Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is a dynamic penetration test that is carried out at site. This test is the most frequently used subsurface exploration drilling test performed worldwide. The test will measure the resistance of the soil strata to the penetration undergone. The test shows its extremely usefulness for determining the relative density and the angle of shearing resistance of cohesionless soils. It can also be used to determine the unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soils.

Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
Fig: Standard Penetration Test (SPT) in Field

Tools for Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

The equipment’s used to conduct SPT are:

1. Standard Split Spoon Sampler (Outer dia. 50.8mm, inner dia. 35mm and length 650mm)
2. Drop Hammer weighing 63.5kg(140lb)
3. Guiding rod
4. Drilling Rig.
5. Driving head (anvil).


Procedure for Standard Penetration Test:

The test is conducted in a bore hole by means of a standard split spoon sampler .Once the drilling is done to the desired depth, the drilling tool is removed and the sampler is placed inside the bore hole. By means of a drop hammer of 63.5kg(140lb) falling from a height of 750mm(2.5ft), the sampler is driven into the soil. The number of blows of hammer required to drive a depth  of 150mm is counted. Further it is driven by 150 mm and the blows are counted. Similarly, the sampler is once again further driven by 150mm and the number of blows recorded. Total 450mm length will be driven and the number of blows required for these penetration will be recorded. The number of blows recorded for the first 150mm not taken into consideration and the number of blows recorded for last two 150mm(150mm+150mm =300mm) intervals are added to give the standard penetration number (N). 

If the number of blows for 150mm drive exceeds 50, it is taken as refusal and the test is discontinued. 


Corrections in Standard Penetration Test:

Before the SPT values are used in empirical correlations and in design charts, the field ‘N’ value have to be corrected as per IS 2131 – 1981. The corrections are:

1. Dilatancy Correction
2. Overburden Pressure Correction


Advantages of Standard Penetration Test

The advantages of standard penetration test are:

1. The test is simple and economical
2. Test can be applied for variety of soil conditions
3. The test provides representative samples for visual inspection, classification tests and for moisture content.
4. Actual soil behaviour is obtained through SPT values
5. The method helps to penetrate dense layers and fills


Disadvantages of Standard Penetration Test

The limitations of standard penetration tests are:

1. Test is costly and time consuming.
2. The samples retrieved for testing is disturbed.
3. The results will vary due to any mechanical or operator variability or drilling disturbances.
4. The test results from SPT cannot be reproduced
5. The application of SPT in gravels, cobbles and cohesive soils are limited


Civil Engineering basic knowledge

Civil Engineering basic knowledge 

Here we will learn some Civil Engineering Basic Knowledge which will be helpful in our daily professional work.

What is curing of concrete?

Answer: Curing of concrete is a process by which fresh wet concrete is allowed to complete its reaction to attained its desire strength. By this method concrete is protected against loss of moisture required for hydration and kept within the recommended temperature range. 

Civil Engineering basic knowledge



Why curing is important?

Answer: Necessity of Curing of Concrete:
1) To enhance hydration of concrete to achieve desire strength.
2) Well cured concrete has minimum thermal, plastic and drying shrinkage crack which make concrete more water, tight results durable concrete.
3) Inadequate curing results weak and dusty surface of concrete, results a poor abrasion resistance.


What are the method of curing?

Methods of curing of concrete are:
1) Ponding Method
2) Spraying of Water
3) Shading Concrete Work.
4) Covering Concreting Work
5) Stream Curing
6) Membrane Curing


What is the minimum time for curing of concrete?

Answer: Curing period of concrete depends on types of cement used, types of construction, designed strength, ambient temperature, curing regime etc. As per ACI code at temperature higher than 5 ℃ the curing period is 7 days or  until the concrete strength reaches at 70% of its specified compressive or flexural strength.


What are the Types of Building Foundations?

Foundations are basically of two (02) types: 
1) Shallow Foundation
    i. Isolated Footing
    ii. Combined Footing
    iii. Strap Footing
    iv. Mat or Raft Footing
    v.  Wall Footing
2) Deep Foundation
    i. Pile Foundation
    ii. Pier Foundation
    iii. Well Foundation.


What is Shallow Foundation?

Answer: According to Terzaghi, if the depth of foundation is less than or equal to its width, then it is called a Shallow Foundation. This type of foundation transfer building load to the earth very near to the surface.


What is Deep Foundation?

Answer: According to Tarzaghi, if the depth of foundation is greater than its width. then it is called Deep Foundation. A deep foundation is generally much more expensive than a shallow foundation. 


Why Lapping is provided in Reinforcement?

Answer: Steel reinforcement has a limitation in length, usually it is 12.00 meter in length. So in case of  RCC structure, placing of a single bar may not meet the required length of the section and it becomes necessary to join two bars, to meet the desire length. To join two bars, one bar should overlap another and it is called lapping of bar and the length overlap each other is caller lap length or overlap length.


Where is the Lapping Zone for Column?

Answer: For column the lapping zone is middle portion of the column, because the L/4 distance from both support of the column experienced much tension and at the middle point the tension is zero. Since, middle portion experience less tension so it is safe to provide lapping in middle section.


Where is the lapping Zone for Beam?

Answer: In case of beam, for top reinforcement mid section don't experience any negative moment so it is the safe zone for lapping. For bottom reinforcement, lapping is provided near the end of the beam or L/4 distance from column face.


What is Clear Cover?

Answer: Clear cover can be defined as the clear distance between the surface of the concrete and surface of the rebar.


Why clear cover is provided?

Answer: Clear cover is provided to protect the reinforcement from the phenomenon called corrosion and to provide fire resistance to bars embedded in concrete.


What are the classification of pile foundation?

Answer: Types of Pile Foundation can be classified based on 
(1) Material used 
     i)   Steel Piles
    ii)   Concrete Piles
    iii)  Timber Piles
    iv)  Composite Piles.
(2) Mode of transfer of load
     i)    End Bearing Piles
    ii)    Friction Piles
    iii)   Combined end bearing and Friction Piles.
(3) The use  
     i)      Load Bearing Piles
    ii)     Compaction Piles
    iii)    Tension Piles
    iv)    Sheet Piles
    v)     Fender Piles
    vi)    Anchor Piles. 
(4) Method of Installation 
     i)     Driven Piles
    ii)    Driven and Cast-in-Situ Piles
    iii)   Bored and cast-in-Situ Piles
    iv)   Jacked Piles
    v)    Screw Piles.
(5) The Displacement of Soil.
     i)    Displacement Piles.
    ii)   Non-Displacement Piles.


What is segregation of concrete?

Answer: Segregation may be defined as the separation of the constituent materials of concrete from homogeneous mix.


Causes of Segregation?

Answer: Followings are the main cause of segregation
1) The root cause of segregation is difference in specific gravity and size of its constituent material.
2) Improper grading of aggregates.
3) Too much vibration during concreting.
4) Improper handling of aggregates.
5) High water cement ratio in concrete. Adding excess water while mixing concrete may lead to segregation.
6) Placing of concrete from a greater height, etc.


How to prevent segregation of concrete?

Answer: Segregation can be prevent by following way:
1) Aggregate should be properly graded to prevent segregation.
2) Maintain proper water cement ratio.
3) At the time of placement care should be taken that the concrete is not poured from a height greater than 1.5 meter.
4) Care should be taken during compaction ( specially for compaction using mechanical vibrator).
5) To improve viscosity of concrete which prevent segregation, air entraining  agents may use.


What is worability of concrete?

Answer: Workability of concrete can be defined as,  the easy with which the concrete ingredients can be  mixed, transported, placed, compacted and finished with minimum homogeneity  loss.


What are the Importance of workability of concrete?

Answer: Any concrete mixture needs to be sufficiently workable to be properly placed and consolidated with the available procedures to fill the forms completely and surround the reinforcement and other embedded  item.


What are the factor affecting workability of concrete?

Answer: Factors Affecting Workability of Concrete:
1) Water content at concrete mix
2) Quantity of cement and its property
3) Gradation of Aggregate
4) Humidity of Environment 
5) Mode of Compaction.
6) Method of Mixing
7) Method of transmission
8) Method of Placement 
9) Weather Condition  etc. 


How to determine workability of concrete?

Answer: Workability of concrete can be determine by:
1) Slump test method.
2) Vee-Bee test method.
3) Compaction factor test.


How to measure workability of concrete at field?

Answer: Slump test is used to determine the workability of concrete at construction site.


What are the procedure for slum test?

Answer: Procedure:
1) The base should placed on a smooth surface and the cone will filled in three (03) layer with concrete.
2) Each layer have to temped 25 times with temping rod.
3) After filling the mould, excess concrete should be removed and the surface should be leveled. When the mould will filled fresh concrete, the base of the mould will held firmly by handles.
4)Then the mould will lifted gently in the vertical direction and then unsupported concrete will slump. The decrease in height at the center point is measured to nearest 5 mm or 0.25 inch and it is known as "slump".


What are the types of Slump? 

Answer: Types of Concrete Slump:
1) True Slump: In a true slump concrete just subsides shortly and more or less maintain the mould shape. This type of slump is most desirable.
2) Shear slump: If one-half of the cone slides down in an inclined plane, it is called a shear slump. Shear slump indicates lack of cohesion in the concrete mix. Shear slump may occur in the case of a harsh mix.
3) Collapse slump: In this case, fresh concrete collapses completely.


What are the field test of cement?

Answer: Field tests of cement are:
1) Manufacturing Date: As strength of cement reduced with time, so checking of manufacturing date is very important. 
2) Colour of Cement: Colour of cement should be uniform and it would be light greenish gray.
3) Presence of Hard Lump: Presence of lump in cement bag indicates the moisture absorption. So it should be free from lump.
4) Temperature: Temperature of cement in bag is very important. Normally if someone enter his hand in a cement bag it will feel cool. But if it feel worm, ( but new cement from the manufacturing will be warm) then it indicate that hydration reaction start there, which is not desired.
5) Smoothness: When cement rubbed with two fingers it will feel smooth. Rough in feelings indicate adulteration.
6) Water Sinking:  If a small quantity of cement thrown on water in-case of good quality cement it will sink.
7) Flexure Test: Make a 25 mm * 25 mm * 200 mm block if cement with water. Then immersed in water for 03 days. After removing, it is supported 150 mm apart and a weight of 15 kg uniformly placed over it. If it shows no sign of failure, the cement is good.








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