- KAAL2M21

Goal(s)

• Understand the differences between soil and rock
• Find out about different types of soil (clay, sand, gravel, etc.), distinguish between them and understand their characteristics.
• Learn how to determine the density and specific gravity of a sample of clay paste, and calculate the relative uncertainty of the density. Analyse the effects of drying on sample mass and volume.
• Visualise and measure the angles of slope (angles of friction) formed by a pile of sand and then by a pile of gravel, and interpret (non-accurate measurements).
• Determine the angle of friction and the cohesion of the sand more precisely from the shear test. Learn how to analyse the resulting test curves. Gain an initial understanding of the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion.

Content(s)

• Discovering different types of soil
  . Differentiating between powdery and cohesive soils.
  . Approximately measure the size of gravels and gravels to get an order of magnitude.

• Determining the mass and weight by volume of a sample of clay paste:
  . Extraction of a cylindrical sample by coring. Weigh and calculate the volume from the dimensions of the sample.
  . Calculate the density in t/m^3 and then the density in kN/m^3.
  . Calculation of the relative uncertainty on the density ??/?=?m/m+?h/h+2?D/D
  . Repeat the same procedure after drying. Explanation of the difference in mass and volume due to the evaporation of water.

• Measure the angle of slope (representing the angle of friction) for sand and gravel.
  . Form piles of sand and gravel.
  . Determine the angle formed for each of the piles (measurements are not exact and may vary widely depending on experimental conditions).
  . Discussion of the dependence of the angle on the size and shape of the grains.

• Shear test
  . Calculate the mass that needs to be applied to obtain the desired normal stress, taking into account the machine's lever arm.
  . Understand the difference between force, displacement and volume transducers.
  . Carry out the test.
  . Analyse the curves obtained (Force-Displacement and Volume Variation).
  . Plot the Mohr-Coulomb fracture criterion from 2 tests at 2

• Understanding of the concepts of density, density weight and measurement uncertainty.
• Familiarity with mathematical calculations and the use of physical formulae.