SOIL ANALYSIS for all types of soils levels

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Unveiling the Earth's Secrets: A Comprehensive Exploration of Soil Reports (3000 Words)
Introduction

Soil, the unassuming layer beneath our feet, holds a wealth of secrets. It nourishes life, filters water, and underpins our built environment. Understanding its composition and properties is vital for a wide range of applications, from agriculture and forestry to infrastructure development and environmental remediation. This knowledge is captured in a document known as a soil report, a comprehensive analysis that unveils the hidden story within the soil.

This essay delves into the world of soil reports, exploring their purpose, components, and interpretation. We will examine the various methods used for soil analysis, the key parameters measured, and how this information is used to inform land-use decisions.

The Purpose of Soil Reports

Soil reports serve several critical purposes across different fields.

Agriculture and Land Management: For farmers and land managers, soil reports provide insights into the fertility of the land. They reveal essential nutrient levels (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), organic matter content, and soil pH (acidity/alkalinity). This information allows for targeted fertilizer applications, optimizing crop yields and reducing environmental impacts of excess nutrients.
Forestry: Soil reports are crucial for sustainable forest management. They provide data on soil texture, drainage, and nutrient availability, all of which influence tree growth and health. Understanding these factors helps foresters select appropriate tree species, manage nutrient deficiencies, and improve forest productivity.
Construction and Infrastructure Development: In the realm of construction, soil reports are vital for ensuring the stability and safety of structures. They evaluate soil strength, bearing capacity, and potential for settlement. Analyzing soil characteristics helps engineers design appropriate foundations, manage drainage, and mitigate risks associated with problematic soils.
Environmental Remediation: When dealing with contaminated land, soil reports are a key tool in assessing the extent and nature of contamination. They identify the pollutants present, their concentration levels, and soil properties that influence their mobility. This data is used to develop strategies for remediation, ensuring the safety of human health and environmental protection.
Components of a Soil Report

A comprehensive soil report typically includes several key sections:

Introduction: This section provides background information about the project site, including its location, intended use, and any previous land use history.
Field Methods: This section outlines the techniques used for soil sampling. The number and depth of samples collected, as well as the sampling pattern, are detailed.
Laboratory Analysis: This se

1. SOIL ANALYSIS GROUP NO 2

2. GROUP MEMBERS ATULINDA J RWEZAULA ZAINAB RAJAB KHAMIS HAJI IDDY MARIRI OMARY ABAS OMARY BRIAN WALELO JIMMY M MWALINGO AMOS MARWA JACKSON J MWAMBONEKE HAMIS YUSUPH YUSUPH SAFARI ESTER O MANWINGI ANNUAR A MPANGAVO ATHUMAN S ATHUMAN

3. MOISTURE CONTENT OBJECTIVES To determine the amount of water present in a soil expressed as a percentage of the mass of dry soil. This is termed the moisture content of the soil. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A drying oven with temperature of 105°C to 110°C A balance readable to 0,1 g A metal container A desiccator

4. MOISTURE CONTENT TEST PROCEDURE Step 1: A clean and dry the container was weighed as M₁ Step 2: A small amount of representative sample found after performing quartering methods was placed in the container. Step 3: The container with sample was immediately weighed as M₂, and placed in the oven at 1050°C for 24 hours. Step 4: After drying the container with sample was weighed as M₃

5. MOISTURE CONTENT TEST RESULTS SPECIMEN REFERENCE Mass of container (M1) g 42.6 Mass of wet soil +container (M2) g 163.1 Mass of dry soil + container (M3) g 155.5 Mass of moisture (M2-M3) g 7.6 Mass of dry soil (M3-M1) g 112.9

6. MOISTURE CONTENT CALCULATIONS From moisture content   Where: M1 is the mass of the container alone in g M2 is the mass of the container and wet soil in g M3 is the mass of the container and dry soil in g  

7. MOISTURE CONTENT   MOISTURE CONTENT = = = 6.73%. CONCLUTION Moisture content of the soil was found to be 6.73 %.  

8. SIEVE ANALYSIS OBJECTIVES To determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil sample according to ASTM D422.Standard Test Method for Particle Size Analysis of Soils To generate a semi-logarithmic plot that displays the particle size distribution of the soil To identify the grading of the soil using the data points on the graphs

9. SIEVE ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS Test sieves: 4.75 mm, 3.35 mm, 2 mm, 1.18 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.425 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.212 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.075 mm. Lid and receiver Balance readable and accurate to 0.5 g Riffle boxes A drying oven at temperature between 105°C to 110°C Mechanical sieve shaker Cleaning Brush Metal trays (Evaporating dish)

10. SIEVE ANALYSIS SAMPLE PREPARATION A representative sample was obtained by quartering to give a minimum mass of about 404.9 g.

11. SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST PROCEDURE Step 1: A representative sample of about 404.9 g was put in an oven for 24hours. Step 2: After oven dry the sample was measured and found to be 372.9 g. Step 3: A sample of about 372.9 g was measured and taken for wet sieving. Step 4: The sample was spread in the large tray and covered with water for 15 min. Step 5: The sample was washed through 0.075 mm, allowing the materials passing sieve 0.075 mm to run to waste. Step 6: The material retained on the sieve was transferred into the tray and dried in an oven for 24hours. Step 7: The dried sample was sieved through the appropriate sieves down to 0.075 mm.

12. SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST PROCEDURE Step 5: The sample was washed through 0.075 mm, allowing the materials passing sieve 0.075 mm to run to waste. Step 6: The material retained on the sieve was transferred into the tray and dried in an oven for 24hours. Step 7: The dried sample was sieved through the appropriate sieves down to 0.075 mm.

13. SIEVE ANALYSIS Opening (mm) Mass Retained %Retain (100% (Mr /Mt)) Cum Sum (%Retained) %Passing/ %Finer 4.75 100 3.35 0.2 100 2.00 1.0 0.2 0.2 99.8 1.18 11 2.2 2.4 97.6 0.6 144.6 29.6 32 68 0.425 91.3 18.7 50.7 49.3 0.3 117.6 24.0 74.7 25.3 0.212 38.8 7.9 82.6 17.4 o.15 47.7 9.8 92.4 7.6 0.063 36.8 7.5 99.9 0.1 Passing 0.3 0.1 100 TOTAL 489.3      

14. PARTICLE DENSITY DETERMINATION (SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF THE SOIL) OBJECTIVE Particle density essential especially in determination for calculating porosity and voids and for computation of particle size analysis from a sedimentation procedure. Also, it is important when compaction and consolidation properties are considered

15. PARTICLE DENSITY DETERMINATION (SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF THE SOIL) REQUIRED EQUIPMENT  50 mL density bottles (pycnometers) with stoppers.  Constant temperature water bath.  Vacuum desiccator.  Vacuum pump and suitable rubber tubing.  Drying oven capable of maintaining temperature of 105°C - 110°C.  Distilled water in a wash bottle.  Test sieve 2 mm.  Balance readable to 0.01 g.  Mortar and piston

16. TEST PROCEDURE i . density bottle with stopper was dried with a cloth and weighed to the nearest0.01 g (m1). ii. The weight of the bottle with soil sample and stopper was recorded (m2) iii. A bottle without stopper was placed in the vacuum desiccator for at least one hour until no further loss of air is apparent. iv. Bottle from the desiccator was removed and added air-free water until the bottle is full. v. The stoppered bottle was taken out of the bath, wiped and dried carefully, and weighed nearest 0.01 g (m3). vi. Fill it completely with air-free water, insert the stopper and immersed in constant temperature water bath for 1 hour. vii. Taken the stoppered bottle out of the bath, carefully wipe it dry and weighed it to the nearest 0.1 g (m4).

17. Where; M1 is the mass of density bottle (in g) M2 is the mass of bottle and dry soil (in g) M3 is the mass of bottle, soil and water (in g). M4 is the mass of bottle full of water only (in g).  

18. CONCLUSION From specific gravity (GS) range (2.6 – 2.8) The soil sample tested in the laboratory seems to meet the range, as a result of having specific gravity of 2.65. Hence the specific gravity test has been performed well.

19. LIQUID LIMIT OBJECTIVE The method used to determine the liquid limit of a sample in its natural state during when soil passes from liquid state to plastic state. The liquid limit provides a means of identifying and classifying fine grained cohesive soil especially when also the plastic limit is known.

20. REQUIREMENTS EQUIPMENT Test sieve of 0.425 mm. An airtight container A flat glass plates Two palette knives or spatulas A penetrometer gauge A cone of stainless steel,35 mm long having mass of 80g A metal cup of 55 mm in diameter and 40 mm deep with the rim parallel to the flat base A damp cloth or an evaporating dish A wash bottle containing clean water A metal straight edge A stop watch

21. SAMPLE PREPARATION 400g of soil sample which passed through 0.425 mm sieve was taken. Small amount of water was added to form a homogenous paste and left for 24hours.

22. TEST PROCEDURES Step 1: 400g of soil sample was placed on the glass plate and mixed for 10min to a paste. More distilled water was added so that the first cone penetrometer reading was about 15 mm. Step 2: A small amount of the paste was placed into the cup with a palette knife and excess soil was trimmed with the straightedge to give a smooth level surface. Step 3: With penetration cone locked in the raised position, the cone was lowered so that it just touches the surface of the soil, and initial reading was recorded. Step 4: The cone was released for about 4 to 6 seconds, and the dial gauge was lowered to contact the cone shaft and the first reading was recorded. Step 5: The cone was lifted and cleaned carefully. Step 6: A little more wet soil was added to the cup and the process was repeated just above 20mm penetration, and the difference between the first and second penetration was maintained to the range of 0.5mm. Step 7: A small soil sample from each test was taken from the area penetrated by the cone for moisture content

23. MOISTURE CONTENT PENETRATION 22.6 14.6 23.7 18 25.6 21.3 26.1 23.7

24. CALCULATIONS Since the liquid limit (LL) is obtained at 20mm cone penetration. Then from the graph liquid limit (LL)

25. PLASTIC LIMIT AND PLASTICITY INDEX REPORT REQUIREMENTS Two flat glass plates, one for mixing soil and another for rolling threads. Two palette knives Apparatus for moisture content determination Clean water A length of rod, 3mm in diameter and 100 mm long.

26. CALCULATION Moisture content (1) 00% =   Moisture Content (2) =  

27.   Plastic limit = = 13.34%  

28. ACCORDING TO AASHTO A soil passing No.200 sieve is 2%, i.e., <35 % passing No.200. A soil is Granular soil. SIEVE NO: % PASSING OF SOIL No 10 (2.mm) 99.8 No.40 (0.425) 49.3 No.200 (0.075mm) 0.2 LL 24.8 PI 11.5

29.   FROM; GI= (F - 35) [0.2+0.005(LL - 40)] + 0.01(F - 15) (PI - 10) GI= (0.2 - 35) [0.2+0.005(24.8 - 40)] + 0.01(0.2 - 15) (11.5- 10) GI= 0.95 = 1 Hence; GI = 1. A soil is A-2-6 (gravel and Sand).

30. ACCORDING TO USCS CONSTITUENT SOIL% Percent of particles greater than 0.075 99.8 Gravel fraction Sand fraction 99.8 Silt fraction 0.2 Clay fraction  

31. Because; 50% of the particles are greater than 0.075 mm, a soil is coarse grains. A soil is SW (Well graded Sand).

32. LINEAR SHRINKAGE AND SHRINKAGE PRODUCT REPORT OBJECTIVES To determine the total linear shrinkage value from linear measurement on a bar of a soil of the fraction of soil sample passing through 0.425 mm test sieve.

33. REQUIREMENTS A flat glass plates Two palette knives or spatulas A drying oven capable for maintain temperature 105 0 C to 1100 C Clean water A brass mould for linear shrinkage test VI. Tape measure

34. SAMPLE PREPARATION 200g of soil sample which passed through 0.425 mm sieve was taken. Small amount of water was added and mixed to form a homogenous paste and left for 24hours.  

35. TEST PROCEDURE The Mould was cleaned thoroughly 200g of soil paste was taken at penetration of 20mm Soil was placed in a Mould such that it is slightly proud of the sides of the Mould and soil leveled along the top of the Mould with a palette knife and all soil that adhering to the rim of the Mould was removed. the Mould was placed for 24 hours to dry slowly the sample in the Mould was completed drying at 105 O C to 110 OC for 24 hours Mould was cooled and mean length of the soil bar was measured

36. Specimen reference Units Weight Initial length (LO) mm 140 Oven-dried length (LD) mm 128 TEST RESULTS

37. CALCULATIONS Percentage of linear shrinkage = (1- )×100% Where: LD is the length of the oven-dry specimen (mm) LO is the initial length of specimen (mm)  

38. Percentage of the linear shrinkage = ×100% = 8.6 % Shrinkage product SP = LS ×% < 0.425 mm = 0.086 × 0.578 = 0.0497 8.6% is a percentage of linear shrinkage value, therefore the soil is plastic  

39. COMPACTION TEST RESULT BS LIGHT & BS HEAVY OBJECTIVE the objective of this test was to obtain the relationship between compacted dry density and soil moisture content, using two magnitudes of manual compacted effort. The test was used to provide for specification on afield compaction the first was a light compaction test using a 2.5kg rammer (standard proctor test). The second is a heavy compaction test using a 4.5kg rammer with greater drop on thinner layer of soil (modified proctor test. for both test a compaction Mould of 1liter internal volume is used for soil is used for which all particle a 20mm test sieve

40. METHOD USED 2.5 Kg RAMMER (BS light) REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A cylindrical compaction Mould with internal diameter of 105mm and internal height of 115mm and volume of 1.0L (1000cm3) A metal rammer having a 50mm diameter circular face and weight of 2.5kg.the rammer shall be equipped with an arrangement for controlling the height of drop to 300mm A balance readable to 1gram Palette knives A straightedge example a steel strip. A 20mm and 37mm test sieves and receiver. A container suitable for mixing the quantity of material to be used. A waterproof container and scoop. A large metal trays. A measuring cylinder(200ml). A suitable tool for extracting specimen from Mould . Apparatus for moisture content determination.

41. SAMPLE PREPARATION Five representative sample were prepared each of 3kg material passing through the 20mm test sieve. (For the use of 1L Mould ). Each sample were thoroughly mixed with different amounts of water to give a suitable range of moisture contents. The range of moisture contents shall be such that at least 2 values lie either side of the optimum moisture content.

42. TEST PROCEDURE The Mould with the base plate was weighed The extension collar was attached on to the Mould and then placed on a solid base A quantity of a moist soil was then placed in the Mould such that when compacted occupies a little of one-third of the height of the Mould Then a rammer with guide on to the material in the mound is placed. The rammer handle was lift until it reaches the top of the guide, then the rammer handle was released freely onto the sample The process was repeated systematically covering the entire surface of the sample. The total 27 blows were applied The rammer was then removed and then another layer of the sample was added to the Mould . the process was then repeated twice more by applying 27blows to both second and third layer The soil and the Mould with the base plate attached was weighed The compacted sample from the Mould was removed and a representative sample of min300g of the soil for determination of the moisture content The remainder sample were discarded The whole process was carried out for all 5 portions of the sample

43. COMPACTION ENERGY FOR STANDARD PROCTOR TEST E=    

44. Where, M is the mass of the hammer 2.5 kg (g) is the acceleration due to gravity 9.8 (h) is the height of fall of the hammer 300 mm Nb is the number of blows 27 Nl is the number of layers 3 V is the volume of compacted soil 0.942 × 10⁴mᶟ So;

46. DRY DENSITY MOISTURE CONTENT ZERO AIR VOID 5% 10% 1750.6 2.3 2542.1 2415 2287.9 1782.6 4.3 2419.1 2298.2 2177.2 1911.4 7.4 2250.4 2137.9 2025.3 1943.6 10.3 2112.5 2006.9 1901.3 1930.6 12 2039.3 1937.3 1835.3 1848.4 14.3 1947.9 1850.5 1753.1 1798.2 16 1885.5 1791.2 1696.9

47. The Maximum dry density (MDD) for Modified proctor test is 1982 Kg/m³. The optimum moisture content for modified proctor test is 9.6%

48. VOID RATIO AT OPTIMUM MOISTURE CONTENT FOR STANDARD PROCTOR TEST 1 + e = 1+ e = 1.524 e = 0 .524  

49. VOID RATIO AT OPTIMUM MOISTURE CONTENT FOR MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST 1 + e = 1+e 465 e = 465 – 1 e =  

50.   CBR-CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST - THREE-POINT METHOD OBJECTIVES The strength of the subgrade is the main factor is determining the required thickness of flexible pavements for roads and airfields. The strength of subgrade, subbase and base course materials are expressed in terms of their California Bearing Ratio (CBR) The CBR-Value The CBR-value is a requirement in design for pavement materials of natural gravel.

51. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Test sieves, sizes 20mm and 5mm Three cylindrical metal mould A steel rods A steel straightedge A spatula A balance, capable of weighing up to 25kg readable to 5g Apparatus for moisture content determination. Filter papers 150mm in diameter A CBR compressive machine. A cylindrical metal plunger with diameter 49.65mm A dial gauge, having a travel of 25mm and reading to 0.01mm to be fitted to the tripod for measuring swell.

52.   SAMPLE PREPARATION The CBR test shall be carried out on the material passing the 20mm test sieve. A portion of material large enough to provide about 25kg of material passing 20mm was taken The sample was then brought to the optimum moisture content according to BS Heavy compaction test. The soil shall be thoroully mixed and shall normally be sealed and stored for at least 24hours before compacting.

53. TEST PROCEDURE The mould was weighed with their baseplates attached The internal dimensions of the mould were then measured to 0,5mm The moist material (at OMC) was transferred to a mixing tray. It is thoroughly but rapidly mixed The mould assemblies were stand on the solid base e.g. a concrete floor The first mould was tamped full of material using the 4.5kg rammer, five layers and 62 blows per layer. The collar was removed and then the soil was trimmed at the top so the mould The mould was then weighed on the balance the readings were recorded in grams The second mould was then tamped full of material using the 4.5kg rammer, five layers and 30blows per layer. The moulded material was trimmed off and weighed. Another representative sample for moisture content is taken from the mixing tray The third mould was then tamped full of material, but in this case only three layers of material were compacted and, on each layer, 62blows of the 2.5kg rammer is applied. The molded material was again trimmed off and weighed

54. TEST PROCEDURE-PENETRATION The Mould containing the sample with the top face (originally the bottom face) of the sample exposed, was placed centrally on the lower platen of the testing machine The annular surcharge disc weighing 5.5kg was placed on top of the sample The cylindrical plunger was fitted on the surface of the sample A seating force was then applied to the plunger, depending on the expected CBR Value as follows; For CBR value up to 5% was applied 10N For CBR value from 5% to 30% was applied 50N For CBR value above 30% was applied 250N The readings of the loading ring as initial zero reading were recorded The penetration dial gauge was secured in position. The initial zero reading was recorded The test was started so that the plunger penetrates the sample at a uniform rate 1mm/ mim The readings of the force gauge at intervals of penetration of 0.25mm to a total penetration not exceeding 7.5mm were recorded The penetration test was then performed on all three sample

55. PENETRATION LOAD (4.5 Hammer and 62 blows) PENETRATION LOAD (4.5 Hammer and30 Blows) PENETRATION LOAD ( 2.5Hammer and 62 Blows) 0.5 14 0.5 6 0.5 1 1 26 1 14 1 2 1.5 36 1.5 21 1.5 3 2 45 2 29 2 4 2.5 50 2.5 37 2.5 6 3 55 3 44 3 8 3.5 59 3.5 50 3.5 10 4 64 4 53 4 12 4.5 66 4.5 56 4.5 13 5 70 5 58 5 15 5.5 74 5.5 58 5.5 16 6 77 6 60 6 18 6.5 80 6.5 61 6.5 20 7 82 7 63 7 21 7.5 85 7.5 65 7.5 22

56.   CALCULATION ON CBR VALUE BY USING 4.5 HAMMER,62 BLOWS,5 LAYERS At 2.5 mm = 50 × 0.022 = 1.1 = = 8.3% At 5mm = 70 × 0.022 = 1.54 = 7.7%  

57. BY USING 4.5 HAMMER,30 BLOWS,5 LAYERS At 2.5 mm = 36 ×0.022 = 0.792 = = 6%   At 5mm = 58 × 0.022 =1.276 = = 6.38%  

58. By using 2.5 Hammer,62 blows,3 layers At 2.5 = 6 × 0.022 = 0.132 = = 1% At 5mm = 15 × 0.022 = 0.33 = = 1.65%  

59. Height of Mould used to perform CBR was = 130 mm = 0.13 m³ . Diameter of Mould used to perform CBR was = 150 mm = 0.15 m³. So, the volume soil = Volume = x 0.13 Volume = 2.297 x 10-³  

60. DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY WEIGHT OF MOULD + SAMPLE (g) WEIGHT OF MOULD ALONE (g) WEIGHT SAMPLE (g). WEIGHTOF SAMPLE (Kg) 10335 5460 4875 4.875 10315 5520 4795 4.795 10085 5535 4550 4.550

61. BULK DENSITY (1) = = 2122.3 Kg/m³ BULK DENSITY (2) = = 2087.5 Kg/m³ BULK DENSITY (3) = = 1980.8 Kg/m³  

62. DRY DENSITY OF SOIL From; Dry density = Dry density (1) = = 1988.5 Kg/m³  

63. Dry density (2) = = 1955.9 Kg/m³ Dry density (3) = = 1855.9 Kg/m³  

64. DRY DENSITY CBR VALUES 1988.5 8.3 1955.9 6.38 1855.9 1.65

65. The MDD of modified proctor test = 1982 Kg/m³. So, the 96% of MDD of modified test = 1902.72 Kg/m³