Geotechnical Laboratory Measurements for Engineers

John T. Germaine, PhD, is a Senior Research Associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with over twenty-five years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate-level materials and geotechnical laboratory courses, as well as supervising research at the master's degree and PhD degree levels. John performs experimental research to investigate various aspects of soil behavior for projects sponsored by private and governmental organizations, conducts independent consulting, some of which concerns technology transfer and interpretation of material behavior, and has extensive experience in testing automation and optimization. Dr. Germaine is a Fellow of ASTM International and has served since 1985 in technical and administrative roles within ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, including membership in the management team for the ASTM Reference Soils and Testing Program. Amy V. Germaine, PE, is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with Fugro Consultants, Inc., consulting with their expansive geotechnical laboratory in Houston, Texas, on quality, technical, and interpretive matters. She has over ten years of work experience with a focus on the measurement and interpretation of geotechnical properties. Ms. Germaine has been involved with ASTM International Committee D18 for over ten years, during which time she has served as chairman of subcommittee D18.05, Strength and Compressibility of Soils, and as secretary for several other subcommittees.

• Preface xiAcknowledgements xiiiPart IChapter 1 Background Information for Part I 3Scope 3Laboratory Safety 4Terminology 5Standardization 6Evaluation of Test Methods 8Precision and Bias Statements 9Laboratory Accreditation 11Profi ciency Testing 12Technician Certifi cation 12Unit Convention 12Signifi cant Digits 13Test Specifi cation 14Sampling 15Processing Bulk Material 17Test Documentation 19Spreadsheets 20Reporting Test Results 20Typical Values 21Further Reading and Other References 21References 22Chapter 2 Phase Relationships 24Scope and Summary 24Typical Materials 25Background 25Typical Values 33Calibration 33Specimen Preparation 35Procedure 35Precision 37Detecting Problems with Results 38Reference Procedures 38References 38Chapter 3 Specific Gravity 39Scope and Summary 39Typical Materials 39Background 39Typical Values 44Calibration 45Specimen Preparation 45Procedure 45Precision 50Detecting Problems with Results 51Reference Procedures 51References 51Chapter 4 Maximum Density Minimum Density 52Scope and Summary 52Typical Materials 52Background 52Typical Values 55Calibration 55Specimen Preparation 57Procedure 57Precision 58Detecting Problems with Results 58Reference Procedures 59References 59Chapter 5 Calcite Equivalent 60Scope and Summary 60Typical Materials 60Background 60Typical Values 62Calibration 63Specimen Preparation 65Procedure 65Precision 66Detecting Problems with Results 66Reference Procedures 66References 66Chapter 6 pH and Salinity 68Scope and Summary 68Typical Materials 68Background 68Typical Values 74Calibration 75Specimen Preparation 76Procedure 76Precision 78Detecting Problems with Results 78Reference Procedures 79References 79Chapter 7 Organic Content 80Scope and Summary 80Typical Materials 80Background 80Typical Values 82Calibration 82Specimen Preparation 82Procedure 82Precision 83Detecting Problems with Results 83Reference Procedures 83References 83Chapter 8 Grain Size Analysis 84Scope and Summary 84Typical Materials 84Background 84Typical Values 107Calibration 109Specimen Preparation 111Procedure 112Precision 115Detecting Problems with Results 116Reference Procedures 116References 116Chapter 9 Atterberg Limits 117Scope and Summary 117Typical Materials 117Background 117Typical Values 130Calibration 132Specimen Preparation 134Procedure 135Precision 137Detecting Problems with Results 138Reference Procedures 138References 138Chapter 10 Soil Classification and Description 140Scope and Summary 140Typical Materials 140Background 141Calibration 156Specimen Preparation 157Procedure 157Precision 160Detecting Problems with Results 160Reference Procedures 160References 160Part IIChapter 11 Background Information for Part II 163Scope and Summary 163Intact Sampling 164Processing Intact Samples 169Reconstituting Samples 184Transducers 189Data Collection and Processing 203References 209Chapter 12 Compaction Test Using Standard Effort 210Scope and Summary 210Typical Materials 210Background 211Typical Values 219Calibration 220Specimen Preparation 220Procedure 220Precision 221Detecting Problems with Results 222Reference Procedures 222References 222Chapter 13 Hydraulic Conductivity: Cohesionless Materials 223Scope and Summary 223Typical Materials 223Background 223Typical Values 233Calibration 234Specimen Preparation 235Procedure 235Precision 237Detecting Problems with Results 238Reference Procedures 238References 238Chapter 14 Direct Shear 239Scope and Summary 239Typical Materials 239Background 240Typical Values 248Calibration 248Specimen Preparation 250Procedure 251Precision 254Detecting Problems with Results 254Reference Procedures 255References 255Chapter 15 Strength Index of Cohesive Materials 256Scope and Summary 256Typical Materials 256Background 256Typical Values 264Calibration 264Specimen Preparation 266Procedure 267Precision 272Detecting Problems with Results 272Reference Procedures 273References 273Chapter 16 Unconsolidated-Undrained Triaxial Compression 275Scope and Summary 275Typical Materials 276Background 276Typical Values 286Calibration 286Specimen Preparation 289Procedure 289Precision 292Detecting Problems with Results 292Reference Procedures 293References 293Chapter 17 Incremental Consolidation By Oedometer 294Scope and Summary 294Typical Materials 294Background 294Typical Values 324Calibration 324Specimen Preparation 325Procedure 326Precision 331Detecting Problems with Results 331Reference Procedures 332References 332AppendicesAppendix A Constants And Unit Conversions 334Appendix B Physical Properties Of Pure Water 338Appendix c Calculation Adjustments For Salt 340Index 345

"Not since Lambe's book [2]on SoilTesting for Engineers, published in 1951, has a soil mechanics laboratory testing book come along with as comprehensive content and authoritative explanations as the present text. In fact, this book is more comprehensive than Lambe's book and it is difficult to imagine how a better and more informative book could be produced. The book has all the pertinent information gathered in one location, and it will serve as the authoritative reference soil mechanics laboratory manual for a long time to come. It may very well last beyond the next 60 years. For just about any price this is an excellent book, but for $90 this is a steal." (Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol. 33, No. 3)