Faculty of Civil Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY LAHORE

Geotech-II Lab Manual

Submitted to: Dr Jahanzaib Israr

Submitted by: Muhammad Faisal Niaz
2017-CIV-68
Section B
JOB 1
Calibration of speedy moisture meter.

REFERENCE:
ASTM D-4944
ASTM D-2216

OBJECTIVE:
To calibrate the speedy moisture meter to ensure accurate readings of moisture content in the
soil.

APPARATUS:
1. Speedy moisture meter.
2. Two 1.25 in (3.175 cm steel balls).
3. Scoop for measuring Calcium carbide reagent.
4. Cleaning brush and cloth
5. Calcium carbide reagent.

RELATED THEORY:

 Speedy Moisture Meter:

This device is used to measure the
moisture content of soil in field due to its
versatility and ease of use. It is also very quick
relative to the oven dry method. The basic
principle is that water reacts with calcium carbide
to form acetylene which increases the pressure in
the container which is measurable. The result is
then manipulated to provide moisture content in
terms of percentage on the dial on speedy
moisture meter.

CaC2 + H2O  C2H2 + CaO

 Calibration:
Calibration is the process to standardize
the instrument by comparing it with more reliable
instrument.

 Need of calibration:
Calibration is required to improve the accuracy of the instrument by
comparing its results with the results obtained by oven dry method. As the mechanism
of the speedy moisture meter requires it to be calibrated regularly by obtaining the
calibration factor.
PROCEDURE:

1. Take a soil with a certain moisture. Field out moisture by the oven dry as well as
speedy moisture meter.
2. Add about 2% moisture in the soil and repeat moisture content determination
3. Place some amount of the sample in the oven to determine moisture content by
oven dry method.
4. To use the speedy moisture meter, weight 26 g of soil and place it in the cap of
tester.
5. Place three scoops (approximately 24 g) of calcium carbide and two steel balls in
the large chamber of the moisture meter.
6. With the pressure vessel in the horizontal position insert the cap in the pressure
vessel and seal it by tightening the clamp. Take care no carbide comes in contact with
soil until a complete seal is achieved.
7. Raise the moisture tester in vertical position so that the soil in the cap will fall into
the pressure vessel.
8. Shake the instrument vigorously so the all the lumps are broken to enable calcium
to react with all available free moisture. The instrument should be shaken with a
rotating motion so that the steel balls will not damage the instrument or cause soil
particles to become embedded in the orifice leading to pressure diaphragm
9. When the needle stops moving read the dial reading.
10. With the cap of the instrument pointed away from the operator,
slowly release the gas pressure. Examine the material for lumps. If
the sample is not completely pulverized the test should be repeated.
11. Plot a graph between moisture content and moisture content as
obtained by speedy moisture meter (𝑊𝑠𝑝 ).
12. Continue the above procedure to obtain at least four points.
13. Set a best fit trend line on the data points and show equation.
14. Find out the slope of the line which is the calibration factor for speedy moisture
meter.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

Oven dry method:

𝑊𝑤𝑒𝑡 − 𝑊𝑑𝑟𝑦
𝑊𝑜𝑑𝑚 =
𝑊𝑑𝑟𝑦 − 𝑊𝑐𝑎𝑛

Sample No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
𝑊𝑤𝑒𝑡 25.7 32.05 35.35 36.46 36.92 45.06
𝑊𝑑𝑟𝑦 24.73 30.63 33.48 34.5 34.97 42.05
𝑊𝑐𝑎𝑛 15.05 14 14.95 15 17.70 15.22
𝑊𝑜𝑑𝑚 10.02 8.53 10.09 10 11.6 11.21
Speedy moisture meter:

𝑊𝑠𝑝
𝑊𝑠𝑝 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟 = ∗ 100
1 − 𝑊𝑠𝑝

Sample No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
𝑊𝑠𝑝 4.6 7.7 8.6 5.4 8.34 9.8
𝑊𝑠𝑝 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟 4.82 8.34 9.4 5.7 9.098 10.86

MOISTURE CONTENT SMM VS ODM

12
Wodm = 0.176Wsp + 8.827
11
MOISTURE CONTENT ODM (%)

10

4
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
MOISTURE CONTENT SMM (%)

𝑊𝑜𝑑𝑚 10.02 8.53 10.09 10 11.6 11.21

𝑊𝑠𝑝 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟 4.82 8.34 9.4 5.7 9.098 10.86
% diff 70.08 2.25 10.97 54.77 24.17 3.17

COMMENTS:
From the equation Wodm = 0.176Wsp + 8.827 it is observed that the value given by the speedy
moisture meter is quite less compared to the value of moisture given by the oven dry method.
The values having % difference more than 5% indicate an error and the experiment should be
repeated again.
JOB 2
Determination of maximum and minimum void ratio of granular soil.

REFERENCE:
ASTM D-4254
ASTM D-4253

OBJECTIVE:
To determine the limiting void ratio and level of compaction of a non-cohesive soil.

APPARATUS:
1. Vibrating table
2. Mold and assembly
3. Surcharge, base plate, weights and handle
4. Dial gauge, balance and straight edge.

RELATED THEORY:

 Relative density:
Relative density or density index is
the ratio of the difference between the void
ratios of a cohesion less soil in its loosest state and
existing natural state to the difference between
its void ratio in the loosest and densest states.

𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑒
𝐷𝑟 =
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛

 Relative Compaction:
The dry density of a soil in situ divided by the
maximum dry density of the soil as established by the
𝛾
Proctor compaction𝑅. 𝐶 = 𝛾 𝑑𝑟𝑦
𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑥

 Void ratio:
It is the ratio of volume of voids to that of soil
solids.

𝑉𝑣
𝑒=
𝑉𝑠
  Surcharge load:
Any normal load applied permanently over the surface of the soil to simulate
the field conditions is called surcharge load.

Standard Mold Volume Surcharge Weight

Smaller mold 0.1 ft3 ± 1.5% 29.5 kg
Larger mold 0.5 ft3 ± 1.5% 86.2 kg

 Time intervals for different frequencies:

Time (min) Amplitude (mm) Frequency (Hz)

8 0.3 60
10 0.4 50

PROCEDURE:

1. Fill the mold with the soil as loosely as possible by pouring the soil using a scoop or
funnel. Care should be taken to minimize the particle segregation.
2. Trim off the excess soil with the top by carefully trimming the soil surface with the
straight edge.
3. Place the surcharge base plate on the surface of the soil and twist it slightly several
times so that it is placed firmly and tightly in contact with the soil surface.
4. Remove the surcharge case plate handle
5. Attach the mold to the vibrating table
6. Determine the initial dial gauge reading by inserting the dial gauge bolder in each of
the guide brackets with the dial gauge stem in the contact with the rim of the mold.
7. Vibrate the mold assembly and specimen for 8 minutes.
8. Determine the final gauge reading.
9. Remove the surcharge plate from the mold and determine the weight of the sample in
mold.
10. Measure the dimensions of the mold and calculate the volume.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

Diameter of mold = d = 6” = 15.24 cm

Height of mold = H = 6” = 15.24 cm
Volume of mold = 𝑉1 = 2780 cm3
Specific gravity = 2.67

Calculation of minimum and maximum void

ratios:
 Sam Change H’ = H- Volu Wei Minimu Maximu Maximu Minimu
ple in height ΔH me ght m index m index m void m void
no ΔH (cm) (cm) (𝑉2) of density density ratio ratio
(cm3) sam (𝛾𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) (𝛾𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) (𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) (𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
ple (g/cm3) (g/cm3)
(𝑊𝑠 )
(g)
1 2292.
2.67 12.57 77 4054 1.46 1.77 0.83 0.51
2 2338.
2.42 12.82 19 4312 1.55 1.85 0.72 0.45
3 2538.
1.32 13.92 85 4165 1.50 1.64 0.78 0.63
4 2573.
1.13 14.11 32 4246 1.53 1.65 0.75 0.62
5 2564.
1.18 14.06 02 4160 1.50 1.62 0.78 0.65
6 2311.
2.57 12.67 92 4160 1.50 1.80 0.78 0.48

DATA ANALYSIS:
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 (mean) = 0.77
𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 (mean) = 0.556

Serial no. 1 2 3 4 5 6
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 .83 .72 .78 .75 .78 .78
𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 0.510 0.446 0.628 0.618 0.646 0.484
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑒𝑟𝑟 0.06 -0.05 0.01 -0.02 0.01 0.01
𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑟 -0.046 -0.106 0.074 0.064 0.094 -0.076
%diff 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 7.5 6.7 1.29 2.63 1.29 1.29
%diff 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 8.63 21.95 12.16 10.56 14.97 13.84

Relative densities for 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 (mean) and 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 (mean):

Void ratio 0.77 0.743 0.716 0.689 0.663 0.636 0.609 0.582 0.556
Relative 0 0.13 0.25 0.38 0.5 0.63 0.75 0.88 1
density Dr
Relative 0 12.62 25.23 37.85 50 62.62 75.23 87.85 100
density
(Dr) (%)

COMMENTS:
The minimum and maximum void ratios for granular soils along with the relative densities
have been calculated. The term relative density is used for granular soils whereas relative
compaction is used for cohesive soils.