GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS
LECTURE- 2
 DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE SIZE OF SOILS
Particle Size of Coarse-Grained Soils
Sieve Analysis – screening process of known weight of soil through
a stack of sieves of progressively finer mesh size
Sieve – is identified by a number that corresponds to the number
of square holes per linear inch of mesh.
 DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE SIZE OF SOILS

where:
Wi – weight of soil retained on the ith sieve
W – total weight of soil
 Characterization of Soils Based on Particle Size
Uniformity Coefficient Coefficient of Curvature or Gradation

D60 = dia. of soil at which 60% of the soil D30 = dia. of soil at which 30% of the
weight is finer soil weight is finer
D10 = dia. of soil at which 10% of the soil
weight is finer

When Cu < 4; When Cc is between 1 & 3;

• Soil contains particles of uniform • Soil is well–graded
size (approximately one size)
• Gradation curve is almost vertical When Cc is outside the range 1 to 3;
(uniformly graded) • Soil is gap-graded (absence of
certain grain size
When Cu > 4;
• Soil contains wider assortment of
particle size
• Gradation curve is flat (well –
graded soil)
 Characterization of Soils Based on Particle Size
100

90

80

70
% Finer or % Passing

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1.0 10

Particle size(mm) –logarithmic scale

Particle size distribution curve/ Gradation Curve

 Characterization of Soils Based on Particle Size
Effective size of Soil

Effective size is important in regulating the flow of water

through soils and can dictate the mechanical behavior of soils
since the coarse fractions may not be in effective contact
with each other.
The higher the D10 value, the coarser the soil and the better
the drainage characteristics.
#1. SAMPLE PROBLEM
A sample of dry coarse-grained material of mass 500 grams was
shaken through a nest of sieves and the following results were
obtained
Sieve no. Openings Mass of soil Retained
(grams)
4 4.75 0
10 2.0 14.8
20 0.85 98
40 0.425 90.1
100 0.15 181.9
200 0.075 108.8
Pan 6.1
1. Plot the particle size distribution curve
2. Determine (a) the effective size, (b) the average particle size, (c)
the uniformity coefficient, and (d) the coefficient of curvature
3. Determine the textural composition of the soil (i.e., the amount
of gravel, sand, silt and clay
SOLUTION

Sieve no. Openings Mass of soil % Retained Summation

% Finer
Retained (Mr/M)x100 (%Retained)

4 4.75 0 0 0 100
10 2.0 14.8 3.0 3.0 97.0
20 0.85 98 19.6 22.6 77.4
40 0.425 90.1 18.0 40.6 59.4
100 0.15 181.9 36.4 77.0 23.0
200 0.075 108.8 21.8 98.8 1.2
Pan 6.1 1.2 100

Total mass M = 499.7

Opening %
Finer
4.75 100
100
2.0 97.0
0.85 77.4 90

0.425 59.4 80

0.15 23.0 70

0.075 1.2
% Finer or % Passing

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1.0 10

Particle size(mm) –logarithmic scale

Particle size distribution curve/ Gradation Curve
 PHYSICAL STATE AND INDEX PROPERTIES OF FINE-GRAINED SOILS
Plasticity Index A
B
C

- The range of water contents over which D

volume
the soil deforms plastically Plastic Liquid
Semisolid
Solid

Liquidity Index
SL PL LL
Water content

- measure of soil strength using the

Atterberg limits
Description of soil strength
LI < 0 – semisolid state
0 < LI < 1 – plastic state
LI > 1 – liquid state
 PHYSICAL STATE AND INDEX PROPERTIES OF FINE-GRAINED SOILS
Activity

- is an index for identifying the swelling potentials of clay soils

- describe the importance of the clay fraction on the plasticity index

Typical Atterberg Limits for Soils

Soil type LL PL PI
Sand Nonplastic
Silt 30-40 20-25 10-15
clay 40-150 25-50 15-100
DETERMINATION OF THE LIQUID, PLASTIC, AND SHRINKAGE LIMITS

1. Casagrande Cup Method

• Method of determining liquid limit
• Liquid limit is defined as the water content at which the
groove cut into the soil will close over a distance of 12.5 mm
following 25 blows.
DETERMINATION OF THE LIQUID, PLASTIC, AND SHRINKAGE LIMITS

2. Fall Cone Method

• Method of determining liquid limit and Plastic limit
• The water content corresponding to a cone(80 grams)
penetration of 20 mm defines the liquid limit.

• Plastic limit (cone mass = 240 grams)

DETERMINATION OF THE LIQUID, PLASTIC, AND SHRINKAGE LIMITS
3. Shrinkage Limit

m1 – mass of soil in saturated state

m2 – mass of soil in dry state
v1 – vol. of soil in saturated state
v2 – vol. of soil in dry state
#2. PROBLEM
A liquid limit test conducted on a soil sample in a cup device gave the
following results:
Sample Water Content Penetration of Cone
1 60.0% 10
2 45.2 % 19
3 39.8 % 23
4 36.5 % 27
5 25.2 % 40
Two determinations for the plastic limit gave water contents of 20.3%
and 20.8%. Determine the following:
1. The liquid limit and plastic limit
2. The plasticity index
3. The liquidity index if the natural water content is 27.4%
#2. PROBLEM Sample Water Penetration of
Content Cone
1 60.0% 10
2 45.2 % 19
3 39.8 % 23
4 36.5 % 27
60 5 25.2 % 40

55
MOISTURE CONTENT %

50
45
Description of soil strength
40 LI < 0 – semisolid state
0 < LI < 1 – plastic state
35 LI > 1 – liquid state
30

25
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NUMBER OF BLOWS – logarithmic scale
#3. PROBLEM
The results of a fall cone test are shown in the table below.
Parameter 80 gram cone 240 gram cone
Penetration (mm) 5.5 7.8 14.8 22 32 8.5 15 21 35
Water content (%) 39.0 44.8 52.5 60.3 67 36.0 45.1 49.8 58.1

Compute the following:

1. Liquid limit
2. Plastic limit
3. Plasticity index
4. Liquidity index if the natural water content is 36%
#3. PROBLEM

Parameter 80 gram cone 240 gram cone

Penetration (mm) 5.5 7.8 14.8 22 32 8.5 15 21 35
Water content (%) 39.0 44.8 52.5 60.3 67 36.0 45.1 49.8 58.1

70

65
MOISTURE CONTENT %

Δw = 10%
60
55

50

45

40

35
1 10 20 100
PENETRATION OF CONE– logarithmic scale
End of lecture
#2. PROBLEM
A soil sample having a liquidity index of 0.87, a plasticity index of 16
and a plastic limit of 12. The soil sample has a sp.gr. of 2.72 and a
void ratio of 0.75
1. Compute the water content of the soil.
2. Compute the degree of saturation
3. Compute the air void ratio
#3. PROBLEM
A soil sample was determine in the laboratory to have a liquid limit
of 41% and a plastic limit of 21.1%. If the water content is 30%,
determine the ff. (CE BD MAY 2003)
1. Plasticity Index
2. Liquidity Index
3. What is the characteristic of soil?
i. liquid
ii.Plastic
iii.Dense Note:
iv.Brittle solid Characteristic of soil
LI < 0 – brittle solid
0< LI < 1 – plastic
LI > 1 – liquid
#4. PROBLEM
Laboratory test results for a sample of clay soil for the purpose of
evaluating the potential for volume change (swelling, expansion)
are as shown
Liquid limit = 68%
Plastic Limit = 24%
Particles smaller than 0.002 mm = 44%
1. Compute the plasticity Index
2. Indicate the activity classification for this clay
3. The rate of volume change potential
i. very high
ii.medium Note:
iii.low LL > 60 and P.I.> 35 Very high
iv.normal 60 < LL > 50 and 25 < P.I. < 35 Medium
LL < 50 and P.I. < 25 Low
#5. PROBLEM
In a liquid limit test using Fall cone apparatus, the following readings
were recorded.
Sample Water Content Penetration of Cone
1 40% 12 mm
2 45 16 mm
3 50 21 mm
4 58 35 mm
While in a plastic limit test the following data were obtained:
wt. of wet soil + container = 22.12 grams
wt. of dry soil + container = 20.42 grams
wt. of container = 13.07 grams

1. Find the liquid limit

2. Compute the plastic limit
3. Determine the plasticity index
4. What is the consistency Index
 Water Penetration
Content of Cone
40% 12 mm
60
45 16 mm

50 21 mm
55
58 35 mm
MOISTURE CONTENT

50

45

40

35

30
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

PENETRATION OF CONE (mm)

#5. PROBLEM
In a liquid limit test using Fall cone apparatus, the following readings
were recorded.
Sample Water Content Penetration of Cone
1 40% 12 mm
2 45 16 mm
3 50 21 mm
4 58 35 mm
While in a plastic limit test the following data were obtained:
wt. of wet soil + container = 22.12 grams
wt. of dry soil + container = 20.42 grams
wt. of container = 13.07 grams

1. Find the liquid limit

2. Compute the plastic limit
3. Determine the plasticity index
4. What is the consistency Index
#6. PROBLEM
In a liquid limit test using cup apparatus, the following data were
taken:
Sample Water Content No. of Blows
A 41.8% 39
B 43.5 23
C 44.3 20
D 45.5 13
While in a plastic limit test the following values were observed:
wt. of wet soil + container = 21.19 grams
wt. of dry soil + container = 18.78 grams
wt. of container = 8.20 grams
1. Find the liquid limit
2. Compute the plastic Index
3. Solve for the liquidity index if natural water content is 38%
 Water No. of
Content blows
41.8% 39
60
43.5 23

44.3 20
55
45.5 13
MOISTURE CONTENT

50

45

40

35

30
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

NUMBER OF BLOWS
#6. PROBLEM
In a liquid limit test using cup apparatus, the following data were
taken:
Sample Water Content No. of Blows
A 41.8% 39
B 43.5 23
C 44.3 20
D 45.5 13
While in a plastic limit test the following values were observed:
wt. of wet soil + container = 21.19 grams
wt. of dry soil + container = 18.78 grams
wt. of container = 8.20 grams

1. Find the liquid limit

2. Compute the plastic Index
3. Solve for the liquidity index if natural water content is 38%
#7. PROBLEM
From the results of a shrinkage limit test, the following data were
taken:
initial volume of soil in saturated state = 24.6 cu cm
Final volume of soil in dry state = 15.9 cu cm
initial mass of soil in a saturated state = 44 gms
Final mass of soil in a dry state = 30 gms
Specific gravity of solid is 2.70
1. Determine the shrinkage limit of soil
2. Find the void ratio
3. Compute the dry unit weight
FIELD DENSITY TEST
#8. PROBLEM
Following are the results of a field unit weight determination test
using the sand cone method.
Dry unit weight of sand = 16.36 kN/m3
Wt. of sand to fill the cone = 11.15 N
Wt. of jar + cone + sand (before use) = 58.9 N
Wt. of jar + cone + sand (after use) = 27.65 N
Wt. of moist soil from hole = 32.55 N
Moisture content of moist soil = 11.16 %
1. Compute the weight of sand to
fill the hole
2. Compute the dry weight of soil
from the field
Compacted fill
FIELD DENSITY TEST
#8. PROBLEM
Following are the results of a field unit weight determination test
using the sand cone method.
Dry unit weight of sand = 16.36 kN/m3
Wt. of sand to fill the cone = 11.15 N
Wt. of jar + cone + sand (before use) = 58.9 N
Wt. of jar + cone + sand (after use) = 27.65 N
Wt. of moist soil from hole = 32.55 N
Moisture content of moist soil = 11.16 %
1. Compute the weight of sand to
fill the hole
2. Compute the dry weight of soil
from the field
Compacted fill
#9. PROBLEM
In a specific gravity test the following data were recorded:
Mass of pycnometric jar = 530 g
Mass of pycnometric jar when full of clean water = 1560 g
Mass of pycnometric jar containing soil only = 980 g
Mass of pycnometric jar containing soil and topped with water=1840 g
1. Compute the specific gravity of the soil particles
2. Compute the dry unit weight if the void ratio is 0.40
3. Compute the degree of saturation if the moisture content
is 12 %.

530 g 980 g 1840 g 1560 g

By Archimedes' principle

W 1 (emply pycnometer) W 2 ( pycnometer W 3 ( pycnometer W 3 ( pycnometer

+ Dry soil) + soil + water) + water)
#9. PROBLEM
In a specific gravity test the following data were recorded:
Mass of pycnometric jar = 530 g
Mass of pycnometric jar when full of clean water = 1560 g
Mass of pycnometric jar containing soil only = 980 g
Mass of pycnometric jar containing soil and topped with water=1840 g
1. Compute the specific gravity of the soil particles
2. Compute the dry unit weight if the void ratio is 0.40
3. Compute the degree of saturation if the moisture content
is 12 %.

530 g 980 g 1840 g 1560 g

PROBLEM FOR PRACTICE
A sample of dry coarse-grained material was taken through a layer
of sieves and the following results were obtained:
Sieve no. Openings Mass of soil
Retained
4 4.76 mm 46.0 grams
10 2.0 165.6
20 0.84 92.0
40 0.42 55.2
60 0.25 23.0
100 0.149 36.8
200 0.074 23.0
Pan 18.4
1. Find the effective particle size
a. 0.13 c. 0.22
b. 0.28 d. 0.16
2. Determine the uniformity coefficient
a. 11.45 c. 13.67
b. 12.56 d. 14.98
3. Find the coefficient of curvature
a. 1.2 c. 0.6
b. 1.8 d. 0.1
The weight of moist soil as excavated from a hole is 895 grams
with a volume of 426 cu.cm. After drying its weight was only 779
grams. Of the dried soil only 400 grams was poured into a vessel
in a very loose state, and its volume was subsequently
determined to be 276 cu.cm. That same 400 grams dried soil was
then vibrated and tamped to a volume of 212 cu.cm.
4. Compute the min. dry unit weight
a. 2.43 gr/cc c. 1.45
b. 1.04 d. 2.01
5. Compute the max. dry unit weight
a. 2.12 gr/cc c. 1.39
b. 1.89 d. 2.98
6. Compute the relative density of the soil sample
a. 78.6% c. 81.4%
b. 98.7% d. 89.2%
The laboratory compaction test of a certain type of soil gives a
maximum dry density of 1.486 Mg/ m3 with an optimum moisture
content of 12.5%. The following are the results of a field unit
weight determination test using sand cone method. (CE BD MAY
2007)
Volume of soil excavated from the hole = 0.001337 m3
Weight of soil from the hole when wet = 2220 g
weight of soil when dry = 1890 g.
7. Determine the field unit weight of soil
a. 1.66 gr/cc c. 1.60
b. 1.98 d. 1.72
8. What is the in situ water content of soil
a. 17.46% c. 19.68%
b. 20.48% d. 25.65%
9. Determine the relative compaction, is it within the allowable
range for relative compaction of 95 ± 0.20?
a. 95.10%,yes c. 95.01%, yes
Sand cone equipment is used to perform a field density test on a
compacted earth fill.
Soil sample dug from test hole = 20.60 N
Dry weight of soil sample = 17.92 N
Ottawa sand used to fill the hole weighs 16.05 N and is known to
have a density of 15.74 KN/m3
10. Find the water content of the tested soil
a. 22.41% c. 14.96%
b. 19.46% d. 17.57%
11. Determine the in-place dry density of the soil
a. 15.53 KN/cum c. 19.45
b. 12.64 d. 17.57
12. Compute the percentage of compaction if the dry unit weight
at optimum water content is 18.10 KN/m3
a. 98.64% c. 85.45%
b. 97.07% d. 89.20%
In a liquid limit, using a cone penetrometer, the following readings
were recorded and tabulated as shown
PLASTIC LIMIT TEST
TRIAL
σwet (kN/cu.m.) σdry (kN/cu.m.)
1 128.6 105.4
2 141.4 116.8
3 132.6 109.6
4 134.5 111.2
5 136.0 113.4

LIQUID LIMIT TEST

Sample Water Content Cone Penetration (mm)
A 42.5% 16.0
B 47.5 17.5
C 58.1 22.8
D 60.0 26.0
13. Find the liquid limit of the soil
a. 51% c. 52%
b. 53% d. 54%
14. Compute the plastic Index of the soil
a. 34% c. 31%
b. 33% d. 32%
15. If natural water content is 35%, determine the liquidity index
a. 0.65 c. 0.50
b. 0.50 d. 0.45
 60

55
MOISTURE CONTENT

50

45

40

35

30
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

PENETRATION OF CONE (mm)

For examination purpose
The following data shows the result of the liquid limit and
plastic test
Test Number
LIQUID LIMIT
1 2 3 4
No. of blows 39 23 20 13
Weight of wet soil + container 22.24g 21.19g 21.27g 26.12g
Weight of dry soil + container 19.44g 18.78g 18.75g 22.10g
Weight of container 12.74g 13.24g 13.06g 13.27g
18. Compute the liquid limit.
a. 43.3% c. 41.79%
b. 44.50% d. 44.28%
 Test Number
PLASTIC LIMIT
1 3
Weight of wet soil + container 22.12g 21.84g
Weight of dry soil + container 20.42g 20.19g
Weight of container 13.07g 13.18g
19. Compute the plastic index
a. 21.16% c. 20.94%
b. 19.96% d. 18.45%
From the result of sieve analysis and the grain size curves for soil A
and B %Passing %Passing
Sieve No. Diameter
Soil A Soil B
4 4.760 100 90
8 2.380 99 64
10 2.000 98 58
20 0.850 92 35
40 0.425 70 22
60 0.250 46 15
100 0.150 25 10
200 0.074 0 4
20. Determine the nearest value of the effective size of soil B
a. 0.149 c. 0.139
b. 0.171 d. 0.159
21. Classify soil B using USCS Method
A saturated soil has the following characteristics
initial volume = 25 cu cm
Final volume = 16 cu cm
mass of wet soil= 45 gms
mass of dry soil = 31 gms
Determine the shrinkage limit of soil
a. 14.54% c. 16.13
b. 17.64 d. 19.63
Compute the shrinkage ratio
a. 1.67 c. 1.39
b. 1.89 d. 2.98
Find the specific gravity of soil
a. 2.65 c. 2.82
b. 2.52 d. 1.97
A sand cone test has been performed in a compacted fill performed
on a soil sample. The test results were as follows
Initial mass of sand cone apparatus with sand = 5.912 kg
Final mass of sand cone apparatus with sand = 2.378 kg
Mass of soil recovered from hole = 2.883 kg
Density of sand = 1300 kg/cum
Volume of cone below valve = 1.114x10-3m3
Determine the volume of soil recovered from hole.
a. 1.983x10-3m3 c. 1.604x10-3m3
b. 2.083x10-3m3 d. 1.531x10-3m3
Compute the moist unit weight of the soil sample in kN/m3
a. 15.68 c. 14.64
b. 17.63 d. 18.45
Find the dry unit weight if the moisture content of soil from hole
is 7% in kN/cum
a. 14.65 c. 16.5
b. 13.68 d. 17.25