i. EFFECT OF ORGANIC MATTER ON THE ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF FORT BELVOIR SANDY CLAY by GEORGE C. TSO Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of BACHELOR OF SCIENCE from the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 1953 Signature redacted .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...... Civil and Sanitary Engineering. . Signature of Author......... Department /1 September 1, 1953. Signature redacted .............. sis Supervisor. * Certified by............................... T Ui Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts August 24, 1953 Mr. L. F. Hamilton Secretary of the Faculty Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts Dear Sir: In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, this thesis entitled, "Effect of Organic Matter on the Engineering Properties of Fort Belvoir Sandy Clay," is hereby submitted. Respectfully submitted. Signature redacted George C. Tso iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to express his sincere gratitude to Professor T. W. Lambe for his guidance, his encouragement and advice in the research stage of this investigation. The author also wishes to express his appreciation to Dr. R. T. Martin whose valuable suggestions and constructive criticisms made this thesis possible. Thanks to his colleagues in Soil Mechanics Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for their kindly suggestions in the laboratory technique. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Title Page Letter of Transmittal Acknowledgment I. II. IV. iii Abstract Introduction A. B. C. D. E. III. ii Geheral Purpose Scope Materials Assumptions Testing Program 5 A. Atterberg Limit Tests 1. Specimen 2. Procedures 5 B. Compaction Tests 1. Specimen 2. Procedures 5 C. Unconfined Compression Tests 1. Specimen 2. Procedures 6 Discussion of Results 8 A. Effect on Atterberg Limits 1. General 2. Liquid Limit 3. Plastic Limit 8 B. Effect on Compaction 1. General 2. Optimum Water Content 3. Optimum Dry Density 10 C. Effect on Compressive Strength 1. General 2. Background 3. Analysis of Results 4. True Increase in Strength 17 Page V. VI. Conclusion 24 Recommendation 25 26 Appendix--Data 1. 2. 3. 4. Bibliography Tests on Peat Atterberg Limit Tests Compaction Tests Unconfined Compression Tests 27 28 29 31 33 I. ABSTRACT. The thesis is a part of an investigation which aims to find out the efffect of organic matter on engineering properties of soil. In this study, Fort Belvoir sandy clay and peat were used as the principal materials. The properties of their various mixtures, such as Atterberg Limits, Compaction, and Comkressive Strength were tested. The data, which in most cases compared to the absolute values i. e. considering the exact contributions of the constituents, show that peat has a significant influence on the liquid limit, optimum water content, maximum ultimate shear strength and water content at maximum strength of the clay, whereas in the case of plastic limit and optimum dry density, no appreciable effect is produced. The amount of peat in the clay is very crucial at around 2%. Peak values occur at liquid limit, and ultimate shear strength when the specimen contains 2% peat. 1. II. A. INTRODUCTION General: Soils may generally be classified as inorganic and organic. The latter which contains carbonized vegetable matter or decaying animal life is generally considered to be a poor matetial in the sense of its engineering properties. However, very few studies have been made in determing the exact influence imposed on soil by the organic matter. Con- sidering the rapid development in the science of soil mechanics,, such an investigation seems now justified. B. Purpose: The effect of organic matter on the engineering pro-* perties of soil is to be investigated. The purpose of this thesis is only a preliminary -study to be followed by a detailed investigation based on the results of this preliminary work. A general theory can only be developed after further searching studies. C. Scope: Fort Belvoir sandy clay was taken as a basic soil and peat was used as the organic matter. Their various mixtures, having peat from 0.1% to 10%* were investigated. Properties such as their Atterberg Limits, Compactions and Compressive Strengths were tested. * Ratio of dry weights 2. D. Materials: Sandy clay is from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was in oven-dry state. It contains 60 percent less than 0.1/mm size material and 25% of its particles are smaller than 0.OQ.jmm.* Its specific gravity is 2.71. soil to make specimens. Water was added to the dry The engineering characteristics of the pure clay can be found in the data of each test for the purpose of comparison. (Photo 1 shows the clay sample.) The peat used was a common one. The raw material was dug from a depth of 4 feet on a lot behind Melrose Highschool, Melrose, Massachusetts. It was partly submerged under water, as the water table of the place was about the same depth. odor. Its color was totally black and had a decaying It contained a large amount of vegetable remains and small stones. The mass was then washed through Tyler No. 10 Sheave in the laboratory to remove foreign materials. was then sealed in a jar for use. in a liquid state. It The final material was It was tested and found to be 85% organic, and had a specific gravity of 1.61. It has a plastic limit & Liquid limit of 261% 375% respectively (data see Appendix 1).. Data from T. W. Lambets2"Cold Room Studies Third Interim Report of Investigation. 2 ** 1. Percentage of organic matter was determined by the ignition of peat in a platinum crucible. After ignition, the weight of the remaining material in the crucible was found. The percent of organic matter is then equal to original weight--remaining weight/original weight. 2.. By the use of H2SO4 - K2 Cr 2 O7 digestion the organic matter determined was 7% * 3. Photo 1. Fort Belvoir Sandy Clay in a dry state (left) Peat used in experiments. (right) 4. E. Assumptions: Throughout the whole experiment, the following assumptions were made: 1. The different water content of specimens at the time of aging does not affect the test data. 2. The test results are not affected by the variations in room temperature when the test is performed. A.full scale. study is necessary in order to determine the accuracy of Assumption No. 1. It is also anticipated that the "time" of aging of specimens will also influence their characteristics. How- ever this variable is eliminated by aging all specimens for a fixed period. 5. III. A. TESTING PROGRAM Atterberg Limit Tests: 1. Specimen: Dry Fort Belvoir sandy clay was mixed thoroughly with peat which had been prepared. Six specimens- with dif-- ferent amounts of peat, 0%, .1%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10%, were made. They were then sealed in a jar in a wet state and stored for two weeks before they were taken out to be tested. 2. Procedures: Procedures used were recommended by Prof. T. W. Lambe's "Soil Testing For Engineers," Chapter III. B. Compaction Tests: 1. Specimen: Specimens were prepared in the same manner as in Atterberg limit tests, except that they were aged for four weeks due to conflict of schedule. It was pointed out that " as long as they had the same period of aging, the "time variable does not enter the picture. 2. Procedures: Procedure used was recommended by S. D. Wilson, "Comparative Investigation of a Minuture Compaction Test With Field Compaction," which was presented before the Annual Meeting, A.S.C.E., January, 1950. Mold of 1.306 in diameter, 2.816" in height was used throughout the tests. Since this method is considered quite new, the equipment is shown in Photo 2.* * Courtesy of Messers. Keller and Heyman I A. Compaction of the Specimen Photo No. 2 B. Removal of the Mold Extension Collar 6. C. Unconfined Compression Tests: 1.. Specimen: Specimens Wed were those which had been tested in compaction tests. Therefore, they had a diameter of 1.306 in. and a height of 2.816 in. 2. Procedures: The procedure given by Prof. W. T. Lambe, Testing for Engineers," Chapter XII was used. "Soil Specimens of same percentage of organic matter were so planned that a maximum value of compressive ultimate strength could be obtained. The ultimate' strength was taken at point of failure, where the strain (a) was between 10-15% in most cases. The apparatus used is shown in Photo 3.* * Courtes- of Messers. Killer and Heyman I T Extrusion of Specimen from Mold Photo No. 3 B. Strength Test of Specimen in Unconfined Compression Apparatus B. IV. A. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS Effect on Atterberg Limits: 1. General: Illustrated in Figure 1 are the liquid limit and plastic limit of specimens which had various amounts of organic matter. The complete data are given in Appendix 2. The theoretical values, that is, considering the additive effect of clay and peat, calculated from the fractional contribution, and based on the amount of each present, are plotted as dotted lines. 2. Liquid Limit: The illustration shows clearly that the presence of organic matter raises the liquid limit of the clay. It was observed that in a homogeneous mixture, the soil particles were infiltrated with small masses of organic matter, which is believed to be capable of absorbing water. At the most, the water content in peat can only reach liquid limit of the peat when the mixture reaches its liquid limit. only amounts to the theoretical value. All this The departure from the theoretical value suggests that the presence of organic matter may have some effect on the cohesion force of the clay. The addition of organic matter seems to increase the intermolecular attraction of the soil particles. is most outstanding when the amount is around 2%. The effect The ex- det reason of the phenomena is not known, but a microscopical - . 9 i ii ii iititu Itt mitIt I- i ffi itititut fittili tiii I lit' 111 141 u frn +t-ft I if-+ ft 11112 f +i T T [III - #i . t i t f t -4144 UH ------- 7 77 HfiI r H4fl444++444lb*l I f+-M I 44 +++E 11LAKIIII, . ...I........ ..... - kP-f I H H Jutpititl t I-i I FFM I66 I j4- Wi 1,44 I Tfl 4 MRIW4t -LLlllI iL I 4 11 i i I i 4 f++ T . ... . . If "+f fi tiul I - immimimiHimiti- t . Imi #+fr Ir w I I+H 1+ ff##ffffl I III IIIII IIiI +HFff+"+++i I Ifff EM itHI44 -ifly" 10. study on the influence of soil structure due to infiltration of organic matter may reveal the cause* 3. Plastic Limit: The curve has the same trend as that of liquid limit, but to a lesser extent. The departure from the theo- retical value is not as significant (the largest is only about 3.5%). The result may be caused by the fact that peat does not have enough water to reach its own plastic limit or, in other words, theoretical value which is based on plastic limit of both constituents is too high to represent the actual condition. B. A departure may still exist. Effect on Compaction: 1. General: The test data can be found in Appendix 3. Figure 2 shows plots of dry density versus water content of each specimen. The optimum values of which were interpreted from these curves and can be found in Appendix 3a. They will be discussed under the following headings: 2. Optimum Water Content: For the sake of easy reference, Figure 3 shows the optimum water content of specimens having different percentages of organic matter. The dash line in Figure 3 represents the value which considers the water required for optimum water content by the fractional volume of clay in the specimen. Et t * -4 11. 4 I 12. 91 iT1 S I TT-T Ii I 13. The plot shows that optimum water content is raised by adding organic matter. It means that more water is needed in order to get the same effectiveness of compactive effort. As it has been pointed out, the peat is able to absorb part of the water, and, of course, reduces the "lubricating" effect that ordinarily should be produced by the additional The distance between the two lines can roughly water. measure the water that is absorbed by peat. 3. Optimum Dry Density: Figure 4 shows the optimum dry density of specimens having different percentages of organic matter. It was felt that these values are insignificant unless some modifications are made about the various water contents at which optimum dry densities occur, and the volume of clay replaced by peat. Line ab in Figure 4 represents the calculated values of optimum dry density, if the optimum water contents were constant and equal to that of pure clay. The method of obtaining it can be better described by the use of Table 1. Columns 1, 2, and 3 are self-explanatory. Using the water content, and the percentage of organic matter, the weights of the three constituents were computed in Column 5 is the average specific gravity of the Column 4. soil-peat and clay. Adjusted densityiwas obtained by adding to the original desnity the increased weight that resulted from replacing water by soil. the values. ttab" is the best line drawn through TABLE 1 -- ADJUSTMENT FOR CONSTANT WATER CONTENT Specimen % of O.M. Optimum Dry Density lb./cu.ft. Weight lbs Soil Clay Peat Water 6 5 4 2 Optimum Water Content Ave. Density of Soil A Adjusted Densit 107.9 0 17.5 107.9 16.0 0 91.9 2.71 .1 17.9 107.8 16.4 .1 91.3 2.71 107.8+(-1.71x'4)=108.5 18.*0 106.8 16.3 .9 89.6 2.70 106.8-P (1.70x.3)=107.3 2 18 0 2 105.2 l16 *2 1.8 87.2 2.67 105.2-r (I.67x.2)=105 5 5 19. 0 103.'6 16.5 4.4 82.7 2.65 103.6+(1.65x.5)s*104.4 10 21.0 99.2 17.2 8.2 73.8 2.58 TABLE 2 -1 2 99.2+ (1.58x1.2)mlOl.l ADJUSTMENT FOR CONSTANT VOLUME OF CLAY 3 Wt. of 4 Equal Vol. of Clay lbs 0' 5 Wt. Increased lbs. Ad justed Density 6 Soecimen Constant Water Content Density Peat lbs. 0 107.9 0 0 0 107.9 .1 108.5 .1 .2 .1 108 6 107.3 .9 1.5 .6 107.9 2 105.5 1.8 3.00 1.2 106.7 5 104.4 4.4 7.4 3.0 101.1 8.2 13.8 5.6 -107.4 106.7 Ave. 107.6 / 0.7 P IM11111 III fITERTFF-11,111 MF f9 ft q 7747+1W717 IT u , f+4 TTT 4 .A~~~ A4 ~hzL I +hrtm+H-rH 11 ri- F H 1 i rH I 14+-44 $me.g. 0 E 16. Line ac in Figure 4 represents the optimum dry density if,, in addition to the correction made for water content, the volume of peat in the specimen were repla'ced by clay. The method of obtaining the values is self-explanatory in Table 2. Line ac is the line best drawn through the points. It is seen that ac is nearly a horizontal line. (Error of 1%) Considering the inconsistency of the experi- mental method, such as hamriner force, inconsistent thickness of layers, the error is negligible. This means that the difference of optimum dry density is only caused by different water content, and the lower specific gravity.of peat. 17. C. Effect on Compressive Strength: 1. General: The complete data of the tests are given in Ap- pendix 4* The results are plotted in Fig. 5 as ultimate shear stress versus water content for each specimen having different amounts of Organic matter. The maximum ultimate shear stress and the water content at which the maximum strength occurs, are interpreted from the curves. Fig. 6 shows the values plotted against the organic matter content of the specimens (data see Appendix 4a) 2. Background: Since the exact nature of the strength theory of soil is not known, it is better to mention the assumptions that will be used when analyzing the results. It is generally assumed that shearing resistance within soil masses is commonly attributed to the existence of "internal friction" and "cohesion." Internal friction is to include the resistance to sliding of the soil particles over one another and any interlocking that may have to be overcome before a slip can occur. Cohesion is supposed to include both true cohesion, that due to intermolecular attraction, and apparent cohesion, that due to surface tension effects in the water contained in the clay mass. 1 3. 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Beyond this amount, the reducing of the cohesion force comes into effect. The curve of water con" tent at maximum strength in Fig. 6 shows a correspondente but reverse shape which gives further proof that the variation of the strength is of a cohesive nature* 4. Tiqle Difference in Strength: Because of the various water contents at *hich the maximum ultimate strengths -of each specimen occur, it was suggested that a plot be drawn showing the comparison of maximum ultimate strength of specimens to the strength of the pure clay at the same water content. is shown in Fig. 7. Such a plot The distance between the two curves in Fig. 7 is the true difference in strength that is produced by the addition of organic matter. and plotted in Fig. 8. It is interpreted The curve has a similar shape to the maximum ultimate shear strength in Fig. 6. The slight deviations in shear strength in 5-10% organic matter range shown in Fig. 6 and 8 are within experimental errors. 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The experimentally observed increase was 2 - 3 times that which would be predicted from mixtures of Fort Belvoir sandy clay and peat. 2. Plastic limit increases as amount of organic matter increases. This increase is proportional to the increase in limit expected from mixtures of Fort Belvoir sandy clay and peat. 3. In compaction, the optimum water content increases as organic matter increases. Difference in optimum dry density is caused only by difference in water content and lower specific gravity of organic matter. 4. The ultimate shear stress is raised as percen- tage of organic matter increases. There is a peak value (45% above the stress of pure clay) at the 1-2% organic matter range. 5. The test results strongly suggest that (a) The presence of organic matter tends to increase the molecular attraction of the clay. The amount depends largely on the percentage of organic matter present. (b) The organic matter is capable of absorbing part of the water that is added to the clay. 25. VI. RECOMMENDATION Although the result of this experiment can only be taken as preliminary, yet it does show that influence brought by organic matter on the engineering properties of soil in some cases is desirable while in other cases it is not, and that further study of the problem will be The author wishes to suggest some possible in- rewarding. vestigations that can be made in a future study. 1. Properties such as consolidation and permea" bility can further be investigated for this particular mixture. 2. The influence on the properties by different water content at time of aging should be investigated. 3. The effect of. time of aging on the engineering properties of the specimen may be of interest. 4. Other mixtures should be studied in order to develop a general theory. 26. APPENDIX TEST DATA 27. 1. Specific Gravity* TESTS ON PEAT 1.61 Plastic Limiti Wp Ave.f% Determination 1st 271 2nd 252 261 Liquid Limit Water Content No. of Blows W'j 30 360 28 375 14 406 374 *Procedure recommended by W. T. Lambe ."Soil Testing for Engineer." 28. 2. ATTERBERG LIMIT TEST Plastic Limits Organic Matter Water Content WpAve. 0 .1 1 2 5 10 23.4 24.2 24.8 24.5 27.4 24.6 30.1 29.1 24.0 24.2 24.8 24.5 27.4 29.5 Liquid Limits Organic Matter 0 No. of Blows 16 30 44 .1 23 25 40. 20 23 47 2 5 10 Water Content Liquid Limit 36.4 34.8 3207 3501 3704 -35*6 32.7 35.6 42.8 44.2 3904 42.6 19 32 45 39.8 37.0 3902 22 24 42 43.8 41.0 39.4 42 11 27 50 59.0 54.0 4508 53.3 3806 29. 3. COMPACTION TEST Relationships of water content to dry density for various percentages of organic matter. 0% of Organic Matter W 11 13 d lbs/cu.ft. 91.0 97.1 15*3 101.0 17.4 19.0 21.5 108.0 106.0 101.0 1% of Organic Matter d lbs/cu.ft. 14.4 17.0 19.8 22.9 26.1 99.3 106.0 105.3 99.9 95.6 5% of Organic Matter d lbs/cu.ft. 14.9 17.2 18.0 21.6 23.5 89.6 93.3 101.5 100.0 97*7 .1% of Organic Matter % , 11.8 13.8 14.6 19.4 21.1 d lbs/cu.ft. 94.8 100.3 102.3 107.0 103.5 2% of Organic Matter W_ .d lbs/cuoft. 13.3 13.9 93.6 96.0 16 7 104.5 18.8 21.6 105.0 102.5 10% of Organic Matter ]y 18 18.9 20.8 21*0 23.8 28.4 d lbs/cu.ft. 85.9 94.5 97.1 99.0 98*1 90.0 30. 3a. RESULTS FROM COMPACTION TESTS* Optimum Dry Density Vs. Percentages of O.M. Contained. of Organic Matter 0 .1 2 5 10 Optimum Dry Density lbs./cu.ft. 10709 107.8 106.8 .(10502) 103.6 99.2 Optimum Water Content Vs. Percentages of 0.M. Contained. of Organic Matter 0 .1 2 5 10 Optimum Water Content 17.5 1709 18.0 (18.2) 19.0 2100 31. UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST* Relationships of shear stress peak P#. to water content - 4. for various amounts of organic matter. O% of Organic Matter .-L lbs./sq.in. WX 1% of Organic Matter W% 2 lbs./sq.in. % A 11. 9 14.6 16.0 12.4 2108' 20.2 12.7 9.6 5.1 19.0 2105 23.0 0.1% of Organic Matter P lbs./sq.in. W % 2A 8 5 15.5 18.7 19.1 22.7 30*8 16.3 9.6 5.2 14.4 17.0 1908 22.9 26.1 2% of Organic Matter W% P lbs./sq.in. 2A. 8.35 1008 16.4 18.8 21.6 9.8 21.6' 20.0 14.7 2308 31.3 19.9 20.4 9.4 5% of Organic Matter 10% of Organic Matter W% W P lbs./sq.in. P lbs/sq.in. __2A # o x 1409 17.2 18.0 21.6 16.4 18 2005 23.0 1902 18.9 23.5 6.3 2804 20.8 23.8 P = Compressive force A = Average cross-sectional area of the specimen W = Water content 1209 21.6 25.1 13.8 6.3 32. 4a. RESULTS FROM UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST* -Maximum Ultimate Shear Stress Vs. Amount of O.M. Contained Organic Matter 0 .1 2 5 10 Maximum Shear Stress . in lbs./sq. in. 2A 21.7 22.4 30.p8 31,5 25.9 25.5 Water Content at Ultimate Shear Stress Vs. Amount.of 0.M. Contained. Organic Matter 0 .1 2 5 10 *See Fig. 8 Water Content 14.6 14.3 16.7 11.4 19.2 20.2 33. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Ritter and Paquette, "Highway Engineering," New York, The Ronald Press Co., page 173. 2. T. W. Lambe, "Frost Investigations," Fiscal year 1952 and 1953, Arctic Construction and Frost Effects Lab., New England Division. 3. Ibid. 4. M. Peechts method suggested in U.S.D.A. Circular #757.