clear point of failure. Curve B is for cohesive
soil : it may not be quite straight in the early part and leans towards settlement axis as the
settlement increases. For partially cohesive soils, curve C possessing the characteristics of both
curves A and B is obtained, while curve D is purely for dense cohesionless soils. For curves B and
D, no difficulty will be experienced is arising at the ultimate bearing capacity as the failure is well
defined. However, in cases of curves A and C, where yield point is not well defined, settlements
are plotted as abscissa against corresponding load intensities as ordinate, both to logarithmic scale
(Fig. 24.25). Such a plotting will give two straight lines, the intersection of which will be
considered as yield value of soil. IS : 1888 : 1982 has not specified any factor of safety. In order to
determine the safe bearing capacity, it would be normally sufficient to use a factor of safety of 2 or
2.5 on the ultimate bearing capacity.

LIMITATIONS OF PLATE LOAD TEST :

The plate loading test has the following limitations:
1. The test results reflect only the character of the soil located within a depth less than twice
the width of the bearing plate (corresponding to an isobar of one-tenth the loading intersity
at the test plate). Since the foundations are generally larger, the settlement and resistance
against shear failure will depend on the properties of a much thicker stratum.
2. It is essentially a short duration test,and hence the test does not give the ultimate settlement.
Particularly in the case of cohesive soil.
3. Another limitation is the effect of the size of foundation. For clayey soils the ultimate
pressure for a large foundation is the same as for the test plate. But in dense sandy soils the bearing
capacity increases, with the size the foundation, and the test on smaller size bearing plates tend to
given conservative values.