Soil testing is an essential aspect of construction. In reality, no building project may begin unless the soil has been confirmed to be able to support the weight. Soil testing for construction has the objective of determining the soil’s suitability for the type of construction to be done.
Types of Soil Tests
Pre-construction soil testing comes in a variety of types. The type of test is determined by the soil’s properties. The soil test report is used to design the foundation. Some tests are carried out on the worksite, while others are carried out in a laboratory.
Moisture Content Test
This is a crucial test in the construction of a building. The oven-drying technique, torsion balance method, Pycnometer method, radiation method, calcium carbide method, alcohol method, and sand bath method are all used to evaluate the moisture content of the soil. The oven-drying method, which entails weighing the sample soil, drying it in an oven at 110 degrees Celsius (+/- 5 degrees), then measuring it again, is the most popular approach. The weight of water in the soil is represented by the difference between the before and after soil weights.
Specific Gravity Test
The specific gravity of a substance is determined by the ratio of its density to the density of water. The density bottle technique, Pycnometer method, gas jar method, shrinkage limit method, and measurement flask method are some of the methods used to determine it. The density bottle and Pycnometer procedures are the most often used in soil analysis.
Dry Density Test
The weight of soil particles in a given volume of a sample is known as the dry density of soil. The void ratio and the specific gravity of the soil define its value. The density of the soil is determined by this value, which indicates whether it is dense, moderately dense, or loose. One of three procedures for doing a dry density test is the sand replacement, core cutter, or water displacement. The sand replenishment and core cutter procedures are the most often used of these.
Atterberg Limits Test
This test is used to determine the essential water content of fine-grained soil. The characteristics of fine-grained soil are determined by three limits: the liquid limit, the plastic limit, and the shrinkage limit.
Proctor’s Compaction Test
This test is used to determine the soil’s compaction properties. After air-drying the soil sample, it is separated into four to six smaller samples. Water is added to alter their water content, which ranges from 3% to 5%. The samples are then arranged in three layers in the Proctor compaction mold. A normal 5.5-pound hammer is then used to strike each layer 25 times. The samples are taken out and dried, after which their dry density and water content are calculated. The density as a function of water content is then displayed on a curve based on the whole set of findings. This graph accurately depicts the ideal water content required to achieve maximum dry density.
Remember that a soil test is only as good as the sample you take when taking samples. As a result, it’s important to hire a reliable, professional, well-versed soil testing company like AAA Group to handle your construction soil testing. We are completely insured and committed to providing you with outstanding service. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 387–9800 today!