Civil Engineering Tests

This test is done to determine the in-situ dry density of soil by sand replacement method as per IS: 2720 (Part XXVIII) – 1974. The apparatus needed is
i) Sand-pouring cylinder conforming to IS: 2720 (Part XXVIII) -1974
ii) Cylindrical calibrating container conforming to IS: 2720 (Part XXVIII) – 1974
iii) Soil cutting and excavating tools such as a scraper tool, bent spoon
iv) Glass plate – 450mm square and 9mm thick or larger
v) Metal containers to collect excavated soil
vi) Metal tray – 300mm square and 40mm deep with a 100mm hole in the centre
vii) Balance, with an accuracy of 1g

Procedure To Determine The In-Situ Dry Density Of Soil By Sand Replacement Method

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This test is done to determine the in-situ dry density of soil by core cutter method as per IS: 2720 (Part XXIX) – 1975.The apparatus needed for this test is

i) Cylindrical core cutter
ii) Steel dolley
iii) Steel rammer
iv) Balance, with an accuracy of 1g
v) Straightedge
vi) Square metal tray – 300mm x 300mm x 40mm
vii) Trowel

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This test is done to determine the maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content of soil using heavy compaction as per IS: 2720 (Part 8 ) – 1983.The apparatus used is

i) Cylindrical metal mould – it should be either of 100mm dia. and 1000cc volume or 150mm dia. and 2250cc volume and should conform to IS: 10074 – 1982.
ii) Balances – one of 10kg capacity, sensitive to 1g and the other of 200g capacity, sensitive to 0.01g
iii) Oven – thermostatically controlled with an interior of noncorroding material to maintain temperature between 105 and 110^oC
iv) Steel straightedge – 30cm long
v) IS Sieves of sizes – 4.75mm, 19mm and 37.5mm

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The relative density of water is shown in the table below.Also refer to the relative density of soil for more inforamtion on civil engineering tests.

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This test is done to determine the specific gravity of fine-grained soil by density bottle method as per IS: 2720 (Part III/Sec 1) – 1980. Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight in air of a given volume
of a material at a standard temperature to the weight in air of an equal volume of distilled water at the same stated temperature.
The apparatus used:
i) Two density bottles of approximately 50ml capacity along with stoppers
ii) Constant temperature water bath (27.0 + 0.2^oC)
iii) Vacuum desiccator
iv) Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 105 to 110^oC
v) Weighing balance, with an accuracy of 0.001g
vi) Spatula

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To determine the free swell index of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part XL) – 1977. Free swell or differential free swell, also termed as free swell index, is the increase in volume of soil without any external constraint when subjected to submergence in water. The apparatus used :

i) IS Sieve of size 425µm

ii) Oven

iii) Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g

iv) Graduated glass cylinder- 2 nos., each of 100ml capacity

strong>Procedure to determine Free Swell Index Of Soil
i) Take two specimens of 10g each of pulverised soil passing through 425µm IS Sieve and oven-dry.

ii) Pour each soil specimen into a graduated glass cylinder of 100ml capacity.

iii) Pour distilled water in one and kerosene oil in the other cylinder upto 100ml mark.

iv) Remove entrapped air by gently shaking or stirring with a glass rod.

v) Allow the suspension to attain the state of equilibrium (for not less than 24hours).

vi) Final volume of soil in each of the cylinder should be read out.

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This test is done to determine the plastic limit of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part 5) – 1985.The plastic limit of fine-grained soil is the water content of the soil below which it ceases to be plastic. It begins to crumble when rolled into threads of 3mm dia. The apparatus used:

i) Porcelain evaporating dish about 120mm dia.
ii) Spatula
iii) Container to determine moisture content
iv) Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g
v) Oven
vi) Ground glass plate – 20cm x 15cm
vii) Rod – 3mm dia. and about 10cm long

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This test is done to determine the liquid limit of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part 5) – 1985. The liquid limit of fine-grained soil is the water content at which soil behaves practically like a liquid, but has small shear
strength. It’s flow closes the groove in just 25 blows in Casagrande’s liquid limit device. The apparatus used :-
i) Casagrande’s liquid limit device
ii) Grooving tools of both standard and ASTM types
iii) Oven
iv) Evaporating dish
v) Spatula
vi) IS Sieve of size 425µm
vii) Weighing balance, with 0.01g accuracy
viii) Wash bottle
ix) Air-tight and non-corrodible container for determination of moisture content

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This test is done to determine the particle size distribution of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part 4) – 1985. The appratus required to do this test :-
i) A set of fine IS Sieves of sizes – 2mm, 600µm, 425µm, 212µm and 75µm
ii) A set of coarse IS Sieves of sizes – 20mm, 10mm and 4.75mm
iii) Weighing balance, with an accuracy of 0.1% of the weight of sample
iv) Oven
v) Mechanical shaker
vi) Mortar with rubber pestle
vii) Brushes
viii) Trays

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This test is done to determine the water content in soil by calcium carbide method as per IS: 2720 (Part II) – 1973. It is a method for rapid determination of water content from the gas pressure developed by the reaction of calcium carbide with the free water of the soil. From the calibrated scale of the pressure gauge the percentage of water on total mass of wet soil is obtained and the same is converted to water content on dry mass of soil.

Apparatus required :-
i) Metallic pressure vessel, with a clamp for sealing the cup, alongwith a gauge calibrated in percentage water content
ii) Counterpoised balance, for weighing the sample
iii) Scoop, for measuring the absorbent (Calcium Carbide)
iv) Steel balls – 3 steel balls of about 12.5mm dia. and 1 steel ball of 25mm dia.
v) One bottle of the absorbent (Calcium Carbide)

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