( Reaffirmed 1995 )

IS t 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART 1 PREPARATION OF DRY SOIL SAMPLES FOR VARIOUS TESTS

( Second Revision )
Soil Engineering
Chairman DR JAQIU~H NA~AIN Members SRIZI I. D. AQARWAL
Saw B. L. DEAWAN PHOF ALAM SINQII SI~RI B. ANJIAXI SI~I ( Altcrnafe

and Rock Mechanics Sectional Committee,

Raprasenting Association of Indian Universities,

BDC 23

New Delhi

Public Works Department, Pradesh, Lucknow

Government

of Uttar

E. M. BEN.IAMSN SRRI N. C, DUQCXAL ( Alternate CHIEF ENGINEER ( IPRI ) DIWCCTOH (DA%%) ( Alternate )

University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur Engineering Research Laboratories, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad Concrete Association of India, Bombay Irrigation Department, Chandigarh Government of Punjab,

SHRI A. G. DASTI~AE
DR G. S. Dnrmorr Dmm~an

In personal capacity (5 Hungerford Court, 12/l, Hungerford Street, Calcuttn ) Indian Geotechnical Society, New Delhi Central Soil & Materials Rrsrarrlt Station, New Delhi Irrigation Department, Pradesh, Roorkee Asia Foundations and Bombay Government Construction of (I) Uttar Ltd, of

DEPUTY DIRROTOIC ( Alternate ) DIRECTOR, IRI SI~RI A. H. DIVAYJI Saw A. N. JANOI.~: ( Alternate )

DR GOPAL RANJAX

SHRI S. GUPTA SITHI N. V. DE-SOUSA

University of Roorkee, Roorkee; and Institute -Engineers ( India ), Calcutta Cemindia Company Limited, Bombay ( Alternat r1

( Continued on pago 2 ) Q Cobyright INDIAN STANDARDS 1984 INSTITUTION

This publication is protected under the In&an CepVright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the publisher shall be deemed to be an infrineement of convrieht under the said Act.

IS t 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983 ( Continucdfrom page 1 )

Mmbcrs SHRI M. IYEN~AR SHRI ASHOE K. JAIN SHRI VIJAY K. JAIN ( Altarnate ) JOINT DIREOTOR RESEAROH (GE)-I, RDSO JOINT DIRECTOR RESEABCH (GE)-11 RDSO ( Alternate ) LT-COL V. K. KANITKAB SHRI 0. P. MALIIOTRA SHKI D. R. NAR.\HARI
SHRI T. K. NATI~AJAN

Representing Engineers India Limited, New Delhi G. S. Jain and Associates, Roorkee Ministry of Railways

Cc ntral Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New Delhi SHRI RANJI~ SINQH Ministry of Defence ( R & D ) SHRI P. D. DESHPAN~E ( Alternate ) Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi DR G. B. RAO DR K. X. GUPTA ( Alternate) Public Works Department, Government of Punjab, RESEARCH OFFICIER ( B & RRL ) Chandigarh Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi SECRETARY DEPUTY SECRETARY I Alternate 1 Roads Wing ( Ministry of Shipping and Transport ) SHRI N. SIVAQURu SHRI P. R. KALNA ( Alternate ) National Buildings Organization, New Delhi SERI K. S. SRINIVASAN SHRI SUNIL BERRY ( Altarnate ) Jadavpur University, Calcutta DR N. SOM Station, Research Engineering Karnataka SHRI N. SUBRANANYAM Krishnarajasagar ENQINE ER Public Works Department, Government of Tamil SUPERINTENDING Nadu, Madras (P&DC) EXECUTIVE ENQINEER I SMRD) ( Alternafc) All India Instrument Manufacturers and Dealers SH~I H. C. VZHMA Association, Bombay SHRI H. K. Guan ( Alternate ) Director General, ISI ( Ex-ojjicio Mtibcr ) SHRI G, RAMAN, Director ( Civ Engg ) Secretary SHRI K. M. MATHTJR Senior Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), ISI

S~rnr V. S. A~ARWAL ( Alternate )

Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch, Army Headquarters Public Works Department, Chandigarh Administration, Chandigarh CentraA Building Research Institute ( CSIR ), Roorkee -

Soil Testing Procedures Subcommittee,

Convener DR ALAM SIN~H
MSdWS &RI

BDC 23 : 3
Jodhpur Institute ( CSIR ),

University of Jodhpur, Central Building Roorkee

AMAR SINQH SHRI M. R. SONEJA (Alternate )

Research

( Centinwd on pagr 10 )

IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART 1 PREPARATION OF DRY SOIL SAMPLES FOR VARiOUS TESTS

( Second Revision)
0.
0.1 This Indian

FOREWORD

Standard ( Second Revision ) was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution on 28 November 1983, after the draft finalized by the Soil Engineering and Rock Mechanics Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council. 0.2 With a view to establishing uniform procedure for the determination of different characteristics of soils, Indian Standards on methods of test for soils ( IS : 2720 ) have been formulated in various parts. This part covers method of preparation of samples for the various laboratory tests covered in the standard. This part was first published in 1966 and revised in 1972. Since then more parts of this standard have been published covering additional characteristics besides some of the published parts have been revised wherein requirements have been modified. This revised version has therefore been formulated in order to up date in this respect. 0.3 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS : Z-1960*. The number of significantplaces retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

1. SCOPE 1.1 This standard samples from the laboratory tests.

(Part bulk 1 ) covers the method of preparation of dry soil sample received from the field for various

*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( rcuiscd). 3

IS : 2720 ( Part 1 ) - 1983 2. APPARATUS 2.1 Wooden-Mallet 2.2 Trays material. for breaking soil clods. size and of non-rusting

for air drying

of soil, of suitable

2.3 Pulverizing Apparatus -Either mortar and rubber covered pestle or ~a mechanical device consisting of mortar and a power-driven rubber covered pestle suitable for breaking up the aggregation of soil particles without reducing the size of the individual grains. Pestle and mortar made of soft wood may also be used. 2.4 Sampler - A suitable riflle sampler the samples (see IS : 1607-1960* ). 2.5 Sieves --of sizes 75-mm, 9.50-mm, 6*7-mm, 475-mm, (Part 1 )-19787 j. 2.6 Drying a ) Apparatus 63-mm, 2*00-mm or sample splitter for quartering

375-mm, 19-mm, 13*2-mm, and 425-micron [see IS : 460

Drying Oven - Thermostatically controlled, with interior of non-corroding material to maintain the temperature between 105 and 110C. Other suitable dryingapparatus.

b) 2.7

Balances a) Capacity b) Capacity c) Capacity 10 kg and minimum 1 kg and minimum 250 g and minimum OF SAMPLE sensitivity sensitivity sensitivity FOR 100 g. 1 g. O*Ol g.

3. PREPARATION

TESTS

3.1 General - Soil sample as received from the field shall be dried in the air or in sun. In wet weather a drying apparatus may be used in which case the temperature of the sample should not exceed 60C. The clods may be broken with a wooden-mallet to hasten drying. The organic matter, like tree roots and pieces of bark should be removed from the matter other than soil, like shells should also be sample. Similarly, separated from the main soil mass. A noting shall be made of such removals and their percentage of the total soil sample noted. When
*Methods for dry sieving. $Specification for test sieves

: Part I Wire cloth test sieves ( wand reuision).

4

IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983 samples are to be taken for estimation of organic content, lime content, etc, total sample should be taken for estimation without removing shells, roots, etc. 3.2 Drying of the Sample - The amount of drying depends upon the proposed test to be conducted on the particular sample. The type, temperature and duration of drying of sdil samples for different tests are given in Table 1. When oven is used for drying, the temperature in the oven shall not exceed 110C ( see Note ). Chemical drying of samples should not be adopted for any tests.
NOTE - Soils containing temperature above 60C. organic or calcareous matter should not be dried at

TABLE

QUANTITY

OF SOIL

SAMPLE REQUIRED THE TESTS and 4.1 )

FOR

GONDUCTING

( Clauses 3.2,3.3 TESl TYPE, TEMPEI<A!rUREAND DURATION OF DI~YIN~

AMOUNT OF SOIL SAMPLE REQUIRED FOR TESC

DEGREE OF PULVERIZATION ( PASSINQ IS SIEVE SIZE ) (5)

REP TO PART OB IS : 27201

(1) i) ii)

(2) Water content Specific vity gra-

ix)
Oven, 24 h Oven 105-llOC, 24 b As

(4) given Table 2 in

(6) Part 2z Part 3/Secla Part 3/Set 2

2mm

50 g for fine grained soils 400 g for fine, medium and coarse grained soils

iii)

Grained size analysis Liquid limit Plastic limit

Air drying do do

As given in Table 3 270 g 60 g

425 micron do

Part 46 Part 5O do

, iv)
v)

IMethods of test for soils. *Determination of water content. 8Determination of specific gravity, Section 1 Fine grained soils. Determination of specific gravity, Section 2 Fine, medium and coarse grained soils. sGrain size analysis. Determination of liquid and plastic limits.

( Continued )
5

IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983

TABLE

QUANTITY

OF SOIL SAMPLE REQUIRED THE TESTS - Conrd TYPE, TErnI%RATURE AND DURATION OB DRYING

FOR

CONDUCTING

TEW

AMOUNT OF DEGREE SOIL SAMPLE OR PULREQUIRED VERIZATION FOR TEST ( PASSING IS SIEVE SIZE ) (4) 100 g (5) 425 micron

REF TO PART OF IS : 27201

(1)
vi) vii)

(2)
Shrinkage factors Compaction a) Light compaction

(3) Air drying

(6)
Part 6s

do

6 kg ( 15 kg if soil is susceptible to crushing ) do

19 mm

Part 78

b) Heavy compaction c) Constant mass viii) Unconfined compressive strength comTriaxial pression (unconsolidated) Triaxial compression (consolidated Direct shear

do do oven 110C f 5% do

19 mm 4.75 mm -

Part 8$ Part 9& Part 10s

2 kg

ix)

Part ll?

x)

do

do

Part 128

)
Air drying/Oven 11oc*5c 1 kg 4.75 mm Part 138

xi)

IMethods of test for soils. *Determination of shrinkage factors. *Determination of water content dry density relation using light compaction. , 4Determination of water content dry density relation using heavy compaction. 6Determination of dry density - moisture content relation by constant weight of soil method. JDetermination of uncontied compressive strength. Determination of shear strengh parameters of specimen tested in unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression without the measurement of pore water pressure. sDetermination of shear strength parameters of soil from consolidated undrained triaxial compression test with measurement of pore water pressure. *Direct shear test. ( Conrinued)

IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983

TABLE
SL

1 QUANTITY
TEST

OF SOIL SAMPLE THE TESTSTYPE,TEMPERATUREAND DURATION OF DRYING

REQUIRED Contd ox

FOR

CONDUCTING
REX TO

A~oniw

DEQREE
OFPULVERIZATION (PASSING IS SEIVE SIZE)

No.

SOIL SAMPLE REQUIRED FOR TEST

PART OF IS :2720'

(1)

(2)

xii) Density index ( relative density )

(3) Oven, 105-110X, 24 h

(4) As per size of particle given below: 375 19 950 475

(5) -

(6)
Part 14s

75:: Ekg
>, ,, ,) ,, 2 ,I 12 ), 12 ,, 500 g 6 kg 2.5 kg ( 100 mm dia)/ 5 kg ( 200 mm dia ) 5g 0 g

xiii)

Consolidation properties

Air drying/Oven 1 10C f 5% Air drying Oven, 105- 1lOC, 24 h

19 mm 9.5 mm

Part 15* Part 164

xiv) CBR

xv) Permeability

Part 175

xvi) xvii)

Field moisture equivalent Centrifuge moisture equivalent Linear shrinkage tests Chemical

Air drying do

425 micron do

Part 18 Part 9

xviii) xix)

do Oven, 05-llOC, 24 h Air drying

45Og 10 g 1oog

do 2mm

Part 20s Part 21D Part 22O

a) Tatal soluble solids b) Organic matter

do

Methods of test for soils. aDetermination of density index (relative density) ofcohesionless aDetermination of consolidation properties. 4Laboratory determination of CBR. Laboratory determination of permeability. 6Determination of field moisture equivalent. Determination of centrifuge moisture equivalent. sDetermination of linear shrinkage, eDetermination of total soluble solids. ODetermination of organic matter.

soils.

( Continued)

IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983

TABLE SL No. 1 QUANTITY TesT OF SOIL SAMPLE REQUIRED THE TESTS - Contd TYPE, TEMPERATUREAND DURATION OFDRYINQ AMOUNT OF SOIL SAXPLE REQUIRED FOR TEST FOR CONDUCTING REF TO PART OF IS:27201

DEGREE OF PULVERIZATION (PASSXNQ IS SIEVE SIZE) (5) -

!-

41)

(2)
c) Calcium carbonate d) Cation exchange capacity e) Silica-sesquioxide ratio f) pH value g) Total soluble sulphates

(3) Oven, 105-llOC, 24 h do

(4) 5 g 80-130 g

(6)
Part 23a Part 24s

425 micron

do

15 g

Part 25

do do

30 g 30 g 250 g 1 kg/5 kg do 1500 g up to 120 g 20 g 2 kg

Part 26& Part 27a

xx) Vane shear xxi) xxii) xxiii) xxiv) xxv) xxvi) Negative pore water pressure Permeability of granular soils

Air drying/oven 110% f 5C do do

Part 30 Part 358

475 mm Above 4.75 mm 425 micron 2 mm

Part 369 Part 37r Part 39/Set Part 4Ors Part 41s 1

Sand 105 f 5% equivalent value Direct shear Free swell index Swelling pressure Air drying Oven dry Air drying/ Oven dry

Methods of test for soils. sDetermination of calcium carbonate. *Determination of cation exchange capacity. Determination of silica sesquioxide ratio. sDetermination of @H value. @Determination of total soluble sulphates. rLaboratory vane shear test. &Measurement of negative pore water pressure. Laboratory determination of permeability of granular soils ( constant head ). ODetermination of sand equivalent values of soils and fine aggregates. Direct shear test for soils containing gravel: Section 1 Laboratory teat. Determination of free swell index of~soils. lsMeasurement of swelling pressure of soils.

IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983 3.3 Degree of Pulverization - The big clods may be broken with the help of wooden mallet. Further pulverization may be done in pestle The pulverized soil shall be passed through the specified and mortar. sieve for the particular test and the soil retained on that sieve shall be again pulverized for sieving. This procedure should be repeated until on further attempts at pulverizing very little soil passes through the specified sieve. Care should be taken not to break up the individual soil particles ( see Table 1 ). 4. QUANTITY OF SAMPLE of soil sample required for conducting various 4.1 The quantities laboratory tests are given in Table 1 for guidance. NOTE - For actual quantitier, corresponding part of IS : 2720 shall be referred. 4.2 When a smaller quantity has to be taken out of abigger soil mass the representative sampling shall be done by quartering or riffling.
NOTE-In the case of coarse gravel or gravelly soils quartering by forming a cone shall not be done. The entire aample shall be thoroughly mixed and spread The sample ao spread shall be divided into four quadrants and on a flat surface. Thii process shall be repeated till the desired diagonally opposite quadrants mixed. quantity of sample is obtained.
TABLE 2 QUANTITY OF SAMPLE REQUIRED OF WATER CONTENT FOR DETERMINATION

SIZE OF PARTICLES MORE THAN 90 PERCBNT PASSING

MINIEXCWQUANTITY 4~ Sorr, SPEOIYEN TO BE TAKEN POR THE TEST MASPIN g 25 50 200 300 500 1000 SIZE ANALYSIS

425-micron 2-mm IS 4.75 mm 9.50 mm mm 19 37.5 mm TABLE 3

IS Sieve Sieve IS Sieve IS Sieve IS Sieve IS Sieve OF SOIL

Im-REQUIRED FOR

*-

QUANTITY

GRAIN

MAXIMUM SIZE OF MATERIAL PRESENT IN SUBSTANTIAL QUANTITIES mm 75 37.5 19 13 2 9.5 67 475

MASS TO BE TAKEN FOR TEST kg 60 25 6.5 35 15 0.75 0.4

18, : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983 ( Contiqksd from page 2 )

RCprCJC?ltifZg Mcmbcrs OBFIC~~ Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab, ASSISTANT RESEARCH Chandigarh ( IPRI ) OFFICER Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar ASSISTANT RESEARCH Pradesh, Lucknow (SRD) RESEABCE Ministry of Railways DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( GE-III ), RDSO JOINT DIRECTOR RESEARCH ( GE-I ), RDSO ( Alternate ) Central Soil and Materials Research Station, New DIRECTOR Delhi DEPUIY DIRECTOR ( Alternate) Geologist Syndicate Private Limited, Calcutta SHRI H. K. GUEA SERI N. N. BEATTACHARAYA (Alternate ) University of Roorkee, Roorkee Da G~PAL RANJAN DR S,. C. HANUA ( Alternate ) Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi DR. SHASHI K. GULHATI Centraaload Research Instttute ( CSIR ), New SERI P. JAQANATHA RAO LT-Cos. V. K. KAXI WAR SHRI M. D. NAIR PROP T. S. NAGARAJ ( Alternatg) Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch, Army Headquarters Associated Instruments Manufacturers (I) Private Limited, New Delhi

10