University of Southeastern Philippines

College of Engineering

CEC 313 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY REPORT

SECTION
TINAPAY, CHRISTINE MAE P.
CE 3A GRADE

LAB EXP. 1 10-21-2021

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY REPORT NO. 2
ASTM ________ DATE

I. SAMPLE SOURCE
The soil was collected from a vacant lot of Km. 7, Matina Pangi, Fronting Grace Park
Subdivision, Davao City, which is located just at the back of where I reside. Three samples of 300
grams were collected from the aforementioned area and were handled according to the procedures
given.

II. APPARATUS USED

 Sieve (approximately 75 mm, 4.75 mm and 0.425 mm)
 Plastic Containers
 Plastic Jar
 Shovel
 Weighing Scale
 Water

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

IV. PROCEDURES
1. Sampling
Select a representative sample of soil to be identified. The sample shall be considered to be
representative of a stratum, if it was obtained by an appropriate,
Accepted or standard procedure, such as:
ASTM Practices
• D 1452 - Soil Investigation and Sampling by Auger Boring
• D 1587 - Thin-walled Tube Sampling of Soils
• D 2113 - Diamond Core Drilling for Site Investigation
• D 1586 - Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils

Make sure the sample is carefully identified as to its origin. This may take the form of a boring
number and sample number in conjunction with a job number, a stratum, a horizon or a location
description with respect to a permanent monument, a grid system, or a station number and offset
with respect to a stated centerline and a depth or elevation.

Selecting an appropriate specimen size for examination is very important for an accurate
description and identification. The minimum amount of material selected for examination should be
in accordance with the following schedule:

If a sample contains random isolated particles that are significantly larger than the particles in the
soil matrix, the soil matrix can accurately identified in accordance with the preceding schedule. If
the field sample or specimen being examined is smaller than the minimum recommended amount,
the report shall include an appropriate remark to that effect.

2. Description Information for Soils

A. Angularity
Describe the angularity of the coarse sand, gravel, cobbles, and boulders as angular, sub-angular,
sub-rounded, or rounded. A range of angularity may be stated, such as sub-rounded to round. Each
material should be accessed in accordance with the following:

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 i. Angular - particles have sharp edges and relatively plane sides with unpolished
surfaces.
ii. Sub-angular - particles are similar to angular description but have rounded edges
iii. Sub-rounded -particles have nearly plane sides but have well rounded edges and
corners
iv. Rounded - particles have smoothly curved sides and no corners.
B. Shape
Describe the shape of gravel, cobbles. and boulders as flat, elongated, or flat and elongated, as
described later in this section, if they meet the criteria. Otherwise, do not mention the shape. Indicate
the fraction of the particles that have that shape, such as: One-third of the gravel particles are flat.
i. Flat - particles with a ratio of width/thickness.
ii. Elongated - particles with a ratio of length/width.
iii. Flat and elongated - particles meet the criteria for both flat and elongated.
C. Color
Describe the color. Color is an important property in identifying organic soils, and within a given
locality it may also be useful in identifying materials of similar geologic origin. If the sample has
patches or layers of varying colors, this shall be noted and all representative colors described. The
color shall be described from moist samples. If color represents a dry condition, this shall be stated
in the report. For standard colors reference Soils, Their Origin and Their Existence (Munsell System
of Color Notation)
D. Odor
Describe the odor if organic or unusual. Soils containing a significant amount of organic material
usually have a distinctive odor of decaying vegetation. This is especially apparent in fresh samples,
but if samples are dried, heating a moistened sample may often revive the odor. If the odor is
unusual (petroleum product, chemical, and the like) it must be described.
E. Moisture Condition
Describe the moisture condition as dry, moist, or wet in accordance with the following:
i. Dry - Absence of moisture, dusty, dry to the touch
ii. Moist - Damp, but no visible water
iii. Wet - Visible free water, usually soil is below water table
F. Consistency
For intact fine-grained soils that are at or very near their natural moisture content, and which do
not contain significant amounts of gravel, press the thumb slowly into the sample, and describe the
consistency as very soft, soft, firm, hard, or very hard in accordance with the following:
i. Very soft - thumb will penetrate soil more than 25 mm ( 1 in.)
ii. Soft - thumb will penetrate about 25 mm (1 in.)
iii. Firm - thumb will indent soil about 6 mm (1/4 in.)
iv. Hard - thumb will not indent soil, but readily indents with thumbnail
v. Very hard - thumbnail will not indent soil
G. Cementation
Describe the cementation of intact coarse-grained soils by pressing the soil between the thumb and
forefinger and classify it in accordance with the following:
i. Weak - Crumbles or breaks with handling or very little finger pressure
ii. Moderate - Crumbles or breaks with considerable finger pressure
iii. Strong - Will not crumble or break with finger pressure
H. Structure
Describe the structure of the intact soil by observing the soil in day light or good artificial light
using the following :
i. Stratified - alternating layers of varying material or color with layers at least 6 mm thick
ii. Laminated - alternating layer of varying materials or color with layers less than 6 mm
thick
iii. Fissured - breaks along definite planes of fracture with little resistance to fracturing
iv. Slickensided - fractured planes or bedding planes, having moved, appear polished or
glossy
v. Blocky - cohesive soil that can be broken down into small angular lumps, which resist
further breakdown
vi. Lense - small lense shaped pockets of different soils, such as small lenses of sand
scattered through a mass of clay
vii. Homogeneous - same color and appearance throughout
viii. Range of particle sizes - for gravel and sand components, describe the range of
particle sizes within each component as explained in the “Definitions” section. For
example, about 20% fine to coarse to gravel, about 40% fine to coarse sand.
I. Maximum particle size
Describe the maximum particle size in accordance with the following:
i. Sand size - if the maximum particle size is a sand size, describe as fine, medium, or
coarse in accordance with the “Definitions” section. For example, maximum particle size,
medium sand
ii. Gravel size - If the maximum particle is a gravel size, describe the maximum particle
size as the smallest sieve opening that the particle will pass. For example, maximum
particle size is 38 mm (will pass a 38 mm square opening, but not a 19 mm square
opening)

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 iii. Cobble or Boulder size - if the maximum particle size is cobble or boulder size,
describe the maximum dimension of the largest particle. For example, maximum
dimension, 450 mm.
J. Hardness
Describe the hardness of coarse sand and larger particles by striking the particle with a hammer on
a solid surface and describing what occurs. For example: gravel size particles fracture with
considerable hammer blow, some gravel size particles crumble with hammer blow. “Hard” means
the particles do not crack, fracture or crumble under a hammer blow.
K. Additional comments shall be added;
Such as the presence of roots or root holes, difficulty in drilling or auguring the hole, caving of
trench or hole, or the presence of mica. The use of commercial or local name, or a geological
interpretation of the soil, may be added if appropriate. Classification or identification of the soil by
other classification systems may be added if identified as such.
L. Identification of Peat.
A sample composed primarily of vegetable tissue in various stage of decomposition, that has a
fibrous to amorphous texture, usually a dark brown to black color, and an organic odor, shall be
designated as a highly organic soil and shall be identified as peat, PT, and not be subjected to the
identification procedures described hereafter.
M. Preparation for Identification
i. The soil identification portion of this practice is based on the portion of the soil that will
pass a 75 mm sieve. The larger particles must be removed manually in loose sample, or
mentally for an intact sample before classifying the soil.
ii. Estimate and note the percentages of cobbles and boulders.
iii. For the fraction that passes the 75 mm sieve, estimate the percentages of gravel, sand,
and fines based on dry weight. This may be done by one of the following methods:
1. Jar Method - The relative percentage of coarse and fine-grained material may be
estimated thoroughly shaking a mixture of soil and water in a jar and then allowing
the mixture to settle. The coarse particles will fall to the bottom and successively
finer particles will be deposited with increasing time; the sand sizes will fall out of
suspension in 20 to 30 seconds. The relative proportions can be estimated from the
volume of each size.
2. Visual Method - Mentally visualize the gravel size particles placed in sacks or
other containers. Then do the same with the sand size particles and the fines.
Mentally compare the number of plus 4.75 sieve size and minus 4.75 sieve size
present. The percentages of sand and fines in the minus 4.75 sieve material can be
estimated from the wash test.
3. Wash Test - Select and moisten enough minus 4.75 sieve size material to form a
25 mm cube of soil. Cut the cube in half, set one half aside, and place the other half
in a small dish. Wash and decant the fines out of the material in the dish until the
wash water is clear and then compare the two samples and estimate the percentage
of sand and fines. Remember that the percentage is based on weight not volume.
However, the volume percentages will provide a reasonable indication of grain size
percentages.
a. The percentages shall be estimated to the nearest 5 %. the percentages of
gravel, sand and fines shall total 100%.
b. If one of the components is present, but not on sufficient quantity to be
considered 5% of the smaller than 75 mm portion indicate its presence by the
word “trace”. A trace is not considered in the total 100% of the components.
N. Preliminary Identification
i. The soil is fine-grained if it contains 50% or more fines. Follow the procedure for
identifying fine-grained soils.
ii. The soil is coarse-grained if it contains less than 50 % fines. Follow the procedures for
identifying coarse-grained soils.
iii. Select a representative sample of the material for examination. Remove particles larger
than 425 mm sieve, until a specimen equivalent to about a handful of material is
available.
iv. Use this specimen for performing the dry strength, dilatancy, and toughness tests.

O. Dry Strength
i. From the specimen, select enough material to mold into a ball about 50 mm in diameter.
Mold the material until it has the consistency of putty, adding water if necessary.
ii. From the molded material, take at least three specimens. A test specimen shall be a ball
of material about 13 mm in diameter. Allow the specimens to dry in air, sun, or by
artificial means, as long as the temperature does not exceed 60 0C.
iii. Test the strength of the dry balls by crushing between the fingers. Based on the
following criteria describe the dry strength as:
1. None - the dry specimen crumbles into powder with mere pressure of handling.
2. Low - the specimen crumbles to powder with some finger pressure.
3. Medium - the dry specimen breaks into pieces or crumbles with considerable
finger pressure.
4. High - the dry specimen cannot be broken with finger pressure. Specimen will
break into pieces between thumb and a hard surface
5. Very High - Dry specimen cannot be broken between thumb and hard surface.

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 P. Dilatancy
From the specimen, select enough material to mold another ball about 13 mm in diameter. Mold
the material, adding water if necessary, until it has a soft but not sticky consistency. Smooth the ball
in the palm of one hand with the blade of a knife or small spatula. Shake the hand horizontally,
striking the side of the hand vigorously against the other hand several times. Note the reaction of
water appearing on the surface of the soil. Squeeze the sample by closing the hand or pinching the
soil between the finger. Note the description in accordance with the following criteria:
i. None - No visible change in the specimen.
ii. Slow - Water appears slowly on the surface of the specimen during the shaking and
does not disappear or disappears slowly upon squeezing.
iii. Rapid - Water appears quickly on the surface of the specimen during shaking and
disappears quickly upon squeezing.
Q. Toughness
Following the completion of the dilatancy test, the test specimen is shaped into an elongated pat
and rolled by hand on a smooth surface or between the palms into a thread 3 mm in diameter. ( If the
thread is too wet to roll easily, it should be spread into a thin layer and allowed to lose some water
by evaporation.) Fold the sample threads and re-roll repeatedly until the thread crumbles at a
diameter of about 3 mm. The tread will crumble at about 3 mm when the soil is near the plastic
limit. Note the pressure required to roll the thread near the plastic limit. Also, note the strength of the
thread. After the thread crumbles, the pieces should be lumped together and kneaded until the lump
crumbles. Note the toughness of the material during kneading. Describe the toughness of the thread
and lump in accordance with the following:
i. Low - only slight pressure is required to roll the thread near the plastic limit. The thread
and lump are soft and weak.
ii. Medium - moderate pressure is required to roll the thread near the plastic limit. The
thread and lump have moderate stiffness.
iii. High - Considerable pressure is required to roll the thread to near the plastic limit. The
thread and lump are very stiff.
R. Plasticity.
On the basis of observations made during the toughness test, describe the plasticity of the material
in accordance with the following:
i. Non-plastic - a 3 mm thread cannot be rolled at any moisture content.
ii. Low - the thread can barely be rolled and the lump can not be formed when drier than
the plastic limit.
iii. Medium - the thread is easy to roll and not much time is required to reach the plastic
limit. The thread cannot be re-rolled after reaching the plastic limit. The lump crumbles
when drier than the plastic limit.
iv. High - it takes considerable time rolling and kneading to reach the plastic limit. The
thread can be re-rolled several times after being rolled to 3 mm the first time. The lump
can be formed without crumbling when drier than the plastic limit.

S. Decide whether the soil is an inorganic or an organic fine-grained soil and follow the appropriate
section given next. Identification of Inorganic fine-grained Soils

The basis of the dry strength, dilatancy, plasticity and toughness tests, identify the soil as one of the
following:
Soil Symbol/Name Dry Strength Dilatancy Toughness
Low or thread
ML/Inorganic Silt None to Low Slow to Rapid
cannot be formed
CL/Inorganic Lean
Medium to High None to Slow Medium
Clay
MH/Inorganic
Low to Medium None to Slow Low to Medium
elastic
CH/Inorganic Fat High to Very High None High

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 Clay

i. If the soil is estimated to have 15% to 25% sand or gravel, or both, the words “with sand”
or “with gravel” (which ever is more predominant) shall be added to the group name. For
example: lean clay with sand, (CL), or silt with gravel, (ML). If the percentage of sand is
equal to the percentage of gravel, use “with sand”.
ii. If the soil is estimated to have 30% or more sand or gravel, or both, the words “sandy” or
“gravelly” shall be added to the group name. Add the appropriate word depending on which
is predominant in the sample. For example: sandy lean clay, (CL); gravelly fat clay, (CH),
or sandy silt, (ML). If the percentage of sand is equal to the percentage of gravel, then use
“sandy”.
T. Identification of Organic fine-grained Soils.
Identify the soil as an organic soil, (OL/OH), if the soil contains enough organic particles to
influence soil properties. Organic soils usually have a dark brown to black color and may have an
organic odor. Often, organic soils will change color, for example, black to brown, when exposed to
air. Some organic soils will lighten in color significantly when air dried. Organic soils will not have
a high toughness or plasticity. The thread for the toughness will be spongy.
U. Procedures for Identifying Coarse-Grained Soils (Contains less than 50% fines)
i. The soil is a gravel if the percentage of gravel is estimated to be more than the percentage
of sand.
ii. The soil is a sand if the percentage of gravel is estimated to be equal to or less than the
percentage sand.
iii. The soil is a clean gravel or clean sand if the percentage of fines is estimated to be 5%
or less.
iv. Identify the soil as a well-graded gravel, (GW), or as a well-graded sand, (SW), if it has
a wide range of particle sizes and substantial amounts of the intermediate particle sizes.
v. Identify the soil as a poorly graded gravel, (GP), or as a poorly graded sand, (SP), if it
consists predominately of one size (uniformly graded) or it has a wide range of sizes with
some intermediate sizes obviously missing.
vi. The soil is classified as either gravel with fines or a sand with fines if the percentage of
fines is estimated to be 15% or more.
vii. Identify the soil as a clayey gravel, (GC), or a clayey sand, (SC), if the fines are clayey
as previously determined.
viii. Identify the soil as a silty gravel, (GM), or a silty sand, (SM), if the fines are silty as
previously determined.
ix. If the soil is estimated to contain 10% fines, give the soil a duel identification using two
group symbols.
x. The first group symbol shall correspond to clean gravel or sand (GW, GP, SW, SP), and
the second symbol shall correspond to a gravel or sand with fines (GC, GM, SC, and SM).
xi. The group name shall correspond to the first group symbol plus the words “with clay” or
“with silt” to indicate the plasticity characteristics of the fines. For example: well-graded
gravel with clay, (GW-GC) or poorly-graded sand with silt, (SP-SM).
xii. If the specimen is predominately sand or gravel, but contains an estimated 15% or more
of the other coarse-grained, the words “with gravel” or “with sand” shall be added to the
group name. For example: poorly graded gravel with sand, (GP) or clayey sand with
gravel, (SC).
xiii. If the field sample contains any cobbles or boulders, or both, the words “with cobbles”
or “with cobbles and boulders” shall be added to the group name.

V. ILLUSTRATION (DOCUMENTATION OF ACTUAL LAB EXPERIMENT/PICTURES

AND ILLUSTRATION)

Sampling and Weighing

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 Obtaining Samples

Weighing Sample No. 1 (300g) Weighing Sample No. 2 (300g)

Weighing Sample No. 3 (300g)

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Jar Method

Weighing Sample No. 1 for Jar Method (150g) Weighing Sample No. 2 for Jar Method (150g)
Weighing Sample No. 3 for Jar Method (150g) Weighing water for jar method (5 oz)

Jar Method Samples

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Drying

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 Drying of sample 1 Drying of sample 2

Drying of sample 3 Weighing of sample 1 after drying (251g)

Weighing of sample 2 after drying (269g) Weighing of sample 3 after drying (263g)

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Sieved Samples

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Weighing of sample 1 after drying (Passed Weighing of sample 1 after drying (Passed Weighing of sample 1 after drying (Passed
sieve 75mm; weight:174g) sieve 4.75mm ; weight:57g) sieve 0.425mm ; weight:66g)

Weighing of sample 2 after drying (Passed Weighing of sample 2 after drying (Passed Weighing of sample 2 after drying (Passed
sieve 75mm; weight:193g) sieve 4.75mm; weight:55g) sieve 0.425mm; weight:57g)

Weighing of sample 3 after drying (Passed Weighing of sample 3 after drying (Passed Weighing of sample 3 after drying (Passed
sieve 75mm; weight:155g) sieve 4.75mm; weight:63g) sieve 0.425mm; weight:80g)

Plasticity and Toughness

Sample 1: Nonplastic & low toughness Sample 2: Nonplastic& low toughness

Sample 3: Nonplastic& low toughness

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Dilatancy

Sample 1: Rapid Sample 2: Rapid

Sample 3: Rapid

Dry Strength

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 VI. RESULTS (TABLE FORM) AND CALCULATION

 Moist Weight

Moist Weight
Sample 1 300 grams
Sample 2 300 grams
Sample 3 300 grams

 Dry Weight

Dry weight
Sample 1 251 grams
Sample 2 269 grams
Sample 3 263 grams

 Weight of fine gravel, medium sand, and fine sand

Particle Size Sample Sample Sample

1 2 3
4.75mm < x 174 193 155
0.425mm < x < 57 55 63
4.75mm
x < 0.425mm 66 57 80

 Percentage of Particle Size

Sample Fine Gravel Medium Sand Fine Sand

1 174 58.00% 57 19.00% 66 22.00%
× 100 ×100 ×100
300 300 300
2 193 64.33% 55 18.33% 57 19.00%
×100 ×100 ×100
300 300 300
3 51.67% 21.00% 26.67%
155 63 80
×100 ×100 ×100
300 300 300

 Jar Method

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 Data
Location Km. 7, Matina Pangi, Fronting Grace Park Subdivision, Davao City
  Sample Number
  1 2 3
Percent cobbles or boulders, or both
None None None
(by volume)
Percent of :
gravel 58% 64.33% 51.67%
  sand 19% 18.35% 21%
  fines 22% 19% 26.67%
Particle Size Range:
Gravel-fine, coarse
  sand-fine, medium, coarse   
Particle Angularity
Angular
  Subangular   
  Subrounded   
  Rounded
Particle Shape:(if appropriate)
Flat
  Elongated
  Flat and Elongated   
Maximum Particle Size and
Dimension
Hardness of Coarse Sand and Larger
Medium Medium Medium
Particles
Plasticity of Fines
Nonplastic   
  low
  medium
  high
Dry Strength
none
  low
  medium
  high
  very high
Dilatancy
none
  slow
  rapid   
Toughness
low
  medium
  high
Color (in moist condition) Dark Gray Dark Gray Dark Gray
Odor (mention only if organic or
Organic Organic Organic
unusual)
Moisture
dry
  moist   
  wet
Consistency
very soft   
soft
firm
hard
very hard
Structure
stratified
laminated
slickensides
lensed
homogeneous   
Cementation
weak   

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 moderate
strong
Local Name Sand Sand Sand
Geological Interpretation Sand Sand Sand
There are presence of plant roots
Additional Comments
and other organic materials.
Difficulty in auguring or excavating,
  
etc.

VII. OBSERVATION AND CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

There are few observations and challenges I have encountered while doing the
experiment. These are:
1. Lack of materials. Being at home while doing laboratory I super challenging specially
I don’t have the materials and apparatus to properly conduct the experiment. Moreover,
the apparatuses that was needed in order to conduct the experiment were out of budget.
2. Innovated apparatus. In order to conduct the experiment, I have to brainstorm how to
make an apparatus which is a good substitute for the apparatuses which I can’t afford to
buy. Thus, I have improvised the sieves in order to conduct the experiment. I searched for
containers and punched holes to it (75mm and 4.75mm) and make it a substitute for the
sieves which I don’t have.
3. Inaccurate results. Due to inaccurate apparatus used, the results gathered also has
discrepancy. Although, I would like to have a more accurate results, because of lack of
materials, it’s hard to gather accurate results.
4. Limited time. Although this experiment is not so hard to execute, the time given is
really limited. Given the fact that this week is exam week, it is really a challenge for us to
execute the experiment and finish it. Thus, time-management is very important in this
experiment. However, it’s not so easy because of some personal things. I just hope next
laboratory will have more time to perform.

VIII. LESSONS LEARNED AND PERSONAL REFLECTION

Due to this pandemic, there’s really a lot of challenges we have encountered while
doing the experiment. It was not very easy and we really wanted to do face to face
laboratory, however it is not possible due to the current situation. Thus, I am forced to
innovate things in order to perform the experiment which I can say that I am a bit proud
of myself because I never knew that I was creative and innovative person which also
saved me money. This experiment thus taught me how be practical.
Moreover, I’ve learned to appreciate this field of engineering which I never
understand and appreciate before. This experiment is new to me and I really appreciate it
because I think it is very useful for civil engineers.

IX. GROUP MEMBERS WITH PICTURE FOR THIS EXPERIMENT

CHECKED BY: MERLINDA L. LEMIN

DATE: __________________ INSTRUCTOR SIGNATURE

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