Soil Samples Based on Calculated Discrepancies - Report Example

GEO MECHANICS Name Professor Institution Course Date Introduction This report contains two parts, that part A and part B. Part A involved sieve analysis and calculations that are associated with that analysis. This part is meant to present an understanding of the aspects associated classification of various soil samples based on calculated discrepancies. Sieve analysis could also be referred to as the gradation test. When it comes to aggregate testing, sieve analysis is one of the significantly primary techniques used. This technique is used in the determination of grades of soil sample as a way of establishing their compliance-required specifications. This is conducted through graphical analysis of the curves plotted in relation to various soil samples. Question 1 Two soil samples A and B weighing 468. 78 g and 426.16 g respectively were subjected to sieve analyses. The results were checked for consistency with regard to total masses for each soil sample and it was found that soil samples A and B weighed 468.77 g and 426.14 g respectively as indicated in the table 1 shown below: Table 1: Sieve size (mm) Soil mass (g) retained/sieve Sieve size (um) Soil mass (g) retained/sieve Soil A Soil B Soil A Soil B 37.5 0.00 0.00 600 46.88 56.25 19 0.00 0.00 425 0.00 23.01 9.5 46.41 0.00 300 0.00 22.58 4.75 83.44 17.90 150 0.00 45.60 2.36 151.88 66.48 75 0.00 40.06 1.18 140.16 68.61 Pan 0.00 85.65 The percentage by mass for each soil samples passing through each sieve was determined. The computation was done by first getting the difference between the total mas of the soil samples and the mass retained for every sieve size. The mass of soil passing for both soil samples A and B were then converted into percentage of the total mass at every instance before sieving at every sieve. The computation was performed through spreadsheets and the results tabulated as indicated below: Percentage calculations for soil sample A Total mass of soil sample A is (g): 468.78 Table 2: Percentage for soil sample A passing each (mm) size sieve Sieve size(mm) Total mass (g) Soil mass (g) retained/sieve Soil mass (g) passing/sieve % Passing By mass 37.50 468.78 0.00 468.78 100.00 19.00 468.78 0.00 468.78 100.00 9.50 468.78 46.41 422.37 90.10 4.75 422.37 83.44 338.93 80.24 2.36 338.93 151.88 187.05 55.19 1.18 187.05 140.16 46.89 25.07 Table 3: Percentage for soil sample A passing each (um) size sieve Sieve size(um) Total mass (g) Soil mass (g) retained/sieve Soil mass (g) passing/sieve % Passing By mass 600 187.05 46.88 140.17 74.94 425 140.17 0.00 140.17 100.00 300 140.17 0.00 140.17 100.00 150 140.17 0.00 140.17 100.00 75 140.17 0.00 140.17 100.00 Pan 140.17 0.00 140.17 100.00 Percentage calculations for soil sample B Total mass of soil sample A is (g): 426.16 Table 4: Percentage for soil sample B passing each (mm) size sieve Sieve size(mm) Total mass (g) Soil mass (g) retained/sieve Soil mass (g) passing/sieve % Passing By mass 37.50 426.16 0.00 426.16 100.00 19.00 426.16 0.00 426.16 100.00 9.50 426.16 0.00 426.16 100.00 4.75 426.16 17.90 408.26 95.80 2.36 408.26 66.48 341.78 83.72 1.18 341.78 68.61 273.17 79.93 Table 5: Percentage for soil sample A passing each (um) size sieve Sieve size(um) Total mass (g) Soil mass (g) retained/sieve Soil mass (g) passing/sieve % Passing By mass 600 273.17 56.25 216.92 79.41 425 216.92 23.01 193.91 89.39 300 193.91 22.58 171.33 88.36 150 171.33 45.60 125.73 73.38 75 125.73 40.06 85.67 68.14 Pan 85.67 85.65 0.02 0.02 From the outcomes of hydrometer test, estimations were made and it was found that about 2 % of sample soil B was finer than 0.02 mm. Tests were also conducted with regard to Atterberg Limit on material fraction from soil B which was able to pass through the 425 um sieve and results were obtained as indicated in the table below: Table 6: Atterberg Test results Atterberg LL PL Moist count % 35 29 In the hydrometer/sedimentation test performed on both soil samples. It was observed that the soil samples passed through the 425 um and 75 um sieves and results were obtained as shown: Table 7: Size of soil particle (um) 75-20 20-6 6-2 Read More