Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing

Volume 1: Soil Classification and Compaction Tests

Second Edition

K. H. Head, MA (Can tab) , C.Eng, F/CE, FGS

PENTECH PR ESS London

Contents

I EQUIPM ENT. T ECHN IQUES AN D SAFETY 1. 1 Introduction 1.2 Laborato ry equipment 5 1.3 Techniques 33 1.4 Care of samples 41 1.5 Preparation of disturbed samples for testing 44 1.6 Safety in the laboratory 48 1.7 Calibration 53

Bibliography 58

2 MO IST URE CONTENT AND IN DEX T ESTS 59 2.1 Introd uction 59 2.2 Definitions 60 2.3 Theory 60 2.4 Applications 68 2.5 MoislUre content tests 71 2.6 Liquid and plastic limit tests 78 2.7 Shrinkage tests 99 2.8 Empirical index tests 109

Bibliography 114

3 DENSITY AN D PARTIC LE DENSITY 116 3. 1 Introduction 116 3.2 Definitions 117 3.3 Theory 118 3.4 Applications 128 3.5 Density tests 130 3.6 Particle density tests 140 3.7 Limiting density tests 149

Bibliography 157

4 PARTICLE SIZE 159 4.1 Introduction 159 4.2 Definitions 160 4.3 T heory 160 4.4 Applications 165 4.5 Practical aspects 169 4.6 Sieving procedures 175 4.7 Sedimentation theory 201 4.8 Sedimentation procedures 205

Bibliography 233

5 CHEMlCAL TESTS 235 5.1 Introduction 235 5.2 Definitions and data 24 1 5.3 Theory 243 5.4 Applications 252 5.5 Tests for pH 254 5.6 Sulphate content tests 260 5.7 Organic content tests 272 5.8 Carbonate content tests 278 5.9 Chloride content tests 290 5.10 Miscellaneous tests 297

Bibliography 301

CONT[l\TS

6 ("0\IPACTIO:"\ TESTS 6 1 Introduction 6.:! Definitions 6.J Thcor) 6 4 Applications 6.5 Compaction test procedures 6.6 Moisture condition test 6.7 Chalk crushing value 6.8 Compactibility test fo r graded aggregates

/3ihliograplly

7 DESCRIPTION OF SOILS 7.1 Int roduction 7.2 Definitions 7.3 Identification of soils 7.4 Description of coarse (granular) soils 7.5 Description of fine soils 7.6 Description of other soil types

Bibliography

APPENDIX: UN ITS AND SYMBOLS A.l Metric (SI ) units A.2 Symbols AJ Useful data A.4 Comparison of BS and ASTM sieve aperture sizes

1:"-/DEX

1\

302 302 303 303 313 315 339 352 354 356

357 357 360 360 361 366 370 373

375 375 38 1 382 383

384