SECTION 6 SOIL

For the realization of civil engineering

structures, the engineer during the

design stage must base his calculations

according to the soil properties where

the structure will have to integrate. This

section studies and analyses a soil

sample to evaluate and to know its

characteristics, by proposing a complete

range of testing equipment for sampling,

preparation, classification, consolidation,

shear strength, triaxial, compaction,

penetration, bearing capacity,

permeability, density, geotechnical and

chemical tests in compliance with the

Standard Specifications and the most

known International Standards.

HAND AUGERS

Designed for soil investigations and

explorations complete with “T” handle.

AUGER POWER HEAD

1. Motor capacity 1,5kw, two stroke, without

speed inverter. Fitted with two hand wheels

to be used by one operator.

2. Motor capacity 4,5kw, two stroke, with speed

inverter to facilitate the extraction of the

augers. Fitted with two hand wheels to be

used by two operators.

1.

2.

DENSITY AND EVALUATION

Used to take field sample of compacted fill or

undisturbed soils and to evaluate density of

compaction samples at the ground surface.

LABORATORY

SAMPLE MIXERS

Suitable to mix granular

materials like soils and

bituminous mixtures, by

using a whisk beater.

SOIL AND WATER ANALYSIS

1. Colour standard chart 2. Soil colour chart

(Organic impurities in soils)

3. Tropical soil colour chart 4. Acidity test kit of water

5. Chloride test kit of water 6. Hardness test kit of water

7. Organic matter test set.

1.

2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

7.

WATER BATHS With heating/circulating system,

all stainless steel made.

E136 - 40 litres capacity

WBM201 - 11 litres capacity

WBM301 - 13 litres capacity

WBM401 - 18 litres capacity WBM601 - 27 litres capacity

SAND ABSORPTION

CONE AND TAMPER

Used in determining the

specific gravity and

absorption of fine

aggregates.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

BOTTLE

25ml Capacity

50 ml Capacity

100 ml Capacity

CONE

PYCNOMETER

1lt Glass jar with

aluminium cone and

rubber

PYCNOMETER

With capillary tube stopper

500 ml, 1000 ml & 2000 ml Cap.

pH METER -

THERMOMETER

DESICCATORS

BOROSILICATE GLASS

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

PIPETTE METHOD

This equipment is used to determine the

quantitative size distribution of very fine particle

in soils, like clay and silt.

STIRRER WITH

ANTI-SPLASH

BAFFLE, CUP &

PADDLE

PARTICLE SIZE ANALYSIS

OF SOILS

This equipment is used to determine the

quantitative size distribution of very fine particle in

soils such as clay and silt.

SAND EQUIVALENT TEST SET

(COMPLETE )

Assessment of fine aggregates.

Plexiglass measuring cylinder graduated (3 pieces)

Rubber stopper for cylinder ( pieces)

Graduated ruler

Plastic funnel (optional extra)

Measuring cylinder

Plastic bottle 5lt capacity

Copper u-tube & Irrigation tube with stopcock

Weighted foot assembly for sand level

Test Sieve 200mm dia x 2mm wire mesh

Concentrated stock solution 1litre

Stop watch

Clamp stand set

Portable carrying box

MOTORIZED SAND EQUIVALENT

SHAKER

The unit provides a constant uniform shaking with

automatic cycle test Oscillating excursion is

203mm at 175 - 180 adjustable strokes/min rate.

Complete with digital timer that automatically stops

the shaker at the end of the test.

This unit is the same as above but equipped with

steel security cabinet, conforming to Safety

regulations. When opening the cabinets door

during operation a micro switch will automatically

stops the machine.

CONE PENETROMETER METHOD FOR:

- Liquid Limit determination

The test is based on the relationship between the

moisture content at which clay soils pass from a

plastic to a liquid state. This value is obtained from

the penetration capacity of the standard cone

allowed to free fall into the sample for a period of 5

seconds

- Shear Strength determination

The cone penetrometer is also suitable to

measure the shear un-drained strength of

undisturbed and reconstituted soils samples

LIQUID LIMIT:

CASAGRANDE METHOD

Used to evaluate the relationship between the moisture percentage of a soil sample and the number

of blows required to close a groove made into the soil and therefore to determine when a clay soil

changes from a plastic to a liquid state.

The unit comprises a removable brass cup which through a cam device drops on a hard rubber base.

Supplied complete with drops counter but without grooving tool which has to be ordered separately.

Motor operated with hard

rubber base

Accessories:

LIQUID LIMIT SHRINKAGE: Used to determine the maximum moisture content at which

the soil does not shrink after drying the sample.

- Liquid Limit Shrinkage Trough

- Liquid Limit Shrinkage Trough Repair Tool

LIQUID LIMIT RESILIANCE TESTER:

Used for the determination the

hardness of the block for a

liquid limit device

PLASTIC LIMIT

The plastic limit determines the lowest moisture

content of a soil, by which a sample can be

rolled into threads 3mm dia. without breaking

the same neither longitudinally or transversely.

AUTOMATIC CBR / MOD COMPACTOR

(55 BLOWS PER MIN) IN ACCORDANCE

WITH SANS 3001 GR30/40(2010)

FULLY AUTOMATIC / AC TYPE

WITH DIGITAL COUNTER &

SAFETY DOORS WITH LIMIT

SWITCHES & TOTALLY

ENCLOSED TO COMPLY WITH

SAFETY REGULATIONS

DETERMINATION OF THE CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO The test aimed to the evaluation of the bearing capacity of soil for flexible pavement

design in road construction. The compaction test can be performed both with the

manual rammer and the automatic compactor.

1. CBR STEEL MOULD (152.4mm Dia x

152.4mm High)

2. PERFORATED BASE PLATE

(200x200x10mm)

3. SOAKING WEIGHT WITH ADJUSTABLE

STEM (Mass of 5.56Kg)

1. CBR STEEL MOULD (152.4mm Dia x

152.4mm High)

2. COLLAR (152.4mm Dia x 70mm High)

3. COMPACTION BASE PLATE (300mm Dia

Base with 150mm Dia x 25mm Thick

spacer firmly attached to Base Plate)

TRIPOD WITH

SWELL GAUGE

CBR EXTRUSION

JACK

1. CBR STEEL MOULD (152.4mm Dia x 152.4mm High)

2. PERFORATED BASE PLATE (200x200x10mm)

3. SURCHARGE WEIGHT (4.536 Kg)

4. PERFORATED SWELL PLATE (1.024 Kg)

DETERMINATION OF THE CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO

OTHER ACCESSORIES:

• ANNULAR SURCHARGE WEIGHT

(5.56 Kg)

• LOOSE PENETRATION PISTON

CBR/ITT APPARATUS

150mm (BREAKING

HEAD) USED FOR

STABILIZED

MATERIAL ETC.

1. PROCTOR HAMMER

(2.495 Kg)

2. MOD HAMMER

(4.536Kg)

PROCTOR TEST:

MOISTURE-DENSITY

RELATIONSHIP

• PROCTOR MOULD

COMPLETE WITH COLLAR

AND BASE PLATE

DETERMINATION OF THE CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO

FULLY AUTOMATIC

CBR/UCS/ITT/MARSHALL MACHINE

180kN MAINS OPERATED 220V AC

CBR COMPRESSION TESTER, VARIABLE

SPEED WITH PROVING RING 180kN

MAINS OPERATED 220V AC

DYNAMIC CONE PENETROMETER

KINGTEST HEAVY DUTY D.C.P. 1 meter with Extension & coupling

1. Nylon PVC Carry Bag with

Pocket

2. Spanners to lock top &

bottom rods together

3. Spare 60° Cone

4. Bottom rod & ½ Coupling

5. 60° Cone

6. Top rod & ½ Coupling

7. 8Kg Sliding Weight

8. Top rod handle

9. Operating Instructions

10.Ruler Bracket

11.Sliding Ruler

12.Extension Coupling to

enable DCP to extend

13.1 meter Extension Rods

14.Connecting screws for

extensions

KINDLY NOTE:

EXTENSION COUPLINGS

& 1 METER EXTENSION

RODS ARE SUPPLIED

SEPERATELY AND AT AN

ADDITIONAL COST

PLATE BEARING

APPARATUS DIGITAL

OR COMPUTERIZED

FIELD CBR TEST

(INSITU CBR) Used to determine quickly and

efficiently the bearing capacity of

soils on road constructions,

foundations, road

sub grades etc.

BENKELMAN BEAM

APPARATUS

Utilized in conjunction with the plate

bearing test equipment to determine the

static deformation of road pavements.

BALLOON DENSITY METHOD

Used to determine the in-sity density of fine

graded compacted or bonded soil. The

apparatus is placed over the hole excavated

in the soil and water is pumped into a rubber

balloon and forced into the hole, The amount

of water displaced into the balloon is

measured from the graduation of the scale.

SAND DENSITY CONE APPARATUS (6.5” & 12”)

Used to determine the in-situ density of fine

grained compacted soil.

The apparatus consists of:

sand pouring cylinder

dia.100 mm with shutter

made of cast aluminium

and accurately machined,

upper cylinder, metal tray

with centre hole, calibrating

container.

DENSITY SAND

SAND REPLACEMENT APPARATUS

Used to determine the in-situ density of fine

grained compacted soil. - 100 mm Dia

- 200 mm Dia.

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

DENSITY SET COMPLETE CONSISTING OF:

• DOUBLE CONE FUNNEL WITH

EXTENSION 152mm Dia

• RING

• DOLLY

• CHISEL

• SPOON

• RULER

• BRUSH 50mm

• 3 X PEGS

• GARDEN TROWEL

• CLUB HAMMER 1.8Kg

• CARPET BRUSH

• BAG

• RULER 300mm Long

• HAMMER CLUB 1.8Kg

• CARPET BRUSH

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD –

ACCORDING TO THE TMH1 METHOD A10(a)

CONSTANT HEAD PERMEAMETERS

Used to determine the permeability of granular,

gravel and sand soils. The specimen is formed

in an acrylic permeability cell and water is passed

through it from a constant level tank.

The permeability cell has pressure points at

different levels which are connected to the

manometer rubes fixed on a stand with

graduated scale.

1. 75mm Dia.

2. 114mm Dia.

3. Manometer tubes

and stand

4. Constant level tank

FALLING HEAD PERMEAMETER

Used to determine the permeability of clay-like or

silty soils. The specimen is confined within the

permeameter which is connected to the

manometer tube filled with water.

The sample must be completely sutured with water

before the test, and the operator will check the rate

of fall of the water in the tube passing through the

test specimen.

1. Manometer

tubes and

stand

2. Constant

level tank

PERMEAMETER STAND 4 CELL

CAPACITY FOR CONSTANT AND

FALLING HEAD TESTS

This 4 cells capacity stand is designed to perform

both constant head and falling head permeability

tests on compacted granular soil samples.

COMPACTION PERMEAMETER

Used for determining permeability to water of soil

gravel, clay, sand samples. Supplied complete

with clamped upper and lower plate giving the

possibility to perform permeability test also on

compacted samples, water inlet with valve, water

outlet, two perforated upper and lower plates, two

stainless steel screens.

- Compaction Permeameter 4” dia.

- Compaction Permeameter 6” dia.

CONSOLIDATION TEST

The one dimensional consolidation test of a soil

sample enables to ascertain the settlement

characteristic over a given period of time. The soil

specimen under test is axially loaded and laterally

contained. Loads are applied with progressive

increases and the settlement values are read on a

dial gauge or on a digital display.

FRONT LOADING

OEDOMETER

(Consolidation

Apparatus)

Consolidation

Cells – fixed

ring

Consolidation Cells

with permeability

attachment

DIRECT / RESIDUAL SHEAR TEST APPARATUS

DIGITAL SHEAR TESTING

MACHINE WITH PROVING

RING & GAUGE

DIGITAL SHEAR TESTING MACHINE WITH

INCORPORATED DATA ACQUISITION

SYSTEM AND BASIC SOFTWARE

TRIAXIAL TESTS

The application of local loads or pressures on soils determine the deformation the settlement and the yield of the same. Trixial

tests are normally performed to determine the relationship between these loads and the consequent deformations in order to

establish the soil shear strength.

The triaxial tests are useful to evaluate:

- Excavation works

- Design of bridges, earth dams, trestle bridges

- Slope stability

- Piled foundation works, anchored walls

- Bearing allowable load capacity for shallow foundations

An undisturbed soil samples gradually stressed up in order to change its condition from null to the maximum shear strength at

its breaking.

The soil sample previously placed in a rubber membrane to avoid any drainage and placed in the triaxial cell is subjected to a

constant consolidation pressure and to a load/buckling to a known constant speed through one press.

The triaxial test can be performed in some different ways among the most known are the following.

“UU” – UNCONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED TEST

Determines the shear strength in un-drained conditions. No structural variation is allowed. When pressure in the cell has been

achieved, no specimen volume decrease is allowed. The same specimen is then stressed up to the failure. This test is

normally performed on three specimens taken from the same sample and subjected to three different confining pressures.

Load and settlement values on the specimen, normally required to evaluate the soil, features in the foundation works, bearing,

piled foundations, diaphrams, shear angle, slopes stability can be determined.

“CU” – CONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED TEST

Determines the shear strength and enables the volume variation of the specimen up to the stabilization of the consolidation

pressure. During the failure the water drainage from the specimen is stopped and the pore pressure is measured, owing to the

increase of the axial load. “CU” test is performed to define the cohesion parameters and long term angle of friction (strength

values of foundation soils) and to evaluate improved applications of pre-consolidation, tampering, compacting excavations.

“CD” – CONSOLIDATED DRAINED TEST

Determines the shear strength and the angle of friction and enables the volume variation of the specimen during the axial load.

The test execution is very slow in order to avoid the increase of the pore pressure inside the specimen. This kind of test

reproduces in the best ways the different geotechnical aspects and soil conditions and is particularly indicated to

evaluate sandy or highly permeable soils.

DIGITAL TRIAXIAL LOAD FRAME

This sturdy construction machine has been

developed to meet all the requirements of a soil

laboratory.

Thanks to its large structure it can

accommodate all standard Triaxial Cells for

testing soil specimens up to 100 mm. dia. by

200 mm. length.

Machine is very simple; the test feed speed can

easily be set thanks to a microprocessor and

conversation system with alphanumeric display

and keyboard with self-learning.

Infinitesimal resolutions are, in this way, granted

in real time.

The machine comprises limit switch of position

security upper and lower platen.

DATA

ACQUISITION

AND

PROCESSING

SYSTEM

TRIAXIAL CELLS

CUSTOM DESIGNED AND BUILT:

CONTAIN-A-LAB SOILS TESTING MOBILE LABORATORY OR

A SOILS/CONCRETE MOBILE LABORATORY

CUSTOM DESIGNED AND BUILT:

CONTAIN-A-LAB COMBINED SOILS / CONCRETE / OFFICE 12M MOBILE LABORATORY