CE 341A Syllabus
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NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CE 341A - Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Fall 2009
Text: Das, Braja, Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, Latest Edition, Oxford University Press
Instructor: Raj P. Khera, P.E., Ph.D., 215 Colton Hall, 973-596-2475, Fax: 973-596-5790, email: khera@njit.edu, homepage: http://web.njit.edu/~khera / Office Hours:T: 15:00-16:00; W: 16:00-17:00; or by appointment
TA: Shengyan Gao, Office Room Number: 314 Colton Hall, e-mail to: gsy3@njit.edu, Office Hours: TBA 
Prerequisites: Co-requisite: 341.  Students perform basic experiments in soil mechanics

Week

Laboratory Schedule* Experiment

      Text Reference
1 Introduction/Orientation
2 Sieve Analysis

   4
3 Hydrometer Analysis    5
4 Atterberg Limits    6,7
5 Visual classification  

6

 Compaction    12
7 Constant Head Permeability Test    10

8, 9

 Design Custom Soil Mechanics Experiment**    Handout

10

 Consolidation Test    13

11

 Consolidation Test/Write Up

12

 Direct Shear Test/Unconfined Compression Test    17,14

13

 Direct Shear Test/Unconfined Compression Test    17,14

14

 Make up missed experiment**    17,14

Objectives of Course
1. Learn index properties of soils and laboratory methods of soil classification
2. Learn Compaction and hydraulic conductivity tests
3. Learn principles of Consolidation and shear strength and
4. Learn to design and analyze a custom experiment

# Indicates the Experiment number in the laboratory manual
*Some modifications to schedule may be required to ensure that the laboratory sessions follow the lectures.
 Policies and Instructions
1.  Students must be in the laboratory on time.
2. Please read the laboratory manual and the handouts provided before coming to class. Prepare a short SUMMARY of the test to be performed and hand it over to the T/A as you come into class.
3. Use only data sheets provided in the manual to record data. ABSOLUTELY NO SCRAP PAPER. If you have not blank data sheet ask the Instructor for it.
4. If you observe or feel unsafe conditions exist, report immediately to the instructor and/or the teaching assistant. Do not continue work until safe working conditions are restored.
5. Attendance and participation in doing the experiment is required for the laboratory. It will count towards the grades as shown in the basis of grading.
6. If you were absent (with the permission of the instructor) for a laboratory period, arrange with the TA to do the experiment at another time and submit a separate report on your own . If it is determined that you did not contribute to the laboratory report, you will get no credit whatsoever for that laboratory.
7. If you need equipment or tools, ask the TA or the instructor. Do not help yourself. Do not borrow any equipment from groups other than yours.
8. If any equipment is not functioning properly, please bring this to the attention of the Instructor/TA.
9. Remove the water content containers from the oven within 48 hours. Otherwise they will be discarded.
10.Whole class will be divided into groups. All members in a group hand in one joint report.

Procedure
1. In order to keep work benches clean spread newspaper on the workbench or the floor wherever you are working with the soil before you do any work.
2. Each student will be responsible for the equipment he/she will be using. Please make sure that the equipment is in proper working condition prior to the start of the work and after completion of the work.
3. Students must clean up the equipment and place all the accessories at the proper locations. The cabinets and drawers have been labeled. Before leaving, you must check with TA to make sure that all this has been done. Otherwise, a penalty in the grade will be imposed.
4. After the completion of an experiment, complete as much of the computation as possible and have the instructor sign the data sheets before leaving. 
5. Before approaching the instructor prior to leaving the laboratory, check that all the information has been recorded on the data sheet (name of the experiment, group no. names of the group members date etc). These sheets (original) must be attached to with the laboratory report. Otherwise, it will not be graded.
6. Keep wet samples in cans covered with lids until you have weighed them.
7.For drying, place the cans in a tray, making sure the lids are under the cans and not on top of them. Place a slip of paper in the tray. Write on the slip, the laboratory section number, date and group number.
8. Be observant- if you see something that does not look right, do not continue with the test. Either figure out the solution or consult the instructor. For example, while mixing soil with water. you see some dark and light colored lumps, this means that the mixing has not been done properly. 

Using a Balance
1. Check the capacity of an electronic balance  before using it. Never load a balance beyond its posted capacity.
2. Perform the zero correction before weighing.
3. Use the same balance for weighing during an experiment.
4. For water content determination, use a balance that has an accuracy of 1/100 of a gram. (0.01).
5. For samples weighing between 200g and 2000g, use a balance that has an accuracy of 1/10 of a gram. (0.1)
6. For samples weighing more than 2000g, use a balance with an accuracy of 1 to 5gm.

Format and Basis of Grading of Laboratory Reports
Pretest Summary 10 points
Title Page1 5 points
Table of Contents2 5 points
Aim3 5 points
Apparatus Required4 5 points
Procedure5 5 points
Sample Calculations6 10 points
Results7 20 points
Discussion of Results8 10 points
Summary and Conclusions9 10 points
References10 5 points
Quality of Presentation, graphs, tables etc. 10 points
Total 100 points

 Footnotes and Legend for Report Preparation 
1. The cover sheet should be complete and should contain the full names of the members of the group who were present during the lab exercise, group number. The report should be typed and stapled on the left hand corner. Poorly done reports will be returned for resubmission.
2. Standard table of contents is to be provided.
3. The aim of each lab exercise has to be clearly stated.
4. Different types of soils and the equipment used should be clearly stated. One could refer to the manual, if the manual has a picture and the details of the equipment.
5. Do not write the entire procedure. Only specify the deviations, if any, from the procedure given in the manual. State the relevant ASTM and AASHTO standards for the test.
6. Show one sample calculation, similar to that shown in the manual, for each experiment.
7. This should include the completed observation sheets, tabulated results and/or graphs.
8. In discussion, comment on the accuracy of your results and compare your results with those of others (not those of your class) in identifying your sample of soil and its properties.
9. A brief summary of your laboratory exercise is to be provided. Include conclusions.
10. References to be provided in standard ASCE format, if any used.
 
bulletPerform all tests and submit completed reports to obtain a grade.
bulletSubmit only one report for each group. Each one of the members of the group must be able to answer all questions regarding their report.
bulletTest reports will be due at the start of the next laboratory period.
bulletHand in the reports to the TA for CE 341A. He will note the date and the time of submission.
bulletLate reports will be subjected to a penalty of 15% per day.
bulletEach report will be graded for 100 points. Laboratory report will be 60% and attendance, class participation, and testing techniques will be 40% .

NJIT honor code will be followed.

For any questions, please contact the instructor and/or the TA.