/n NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY Module DESN10041 Engineering Materials (Soils component) Soils Laboratory 1 instructions: Soil classification tests Lab aims To conduct/observe standard soil classification tests. To investigate students understanding of basic soil characteristics. To classify soil samples (A and B) by carrying out two standard lab tests. To develop students technical communication skills. Laboratory methods Two soils are tested in Lab 1: • Soil A: a granular soil (tested by Particle Size Distribution test). • Soil B: a cohesive soil (tested by Atterberg Limit tests). The activities are described in more detail below (and further reference should be made to BS 1377-2). The required standard lab results forms are discussed below and included in this document. BS 1377-2, including all relevant forms, can be found using the British Standards online database via the NTU Library's OneSearch (see OneSearch link at: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/m/library). NOTE: BS1377 was updated & re-published in 2022, but the test methods in it are the same as previous ones, and so the results forms in this document are taken from the 'old' BS1377 (i.e. BS1377-2: 1990). 1. Grading (particle size distribution) - Classification of granular soil Conduct a grading analysis on a sample of dry granular soil, using sieves. For a granular soil with particles up to 75mm in size, results can be recorded on BS1377-2 Form 2M (see page 3). If a sample with particles of less than 5mm only is used, then the simplified form on page 4 can be used. Use these results to complete a grading chart (Form 2N on page 5). The grading chart should be used to subsequently classify the soil (to be reported in the Soils Lab Report - see "Assessment" section below). 2. Atterberg Limits (index tests) - Classification of cohesive soil Conduct Atterberg Limit tests (i.e. Plastic Limit & Liquid Limit tests) on a sample of cohesive soil. Record results on BS 1377-2 Form 2C (page 6). Note - The Atterberg Limit tests will require determination of moisture content: Moisture content (w) % = [mass of water (mw) / mass of dry soil (ms)] x 100 The Atterberg Limit tests comprise: a) Finding the soils plastic limit (symbol = PL or wp) by rolling samples into 3mm diameter worms on glass plates and establishing the moisture content of samples exhibiting brittle cracking (i.e. losing their plasticity). 1 NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY Module DESN10041 Engineering Materials (Soils component) b) Finding the soils liquid limit (symbol = LL or w₁) through penetrometer testing of samples of differing moisture content. A graph is plotted of moisture content against penetration. The liquid limit is defined as the moisture content that coincides with 20mm penetration on the graph. c) Determining the soils plasticity index (symbol = PI or Ip). This is the difference between the plastic and liquid limits: (i.e. PL = LL - PL). A Plasticity Chart (included in this document) can then used to further classify the soil using the intersection point of its liquid limit and plasticity index. Further information Details on the laboratory test procedures, and the methods used to process lab test data and produce final results, is provided in the weekly soils activities in the DESN10041 module room on NOW. Students should familiarise themselves with this information both to provide understanding of the activities conducted during the lab session, and also to provide context and understanding when compiling the soils lab report (see "Assessment" section below). Assessment Students knowledge of soils will be assessed via a single laboratory report, covering both soils labs, worth 25% of the total module grade. It is to be submitted in Teaching Week 24 (timetable week 37). A separate brief contains the specific requirements for the report, including required content, grading criteria and submission details: See the coursework brief in the module room on NOW for full details. Attached forms • BS1377-2 Form 2M - particle size distribution (sieving) results. 0 。 For soils up to 75mm in particle size. • Simplified particle size distribution (sieving) results 。 Soils with maximum particle size of 5mm. • BS1377-2 Form 2N - particle size distribution chart. • BS1377-2 Form 2C - liquid limit (cone penetrometer) and plastic limit results. ⚫ BS5930 Figure 8 - plasticity chart. NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY Module DESN10041 Engineering Materials (Soils component) Particle size distribution (sieving) results (BS 1377-2 Form 2M) (Soils up to 75mm particle size) Particle size distribution (sieving) Form 2.M Job ref. Location Soil description Borehole/Pit no. Sample no. Depth Test method BS 1377-2:1990:9.2/9.3/9.4/9.5* Date Initial dry mass m1 g Mass retained g Percentage retained BS test sieve actual corrected m 100 m m 75 mm 63 mm 50 mm 37.5 mm 28 mm 20 mm Passing 20 mm m2 total (check with m₁) riffled ma rifiled and washed m4 ma Correction factor mg 14 mm 10 mm 6.3 mm Passing 6.3 mm m5 total (check with m4) rifiled Correction factor (2x) 5 mm 3.35 mm 2 mm 1.18 mm 600 μm mo m m3 m 425 μm 300 μm 212 μm 150 μm 63 μm Passing 63 μm Total (check with me) "Delete as appropriate m6 m Cumulative percentage passing my or ME (m1) Operator Checked Approved 3 NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY Module DESN10041 Engineering Materials (Soils component) Simplified particle size distribution (sieving) results (soils with maximum particle size of 5mm) Soil description: Name: Initial mass of soil (before sieving) = Date: Mass of Particle empty container Mass of container with soil Mass retained Percentage retained (%) Cumulative Percentage retained (%) passing (%) Sieve Size (g) (g) (g) # (mm) A B C D E F Pan 5 3.35 2 1.18 0.6 0.425 0.3 0.212 0.15 0.063 Total mass= C₁ = Bi-A; D₁ = G Tatal Mass × 100 E₁ = D₁ + E-1 Fi=100-Ei NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY Module DESN10041 Engineering Materials (Soils component) Particle size distribution (sieving) chart (BS 1377-2 Form 2N) Particle size distribution chart Form 2.N Location Soil description Job ref. Borehole/Pit no. Test method BS 1377-2:1990:9.2/9.3/9.4/9.5* 63 μη BS sieve aperture size, mm 212 150 300 425 600 μη 1.18 mm 2 6.3 3.35 5 31 100 90 BO 60 70 Percentage passing 30 28 Sample no. Depth Date 37.5 63 50 175mm 20 20 10 14 1 - 11 1 m 0 0.002 0.006 0.02 0.06 0.2 0.6 Particle size mm 2 6 20 60 200 CLAY Fine SILT Medium Coarse Fine SAND Medium Coarse Fine GRAVEL Medium Coarse COBBLES BOULDERS Operator Checked Approved *Delete as appropriate 20 20 10 5