Engg.

Geology lab report JOB#8

To determine the thickness and bearing capacity of subgrade and subbase using dynamic cone penetrometer Apparatus (DCP):
A dynamic cone penetrometer, complete with replacement tips, two 25 cm spanner wrenches, a 10mmx250mm breaking rod and one 6mm (1/4inches) wrench.

Assembling of penetrometer:
The equipment is assembled. It is important that all the screwed joints be kept tight during testing. The joints should be secured with wrenches before beginning each test. Operating the DCP with loose joints will reduce the life of instrument. The threaded portions may occasionally require repairing with a tap and die set.

M. Naveed

DTEM UET LHR

2010-TE-60

Engg. Geology lab report

Related Theory
I. Sub Base:

Grading in civil engineering and construction is the work of ensuring a level base, or one with a specified slope, for a construction work such as a foundation, the base course for a road or a railway, or landscape and garden improvements, or surface drainage. The earthworks created for such a purpose are often called the sub-grade or finished contouring

OR
A sub base is a thin layer of material placed on top of the prepared subgrade. Subbases provide uniform support to the pavement and a stable platform for construction equipment. Subbases also help prevent movement of subgrade soils at transverse pavement joints in roads subject to a large volume of truck traffic. Sub bases may be gravel, stone, cement-modified soil, asphalt, or concrete.

II.

Sub Grade:

The soil prepared and compacted to support a structure or a pavement system; the base portion of any surfaced area, the elevation of which is lower than that of the finished grade.

M. Naveed

DTEM UET LHR

2010-TE-60

Engg. Geology lab report

III.

Penetration Rate:
The speed at which a drill bit breaks the rock under it to

deepen the borehole

IV.

CBR:
The bearing ratio of soil determined by comparing the penetration load of the soil to that of a standard material. The method covers evaluation of the relative quality of subgrade soils but is applicable to sub-base and some base course materials (ICAO). The term is typically used in airfield construction.

Procedure
Normally three people are needed to complete the test. One person stands on the stool and holds apparatus by handle while second person lifts the drop weight. The third person observes the readings and records them on appropriate form. The steel rule attached to the guide foot is placed through the slot in hand guard. The foot is placed on surface to be tested and the cone tip is passed through the guide hole. The entire apparatus is then held by handle perpendicular to surface. The technician observes the reading on rule at top of hand and records this as zero reading of DCP. The drop weight is then raised to its maximum height and released. It is extremely important to gain maximum height for each drop out but care should be taken not to stroke the weight against handle. Doing so would cause instrument to withdraw and results would be in question. The readings are taken with each blow of weight. If penetration rate is below 20mm/blow the frequency of readings may be decreased to

   

One for every two blows with readings from 10-20mm. One for every five blows with readings from 5-9mm. One for every ten blows with readings from 2-4mm. Penetration depth less than 1mm and exceeding 20 blows is considered as refusal.

The depth is determined by engineer. Normally readings are taken 1m below the contact with subgrade. No test should be less than 1m from surface. The forked part of the modified jack is placed under the anvil during extraction .An alternative method would be to strike the drop weight against the bottom of handle reversing the entry procedure. This is usually time consuming and adds additional stress to the threaded components reducing instrument life.

M. Naveed

DTEM UET LHR

2010-TE-60

Engg. Geology lab report

Formula:
Log CBR = 2.628 1.273log DCP

Observation & Calculations: Location 1: Layer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Penetration (cm) 6.5 7.5 9 13.7 15.5 25.5 23 25 No of Blows 1 1 1 5 1 6 1 1 DCP 65 10 7.5 9.4 18 11.66 5 20 CBR 2.09 22.6 32.67 24.5 10.7 18.6 54.7 9.4

Location 2: Layer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Comments:

After this experiment we are able to determine the measure CBR value of any sub grade and sub base which is essential for the determination of bearing capacity of road.
M. Naveed DTEM UET LHR 2010-TE-60

Penetration (cm) 5.5 8.0 16 17.9 20.1 21.8 26.8

No of Blows 1 2 8 1 2 1 4

DCP (mm/blow) 55 12.5 10 19 10.5 27 12.5

CBR 2.58 17.04 22.64 10 21.28 6.39 7.44