Earthwork: Use of Fine Grained & Granular Material

2 Introduction Earthwork consists of: Earthwork consists of: –Material excavations (cuts) –Material
embankments (fills) Common types of work: Common types of work: –Roadways & Transportation
Systems –Foundations Systems –Water Management Systems (ponds, channels, etc.) (ponds,
channels, etc.)

3 Importance of Soil Quality If pavement is to remain smooth & stable.. If pavement is to remain
smooth & stable..AND If structures are to remain stable and undamaged due to settlement….. If
structures are to remain stable and undamaged due to settlement….. THE SOIL ON WHICH THEY
ARE BUILT MUST ALSO BE STABLE AND MUST FURNISH SUPPORT! THE SOIL ON WHICH
THEY ARE BUILT MUST ALSO BE STABLE AND MUST FURNISH UNIFORM SUPPORT!

4 Materials Normally Suitable for Earthwork: Natural Soil Material: Natural Soil Material: –Created
by nature (except organics) –Material that is mined or excavated Material must have a laboratory dry
weight of at least 90 lbs. per cubic foot Material must have a laboratory dry weight of at least 90 lbs.
per cubic foot Materials that weight less generally have too much organic matter …this leads to
excessive compressibility Materials that weight less generally have too much organic matter …this
leads to excessive compressibility

5 Materials Normally Suitable for Earthwork Natural Granular Materials: Natural Granular Materials:
–Includes broken rock, gravel, sand, durable siltstone, durable sandstone that can be placed in 8”
loose lifts. –These are generally mixtures of coarse & fine particle sizes

6 Engineering Properties of Granular Soils (Sand & Gravel) 1. Good foundation & embankment
material 2. Not frost susceptible & are free draining 3. May erode on embankment side slopes 4.
Identified by particle size 5. Easily compacted when “well graded”

7 Engineering Properties of Fine Grained Soils (Clay & Silt) 1. Often have low strengths  (crush
under load) 2. Plastic & compressible 3. Lose strength when wet or disturbed 4. Practically
impervious 5. Slopes are prone to sliding & eroding 6. Frost susceptible 7. Shrink & swell with
change in water content

8 Why is particle size important? Soil’s performance is largely dependant on its particle size
distribution (gradation) Soil’s performance is largely dependant on its particle size distribution
(gradation) For example: For example: –Backfill behind a retaining wall must be free draining WHAT
MATERIAL TYPE WOULD WE WANT?

9 Why is particle size important? For example: We want a free draining compactable soil for a sub
base beneath a foundation. Stated previously: –compactability of soil largely depends on “gradation”
or “grain size distribution” WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WHEN YOU STEP ON A PILE OF GRAVEL
OF UNIFORM SIZE? WHAT IF THE GRAVEL WAS MIXED WITH SAND AND SMALLER
PARTICLES?

10 Load carrying capacity will be affected by particle size distribution

11 Construction Specifications Construction project specifications set limits for particle size based
on the required performance of the soil/material Construction project specifications set limits for
particle size based on the required performance of the soil/material Engineer will require certain
soil/material characteristics Engineer will require certain soil/material characteristics Soil/material
must be tested in the lab to determine suitability for the project Soil/material must be tested in the lab
to determine suitability for the project FOR EXAMPLE: FOR EXAMPLE:

13 Soil Classification Soils are classified according the grain size distribution Soils are classified
according the grain size distribution Both ASTM & AASHTO classification systems reference sieve
analysis Both ASTM & AASHTO classification systems reference sieve analysis

14 We Can Also Accurately Describe Soil Texture Soil texture refers to the relative proportion of
sand, silt and clay size particles in a sample of soil. Soils that are dominated by clay are called fine
textured soils. Those dominated by larger particles are referred to as coarse textured soils

15 Soil Texture Triangle: Soil Texture Triangle: –Sieve analysis will reveal % sand, silt, clay (see
graph) –What is the texture class for a soil having 45% clay, 45% silt, and 10% sand?

16 Gradation Examples

17 Sieve Size Information

18 Lab Procedures Particle Size Analysis testing is broken down into 2 parts: Particle Size Analysis
testing is broken down into 2 parts: –1. Sieve analysis (Sand & Gravel Portion) –2. Hydrometer
analysis (Silt & Clay Portion)

19 Today’s Lab: Particle Size Analysis of Coarse Grained Material ASTM D-422 We will determine
“gradation”, or also referred to “particle size distribution” of a granular soil

20 Our Lab Agenda Sieve Analysis This Lab Sieve Analysis This Lab Hydrometer Analysis Next
Lab Hydrometer Analysis Next Lab