Faculty of Engineering

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL SOILS

Anuar Bin Ibrahim

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Faculty of Engineering

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS TESIS ^*

JUDUL: ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL SOIL.

SESI PENGAJIAN: 2009 / 2010

Saya ANUAR BIN IBRAHIM (HURUF BESAR)

mengaku membenarkan tesis * ini disimpan di Pusat Khidmat Maklumat Akademik, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Tesis adalah hak milik Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

2. Pusat Khidmat Maklumat Akademik, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja.

3. Membuat pendigitan untuk membangunkan Pangkalan Data Kandungan Tempatan.

4. Pusat Khidmat Maklumat Akademik, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak dibenarkan membuat salinan tesis ini sebagai pertukaran antara institut pengajian tenggi.

5. ** Sila tandakan ( ∕ ) di kotak yang berkenaan

SULIT (Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972).

TERHAD (Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan).

TIDAK TERHAD

Disahkan Oleh:

_______________________ ________________________

(TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (TANDATANGAN PENYELIA) Alamat Tetap: LOT. 124, JLN. KUBUR RENDAH, CIK DAYANGKU SALMA BT AWG ISMAIL

KG. LADANG, 81560 GELANG

PATAH, JOHOR Nama Penyelia Tarikh : _________________ Tarikh : __________________

√

CATATAN : * Tesis dimaksudkan sebagai tesis bagi Ijazah Doktor Falsafah, Sarjana dan Sarjana Muda.

** Jika tesis ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak berkuasa /

“ I hereby declare that I have read this report and in my opinion this report is sufficient in terms of scope and quality for the purpose for award of the Degree of

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with Honours ”.

Signature : ………...………...

Name of Supervisor : MISS DAYANGKU SALMA BT AWG. ISMAIL

Date : ...

“I hereby declare that this report is prepared personally with my own effort unless references that have been cited accordingly in any part of the report”.

Signature : .………...

Name of Author : ANUAR BIN IBRAHIM

Date : ...

APPROVAL SHEET

This project report attached here to, entitles “ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL SOIL” prepared and submitted by ANUAR BIN IBRAHIM (15975) as a partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Civil Engineering is hereby read and approved by:

________________________________________ ...

MISS DAYANGKU SALMA BT AWG. ISMAIL Date

SUPERVISOR

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL SOIL

ANUAR BIN IBRAHIM

This Thesis Is Propose To

Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak For Fulfilment of The Requirements for Bestowal The Degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

(Civil Engineering)

Especially

To My Dearest Father, Ibrahim B. Atan, Mother, Rukiah Bte.Samin, and Family

Also Fellow Friends

For their never ending care and support Thank you for everything.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to ALLAH the Almighty (SWT) for His blessings that enrich me with more health and wisdom throughout my lifetime.

With the most respect, I am also would like to grab this opportunity to deliver a thousand thanks to my final year project advisor, Miss Dayangku Salma Bt Awg.

Ismail for her advice and the consultations along the way in completing this final year project. Special thanks to the lab technicians, Haji Affandi for his unwavering assistance in using the apparatus and preparing the materials during the laboratory works.

Finally, thousand thanks to my father, Ibrahim B. Atan, my mother, Rukiah Bte. Samin, my brothers and sisters Abd. Razak, Norhidayah, Ahmad Nur Misuari and Nur Aqilah also to my friends Ahmad Khabir Md. Sidek and Mohd. Ikram Uzir.

I am grateful to my beloved family and friends who have always support me in my studies. Last but not least, a lot of thanks to those who love, care, and help me

ABSTRACT

The residual soils are earthen formed of weathering process on rock and remained at the place where it was formed. Many studies were made to determine the engineering properties of residual soil in Malaysia but until now in Sarawak not much data can be found for the engineering properties of residual soil. Thus, the main objectives are to determine index properties and to investigate on engineering properties of residual soil in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. Varies of physical and engineering properties tests have been conducted for three samples which taken from three different locations. The three locations are for the Institut Latihan Perindustrian Kota Samarahan, Vista Aman housing area, and Samarahan Expressway near the UiTM Samarahan roundabout represented with sample A, B and C respectively.

Experimental results show that the natural moisture content is in range of 22 to 32.3%. The specific gravity (Gs) of the residual soil samples tested ranges from 2.65 to 2.67. The liquid limit of the soil varies from 43 to 58%. Sample A has the lowest value of liquid limit as compared to sample B and sample C. The Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and maximum dry density for residual soil are varying from 20.0 to 26.5% and 1.47 to 1.60 Mg/m³, respectively. The value of compression index (Cc) and coefficient of consolidation (C_v) for the residual soil vary from 0.133 to 0.232 and 2.314 to 6.941 m²/year respectively. Then, the shear strength parameters, value of angle of internal friction (υ) vary from 10.94° to 17.14° and the cohesion (c) vary from 8.83 to 18.64 kN/m². Next, the initial void ratio (e) for the residual soil tested is in a range of 0.786 to 1.0199.

ABSTRAK

Tanah baki ialah tanah yang terbentuk dari proses luluhawa ke atas batuan dan tetap di tempat ia terbentuk. Banyak kajian dilakukan untuk menentukan sifat kejuruteraan tanah baki di Malaysia tetapi sehingga kini masih sukar untuk memperolehi data-data berkaitan dengan sifat kejuruteraan tanah baki di negeri Sarawak. Oleh itu, objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan ciri-ciri indeks dan juga mengkaji sifat kejuruteraan tanah baki di Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.

Beberapa ujian ciri-ciri fizikal dan ciri-ciri kejuruteraan telah dijalankan ke atas tiga jenis sampel tanah yang diambil dari tiga lokasi berbeza. Lokasi-lokasi tersebut adalah di Institut Latihan Perindustrian Samarahan, kawasan perumahan Vista Aman dan Lebuhraya Samarahan, berhampiran dengan bulatan UiTM Samarahan, diwakili dengan sampel A, B dan C tiap satunya. Keputusan ujian makmal yang diperolehi menunjukkan kandungan lembapan semulajadi tanah berjulat di antara 22 hingga 32.3%. Graviti tentu tanah baki (G_s) yang diuji berjulat di antara 2.65 hingga 2.67.

Had cecair tanah bernilai dari 43 sehingga 58%. Sampel A mempunyai nilai had cecair paling rendah berbanding dengan sampel B dan sampel C. Kandungan air optimum dan ketumpatan kering maksimum bagi tanah baki berjulat dari 20 ke 26.5% dan 1.47 ke 1.60 Mg/m³, tiap satunya. Nilai indeks mampatan (Cc) dan pekali pengukuhan (C_v) tanah baki berjulat antara 0.133 ke 0.232 dan 2.314 ke 6.941 m²/tahun tiap satunya. Seterusnya untuk parameter kekuatan ricih, nilai sudut geseran ricih (υ) berjulat antara 10.94° ke 17.14° dan kejelekitan tanah (c) berjulat antara 8.83 ke 18.64 kN/m². Akhir sekali, nisbah lompang asal sampel tanah baki yang diuji berjulat antara 0.786 ke 1.0199.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Acknowledgement iii

Abstract iv

Abstrak v

Table of Contents vi

List of Tables x

List of Figures xii

Abbreviation xiv

List of Appendices xvi

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Problem statement 2

1.3 Objective 3

1.4 Scope of work 3

1.5 Outline of the Thesis 4

1.5.1 Introduction 4

1.5.2 Literature Review 5

1.5.3 Methodology 5

1.5.4 Result and Discussion 5

1.5.5 Conclusion and Recommendation 6

Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 General overview 7

2.2 Depth of residual soil 11

2.3 Physical characteristic of residual soil 12

2.3.1 Moisture content 13

2.3.2 Specific gravity 14

2.3.3 Particle size distribution 15

2.3.4 Atterberg limit 18

2.4 Compressibility of residual soil 20

2.5 Shear strength 20

2.6 Consolidation 23

2.6.1 Principle of Consolidation 24

2.6.2 Types of Consolidation 24

2.6.3 One-Dimensional Consolidation Test 25

2.6.4 Oedometer Test 25

Chapter 3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 28

3.2 Methodology of study 28

3.2.1 Data collection 29

3.2.2 Sampling and Sample Preparation 29

3.2.3 Laboratory Test 30

3.3 Index Properties Analysis 30

3.3.1 Sieve Analysis 31

3.3.2 Atterberg Limit 32

3.3.3 Specific Gravity 34

3.3.4 Moisture Content 34

3.4 Engineering Properties Classification 35 3.4.1 Standard Proctor Compaction Test 35

3.4.2 Direct Shear Test 37

3.4.3 One-Dimensional Consolidation Test 38

3.5 Data Analysis 40

3.6 Conclusion and Recommendation 41

Chapter 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction 43

4.2 Soil Classification 44

4.2.1 Moisture Content 44

4.2.2 Specific Gravity 44

4.2.3 Atterberg Limit 45

4.2.4 Particles Size Distribution 46 4.3 Results for Engineering Classification 49 4.3.1 Standard Proctor Compaction Test 49

4.3.2 Direct Shear Test 51

4.3.3 One-Dimensional Consolidation Test 56

Chapter 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion 58

5.3 Recommendation 60

References 62-70

Appendices

Appendix A 71-75

Appendix B 76-80

Appendix C 81-88

Appendix D 89-97

Appendix E 98-121

Appendix F 122-138

Appendix G 139

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE PAGES

2.1 Results on engineering properties of residual soil by previous researchers.

10

2.2 Weathering agencies and their description. 11

2.3 Natural moisture content of residual deposits, Kuching area.

13

2.4 Specific gravity of residual deposits, Kuching area. 15 2.5 Sediment-types and grain sizes of residual deposits,

Kuching area.

17

2.6 Atterberg limits and moisture content of residual deposits, Kuching area.

19

3.1 Samples location. 30

3.2 Classification by particle size 31

4.1 Value of natural moisture content and specific gravity.

45

4.2 Summarized of liquid limit, plastic limit and plastic index.

46

4.3 Particle size distribution of residual soil. 48

4.4 Compaction test result. 50

TABLE PAGE

4.5 The maximum shear stress for each sample. 54

4.6 Cohesion and friction angle for each sample. 56 4.7 Consolidation test results for residual soil. 57

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE PAGE

2.1 Typical section of residual deposits, Kuching area.

12

2.2 Typical particle-size curve for residual soils. 16

2.3 Different consistency limit 18

2.4 (a) Mohr’s failure criteria 21

2.4 (b) Element at failure showing principal stresses 21

2.5 Mohr failure envelopes 22

2.6 Analysis of Square-Root-time/Settlement Curve

27

3.1 A stack of sieves with a pan at the bottom and a cover on the top

32

3.2 The cone penetrometer method 33

3.3 Standard Proctor test apparatus 36

3.4 Direct shear apparatus 38

3.5 (a), (b), 3.5 (c)

(a) Concolidometer; (b) Fixed-ring container;

(c) Floating – ring container

39 39 3.6 Step Loading Procedure for Oedometer Test 40

FIGURE PAGE

3.7 Flow chart of the study 42

4.1 Plasticity chart. 48

4.2 Grading curves of residual soil from Kota

Samarahan area. 49

4.3 Graph for moisture content against dry

density 50

4.4 (a) Shear stress against percentage of strain for

Sample A 52

4.4 (b) Shear stress against percentage of strain for

Sample B 53

4.4 (c) Shear stress against percentage of strain for

Sample C 53

4.5 Shear strength envelopes for residual soil

sample 55

4.6

Void ratio (e) - Pressure (Log P) relationship for residual soil.

57

ABBREVIATION

ε - Strain

ºC - Degree Celsius

% - Percent

BS - British Standard

C - Apparent Cohesion

f (x) - Function of (x)

Gs - Specific Gravity

H - Height

PI - Plasticity Index

PL - Plasticity Limit

LL - Liquid limit

K - Coefficient of Permeability

kN/m² - Kilo Newton Per Meter Square

m - Meter

m/s - Meter per second

N - Newton

UNIMAS - Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

V_s - Volume of Solid

w - Moisture content / Water Content

wL - Liquid Limit

w_P or PL - Plastic Limit

ρw - Unit Weight of Water

σn or σ_f - Normal Stress

υ - Angle of Friction

τ_f - Shear Strength

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE

A Results of Moisture Content & Specific Gravity B Results of Atterberg Limit Test

C Results of Particle Size Distribution D Results of Standard Proctor Test E Results of Shear Box Test F

G

Results of Oedometer Test Map of Research Area

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background.

Although many study were made on engineering properties of residual soil, but until now still no universally accepted definition of residual soils. Different researchers gave different definitions. However, the common phenomenon in all such definitions is that the residual soils are earthen formed of weathering process on rock and remained at the place where it was formed. For example, one such definition says “residual soils are those that form from rock or accumulation of organic material and remain at the place where they were formed” (MacCarthy, 1993). The Public Works Institute of Malaysia defined it as “a soil which has been formed in situ by decomposition of parent material and which has not been transported any significant distance” and residual soil as “a soil formed in situ under tropical weathering conditions” (IKRAM, 1996). In Malaysia, tropical residual deposits are found in abundance and because the climate is hot and humid the

formations are intense with a predominance of chemical weathering over other processes of weathering, thus resulting in deep weathering profiles and soil mantles often exceeding 30 m.

This study mainly involved determination of residual soil properties so that with the result of this study the future researchers can refer and make comparison. At the same time engineers can use result of these soil properties of residual soil to predict the characterisation and soil engineering behaviours based on the analysis that will be conducted.

1.2 Problem Statement.

In the recent years backward, the main concern by the geotechnical engineers on residual soil especially in Malaysia are associated with high rainfall and water effect on the residual soil. This factor have resulted many incidents as big natural disaster in Malaysia mostly are soil erosion and landslide whether in natural slope or engineering slope (man-made). “Rainfall is considered the cause of majority of slope failures and landslides that happened in regions experiencing high seasonal rainfalls”. (Brand, 1984 & Shaw-Shong, 2004). Residual soils will lose strength when in the wet periods. Nevertheless when it is in dry periods, soils are partially saturated and have relatively high shear strength, allow them to remain stable.

In Sarawak the research for this particular problem is insufficient. Thus, the reason for this study been conducted to gives understanding of characteristic and features of the residual soil.

1.3 Objective.

The main concern in doing this particular study is to understand the engineering properties of residual soil. Only sedimentary residual soil will be focused in this study. To achieve project goal for developing some engineering properties of residual soil, some objectives has been forms such as following:

i. To determine index properties of residual soil in Kota Samarahan area.

ii. To investigate on engineering properties of residual soil.

1.4 Scope of Work.

To achieve the objectives, the scope of study for this research had been planned. Only sedimentary residual soil will be focused in this study. “The sedimentary residual soil is a residual soil in which its particles are derived from sedimentary rocks” (Md. Humayun, and Mohd Raihan, 2004). Laboratory tests will be conducted for remoulded sample where soil samples are collected from the field site around Kota Samarahan and British Standard procedures is used for soil testing, in one area three samples will be collect. All the related tests will be performed at Geotechnical Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak