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 ECH N IQUES AN D SAFETY

1. 1 Introduction
1.2 Labo rato ry equipment 5
1.3 Techniques 33
1.4 Care o f 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 M O IST U RE C O NTENT AND IN D EX 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 D ENSITY AN D P ARTIC 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 PART ICLE SIZE 159
4.1 Introduction 159
4.2 Definitio ns 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 C H E MlCAL 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 1\

6 ("0 \IPACTIO:"\ TESTS 302

61 Introduction 302
6.:! Definitions 303
6.J Thcor) 303
64 Applications 313
6.5 Compaction test procedures 315
6.6 Moisture condition test 339
6.7 C halk crushing value 352
6.8 Compactibility test fo r graded aggregates 354
/3ihliograplly 356
7 DESCRIPTIO N OF SOILS 357
7.1 Int roduction 357
7.2 Definitions 360
7.3 Identification of soils 360
7.4 Description of coarse (granular) soils 361
7.5 Description of fine soils 366
7.6 Description of other soil types 370
Bibliography 373
APPENDIX: UN ITS AND SYMBOLS 375
A.l Metric (SI ) units 375
A.2 Symbols 38 1
AJ Useful data 382
A.4 Comparison o f BS and ASTM sieve aperture sizes 383
1:"-/DEX 384