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Comprehensive Laterite Soil Protocol

This document provides a comprehensive laboratory protocol for characterizing lateritic soil, detailing procedures for sample collection, testing methods, and data analysis. Key tests include moisture content, sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, compaction, and California Bearing Ratio, with a focus on comparing natural and stabilized laterite. Safety measures and referenced standards are also included to ensure quality control during the testing process.

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Kunduwera Methode
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41 views2 pages

Comprehensive Laterite Soil Protocol

This document provides a comprehensive laboratory protocol for characterizing lateritic soil, detailing procedures for sample collection, testing methods, and data analysis. Key tests include moisture content, sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, compaction, and California Bearing Ratio, with a focus on comparing natural and stabilized laterite. Safety measures and referenced standards are also included to ensure quality control during the testing process.

Uploaded by

Kunduwera Methode
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Comprehensive Laboratory Protocol for

Lateritic Soil Characterization


This detailed protocol outlines the procedures to determine the physical and mechanical
properties of lateritic soil for the purpose of comparing natural laterite with cement-sand
stabilized laterite. These tests provide critical data for geotechnical analysis and design.

1. Sample Collection and Preparation


 1.1 Excavate soil from a consistent depth (about 300 mm) to avoid topsoil
contamination.
 1.2 Place soil in airtight bags or containers to prevent moisture loss.
 1.3 Transport to laboratory and air-dry for 1–2 weeks on plastic sheets under shade.
 1.4 Break clods gently with a wooden mallet. Sieve through 20 mm sieve.
 1.5 Divide the sample into portions for testing (minimum 10 kg total sample).

2. Natural Moisture Content (ASTM D2216)


 Weigh clean dry tin (W1), add wet soil (W2), oven dry at 105°C (W3).
 Moisture Content (%) = ((W2 - W3)/(W3 - W1)) × 100

3. Sieve Analysis (ASTM D422)


 Oven-dry 500g soil, sieve using mechanical shaker.
 Weigh mass retained on each sieve.
 Calculate % passing, Cu = D60/D10, Cc = (D30^2)/(D10×D60).

4. Atterberg Limits (ASTM D4318)


 Liquid Limit: Casagrande device, determine moisture at 25 blows.
 Plastic Limit: Roll to 3 mm thread until crumbling.
 Plasticity Index = LL - PL.

5. Specific Gravity (ASTM D854)


 Use pycnometer to calculate: Gs = Weight of solids / Weight of displaced water.

6. Compaction Test (BS1377 Part 4)


 Use 2.5 kg rammer, 3 layers, 25 blows/layer.
 Plot dry density vs moisture content to find MDD and OMC.

7. Stabilization Mix Design


 Mix laterite with cement (3%, 6%, 9%, 12%) and sand (15%, 30%, 45%, 60%).
 Mix dry components thoroughly, add water to reach OMC.
 Allow 1 hour mellowing time before compaction.
8. Compaction of Stabilized Soil
 Compact in moulds using Proctor method.
 Determine MDD and OMC for each mix, plot compaction curves.

9. California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test (ASTM D1883)


 Compact at OMC, soak 96 hrs, test with 50 mm plunger at 1.25 mm/min.
 Record load at 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm, use higher value.
 CBR (%) = (Measured Load / Standard Load) × 100.

10. Data Analysis


 Compare results of LL, PL, PI, CBR, and MDD.
 Identify optimum cement-sand ratio.
 Use graphs and tables to visualize trends.

11. Safety and Quality Control


 Wear PPE, calibrate equipment, use triplicates.
 Label all samples clearly, follow lab safety protocols.

12. Referenced Standards


 ASTM D4318, ASTM D854, ASTM D422, ASTM D698, ASTM D1883, BS1377.

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