caster manual

CASTeR is a Geotechnical Engineering Software Suit developed and marketed by Technology Development Centre, 14/5 Gariahat Road, Kolkata - 700019 India. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this software, Technology Development Centre will not accept responsibility for any mistake, error or misrepresentation in or as a result of the usage of this software.

CASTeR Version 5.3

Prepared By - Technology Development Centre 14/5 Gariahat Road

Kolkata 700019 West Bengal

India www.tdcindia.com

CASTeR Operational Manual

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Contents 1. Hardware & Software Requirement 2. Contents of the CASTeR CD 2.1 View Readme File 3. Installation of CASTeR Software 4. Copy Protection Device 5. Running CASTeR

5.1 Starting the Program 5.2 Menu System 5.2.1.Main Menu 5.2.2 Lab Tests Menu 5.2.3 Field Tests Menu 5.2.4 Analysis Menu 5.2.5 Data Presentation Menu 5.3 Working With Components

5.3.1 Lab Tests 5.3.1.1. Liquid Limit

5.3.1.1.1 How to Configure Liquid Limit Plot 5.3.1.1.2 How to Obtain Liquid Limit Plot

5.3.1.2 Consolidation 5.3.1.2.1 e-Log P

5.3.1.2.1.1 How to Configure e-LogP Plot 5.3.1.2.1.2 How to Obtain e-LogP Plot with Computation of Mv 5.3.1.2.1.3 How to Obtain e-LogP Plot without Computation of Mv

5.3.1.2.2 Square Root of Time Fit 5.3.1.2.2.1 How to Configure Square Root of Time Fit Plot 5.3.1.2.2.2 How to Create Square Root Time Fit Plot

5.3.1.2.3 Time Settlement 5.3.1.2.3.1 How to Configure Time Settlement Plot 5.3.1.2.3.2 How to Create Time Settlement Plot

5.3.1.3 Grain Size 5.3.1.3.1 Sieve

5.3.1.3.1.1 How to Configure Sieve Analysis Plot 5.3.1.3.1.2 How to Obtain Grain Size Distribution Curve

5.3.1.3.2 Hydrometer 5.3.1.3.2.1 How to Configure Hydrometer Analysis Plot 5.3.1.3.2.2 How to Obtain Hydrometer Distribution Curve

5.3.1.3.3 User Defined 5.3.1.3.2.1 How to Configure User Defined Plot 5.3.1.3.2.2 How to obtain Grain Size Distribution Curve

5.3.1.4 Shear Strength 5.3.1.4.1 Direct Shear Test

5.3.1.4.1.1 How to Configure Direct Shear Test Plots 5.3.1.4.1.2.How to Obtain Deviator Stress vs. Displacement Curve and

Shear Envelop Plot 5.3.1.4.2 Vane Shear Test 5.3.1.4.3 Unconfined Compression Test

5.3.1.4.3.1 How to Configure Unconfined Compression Test Plot


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5.3.1.4.3.2 How to Obtain Stress vs. Strain Curve 5.3.1.4.4 Triaxial Compression Test

5.3.1.4.4.1 How to Configure Triaxial Shear Test Plot 5.3.1.4.1.2 How to Obtain Deviator Stress vs. Displacement ( or Strain)

Curve and Mohr Circle Plot 5.3.1.4.5 Mohr Circle

5.3.1.4.5.1 How to Configure Mohr Circle Plot 5.3.1.4.5.2 How to obtain Mohr Circle Plot

5.3.1.5 CBR 5.3.1.5.1 How to Configure CBR Plot 5.3.1.5.2 How to Obtain CBR Plot

5.3.1.6 Compaction 5.3.1.6.1 How to Configure Compaction Plot 5.3.1.6.2 How to Obtain Compaction Plot

5.3.1.7 Depth-Miscellaneous 5.3.1.7.1 Depth-Liquid Limit

5.3.1.7.1.1 How to Configure Depth-Liquid Limit Plot 5.3.1.7.1.2 How to Obtain Depth-Liquid Limit Plot

5.3.1.7.2 Depth -Plastic Limit 5.3.1.7.2.1 How to Configure Depth-Plastic Limit Plot 5.3.1.7.2.2 How to Obtain Depth-Plastic Limit Plot

5.3.1.7.3 Depth-Moisture Content 5.3.1.7.3.1 How to Configure Depth-Moisture Content Plot 5.3.1.7.3.2 How to Obtain Depth-Moisture Content Plot

5.3.1.7.4 Depth-LL-w-PL 5.3.1.7.4.1 How to Configure Depth-LL-w-PL Plot 5.3.1.7.4.2 How to Obtain Depth-LL-w-PL Plot

5.3.1.7.5 Depth-Bulk Density 5.3.1.7.5.1 How to Configure Depth-Bulk Density Plot 5.3.1.7.5.2 How to Obtain Depth-Bulk Density Plot

5.3.1.7.6 Depth-Undrained Cohesion(Cu) 5.3.1.7.6.1 How to Configure Depth-Undrained Cohesion (Cu) Plot 5.3.1.7.6.2 How to Obtain Depth-Undrained Cohesion Plot

5.3.1.7.7 Depth- Compression Index (Cc) 5.3.1.7.7.1 How to Configure Depth-Compression Index Plot

5.3.1.7.7.2 How to Obtain Depth-Compression Index Plot 5.3.1.7.8 Depth-Coefficient of Volume Change (Mv)

5.3.1.7.8.1 How to Configure Depth-Coefficient of Volume Change Plot

5.3.1.7.8.2 How to Obtain Depth-Coefficient of Volume Change Plot 5.3.2 Field Test

5.3.2.1 Depth Miscellaneous 5.3.2.1.1 Depth-Static Cone Penetration Value(N)

5.3.2.1.1.1 How to Configure Depth-Static Cone Penetration Plot 5.3.2.1.1.2 How to Obtain Depth-Static Cone Penetration (N) Plot

5.3.2.1.2 Depth-Corrected Frictional Resistance (Corr. Fric. Resistance) 5.3.2.1.2.1 How to Configure Depth-Corrected Frictional Resistance Plot 5.3.2.1.2.2 How to Obtain Depth-Corrected Frictional Resistance Plot

5.3.2.1.3 Depth-Corrected Cone Resistance (Corr. Cone Resistance) 5.3.2.1.3.1 How to Configure Depth-Corrected Cone Resistance Plot


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5.3.2.1.3.2 How to Obtain Depth-Corrected Cone Resistance Plot 5.3.2.2 Pressure Meter Test

5.3.2.2.1 How to Configure Pressure Meter Plot 5.3.2.2.2 How to Obtain Pressure Meter Plot

5.3.2.3 Plate Load test 5.3.2.3.1 How to Configure Plate Load Test Plot 5.3.2.3.2 How to Obtain Plate Load Test Plot

5.3.2.4 Pile Load test 5.3.2.4.1 How to Configure Pile Load test Plot 5.3.2.4.2 How to Obtain Pile Load test Plot

5.3.2.5 Benkelman Beam Deflection 5.3.2.5.1 How to Prepare Benkelman Deflection Data Sheet 5.3.2.5.2 How to Enter Data in Benkelman Deflection 5.3.2.5.3.How to Delete Data in Benkelman Deflection 5.3.2.5.4.How to Edit Data in Benkelman Deflection 5.3.2.5.5.How to Analyze Data in Benkelman Deflection

5.3.2.6 DCPT-CBR 5.3.2.6.1 How to Configure DCPT-CBR Plot 5.3.2.6.2 How to Enter Data in DCPT-CBR 5.3.2.6.3.How to Enter Layer in DCPT-CBR 5.3.2.6.4.How to Create Report in DCPT-CBR

5.3.3 Analysis 5.3.3.1 Pile Capacity

5.3.3.1.1 How To Configure Pile Capacity 5.3.3.1.2 How To Calculate Pile Capacity 5.3.3.1.3 How To Calculate Lateral Pile Capacity 5.3.3.1.4 How To Calculate Pile Capacity For A Range Of Size

5.3.3.2 Under-Reamed Pile Capacity 5.3.3.2.1 How To Configure Under-Reamed Pile Capacity 5.3.3.2.2 How To Calculate Under-Reamed Pile Capacity 5.3.3.2.3 How To Calculate Lateral Capacity for Under-Reamed Pile 5.3.3.2.4 How To Calculate Under-Reamed Pile Capacity For A Range Of

Size 5.3.3.3 Bearing Capacity Analysis

5.3.3.3.1 How To Configure Bearing Capacity 5.3.3.3.2 How To Calculate Bearing Capacity 5.3.3.3.3 How To Calculate Bearing Capacity For A Range Of Size

5.3.3.4 Settlement Analysis 5.3.3.4.1 How To Configure Settlement 5.3.3.4.2 How To Calculate Settlement

5.3.4 Data Representation 5.3.4.1 Bore Log Data Sheet

5.3.4.1.1 How To Customize Bore Log Data Sheet 5.3.4.1.2 How To Configure Bore Log Data Sheet 5.3.4.1.3 How To Insert/Edit Bore Log Data Sheet Heading 5.3.4.1.4 How To Insert A Layer In Bore Log 5.3.4.1.5 How To Edit A Layer In Bore Log 5.3.4.1.6 How To Delete A Layer In Bore Log 5.3.4.1.7 How To Insert A Sample In Bore Log


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5.3.4.1.8 How To Edit A Sample In Bore Log 5.3.4.1.9 How To Delete A Sample In Bore Log 5.3.4.1.10 How To Merge 2 Layers In Bore Log 5.3.4.1.11 How To Split A Layer In Bore Log

5.3.4.2 Foundation Model 5.3.4.2.1 How to Configure Foundation Model 5.3.4.2.2 How to Create Foundation Model

5.3.4.3 Sub-Soil Profile 5.3.4.3.1 How to Configure Sub-Soil Profile 5.3.4.3.2 How to Create Sub-Soil profile 5.3.4.3.3 How to Rearrange Bore Holes In Sub-Soil profile 5.3.4.3.4 How to Mark Layers Between Bore Holes

5.3.4.4 Lab-Result 5.3.4.4.1 How To Customize Lab-Result Data Sheet 5.3.4.4.2 How To Insert Test Results 5.3.4.4.3 How To Edit Test Results 5.3.4.4.4 How To Delete Test Results 5.3.4.4.5 How To Find Max./Min. Test Results

5.4 Misc. 5.4.1 How To Add/Remove Labels 5.4.2 How To Change Font 5.4.3 How To Change Lines 5.4.4 How To Change Graph 5.4.5 How To Display Project Name 5.4.6 How To Clear Screen 5.4.7 How To Input Any Unit In Dialog Boxes 5.4.8 How To Enter Data in Spreadsheet Like format 5.4.9 How To Export plots as Bitmap 5.4.10 How To Export plots as Metafile 5.4.11 How to Recover the Plot After Screen Clear 5.4.12 How to Open already saved .cst/.blf files.

6. LAN Installation Procedure 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Essential components for LAN version installation 6.3 Steps to setup LAN version 6.4 System Requirements


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In 1997 a geotechnical engineering team of TDC thought about a geotechnical software suite CASTeR for the geotechnical-engineering community. Leading professionals and experts in the field, thus elevating it to a level, which is beyond any comparison, is continuously monitoring research and development on CASTeR.

CASTeR is stand-alone geotechnical engineering software, first time offering a complete solution for the professional geotechnical engineers. CASTeR has several modules for generating plot/graphs, analysis and data representation.

This manual describes the following: 1. Hardware & Software Requirements 2. Contents of the CASTeR CD 3. Installation of CASTeR software 4. Copy Protection Device 5. Running CASTeR 6. LAN Setup Procedure

1. Hardware & Software Requirement:

Pentium III or higher processor. Color monitor with 1024 768 resolution 128 MB free RAM Windows XP/2000/2003/NT Minimum 100 MB free Hard Disk space. A DeskJet/ Inkjet/Laser printer for A-4 size print/plot

2. Contents of the CASTeR CD

The CASTeR CD offers a lot more than just a means of installing the CASTeR software. Open your Windows Explorer/My Computer to view the contents of CASTeR CD.

2.1 View Readme file

Open Readme.txt file from CASTeR CD to display the contents of the Readme.txt file. This file is a text file and contains information about the program. It is recommended that you read this file before installing the program.

3. Installation of CASTeR software

Close all applications before installing CASTeR. Insert CASTeR CD in your CD drive and wait for few seconds. CASTeR CD is an autorun CD so it runs setup program


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automatically. If your machines autorun feature is not enabled then you have to run SETUP.EXE from the CD.CASTeR setup program provide easy to use step-by-step wizard to install CASTeR software in your machine. For stand alone version only, after installing CASTeR, from the main menu select MaintenanceInstall Driver. This will install the CASTeR hardware lock drivers automatically in your machine and the machine now needs to be rebooted. It will reboot on its own so that drivers are in command. Alternatively, after installing CASTeR, setup program creates a HARDWARE LOCK folder in CASTeR root folder on your machines hard disk. Open Hardware lock folder and run hdd32.exe to install hardware lock device driver. For LAN version driver installation is not required for hardware lock. Instead a license manager is to be installed in the machine to be used as server. Please note that this is not mandatory to be a dedicated server. Any node can be considered as a server for license manager installation. Please refer to LAN INSTALLATION PROCEDURE as detailed in 6.0 Note: In Windows NT, Windows 2000/2003, and Windows XP systems, you have to log in with administrative rights before commencing installation

4. Copy Protection Device

CASTeR comes with a copy protection device in the form of a hardware lock. This device must be inserted in the parallel/usb port of your computer and must remain there during the entire tenure that you are in CASTeR program. If any other device, such as printer cable, hardware lock for other software etc., is attached to the parallel/usb port, we recommend that you attach the CASTeR hardware lock in front of such devices. It should be noted that from version 3.0 onwards, this copy protection system has gone under huge modification and as such older hardware locks will not be able to support this version.

For stand alone version without CASTeR hardware lock CASTeR runs as a demonstration version, thereby not allowing you to Print/Print Preview/Save & Export. For LAN version without hardware lock CASTeR will not login and would stop the program at the very starting.

5. Running CASTeR

This chapter covers following topics: 5.1 Starting the Program 5.2 Menu Charts 5.3 Components of CASTeR 5.4 Miscellaneous


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5.1 Starting the Program

Click on CASTeR icon of your windows start menu. CASTeR window will open.

CASTeR Starting Screen

Main Menu

Tool Bar

Main Window

Status Bar


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5.2 Menu System There are four different components of CASTeR(Lab Test, Field Test, Analysis & Data Presentation) which are having their own menus, other than the main starting menu. In this section, all these menus are shown in schematic ways for quicker and better understanding.

5.2.1 Main Menu Main menu of CASTeR is shown below schematically which can be accessed from any other menu easily through FileReturn.


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LAB

ANALYSIS

TOOLS

HELP

TESTS

FIELD TESTS

CONFIGURE

MA

IN

ME

NU

GRAIN SIZE

LIMITLIQUID

DEPTH

CBR

SHEARSTRENGTH

COMPACTION

MISC.

CONFIGURE

TOOLS

HELP

PRESSURE

MISC.DEPTH

PILE

PLATE

LOAD

BENKELMAN

HELP

TOOLS

METER

LOAD

DEFLECTION

CONFIGURE

CAPACITY

SETTLEMENT

CAPACITYBEARING

PILE

PILE

HELP

TOOLS

CONFIGURE

HELP

SUB SOIL

LAB

DRILLLOG

MODELFOUNDATION

BORELOG

TOOLS

PROFILE

RESULTS

CONFIGURE

UNIT

LINES

GRAF

CLEAR

FONT

NAMEPROJECT

SCREEN

SCALE

CONVERTER

CALCULATOR

INSTALLDRIVER

INFORMATIONDRIVER

CHECK

DISPLAY

UPDATE

VALIDITY

NO.

LOCK

CASTeRABOUT

TOPICSHELP

FIXED

INTELLEGENT


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5.2.2 Lab Tests Menu Lab Tests menu of CASTeR is shown below schematically which can be accessed from any other menu easily through FileLab Tests. Only the main menu items have been drawn.

TESTSLAB

LIQUIDLIMIT

SHEAR

GRAIN SIZE

STRENGTH

CBR

DEPTHMISC.

COMPACTION

CONFIGURE

TOOLS

HELP

ME

NU

MA

IN DIAL GAUGE

READING

VS. TIMEDIAL GAUGE

EXTRAPOLATE

e & p VALUES

BLOW NO.

TIME FITSQ.ROOT

e-Log-P

SETTLEMENTTIME

SIEVEWT.RETAINED

TANGENT

DRAW FIRSTTANGENT

DRY DENSITY-

PENETRATION DATA

DEPTH VS.MISC. VALUES

SIEVE SIZE% FINER VS.

FONT

SCREEN

PROJECTNAME

CLEAR

CONVERTER

GRAF

LINES

SCALE

CALCULATOR

UNIT

FIXED

INTELLEGENT

PLASTIC LIMIT

DEPTH VS.LIQUID LIMIT

DEPTH VS.

LL-w-PLDEPTH VS.

DEPTH VS.

DEPTH VS.

DEPTH VS.

DEPTH VS.

CIRCLEMOHR

COMPRESSIONUNCONFINED

TRIAXIALSHEAR

SHEARDIRECT


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5.2.3 Field Tests Menu Field Tests menu of CASTeR is shown below schematically which can be accessed from any other menu easily through FileField Tests. Only the main menu items have been drawn.

CLEAR

DEPTH VS.N

SETTLEMENT

MISC. VALUESDEPTH VS.

DATA

VOL. DATAPRESSURE VS.

HEADING

DATASETTLEMENT

SCREEN

PROJECTNAME

INTELLEGENT

SCALE

LINES

FONT

GRAF

FIXED

CALCULATOR

CONVERTERUNIT

FIELD TESTS

ME

NU

MA

IN

PLATELOAD

PRESSUREMETER

DEPTHMISC.

TOOLS

CONFIGURE

DEFLECTIONBENKELMAN

LOADPILE

HELP


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5.2.4 Analysis Menu Field Tests menu of CASTeR is shown below schematically which can be accessed from any other menu easily through FileAnalysis. Only the main menu items have been drawn.

CALCULATOR

CONVERTER

LINES

NAME

FONT

PROJECT

SCREENCLEAR

PARAMETERS

FAILURESHEAR

FOOTING

HEADING

SCALE

ANALYSIS

SETTLEMENT

PILE

CAPACITYPILE

CAPACITYBEARING

TOOLS

CONFIGURE

HELP

ME

NU

MA

IN

INTELLEGENT

GRAF

FIXED

UNIT


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5.2.5 Data Presentation Menu Field Tests menu of CASTeR is shown below schematically which can be accessed from any other menu easily through FileData Presentation. Only the main menu items have been drawn

HELP

TOOLS

CONFIGURE

LABRESULTS

SUB SOILPROFILE

FOUNDATIONMODEL

DRILLLOG

BORELOG

FOUNDATION

BORELAYERS

DETAILS

NAME

SCREEN

PROJECT

CLEAR

CALCULATOR

CONVERTER

FONT

LINES

GRAF

SCALE

UNIT

INTELLEGENT

FIXED

MA

IN

ME

NU

5.3 Working With Components This chapter covers detailed step-by-step procedure for preparing different types of plots/graphs, calculations, analysis data sheets which can be accomplished through all the components of CASTeR.

5.3.1 Lab Tests This component of CASTeR deals with various Plots/Graphs and calculations associated with tests carried out mainly at laboratory. All the available modules of this component are described according to their position in the menu system.


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5.3.1.1 Liquid Limit After obtaining the required test results of Liquid Limit Test you can feed them in CASTeR to give you the Liquid Limit Plot. This plot will automatically annotate the liquid limit value by drawing a best fit line. The path to draw the Liquid Limit Plot is as follows. From main menu select Lab TestsLiquid Limit. It is recommended that before starting work in this module, it is to be configured according to the requirements of the soil test report. Such configuration can be done as detailed below.

5.3.1.1.1 How to Configure Liquid Limit Plot Click on the Configure in the main menu and the Plot Configuration Dialog box opens. Select Liquid Limit tab and the following options will be asked for selection/insertion.

Configuration Dialog Box For Liquid Limit

No of Plot in a page Gives option to modify the number of plots on one report page. Maximum value 4 and minimum 1.


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Write End Co-ord. Gives option to show the last coordinate values on either axis on the extent of graph displayed. Sometimes this value may get overlapped with adjoining values depending on the font size and labeling interval. Hence necessary care should be taken for selecting this item.

Draw Graph Lines Gives option to hide or show the graph paper lines on the plotted graph.

Connect Points Gives option to connect the plotted points in the graphs to be connected by straight lines else user can connect the point manually after the plot.

Y-axis Line Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of graph lines to be displayed in the water Content % axis of the graph.

Y-axis Label Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of labels to be displayed in the Water Content % axis of the graph.

User defined scale This option closes the option of intelligent or fixed scale of liquid limit plot and gives opportunity to fix the range of the Water Content % axis to be plotted as per users choice.

Water Content Range Enter minimum & maximum value of water content (%), which will be considered in the semi-log plot.

Same Colour This option makes all the best fit straight lines and curves with identical colour. By default all best fit straight lines and curves are of different colours as shown within the colour set.

Colour Set Gives option to select any particular colour, to be selected from the colour dialog box,which will be available on clicking upon the desired plot number

Write Data on Plot Gives option to put the data for plotting on the figure. If this check box is not selected, no data will be written on the body of the figure.

5.3.1.1.2 How To Obtain Liquid Limit Plot 1. Once configuration is complete, from Tools menu choose Clear Screen and erase

if anything is displayed in the main window of CASTeR. At this stage, it is recommended that project details should be changed/entered, if not already


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carried out earlier. For making any change in project name, select ToolsProject Name and enter/modify the values accordingly. Afterwards, the Liquid Limit tab in the Lab Tests menu is selected and a pull down menu appears. Please note that CASTeR follows top-down approach in menu selection and hence the first item Water Content Blow No. is selected and the Liquid limit Test Set 1 dialog box comes up on the main window as shown below.

Water Content Blow No. Dialog For Liquid Limit

Use this dialog box to enter the laboratory test data for finding out the water content % and no. of blows given for the particular sample which are required in the process of plotting (semi-log) the curve with no. of blows as abscissa and water content as ordinate. Maximum of 10 pair of values can be entered for one plot. In case user wants to use lesser no. of pair of values, start from Observation no. 1 and continue next for Observation no. 2 and so on. Put zero for the unused pairs. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Plots in a page edit box.

2. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Other Data is chosen and the Liquid Limit Other Values Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Other Data. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Plots in a page edit box.


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Other Data Dialog For Liquid Limit

Bore Hole No. - This option enables the user to specify the borehole number, which can be any alphanumeric name, identifying the borehole from which the specimen is taken, which is shown in the plot for identification of the test.

Sample No. - This option enables the user to specify the sample number, which can be any alphanumeric name, of the specimen to be tested. This is shown in the plot for identifying the test.

Depth (m) - This option enables the user to specify the depth in meter (M) from which the soil sample is taken

3. From the previous pull-down menu of Liquid Limit, Plot is selected. The plot shows number of blows on the X axis, the % of water content on the Y-axis. On the graph, the liquid limit value corresponding to 25 nos. of blows on the best fit line is annotated in % automatically. In addition, the bore hole number, the sampling depth and sample number also are written beside the plots.

4. For printing you may now go to FilePrint and it will be printed in A4 size sheet, if the printer and hardware lock is connected to the parallel/usb port properly. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.

5. For saving this particular plot, please select FileSave As and the plot will be saved in the file (with the name entered against File Name edit box) with Save As Type *.cst i.e. having extension .CST under the folder name entered against the Save In edit box. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.

6. For exporting please go to FileExportBitmap to export to clipboard and paste in other software as a bitmap figure or go to FileExportMetafile to export as an Enhanced/Windows metafile with the user supplied name, which can later on be inserted as picture to any word processor software. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.

7. For sending this plot as email to any one, go to FileSend As Mail. The outlook express automatically will open with this plot as an attachment. You will have to


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enter the recipients name and the message and then send. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.

8. Once the plot is displayed on the main window of CASTeR, you have the option to enter any number of labeling texts anywhere on the plot with any font and colour. This will increase level of customization to be represented in your report.

Typical Liquid Limit Plot


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5.3.1.2 Consolidation After obtaining the required test results in a consolidation tests you can feed them in CASTeR. It can calculate various soil parameters from these observed test results and is capable of drawing several plots like e-LogP curve for determining Compression index (Cc), Pre-Consolidation pressure (Pc) or Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) from either Square Root time fitting method or from Time Settlement plot(Semi-Log ). CASTeR has the built-in optional facility to compute Coefficient of Volume Change or Coefficient of Volume Compressibility (Mv) and in the process generates the void ratio values for different pressures.

5.3.1.2.1 e-LogP The path to draw the e-LogP curve with automatic Mv calculation is as follows. From main menu select Lab TestsConsolidation. It is recommended that before starting work in this module, it is to be configured according to the requirements of the soil test report. Such configuration can be done as detailed below. This configuration can be changed any time during the creation of the e-LogP curve. But if this change is done after drawing the tangent for obtaining Compression Index (Cc) or Pre-Consolidation Pressure (Pc), then the tangent drawn will be lost.

5.3.1.2.1.1 How to Configure e-LogP Plot Click on the Configure in the main menu and the Plot Configuration Dialog box opens. Select e-LogP tab and the following options will be asked for selection/insertion.


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Configuration Dialog Box For e-LogP

No of Plots in a page Gives option to modify the number of plots on one report page. Maximum value 2 and minimum 1.


Connect Points Gives option to connect the plotted points in the graphs to be connected by straight lines else user can connect the point manually after the plot.

Y-axis Line Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of graph lines to be displayed in the 'Void Ratio' axis of the graph.


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Y-axis Label Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of labels to be displayed in the 'Void Ratio' axis of the graph.

User defined scale This option closes the option of intelligent or fixed scale of E Log P plot and gives opportunity to fix the range of the Water Content % axis to be plotted as per users choice.

Water Content Range Enter minimum & maximum value of water content (%), which will be considered in the semi-log plot.

Dial Gauge Reading

Increasing with Pressure Select this if dial gauge reading increases with increase in pressure.

Decreasing with pressure Select this if dial gauge reading decreases with increase in pressure.

Dial Gauge Least Count It is the least count value of the dial gauge in cm/div which when multiplied with the dial gauge reading gives the settlement in cm.

Mv Calculation Method

Dry Weight Method Mv will be computed based on the dry weight of the sample

Moisture Content Method Mv will be calculated based on the final moisture content of the sample.

Same Colour This option makes all the curves with identical colour. By default all curves are of different colours as shown within the colour set.

Colour Set Gives option to select any particular colour, to be selected from the colour dialog box, which will be available on clicking upon the desired set number.



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5.3.1.2.1.2 How to Obtain e-logP Plot with Computation of Mv 7. Once configuration is complete, from Tools menu choose Clear Screen and erase

if anything is displayed in the main window of CASTeR. At this stage, it is recommended that project details should be changed/entered, if not already carried out earlier. For making any change in project name, select ToolsProject Name and enter/modify the values accordingly. Afterwards, from Lab Tests menu click on Consolidationee-LogP tab when a pull down menu appears. Please note that CASTeR follows top-down approach in menu selection and hence the first item Mv Calculation is to be selected and the Applied Pressure & Final Dial Gauge Reading Set 1 dialog box comes up on the main window as shown below. Items on this dialog box will vary depending upon the method of Mv calculation selected through configuration. It may please be noted that the present version of CASTeR does not support the loading-unloading cycle more than once.

Applied Pressure & Final Dial Gauge Reading Dialog for e-LogP

The dialog box has two columns, one with heading Pressure(Kg/Cm2), to enter the values of the applied pressure as observed in the laboratory corresponding to the final dial gauge reading observed, the values of which are to be entered under the column heading Final Dial Gauge Reading. Use this dialog box to enter the pressure and corresponding final dial gauge reading of observed in the test which are required in the process of computing the coefficient of volume compressibility. Last two sets are meant for final values i.e. recompression part of the e-LogP curve. Max. of 9 pair of values can be entered for one plot. In case user wants to use lesser no. of pair of


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values, start from Observation no. 1 and continue next for Observation no. 2 and so on. Put zero for the unused pairs. For pressure values in other unit, automatic conversation to Kg/cm2 can be availed of through the use of F2 key. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Curves in a page edit box.

Pressure & Final Dial Gauge Reading Here pressure in Kg/cm2 and final dial gauge reading values are required to be entered. This means corresponding to the pressure applied, the dial gauge reading representing the height of the sample is entered in the dialog box. In addition, after release of pressure the initial readings of the pressure and the dial gauge are also to be provided.

Specific Gravity The specific gravity of the sample has to be provided in the box provided.

Dry wt. of sample Dry weight of the sample in grams(gm) has to be provided in the box.

Sample dia Sample diameter has to be provided in the box provided in centimeter(cm)

Initial height The initial height of the specimen taken for testing has to be provided in this box in centimeter(cm)

8. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Table For Mv is chosen and the e_LogP Mv Table by Dry Density Method Set 1 or e_LogP Mv Table by Moisture Content Method Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Table. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Plots in a page edit box. This dialog box is meant for the purpose of viewing the calculation done based on the above data to arrive at the Mv, void ratio, etc. This table can be printed. It can be copied too to other spread sheet like software by pressing Ctrl+C after the selection. This Mv values will not be computed for releasing pressures.


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Mv Calculation format for e-LogP

Observation 1 First applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding dial gauge reading along with computed values of delta H, reduced H, height of voids, void ratio & Mv

Observation 2 Second applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding dial gauge reading along with computed values of delta H, reduced H, height of voids, void ratio & Mv

; ; ; Observation 9 Last applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding

dial gauge reading along with computed values of delta H, reduced H, height of voids, void ratio & Mv that CASTeR can generate for this set,

Final 1 First applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding dial gauge reading along with computed values of delta H, reduced H, height of voids, void ratio & Mv computed during recompression or during release of pressure.


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Final 2 Last applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding dial gauge reading along with computed values of delta H, reduced H, height of voids, void ratio & Mv computed during recompression or during release of pressure.

Height of Solids Height of solid in the sample taken.

9. Following the same top-down approach click on the next menu item e & P values which will show in a tabular form the computed void ratio(e) and the pressure(p) values along with initial void ratio eo. The void Ratio & Pressure Values Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting e & P Values. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Curves in a page edit box.

Computed e & P values for e-LogP

Observation 1 First applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio. If this pressure is zero, plot will start from next pressure.

Observation 2 Second applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio.

; ; ; Observation 9 Last applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding

void ratio, that CASTeR can accept for this set.


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Final 1 First applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio value observed during recompression or during release of pressure.

Final 2 Last applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio reading value observed during recompression or during release of pressure.

eo Initial void ratio.

10. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Other Data is chosen and the e Log P Values Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Other Data. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Plots in a page edit box.

Other Data Dialog For e-LogP




11. From the previous pull-down menu of e-LogP, Plot is selected. The plot shows void ratio(e) on the Y axis and Pressure on the X axis i.e. abscissa which is a logarithmic scale. On the graph a horizontal line indicating the initial void ratio line is also drawn. The bore hole number, the sampling depth and sample number also are written beside the plots for proper identification.

12. At this stage of the plot, you may go for Print, Save, Export if so desired. Alternatively if you are interested to go for finding the compression index and pre-consolidation pressure you may do so. For finding Compression Index(Cc), follow the


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same top-down approach for menu selection i.e click on Draw Tangent for Cc, for drawing the tangent on the initial straight portion of the e-LogP curve. A CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box will appear

which will explain the procedure to draw such tangent. Move mouse and start drawing tangent. Keeping left mouse button pressed, drag till end point of Tangent. You may draw as many tangents as you like. Once you reach the final tangent click right mouse button for finalization. Several tangents can be drawn as per the instruction notice and it will always show the Compression Index(Cc) value at the tip of the tangent. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this tangent and subsequent tangent at point of maximum curvature should be drawn successively on the top plot at first and after completing(obtaining final Pc) the first set, we should go for bottom set. It should be noted that this tangent will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot

13. At this stage of the plot, you may go for Print, Save, Export if so desired. Alternatively if you are interested to go for finding the pre-consolidation pressure you may do so. For finding Pre-Consolidation pressure(Pc), follow the same top-down approach for menu selection i.e click on Draw Tangent At Max. Curvaturefor, for drawing the tangent on the point of maximum curvature at upper curved portion of the e-LogP curve. A CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box will appear

which will explain the procedure to draw such tangent. User has to exercise his own expertise in selecting this point of maximum curvature so that the result of Pc is realistic with the site condition. Move mouse to the point of maximum curvature I.e. point of minimum radius and start drawing tangent. Keeping left mouse button pressed, drag till end point of tangent. Every time the plot will annotate the Pre-Consolidation pressure in Kg/cm2 by the empirical method described by A. Casagrande. You may draw as many tangents as you like. Once you reach the final tangent click right mouse button for finalization. Several tangents can be drawn as per the instruction notice and it will always show the Pre-consolidation(Pc) pressure value at the bottom near the abscissa line. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this tangent at point of maximum curvature should be drawn on the top plot before starting any tangent drawing work on the bottom plot. It should be noted that this tangent will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot



10. For exporting please go to FileExportBitmap to export to clipboard and paste in other software as a bitmap figure or go to FileExportMetafile to export as an


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Enhanced/Windows metafile with the user supplied name, which can later on be inserted as picture to any word processor software. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.

11. For sending this plot as email to any one, go to FileSend As Mail. The outlook express automatically will open with this plot as an attachment. You will have to enter the recipients name and the message and then send. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.


Typical e-LogP Plot


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5.3.1.2.1.3 How to Obtain e-LogP Plot without Computation of Mv 1. Once configuration is complete, from Tools menu choose Clear Screen and erase

if anything is displayed in the main window of CASTeR. At this stage, it is recommended that project details should be changed/entered, if not already carried out earlier. For making any change in project name, select ToolsProject Name and enter/modify the values accordingly. Afterwards, from Lab Tests menu click on Consolidationee-LogP tab when a pull down menu appears. Please note that though CASTeR follows top-down approach in menu selection, in this case for e-LogP without Mv calculation , you have to start from e & P values and hence the first item Mv Calculation is not to be selected. The void Ratio & Pressure Values Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting e & P Values, which will require the void ratio(e) and the pressure(p) values in a tabular form along with initial void ratio eo. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Curves in a page edit box. It may please be noted that the present version of CASTeR does not support the loading-unloading cycle more than once.

e & P Values Dialog for e-LogP

Observation 1 First applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio. If this pressure is zero, plot will start from next pressure.

Observation 2 Second applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio.

; ;


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; Observation 9 Last applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding

void ratio, that CASTeR can accept for this set.

Final 1 First applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio value observed during recompression or during release of pressure.

Final 2 Last applied pressure value in (Kg/cm2) and corresponding void ratio reading value observed during recompression or during release of pressure.

eo Initial void ratio.

2. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Other Data is chosen and the e Log P Values Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Other Data. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Plots in a page edit box.

Other Data Dialog For e-LogP




3. From the previous pull-down menu of e-LogP, Plot is selected. The plot shows void ratio(e) on the Y axis and Pressure on the X axis i.e. abscissa which is a logarithmic scale. On the graph a horizontal line indicating the initial void ratio line is also drawn.


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The bore hole number, the sampling depth and sample number also are written beside the plots for proper identification.

4. At this stage of the plot, you may go for Print, Save, Export if so desired. Alternatively if you are interested to go for finding the compression index and pre-consolidation pressure you may do so. For finding Compression Index(Cc), follow the same top-down approach for menu selection i.e click on Draw Tangent for Cc, for drawing the tangent on the initial straight portion of the e-LogP curve. A CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box will appear

which will explain the procedure to draw such tangent. Move mouse and start drawing tangent. Keeping left mouse button pressed, drag till end point of Tangent. You may draw as many tangents as you like. Once you reach the final tangent click right mouse button for finalization. Several tangents can be drawn as per the instruction notice and it will always show the Compression Index(Cc) value at the tip of the tangent. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this tangent and subsequent tangent at point of maximum curvature should be drawn successively on the top plot at first and after completing(obtaining final Pc) the first set, we should go for bottom set. It should be noted that this tangent will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot.

5. At this stage of the plot, you may go for Print, Save, Export if so desired. Alternatively if you are interested to go for finding the pre-consolidation pressure you may do so. For finding Pre-Consolidation pressure(Pc), follow the same top-down approach for menu selection i.e click on Draw Tangent At Max. Curvaturefor, for drawing the tangent on the point of maximum curvature at upper curved portion of the e-LogP curve. A CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box will appear

which will explain the procedure to draw such tangent. User has to exercise his own expertise in selecting this point of maximum curvature so that the result of Pc is realistic with the site condition. Move mouse to the point of maximum curvature I.e. point of minimum radius and start drawing tangent. Keeping left mouse button pressed, drag till end point of tangent. Every time the plot will annotate the Pre-Consolidation pressure in Kg/cm2 by the empirical method described by A. Casagrande. You may draw as many tangents as you like. Once you reach the final tangent click right mouse button for finalization. Several tangents can be drawn as per the instruction notice and it will always show the Pre-consolidation(Pc) pressure value at the bottom near the abscissa line. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this tangent at point of maximum curvature should be drawn on the top plot before starting any tangent drawing work on the bottom plot. It should be noted that this tangent will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot.



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8. For exporting please go to FileExportBitmap to export to clipboard and paste in other software as a bitmap figure or go to FileExportMetafile to export as an Enhanced/Windows metafile with the user supplied name, which can later on be inserted as picture to any word processor software. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.




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Typical e-LogP Plot


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5.3.1.2.2 Square Root of Time Fit As explained in earlier pages CASTeR has the facility to find out Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) from the consolidation test results. This module deals with the determination of Cv by the method suggested by Taylor, which utilizes the characteristics of the theoretical curve between Time factor (Tv) & degree of consolidation (U).

5.3.1.2.2.1 How to Configure Sq. Root of Time Fit Plot Click on the Configure in the main menu and the Plot Configuration Dialog box opens. Select the Sq.Root Of Time Fit tab and the following options will be asked for selection/insertion.

Configuration Dialog Box For Sq. Root of Time Fit


Least Count of Dial Gauge It is the least count value of the dial gauge in mm/div which when multiplied with the


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dial gauge reading gives the settlement in mm.

Write End Co-ord. Gives option to show the last coordinate values on either axis on the extent of graph displayed. Sometimes this value may get overlapped with adjoining values depending on the font size and labeling interval.


Connect Points By St. Line Gives option to connect the plotted points in the graphs to be connected by straight lines.

Connect Points By Smooth Curve Gives option to connect the plotted points in the graphs to be connected by smooth spline curve

Input through Xcel format Gives option for supplying data through spreadsheet like format.

X axis Line Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of graph lines to be displayed in the 'Sq. Root Time' axis of the graph.

X axis Label Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of labels to be displayed in the ' Sq. Root Time ' axis of the graph, in minutes.

Y axis Line Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of graph lines to be displayed in the ' Dial Gauge Reading ' axis of the graph.

Y axis Label Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of labels to be displayed in the ' Dial Gauge Reading' axis of the graph.

Dial Gauge Reading Increasing with Time Select this if dial gauge reading increases

with increase in time. Decreasing with Time Select this if dial gauge reading decreases

with increase in time.



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Colour Set Gives option to select any particular colour, to be selected from the colour dialog box, which will be available on clicking upon the desired plot number.


5.3.1.2.2.2 How to Create Square Root Time Fit Plot 1. Once configuration is complete, from Tools menu choose Clear Screen and erase

if anything is displayed in the main window of CASTeR. At this stage, it is recommended that project details should be changed/entered, if not already carried out earlier. For making any change in project name, select ToolsProject Name and enter/modify the values accordingly. Afterwards, from Lab Tests menu click on ConsolidationeSq. Root Time Fit tab when a pull down menu appears. Please note that CASTeR follows top-down approach in menu selection and hence the first item Dial Gauge vs. Time is to be selected and the Sq. Root Time Fit-Dial Gauge Reading vs. Time Set 1 dialog box comes up on the main window as shown below. Appearance of this dialog box will vary depending upon the Input method (Input Through Xcel Format) opted through configuration.

Dial Gauge Reading vs. Time Dialog box for Sq.Root Time Fit


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Dial Gauge Reading vs. Time Dialog box for Sq.Root Time Fit

The dialog box has two columns, one with heading Comp Dial, to enter the values of the compression dial gauge reading observed during consolidation test corresponding to the elapsed time, the values of which are to be entered under the column heading Time(min) These readings are directly used in computing the Coefficient of consolidation (Cv). One can go for maximum of 21 sets of data for one plot. These readings can be in ascending or descending order. In case user wants to use lesser no. of pair of values, start from Reading no. 1 and continue next for Reading no. 2 and so on. Put zero for the unused pairs. If one desires to plot two such plots on one report page, this dialog box will come twice. For time values in other unit, automatic conversation to minutes can be availed of through the use of F2 key.

2. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Other Data is chosen and t Other Related Data 1st Plot dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Other Data. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Plots in a page edit box.


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Other Data Dialog Box-Sq.Root Of Time Fit

Bore Hole Nos. Gives option to enter the no./name of the borehole as alphanumeric.

Depth Gives option to enter the depth in meter (M) from where the sample was taken

Sample No Gives option to enter the no./name of the borehole as alphanumeric.

Initial Pressure Starting value of pressure range for this test in Kg/cm2.

Final Pressure Ending or final value of pressure range for this test in Kg/cm2

Initial Height Starting value of sample height at start of pressure in cm.

Final Height Ending or final value of sample height at start of pressure in cm.

Double Drainage Select this option if drainage is allowed from top as well as from bottom in the test

Single Drainage Select this option if drainage is allowed from one side only in the test

3. From the previous pull-down menu of Sq. Root Time Fit, Plot is selected. Based on the data supplied by the user through the above two menu items a graph with Sq.Root of Time as abscissa and Dial gauge reading values as ordinate is plotted as per the scale, font, graph, line style .For proper appearance of the plot, intelligent scaling may have to be adopted. The bore hole number, the sampling depth and sample number also are written beside the plots for proper identification.


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4. At this stage of the plot, you may go for Print, Save, Export if so desired. For extrapolating the initial portion of the plotted curve you can go for Extrapolate by Manual or by Guided method. For finding Coefficient of consolidation by extrapolation through manual means, click on ExtrapolateManual. A

CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box will appear

which will explain the procedure to extrapolate. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Manual Extrapolation. As the load increment is applied, there is an initial compression. It is obtained by producing back(extrapolation) the initial linear part of the curve to intersect the dial gauge reading axis at some point, known as the Corrected zero reading. This option helps you in extrapolating the initial straight part of the curve manually as per the instruction. Move mouse and click at starting point of extension line for zero consolidation. Keeping left mouse button pressed, drag till end point of extension line. You may draw as many extension lines as you like. Once you reach the final extension line click right mouse button for finalization. As you finish the extrapolation , it will annotate the Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) along with 90% consolidation point on the plot. It should be noted that this extrapolation and associated annotation will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this extrapolation be done on the top plot at first and after completing(obtaining final Cv) the first set, we should go for bottom set. It should be noted that this extrapolation along with associated annotation will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot.

On completion of this extrapolation the plot will automatically be annotated with Corrected zero reading, Coefficient of consolidation and the 90% consolidation point on the plotted curve.

5. Alternatively for extrapolating the initial portion of the plotted curve you can go for Extrapolate by Guided method. For finding Coefficient of consolidation by extrapolation through guided means, click on ExtrapolateGuided. A


which will explain the procedure to extrapolate and subsequently a Guided Extrapolation Selection Dialog box appears on the plot as shown below. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Guided Extrapolation. Through this dialog box, user has to select any two points from the Available Points and send them to right side i.e. Selected Points. A line will be drawn through these two points and extrapolated at the initial part of the curve. This may be done for 1st plot(in case user goes for one plot on one page) or for 2nd plot(in case user goes for two plots on one page) but not both at a time. Select 1st/2nd plot through appropriate radio button. If the extrapolated line does not satisfy the requirement then user can go for NEXT TRIAL button other wise press OK button. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this extrapolation be done on the top plot at first and after completing(obtaining final Cv) the first set, we should go for bottom set. It should be noted that this extrapolation along with associated annotation will be lost if we


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go for any change in the plot through configuration plot . On completion of this

extrapolation the plot will automatically be annotated with Corrected zero reading, Coefficient of consolidation and the 90% consolidation point on the plotted curve.

Guided Extrapolation Selection Dialog

Available Points Lists all the points user has supplied

Selected Points Lists all the points user has selected

1st Plot Plot on the top of the page

2nd Plot Plot at the bottom of the page Next trial Select this button if you are interested go for another

Extrapolation.



8. For exporting please go to FileExportBitmap to export to clipboard and paste in other software as a bitmap figure or go to FileExportMetafile to export as an Enhanced/Windows metafile with the user supplied name, which can


42

later on be inserted as picture to any word processor software. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.



Typical Sq.Root of Time Fit Plot


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5.3.1.2.3 Time Settlement As explained in earlier pages CASTeR has the facility to find out Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) from the consolidation test results. This module deals with the determination of Cv by the method suggested by Casagrande, which utilizes the characteristics of the theoretical curve between Time factor (Tv) & degree of consolidation (U). 5.3.1.2.3.1 How to Configure Time Settlement Plot Click on the Configure in the main menu and the Plot Configuration Dialog box opens. Select the Time-Settlement tab and the following options will be asked for selection/insertion.

Configuration Dialog Box For Time-Settlement


Least Count of Dial Gauge It is the least count value of the dial gauge in mm/div which when multiplied with the


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dial gauge reading gives the settlement in mm.

Write End Co-ord. Gives option to show the last coordinate values on either axis on the extent of graph displayed. Sometimes this value may get overlapped with adjoining values depending on the font size and labeling interval.



Connect Points By Smooth Curve Gives option to connect the plotted points in the graphs to be connected by smooth spline curve.

Input through Xcel format Gives option for supplying data through spreadsheet like format.

Dial Gauge axis Line Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of graph lines to be displayed in the ' Dial Gauge Reading ' axis of the graph.

Dial Gauge axis Label Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of labels to be displayed in the ' Dial Gauge Reading' axis of the graph.

Dial Gauge Reading Increasing with Time Select this if dial gauge reading increases with

increase in time.

Decreasing with Time Select this if dial gauge reading decreases with increase in time.


Colour Set Gives option to select any particular colour, to be selected from the colour dialog box, which will be available on clicking upon the desired plot number.



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5.3.1.2.3.2 How to Create Time-Settlement Plot 1. Once configuration is complete, from Tools menu choose Clear Screen and erase

if anything is displayed in the main window of CASTeR. At this stage, it is recommended that project details should be changed/entered, if not already carried out earlier. For making any change in project name, select ToolsProject Name and enter/modify the values accordingly. Afterwards, from Lab Tests menu click on ConsolidationeTime-Settlement tab when a pull down menu appears. Please note that CASTeR follows top-down approach in menu selection and hence the first item Dial Gauge Reading is to be selected and the Time Settlement-Dial Gauge Reading vs. Time Set 1 dialog box comes up on the main window as shown below. Appearance of this dialog box will vary depending upon the Input method (Input Through Xcel Format) opted through configuration.

Dial Gauge Reading vs. Time Dialog box for Time-Settlement


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Dial Gauge Reading vs. Time Dialog box for Time-Settlement

The dialog box has two columns, one with heading Comp Dial, to enter the values of the compression dial gauge reading observed during consolidation test corresponding to the elapsed time, the values of which are to be entered under the column heading Time(min) These readings are directly used in computing the Coefficient of consolidation (Cv). One can go for maximum of 21 sets of data for one plot. These readings can be in ascending or descending order. In case user wants to use lesser no. of pair of values, start from Reading no. 1 and continue next for Reading no. 2 and so on. Put zero for the unused pairs. If one desires to plot two such plots on one report page, this dialog box will come twice. For time values in other unit, automatic conversation to minutes can be availed of through the use of F2 key.

2. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Other Data is chosen and t Other Related Data 1st Plot dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Other Data. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Plots in a page edit box.


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Other Data Dialog Box Time-Settlement

Bore Hole Nos. Gives option to enter the no./name of the borehole as alphanumeric.

Depth Gives option to enter the depth in meter (M) from where the sample was taken.

Sample No Gives option to enter the no./name of the borehole as alphanumeric.

Initial Pressure Starting value of pressure range for this test in Kg/cm2

Final Pressure Ending or final value of pressure range for this test in Kg/ cm2

Initial Height Starting value of sample height at start of pressure in cm.

Final Height Ending or final value of sample height at start of pressure in cm.

Double Drainage Select this option if drainage is allowed from top as well as from bottom in the test.

Single Drainage Select this option if drainage is allowed from one side only in the test.

3. From the previous pull-down menu of Time-Settlement, Plot is selected. Based on the data supplied by the user through the above two menu items a semi-log graph with Time in minutes as abscissa and Dial gauge reading values as ordinate is plotted as per the scale, font, graph, line style .For proper appearance of the plot, intelligent scaling may have to be adopted. Initial sample height, Final sample height, Least count of gauge, Final pressure, Initial pressure, Sampling depth, Sample No., Bore Hole No. also are written beside the plots for proper identification.


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Parabola Starting Pt. Selection Dialog

4. At this stage of the plot, a correction to zero dial gauge reading is required to be done. For doing this correction, following the same top-down approach click on Set Corrected Zero Reading. A dialog box will appear with heading as Parabola Starting Pt. Selection-1st Plot. This dialog box is meant for selecting the starting point of the initial parabolic part of the timesettlement curve. Generally this point is taken as the dial gauge reading corresponding to 1 minute time. This value has been set as the default value. Once this value is entered the plot gets redrawn on the main window to accommodate the full range as may be required for further activities and the plot will automatically be annotated with Corrected zero reading(Ro).

5. At this stage of the plot, you may go for Print, Save, Export if so desired. 100% consolidation is obtained as the intersection of a tangent at the point of inflection and the asymptote of the lower portion. This requires the drawing of two nos. of tangents which can be done either manually or in a guided method. For finding 100% consolidation and subsequent coefficient of consolidation by tangents drawn through manual means, click on Draw 1st TangentManual. A


which will explain the procedure to draw 1st tangent manually. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Draw 1st Tangent-Manually. This option helps you in drawing the tangent at the initial straight part at bottom of the curve manually as per the instruction. Move mouse and click at starting point of 1st Tangent line for obtaining 100%% consolidation. Keeping left mouse button pressed, drag till end point of 1st Tangent line. You may draw as many 1st Tangent lines as you like. Once you reach the desired or most accurate 1st Tangent line, click on your RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON for finalization. It should be noted that this tangent will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this 1st tangent and the subsequent 2nd tangent should be drawn on the top plot at first and after completing(obtaining final Cv) the first set, we should go for bottom set. It should be noted that this tangents along with associated annotation will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot.

Coefficient of consolidation and the 90% consolidation point on the plotted curve.


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Points Selection for Guided 1stTangent Drawing dialog

Available Points Lists all the points user has supplied

Selected Points Lists all the points user has selected

1st Plot Plot on the top of the page

2nd Plot Plot at the bottom of the page

Next trial Select this button if you are interested go for another extrapolation

6. 100% consolidation can be obtained the as the intersection of a tangent at the point of inflection and the asymptote of the lower portion. This requires the drawing of two nos. of tangents which can be done in a guided method too. For finding 100% consolidation and subsequent coefficient of consolidation by tangents drawn through guided means, click on Draw 1st TangentGuided. A


which will explain the procedure to draw 1st tangent and subsequently a Points Selection for Guided 1stTangent Drawing dialog box appears on the plot as shown below. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Draw 1st Tangent-Manually. Through this dialog box, user has to select any two point from the Available Points and send them to right side i.e. selected Points. A tangent line will be drawn through these two points.. This may be done for 1st plot(in case user goes for one plot on one page) or for 2nd plot(in case user goes for two plots on one page) but not both at a time. Select 1st/2nd plot through appropriate radio button. If the tangent line does not satisfy the requirement then user can go for NEXT TRIAL button other wise press OK button. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one


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page, this 1st tangent line be drawn on the top plot at first and after completing(obtaining final Cv) the first set, we should go for bottom set. It should be noted that this 1st tangent along with associated annotation will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot

.

7. 100% consolidation is obtained as the intersection of a tangent at the point of inflection and the asymptote of the lower portion. This requires the drawing of two nos. of tangents which can be done either manually or in a guided method. For finding 100% consolidation and subsequent coefficient of consolidation by tangents drawn through manual means, next item to select on is Draw 2nd TangentManual. A CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box will appear

which will explain the procedure to draw 2nd tangent manually. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Draw 2nd Tangent-Manually. This option helps you in drawing the tangent at the middle straight part of the curve manually as per the instruction. Move mouse and click at starting point of 2nd Tangent line for obtaining 100% consolidation. Keeping left mouse button pressed, drag till end point of 2nd Tangent line. You may draw as many 2nd Tangent lines as you like. Once you reach the desired or most accurate 2nd Tangent line, click on your right mouse button for finalization. As you finish this tangent, it will annotate the Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) along with 100% & 50% consolidation point on the plot. It should be noted that this tangent and associated annotation will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot. If you are not interested for the CASTeR Instruction Notice dialog box to appear next time onwards just click on the box left to Do Not Show This Notice Next Time. In case we configure for two sets of plot on one page, this 2nd tangent should be drawn on the top plot at first and after completing(obtaining final Cv) the first set, we should go for bottom set.

8. For finding 100% consolidation and subsequent coefficient of consolidation by tangents drawn through guided means, click next on Draw 2nd TangentGuided. Follow the same procedure as in step 6 detailed above. As you finish this tangent, it will annotate the Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) along with 100% & 50% consolidation point on the plot. It should be noted that this tangent and associated annotation will be lost if we go for any change in the plot through configuration plot. In this connection it should be noted that drawing of tangents can be done in a mixed way also. I.e. 1st tangent by manual method and 2nd tangent by guided method or vice-versa. CASTeR does not impose any restriction in this regard. But care should be taken that once 1st tangent is drawn by one method and finalized subsequently, it should not be tried again on the same plot by other method.


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Typ. Time Settlement Plot


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5.3.1.3 Grain Size After obtaining the observed test results in any grain size distribution tests you can feed them in CASTeR. It can calculate various soil parameters from these observed test results and is capable of drawing plots for %finer vs. grain size for determining Uniformity Coefficient(Cu), Curvature Coefficient(Cc), D10,D30 etc. CASTeR has the built-in optional facility to compute all these parameters.

5.3.1.3.1 Sieve The path to draw the grain size distribution curve from Sieve Analysis is as follows. From main menu select Lab TestsGrain Size. It is recommended that before starting work in this module, it is to be configured according to the requirements of the soil test report. Such configuration can be done as detailed below. This configuration can be changed any time during the creation of the grain size distribution curve.

5.3.1.3.1.1 How to Configure Sieve Analysis Plot Click on the Configure in the main menu and the Plot Configuration Dialog box opens. Select Grain Size tab and the following options will be asked for selection/insertion.


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Configure Dialog Box-Grain Size Distribution

No of Curves in a page Gives option to modify the number of plots on one report page. Maximum value 6 and minimum 1.

Write End Co-ord. on Graph Gives option to show the last coordinate values on either axis on the extent of graph displayed. Sometimes this value may get overlapped with adjoining values depending on the font size and labeling interval.



Connect Points By Smooth Curve Gives option to connect the plotted points in the graphs to be connected by smooth spline curve.

% Finer axis Line Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of graph lines to be displayed in the '% Finer' axis of the graph.

% Finer axis Label Interval Gives option to modify the frequency of labels to be displayed in the '% Finer' axis of the graph.

Calculate Cc & Cu This option tells the software to calculate the curvature Coefficient (Cc) and uniformity coefficient (Cu) along with D10, D30 etc. and paste them below the plot.


Colour Set Gives option to select any particular colour, to be selected from the colour dialog box, which will be available on clicking upon the desired curve number.


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5.3.1.3.1.2 How to Obtain Grain Size Distribution-Curve 1. Once configuration is complete, from Tools menu choose Clear Screen and erase if

anything is displayed in the main window of CASTeR. At this stage, it is recommended that project details should be changed/entered, if not already carried out earlier. For making any change in project name, select ToolsProject Name and enter/modify the values accordingly. Afterwards, from Lab Tests menu click on Grain SizeSieve tab when a pull down menu appears. Please note that CASTeR follows top-down approach in menu selection and hence the first item Sieve Size vs. Wt. Retained is to be selected and the Sieve Analysis Data Set 1 dialog box comes up on the main window as shown below.

Sieve size & Weight Dialog For Sieve

The dialog box has three columns, one with heading Sieve(mm), to enter the values of the sieves (in millimeter) used in the test, and corresponding weight (in grams)under the 3rd column having Sieve wt(gm) as heading. The second column with heading Soil+Sieve wt(gm) is meant to enter the weight of weight of sieve with soil retained on it after sieving. Use this dialog box to enter the data obtained from Sieve Analysis i.e. the Sieve size, Sieve weight and sieve wt with soil for all the sieves taken in the test which are required in the process of plotting(semi-log) the Grain Size Distribution curve or S-curve with size as abscissa and % finer as ordinate. Maximum of 16 pair of values can be entered for one plot. In case user wants to use lesser no. of pair of values, start from Sieve Serial no. 1 and continue next for Sieve Serial no. 2 and so


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on. Put zero for the unused pairs. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Curves in a page edit box.

Sieve serial no.1 Enter first value of sieve size in millimeter (mm), empty sieve wt and sieve with soil wt in gm.

Sieve serial no.2 Enter second value of sieve size in millimeter (mm), empty sieve wt and sieve with soil wt in gm.

; ; ; Sieve serial no.16 Enter last value of sieve size in millimeter (mm), empty

sieve wt and sieve with soil wt in gm.

Total Sample Wt. Weight of sample taken for the test.

2. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Other Data is chosen and the Finer-Size Other Values Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Other Data. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of Curves in a page edit box.

Other Data Dialog For Sieve




3. As CASTeR follows the top-down approach in menu item selection, next item Calculate is chosen and the Table for %Finer_Calculation-Set 1 dialog box appears. This dialog box can be brought from the dynamic pop-up menu after clicking right hand side mouse button and subsequently selecting Calculate. This dialog box will keep on coming for as many times as the number that has been entered against No. of


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Curves in a page edit box. This dialog box is meant for the purpose of viewing the calculation done based on the above data to arrive at the Cumulative % Finer values. This table can be printed. It can be copied too to other spread sheet like software by pressing Ctrl+C after the selection.

Table for %Finer Calculation

Sieve no. 1 First value of sieve size, sieve wt., weight retained, cumulative % finer etc.

Sieve no. 2 First value of sieve size, sieve wt., weight retained, cumulative % finer etc.

; ; ; Sieve no. 16 First value of sieve size, sieve wt., weight retained,

cumulative % finer etc.

4. From the previous pull-down menu of Sieve, Plot is selected. The plot shows particle size(mm) on the abscissa, the % Finer on the ordinate. On the graph, fractions values in % of various types of the soil is annotated automatically in a tabular form. In addition, the bore hole number, the sampling depth and sample number also are written along with Coefficient of Curvature (Cc) and Uniformity Coefficient (Cu) below the plot. All the samples are marked with different symbols.



7. For exporting please go to FileExportBitmap to export to clipboard and paste in other software as a bitmap figure or go to FileExportMetafile to export as an


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Enhanced/Windows metafile with the user supplied name, which can later on be inserted as picture to any word processor software. Please note that for demonstration version, this feature will not be available.



Typical Grain Size Distribution -Curve


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5.3.1.3.2 Hydrometer The path to draw the grain size distribution curve from Hydrometer Analysis is as follows. From main menu select Lab TestsGrain SizeHydrometer. It is recommended that before starting work in this module, it is to be configured according to the requirements of the soil test report. Such configuration can be done as detailed below. This configuration can be changed any time during the creation of the grain size distribution curve.

5.3.1.3.2.1 How to Configure Hydrometer Analysis Plot Click on the Configure in the main menu and the Plot Configuration Dialog box opens. Select Hydrometer tab and the following options will be asked for selection/insertion.

Configure Dialog Box-Hydrometer Distribution

No of Curves in a page Gives option to modify the number of plots on one report page. Maximum value 6 and minimum 1.


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Write End Co-ord. on Graph Gives option to show the last coordinate values on either axis on the extent of graph displayed. Sometimes this value may get overlapped with adjoining values depending on the font siz

caster manual

Documents

compaction plot

cbr plot

depthliquid limit plot

depthplastic limit plot

time settlement plot

mohr circle plot

elogp plot

hydrometer analysis