WorksheetsTest
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
Which of the following is NOT listed as important equipment for soil sampling in Experiment 1?
Shovel/picks
Sample boxes or jars
Microscope
Paraffin (for sealing)
Disturbed vs Undisturbed meaning: _______ aims to preserve in-situ structure, moisture and fabric, while _______ destroys structure but preserves average composition.
Undisturbed; Disturbed
Disturbed; Undisturbed
Disturbed; Disturbed
Undisturbed; Undisturbed
True or False: There is a truly 'perfect' undisturbed sample in soil sampling.
True
False
What is the first step in determining water content (w) in Experiment 2?
Weigh dry soil
Weigh empty can
Weigh wet sample
Compute w
In the procedure for unit weight (y) by immersion, what is used to measure the displacement?
A graduated cylinder
A thermometer
A balance scale
A stopwatch
What is the purpose of coating undisturbed samples with paraffin if not testing immediately?
To preserve moisture and structure and prevent evaporation and changes in unit weight/void ratio.
To increase the sample's temperature for better analysis.
To make the sample heavier for transportation.
To enhance the chemical reactivity of the sample.
For fine-grained clays, always cool in a desiccator before weighing to avoid reading too low water content.
True
False
Which of the following is NOT listed as important equipment for the Specific Gravity (Gs) experiment?
Pycnometer/500 mL volumetric flask
Oven (for oven-dry weight)
Casagrande liquid limit device
Thermometer (0.1°C)
Fill in the blank: Entrapped air must be removed (boiling/rolling) during the Specific Gravity (Gs) experiment because _________.
trapped air gives errors (Gs too high)
it increases the temperature of the sample
it changes the color of the solution
it accelerates the reaction rate
Which step is part of the procedure for determining the Plastic Limit (PL)?
Fill the shrinkage dish with soil pat
Roll threads of soil (~15 g sample) by hand until 3 mm diameter; where threads crumble, collect pieces, determine water content; average ≥3 trials to get PL
Prepare soil paste (~100 g), place in cup (~1/3 full)
Plot water content vs log(blows)
Fill in the blank: The Liquidity Index (LI) compares natural water content to plasticity range: LI < 0 (brittle), 0–1 (plastic), >1 (very viscous). It is useful to interpret in-situ behavior from _________
LL/PL
PL/LL
SL/PL
WL/SL
What is the meaning of the term 'Disturbed Soil Sample'?
A sample where the natural structure and arrangement of soil particles are altered during sampling.
A sample that is completely free from any organic matter.
A sample that is collected only from the surface of the soil.
A sample that is always saturated with water.
What is the importance of an 'Undisturbed Soil Sample'?
Used for strength, compressibility, and permeability tests. Represents in-situ conditions.
Only used for color identification.
Mainly for decorative purposes in landscaping.
Collected to study soil fertility for agriculture.
What is a 'Boring Log' used for?
Record of soil types, depth, color, moisture, and conditions at sampling points.
Measuring the strength of concrete structures.
Recording the daily attendance of workers at a site.
Calculating the cost estimate of a construction project.
What does 'Dry Unit Weight (γd)' indicate?
Weight of soil solids per total volume (no water).
Weight of soil solids per volume of water only.
Total weight of soil per total volume (including water).
Weight of water per total volume.
What is 'Moist (Bulk) Unit Weight (γm)'?
Weight of moist soil per total volume.
Weight of dry soil per total volume.
Weight of water per total volume.
Weight of air per total volume.
What is 'Water Content (w)'?
Ratio of weight of water to weight of dry soil (expressed as %).
Ratio of weight of dry soil to weight of water (expressed as %).
Ratio of volume of water to volume of dry soil (expressed as %).
Ratio of weight of water to total weight of soil (expressed as %).
What does 'Specific Gravity of Solids (Gs)' mean?
Ratio of the density of soil solids to the density of water. (Typically 2.60–2.75 for mineral soils.)
Ratio of the volume of soil solids to the volume of water.
Ratio of the mass of water to the mass of soil solids.
Ratio of the density of air to the density of soil solids.
Which device is a calibrated glass container used to determine the specific gravity of soil solids?
Pycnometer
Manometer
Hygrometer
Barometer
What is the process of determining a pycnometer’s weight filled with water at various temperatures called?
Calibration
Filtration
Distillation
Titration
What are air bubbles remaining inside the sample or water called?
Entrapped Air
Dissolved Oxygen
Sediment Particles
Suspended Solids
What is the process of removing trapped air by heating or shaking the pycnometer called?
Boiling / De-airing
Filtration
Centrifugation
Distillation
At what water content does soil change from plastic to liquid behavior (25 blows in Casagrande cup)?
Liquid Limit (LL)
Plastic Limit (PL)
Shrinkage Limit (SL)
Optimum Moisture Content (OMC)
At what water content does soil start to crumble when rolled into 3 mm threads?
Plastic Limit (PL)
Liquid Limit (LL)
Shrinkage Limit (SL)
Optimum Moisture Content (OMC)
What index compares natural water content to plasticity range and is calculated as LI = (w-PL)/(PI)?
Liquidity Index (LI)
Plasticity Index (PI)
Consistency Index (CI)
Shrinkage Limit (SL)
What is the mechanical cup used to determine LL via standard blows called?
Casagrande Device
Atterberg Apparatus
Proctor Cup
Cylindrical Mold
What is the difference between density and unit weight?
Density = mass/volume; Unit weight = weight/volume (depends on gravity)
Density = weight/volume; Unit weight = mass/volume (does not depend on gravity)
Density = mass/area; Unit weight = weight/area (depends on gravity)
Density = volume/mass; Unit weight = volume/weight (depends on gravity)
What is the force that holds soil particles together (mainly clays) called?
Cohesion
Adhesion
Friction
Capillarity
What is the mechanical densification of soil by reducing air voids called?
Compaction
Consolidation
Permeability
Liquefaction
What is the condition where all pores are filled with water called?
Saturation
Permeability
Evaporation
Infiltration
