1st Edition

Introduction to Soil Mechanics Laboratory Testing

248 Pages 109 B/W Illustrations
by CRC Press

248 Pages
by CRC Press

248 Pages
by CRC Press

A step-by-step text on the basic tests performed in soil mechanics, Introduction to Soil Mechanics Laboratory Testing provides procedural aids and elucidates industry standards. It also covers how to properly present data and document results. Containing numerical examples and figures, the information presented is based on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, and US Army... Read more

In situ methods


In Situ Soil Description and Identification
Particle Size
Dry Strength
Shape and Mineralogical Composition of Coarse-Grained Soils
Moisture
Color
Consistency
Odor
Structure
In Situ Soil Investigation
The Importance of Proper Geotechnical Investigation
Soil Samplins
In Situ Testing
References
Physical properties
Weight–Volume Relations
Phase Diagram
Water Displacement Method for the Evaluation of Soil Unit Weight
Gravimetric Moisture Content Determination Using Oven Drying
Alternative Gravimetric Moisture Content Determination Methods
Specific Gravity
Sample Calculations
References
Soil classification
Sieve Analysis of Soils
Introduction
Test Description
Sample Data and Calculations
Hydrometer Analysis
Hydrometer Analysis
Introduction
Principle of Analysis
Correction Factors
Analysis Procedure
Sample Calculations
Combined Grain Size Distribution
Introduction
Computations
Report
Atterberg Limits
Introduction
Liquid Limit Test
Plastic Limit Test
Shrinkage Limit
Report
Sources of Error
Typical Data
Sample Calculations
Soil Classification Systems
Unified Soil Classification System
Procedure
Sample Calculations
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Classification System
Sample Calculations
References

Soil construction and field inspection


Compaction Test
Introduction
Sample Data and Calculations
Typical Values
Field Inspection
Introduction
Sand-Cone Method
Sample Data and Calculations
Balloon-Density Method
Sample Data and Calculations
Nuclear Density Method
References
Engineering properties — hydraulic conductivity and consolidation
Hydraulic Conductivity Test
Introduction
Hydraulic Conductivity Tests
Constant-Head Permeability Test
Falling-Head Permeability Test
Sample Data and Calculations
Consolidation of Soils
Introduction
The Consolidation Test
Determination of Geotechnical Engineering Parameters
Calculations
Summary of Results
Typical Values
Sample Data and Calculations
References

Engineering properties — shear strength


Direct Shear Test
Introduction
Procedure
Data Reduction
Presentation of Results
Sample Data and Calculations
Unconfined Compression Test
Introduction
The Unconfined Compression Test
Calculations
Presentation of Results
Sample Data and Calculations
Triaxial Test
Introduction
Equipment
Test Procedure
Electronic Monitoring
Conclusion
Calculations and Results
Sample Data and Calculations
References
Appendix A: Notes on Report Writing
Appendix B: Properties and Conversion Tables Index

Biography

Dante Fratta, Jennifer Aguettant, Lynne Roussel-Smith

“Type and amount of soil used, equipment needed, step-by-step testing procedures, and methods of analyses are all illustrated with pictures …very helpful to students who have never done such experiments. Summing up: Recommended. Lower-and upper-division undergraduates; two year technical program students.”
— R.P. Khera, New Jersey Institute of Technology, ic CHOICE, Vol. 45, No. 6, February 2008