A comprehensive guide to the most useful geotechnical laboratory measurements Cost effective, high quality testing of geo-materials is possible if you understand the important factors and work with nature wisely. Geotechnical Laboratory Measurements for Engineers guides geotechnical engineers and students in conducting efficient testing without sacrificing the quality of results. Useful as both a lab manual for students and as a reference for the practicing geotechnical engineer, the book covers thirty of the most common soil tests, referencing the ASTM standard procedures while helping readers understand what the test is analyzing and how to interpret the results. Features include: Explanations of both the underlying theory of the tests and the standard testing procedures The most commonly-taught laboratory testing methods, plus additional advanced tests Unique discussions of electronic transducers and computer controlled tests not commonly covered in similar texts A support website at www.wiley.com/college/germaine with blank data sheets you can use in recording the results of your tests as well as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets containing raw data sets supporting the experiments

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