1.

INTRODUCTION

The Mackintosh Probe Test is a simple and economic testing method to gather
preliminary data on sub surface conditions. Such data maybe adequate for the designs of foundations
for lightly loaded structures as this provides a very economic method of determining the thickness of soft
deposits such as peat.

2. OBJECTIVE

Collecting a disturbed soil sample for grain-size analysis and soil classification
Determine sub-surface stratigraphy and identity materials present
Evaluate soil density and in-situ stress conditions
Estimate geotechnical parameters

3. THEORY/BACKGROUND
The main purpose of the test is to provide an indication of the relative density of granular
deposit, such as sands and gravels from which it is virtually impossible to obtain undisturbed
samples. The great merit of the test and the main reason for its widespread use is that it is
simple and inexpensive. The soil strength parameters which can be inferred are approximate,
but may give a useful guide in ground conditions where it may not be possible to obtain
borehole samples of adequate quality like gravels, sands, silts, clay containing sand or gravel
and weak rock.
The usefulness of SPT results depends on the soil type, with fine-grained sands giving
the most useful results, with coarser sands and silty sands giving reasonably useful results,
and clay and gravelly soils yielding results which may be very poorly representative of the
true soil conditions.
This test method provides a disturbed soil sample for moisture content determination,
for identification and classification purposes, and for laboratory tests appropriate for soil
obtained from a sampler that will produce a large shear strain disturbance in the sample. Soil
deposits contained gravels, cobbles or boulders typically result in penetration refusal and
damage to equipment.
This test method is used extensively in a great variety of geotechnical exploration
projects. Many local correlations and widely published correlation which relate blow count,
or N-value, and the engineering behavior of earthworks and foundations are available.

4. APPARATUS

Boring Rods
Rod Couplings
Lifting tools
Penetration Cone
Hammer
Wrench
Ruler
Marking tools

5. PROCEDURE
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.

x.

Connect steel cone to the bottom of a steel rod and hammer set to the top.
Straighten the steel rod perpendicular to the ground surface on the point to be tested.
Measure every 0.3m length of the steel rod and mark it with a chalk.
Lift the hammer to the maximum position and then release.
Count the number of blows than causes the rod to penetrate 0.3m.
Record the data for the number of blows for every 0.3m penetration into the Mackintosh
Probe test form.
Remove the hammer set, and connect a new steel rod on top of the original rod in the final
0.3m.
Mark again the rod for every 0.3m interval. Continue with the hammer blows and repeat the
same work process.
The blows should be stopped when :
Number of blow reach 400 times for a 0.3m penetration because the soil has high
bearing capacity, or the depth of penetration reaches 15m.Detailed site investigation is
required by using boring test.
Clean the steel rods, steel cone and connectors after they have been used.

6. DATA

Depth

No.
of
blo
w/0.
3m
310
169
58
24
19
29
67
82
52
82

Cumul
ative
numbe
r of
blow
310
479
537
561
580
609
676
758
810
892

7. CALCULATION
i.

Plot depth versus cumulative numbers of blows

ii.

Determine bearing capacity at 1.8 meter depth

8. PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
i.

What is the advantage and disadvantage of using Mackintosh Probe test.

Advantages:

The size of a small, lightweight device causing easily handled and speed work.
Tests performed earlier than tests of other sites before a project underway.
Information and data were obtained more quickly, easily and save time.
The cost of handling, equipment and the use of relatively cheap.

Disadvantages:
Use limited in terms of the impact energy is too limited
Bearing capacity of soil foundation design is a development known only superficial.
ii.

List the formula to define the bearing capacity when using calculation method.

1. INTRODUCTION
Soil samples are often categorized as being either disturbed or undisturbed. Hand augers are
commonly used for obtaining disturbed soil samples at or near the surface and for boring to
depths where samples may be obtained with a soil sampler or soil core sampler. The augers
are rotated into the ground until they are filled, and then lifted out of the borehole to be
emptied. A different auger can be used for each formation (soil) type. The hand auger may be
used till the depth of about 6 meters (or more if required)

2. OBJECTIVE

Hand auger borings often provide the simplest method of soil investigation and sampling.
They may be used for any purpose where disturbed samples are to be collected, and are
valuable in connection with shallow ground water level determination and indication of
changes in strata, and for advancement of a hole for insertion of undisturbed sample
collection devices.

3. THEORY / BACKGROUND

An important aspect of laboratory testing is the collection of specimens for soil

characterization. The process of collecting disturbed and undisturbed soil specimens requires
a great deal of skill and experience depending on the quality of needed specimen.
Disturbed specimens are used for visual classification and formal soil classification and
for the preparation of remolded soil specimens. When obtaining disturbed specimens,
geotechnical engineers are concerned only with maintaining the mineralogy and grain size
distribution of the soil. In general, disturbed specimens used for the identification of soils
provide engineers with approximate information about the response soil under engineering
forces.
Undisturbed specimens are used to characterize the properties of given soil and to
determine the design. When obtaining undisturbed specimens, geotechnical engineers are
concerned not only with maintaining the mineralogy and grain size distribution of the soil,
but also with preserving the original water content, void ratio, and soil structure.

4. APPARATUS

Soil / sand auger

Extension rod
Wrench
Steel handle
Sampling tube 38mm dia. x 230mm long / 50mm dia. x 230mm long
Wire saw / trimming knife
Moisture content

5. PROCEDURE

a) Undisturbed Sample
i.
ii.
iii.

iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.

Attach the auger bit to a drill rod extension and attach the T-handle to the drill rod.
Begin auguring. Periodically remove accumulated sediment to prevent accidentally brushing
loose material into the borehole when removing the auger.
After reaching the desired depth, slowly and carefully remove the auger from boring.
Carefully lower the tube sampler down the borehole and gradually force it into the sediment.
Care should be taken to avoid scraping the borehole sides. Also avoid hammering of the drill
rods to facilitate coring, since the vibrations may cause the boring walls to collapse.
Carefully retrieve the tube sampler and unscrew drill rods.
Extrude the sample directly into tubes, maintaining a uniform speed. As extrusion proceeds
cut away excess soil from outside the tubes.
Measure the diameter and length of sample and weigh the sample to 0.01g.
Obtain representative samples for moisture content determinations.
Calculate the bulk density, b of the soil from the following equation:
b=

m
V

b) Disturbed Sample
I.
II.
III.

Take some of the disturbed sample every desired depth.

Record the color of sample.
Using your hand, find the texture of soil.

IV.
V.

Classify the stickiness of soil.

Classify the soil using your opinion based on the physical of the soil.

6. DATA
Undisturbed Soil
Determine of moisture content, w
Container
number
Mass of
container (c) g
Mass of
container + wet
soil (c)g
Mass of
container + dry
soil (c) g
Moisture
content, w
C C 3
W= 2
100
C 3C 1

Disturbed Soil
Physical of soil
Depth
(m)
Color
Textur
e
Sticki
ness
Type
of soil

0.2
Light red colour

Soft, watering due to

heavy rain.
Soft is brittle when dry
with traces of sand grains
From the examination the
soil can be sandy clay
with some organic

material at present

7. PRE LAB QUESTIONS

Distinguish between disturbed soil and undisturbed soil sample.

DISTURBED SOIL SAMPLES
In Geotechnical Engineering, disturbed soil samples do not keep the in-situ properties of the
soil when in the process of collection. Geotechnical engineers do not consider them to be
representative of underground soils unless if theyre for tests that dont depend on the soil
structure itself. Usually, scientists test the disturbed samples of soil for texture, soil type,
moisture content, as well as the nutrient and contaminant analysis. Most of the soil samples
that engineers and geologists collect are disturbed samples since theyre a lot easier to collect
and the precision necessary for gathering an undisturbed sample isnt required for many soil
tests.
UNDISTURBED SOIL SAMPLES
Undisturbed soil samples keep the structural integrity of the in-situ soil and they have a
higher recovery rate in the sampler. Its actually tough to gather a perfect undisturbed sample
and the samplers may contain a small portion of undisturbed soil at the top as well as the
bottom of the sample length. Undisturbed samples allow the engineer to identify the
properties of strength, permeaility, compressibility, as well as the fracture patterns among
others. Usually, the results of these analyses help many geotechnical engineering firms in
terms of designing a new building.

8. DISCUSSION
I.

Give the type of land suitable for investigation using the above method . If this
method be carried out on sandy soil explain the steps to be taken.

II.

Provide appropriate limit research into soil auger. Explain why this method is not
suitable for the deeper point.

III.

This method is used in the land parched, medium and wet and happy at
penetrating. This tool cannot be used on sandy soil. Land of low viscosity will
cause the land is not attached to the device when the pull-out.

Extension rods measuring only im long. This method is not suitable for more
in point because this method uses limited manpower and the height does not
exceed the human breast.

Give the type of construction sites where the level of research hand auger methods
and provide an explanation.

Hand auger method suitable for the construction of low cost housing etc.
Energy to bring is small and space facilities to anyone especially low-class
contractors to use and does not require high costs to get it from other
equipment.

9. CONCLUSION

From the activity in this laboratory work, we have learnt and applied two methods of
soil sampling known as disturbed and undisturbed. The undisturbed soil sample was obtained

using a sampling tube and has little effect on the properties of the soil. From this sample, we
have determined the moisture content of soil. From visual examination, the type of soil
assumed is sandy clay with some mineral content due to the sand particles present in the soil
after drying. The mineral content or peat is seen in the soil represented by some black soft
patches. However, visual examination is indefinite and unreliable.

10. REFERENCE

1. http://cc304.blogspot.com/2013/01/example-of-lab-report-geotechnics.html
2. http://www.academia.edu/4117852/SOIL_INVESTIGATION_HAND_AUGER_
3. https://geotechengineeringsoftware.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/geotechnicalengineering-the-difference-of-disturbed-and-undisturbed-soil-sampling/

1. INTRODUCTION

The proctor compaction test is a laboratory method developed according to some standards to
experimentally determine the optimum water (moisture) content at which a given soil type
would become most dense and achieve its maximum dry density with a certain compaction
effort. It has been shown that dry density of a soil for given compaction effort depends on the
amount of water the soil contains during soil compaction. Therefore the relationship between
the moisture content and the density of the soil is examined. Several compaction effort levels
have been introduced as to match with that obtained in the field

2. OBJECTIVE

This laboratory test is performed to determine the relationship between the moisture content
and the dry density of a soil for a specified compaction effort.

3. THEORY / BACKGROUND

The general meaning of the verb compact is the to press closely together. In soil
mechanics, it means to press soil particles tightly together by expelling air from void spaces
between the particles. Compaction is normally done deliberately, often by heavy compaction
rollers, and proceeds rapidly during construction. These three changes in soil characteristics

are beneficial for some types of earth construction, such as highways, airfields, and earth
dams; as general rule, the greater the compaction, the greater the benefits will be.
Compaction is actually a rather cheap and effective way to improve the properties of a soil.
The amount of compaction is quantified in terms of the dry unit weight of the soil.
Usually, dry soils can be compacted best (and thus a greater unit weight achieved) if for each
soil, a certain amount of water is added. In effect, water acts as a lubricant, allowing soil
particles to be packed together better. However, if too much water is added, a lower unit
weight will result. Thus, for a given compaction effort, there is a particular moisture content
at which dry weight is greater and compaction is best. This moisture content is known as the
optimum moisture content, and the associated dry unit weight is called the maximum dry
unit weight.

4. EQUIPMENT

Cylindrical metal mould (105mm diameter and 115.5 mm high)

Metal rammer with 50 mm diameter face, weighing 2.5kg, sliding freely in a tube which
controls the height of drop to 300mm.

Measuring cylinder, 200 ml or 500ml.

BS sieve and receiver.

Large metal tray

Balance

Jacking apparatus for extracting

Small tools: palette knife, steel straight-edge, scoop.

5. PROCEDURE
I.

II.
III.
IV.
V.

VI.
VII.

VIII.
IX.

X.

The procedure that will be described next is applicable for soils passing the no. 5.00mm
sieve. Prepare a representative batch of the soil to be tested by breaking down soil clumps
into individual particles.
Add water (mixing thoroughly) to the soil, until the first moisture content is attained (again,
account for hygroscopic moisture as necessary).
Weigh the compaction mold and base plate to 1g (0.01lb). Do not include the extension collar
in this weighing.
Assemble the extension collar and compaction.
The soil sample will be compacted in three equal layers. Each layers is compacted with 27
uniformly distributed blows before the next layer of soil is added. Smooth the surface of the
soil with light tamping and then begin compact the soil with the 2.5kg rammer.
After the third layer has been compacted, remove the extension collar from the compaction
mould.
Using the steel straight edge, trim off the excess soil until the sample is even with the top of
the mould. In the event that a small quantity of soil is lost from the compaction mould during
removal of the collar or during the trimming process, fill the trimmings pressed in with
moderate finger pressure.
Weigh the compaction mould, base plate, and compacted soil to 1g.
Extrude the sample from the mould and retain approximately 100g for a moisture-content
determination. Equal portions of the sample should be obtained from each of the three layers
to ensure representative water content.
Break up the extruded sample by hand, and mix with excess soil from the previous
compaction test. Add water, mixing thoroughly, until the water content of the soil has been
raised by 2 to 3 percent.

XI.
XII.

Repeat steps 4 through 10. Note the consistency of the soil and the total weight of the mould,
collar, and moist soil throughout the 3 trials.
Once the water content samples have been dried, determine the water content and dry unit
weight of the soil in each trial.

6. DATA
Volume of Mould (V) m3 =

Tria Mass of
l
Moist
No. Specim
en
+
Mould,
Mt (kg)

Mass
of
Moul
d,
Mmd
(kg)

Mass of
Moist
Specim
en
(kg)

Moisture Content
Determination
Can
No.

Mass
of
Wet
Soil
+
Can
(g)

Mas
s
Of
Dry
Soil
+
Can
(g)
G

Dry
Density
of
Compact
ed
Specime
n, d

Mass
of
Wate
r
(g)

Mas
s of
Can
(g)

Mas
s of
Dry
Soil
(g)

Moistur
e
Conten
t
(%)

5.325

3.695

1.630

91

85.
5

5.2

29.
8

56

10

156.31

5.413

3.695

1.718

78.8

71.
4

7.4

29.
4

42

15

151.02

5.418

3.695

1.723

99

84.
4

14.6

29.
6

54.
8

20

139.81

5.534

3.695

1.839

119.
6

96.
4

23.2

29.
6

66.
8

25

133.79

7. CALCULATIONS

Plot the moisturedensity curve and find optimum moisture content, and maximum dry unit
weight.

8. PRE-LAB QUESTION

State THREE (3) factor affected a process of soil compaction test

9. DISCUSSION
10. CONCLUSION
11. REFERENCE

1. INTRODUCTION

By conducting this test it is possible to determine the field density of the soil. The moisture
content is likely to vary from time and hence the field density also. So it is required to report
the test result in terms of dry density. The relationship that can be established between the
dry densities with known moisture content is as follows:

The purpose of the test is to find the in situ density of natural or compacted soils using sand
pouring cylinders.

2. EQUIPMENTS

Sand pouring cylinder

Tools for excavating holes

Cylindrical calibrating container

Metal containers

Metal tray

Digital weight scale (+/- 0.01g)

3. PROCEDURE

Calibration
I.
II.

III.
IV.
V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

Fill the sand-pouring cylinder with sand, within about 10mm of its top.
Determine the mass of the cylinder (M1) to the nearest gram.
Place the sand-pouring cylinder vertically on the calibrating container.
Open the shutter to allow the sand run out from the cylinder. When
there is no further
movement of the sand in the cylinder, close the
shutter.
Lift the pouring cylinder from the calibrating container and weigh it to
the nearest gram (M3).
Again fill the pouring cylinder with sand, within 10mm of its top.
Open the shutter and allow the sand to run out of the cylinder. When
the volume of the sand let out is equal to the volume of the calibrating
container, close the shutter.
Place the cylinder over a plane surface, such as a glass plate. Open the
shutter. The sand fills the cone of the cylinder. Close the shutter when
no further movement of sand takes place.
Remove the cylinder. Collect the sand left on the glass plate. Determine
the mass of sand (M2) that had filled the cone by weighing the collected
sand.
Determine the dry density of sand, as shown in the data sheet, part-I.

Determination of bulk density of soil

I.
Place the sand pouring cylinder concentrically on the top of the
calibrating container with the shutter closed making sure that constant
mass (M0) is maintained.

II.

Open the shutter of cylinder and allow the sand to move into the
container. When no further movement is seen, close the shutter and find

the mass of sand left in the cylinder (M2). iii) Repeat step 2-3 at least
thrice and find the mean mass (M2).

Determination of field density of soil

1. Level surface of the soil in the open field.
2. Place metal tray on the surface haring a circular hole of 10cm diameter at
the center. Dig a hole of this diameter up to about 15 cm dept. Collect all
the excavation soil in a tray and find the mass of excavation soil (M).
3. Remove the tray and place the sand-pouring cylinder concentrically on the
hole. Open the shutter and allow the sand to run into the hole till no
further movement of sand is noticed. Close the shutter and determine
mass of sand which is left in the cylinder, (M 3)
4. The representative sample is taken from the excavated soil for
determination of water content.

4. DATA

Determination of mass of and in the

cone
No Test
Volume of calibrating container (m3), Vc
Mass of sand in cylinder before pouring (M 0) (kg)
Mean mass of sand in cone, (M1) (kg)

1
1.20 10

-3

9.28
0.49

Determination of bulk density of

sand
No Test
Mean mass of sand leave in cylinder after pouring (M 2)
(kg)
Mass of sand filling calibrating container (Mc = M 0 M1
M2)
Bulk density of sand (s = Mc / Vc ) (kg/m3)

1
7.11
1.68
1.40 10

-3

Determination bulk density and unit

weight of soil
Mass of wet soil from the hole (M) (kg)

1.73

Mass of sand in cylinder after pouring in the hole (M 2)

(kg)
Mass of sand in the hole, (Ms = M0 M1 M3 ) (kg)

2.45
6.34

Bulk density of soil , = M / Ms x s (kg/m3)

5.13 10

-3

Dry density of sand d = / ( 1 + w )

6.02 10

-4

No of cone
Wet soil

1.73

Dry Soil

1.61

Cone Weight

0.015

Water Content %

*Formula;
Vc

= r2h

Mc

= M0 M1
M2

= Mc / V c

Ms

= M 0 M1
M3

= M / M s x s

= /(1+
w)

7.52

5. PRE-LAB QUESTION

I.
II.

What is the objective of sand replacement test?

What is the relationship that can be established between the dry density with known moisture
content?

III.

What are the apparatus that need in this test?

6. DISCUSSION
7. CONCLUSION
8. REFERENCE