Experiment No.

3
WET PREPARATION OF DISTURBED SOIL SAMPLES

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to impart an alternative method for preparation of disturbed soil samples.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
• prepare disturbed soil samples for future laboratory experiments.
• distinguish standard practices in preparation of soil samples

3. Discussion:

The method of wet preparation of soil samples is an alternative method used to prepare soil samples in
various laboratory experiments such as moisture content determination, particle size analysis and in
determination of Atterberg limits.

For cases wherein removal of fine-grained soil that are attached to coarse particles is difficult, wet
preparation is more appropriate than dry preparation. This is also applicable for coarse-grained particles
of the sample are soft and pulverize readily.

4. Resources:

1. Triple Beam Balance or Digital Weighing Scale.

2. Oven.
3. Pans with at least 300 mm f and 75 mm deep.
4. Standard Sieves #10 and #40.
5. Funnel.
6. Filter Paper

6. Procedure:

1. Allow the soil sample recovered from the field to dry thoroughly on room temperature. Using a
mortar and pestle, break up the aggregations thoroughly.
2. Select about 120 grams of the sample for the conduct of particle size analysis. For the
determination of Atterberg limits, set aside the soil fraction passing Sieve No. 4 and weigh about
150 grams of the sample. Select a portion of about 50 grams for the determination of moisture
content.
3. Separate the material set aside for the Particle size analysis into two portions using Sieve #10.
Set aside the portion passing Sieve #10 as washing is to be performed on the portion retained
4. The portion retained is to be soaked in a pan until particle aggregations become soft. Place the
Sieve #10 on a clean pan. Allow the soaked soil with water to flow to the sieve until the height of
the water is about 12.7 mm above the mesh of the sieve. Crumble any lumps observed on the
sieve using the thumb or the fingers. Transfer the washed material on a clean pan before placing
another increment of soaked material into the sieve.

9
 5. Dry the materials retained on Sieve #10 and add the material on Procedure no. 3. Set aside the
material for use in the Particle size analysis.
6. Remove most of the water in the washings by allowing it to pass through a funnel fitted with a
filter paper. Remove the moist soil in the filter paper and allow to dry at a temperature not
exceeding 60oC. Combine the soil with material obtained in Procedure No. 3.

Course: CE401 Experiment No.: 2

Group No.: Group 8 Section: CE41FA1
Group Leader: Daño, Ryan Steve Q. Date Performed: November 21, 2018
Group Members: Date Submitted: November 28, 2018
1. Dela Paz, Rhristian A-john B. Instructor: Engr. Jennifer L. Camino
2. Fermin, Chrismar G.
3. Germar, Reynaldo Bonifacio R. 5. Recto, Krizia Camele N.
4. Habitan, Jerico O.

6. Data and Results:

Sample # Weight (g) Purpose Description

1 73 grams
2 42 grams
Particle Size The soil can be observed as a mixture of
Analysis sand and clay and it feels like a flour.
The soil felt like a powdered pepper.
Moisture content When rubbed, it will just leave a stain on
your hand.

Documentations:

1. 2. 3.

10
4. 5. 1. Selected 120 grams from
the grinded sample soil.
2. Sieved the soil from the
particle size analysis
using Sieve # 10.
3. Soaked the retained soil
from the remains of the
Sieve # 10.
4. Poured the soaked soil
into the funnel with filter
paper.
Computations: 5. Pressed down the soil for
immediate draining.
% moisture content =
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙−𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝑥100%
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙

50𝑔−42𝑔
% moisture content = 𝑥100% = 19.05%
42𝑔

7. Conclusion:

In this experiment, wet preparations were used instead of the dry ones in determining such factors
like moisture content and particle size analysis. In this one, the moisture content is far smaller than the
one on the dry preparations but it’s particle size is the same with it. We assumed that using this kind of
method decreases the moisture content of soil due to heating of the sample soil. On the other hand, particle
size of the sample is still the same where it still feels like a silt type of soil due to its powdery texture.

8. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT
CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills
Members do not Members occasionally
Manipulative Members always
demonstrate needed demonstrate needed
Skills demonstrate needed skills.
skills. skills
Members are able to Members are able to set-up
Experimental Members are unable to
set-up the materials the material with minimum
Set-up set-up the materials.
with supervision. supervision.
Members do not Members occasionally Members always
Process Skills demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted
process skills. process skills. process skills.

11

Safety Members do not follow
Precautions safety precautions.
II. Work Habits
Time
Members do not finish
Management /
on time with incomplete
Conduct of
data.
Experiment
Members do not know
their tasks and have no
Cooperative and defined responsibilities.
Teamwork Group conflicts have to
be settled by the
teacher.
Messy workplace
Neatness and
during and after the
Orderliness
experiment.
Members require
Ability to do
supervision by the
independent work
teacher.
Other Comments/Observations:
9. References
Murthy, V.N.S. (2011). Textbook of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Singapore: Alken Company
American Society for Testing and Materials (1999). Wet Preparation of Soil Samples for Particle-Size Analysis and
Determination of Soil Constants (D-2217). Pennsylvania: ASTM International
Members follow safety
Members follow safety
precautions most of the
precautions at all times.
time.
Members finish ahead of
Members finish on time
time with complete data and
with incomplete data.
time to revise data.
Members have defined
Members are on tasks and
responsibilities most of
have defined responsibilities
the time. Group
at all times. Group conflicts
conflicts are
are cooperatively managed
cooperatively managed
at all times.
most of the time.
Clean and orderly
workplace with Clean and orderly workplace
occasional mess during at all times during and after
and after the the experiment.
experiment.
Members require
Members do not need to be
occasional supervision
supervised by the teacher.
by the teacher.
Total Score
(𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒)
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 = × 100
24
12