Soil Testing Equipments

The liquid limit, defined as the moisture content at which the soil passes from the plastic state to the liquid state, is very helpful in the classification of the potential properties of the soil material. The liquid limit gives a measure of the shearing resistance which a soil has when mixed with water. Casagrande Method or Cone Penetrometer Method can determine the liquid limit of soil.

Meets: - BIS 2720

N-tech Instruments offers the following models

• Liquid Limit Device complete with Casagrande's grooving tool and gauge block
  The Liquid Limit Device consists of a hard rubber base carrying a sliding carriage assembly to which a brass cup is hinged. The cup is raised and allowed to fall through a height of 1 cm on to the hard rubber base, by the help of a lead screw provided at the back of the sliding carriage. Supplied complete with Casagrande Grooving Tool and Gauge Block
• Liquid Limit Device complete with Casagrande's grooving tool, gauge block and Counter
• Liquid Limit Device, Motorised, complete with Casagrande's grooving tool, gauge block and Counter
  The Liquid Limit Device consists of a hard rubber base carrying a sliding carriage assembly to which a brass cup is hinged. The cup is raised and allowed to fall through a height of 1 cm on to the hard rubber base, by the help of of electric motor which operates on 220 Volts 50 Hz. and also lead screw provided at the back of the sliding carriage Supplied complete with Casagrande Grooving Tool and Gauge Block

Compaction : Soil compaction is a fundamental requirement for the construction of earth fill for dams, reservoirs, canal embankments, highways, railways and runways. The relationship between soil moisture content and compacted dry density is very useful for deciding construction specifications and quality control of compacted earth fill. While designing an earth or earth retaining structure, the strength and deformation behaviour of soil is evaluated by testing soil specimen compacted to the density as would be achieved during construction. The construction quality control is essentially to check the density of compacted soil achieved in the field, thereby checking its strength.
Meets: - IS: 2720 (Part 7)-1987, IS: 2720 (Part 8)-1990, IS: 9198- 1979, IS: 10074-1982, BS: 1377
We offer two types of modals as follows .

• Compaction Test Apparatus Having 2.86 Kg Rammer X 300 MM Fall (Light Compaction Test)
• Compaction Test Apparatus Having 4.89 Kg Rammer X 450 MM Fall (Heavy Compaction Test.)

Consolidation test is un-dimensional test considered extremely important in soil mechanics. Sample taken from adjacent areas of a single site show differential settlement even when tested using same techniques. Soil of similar strength may show varying consolidation. Samples are very carefully prepared and vertical settlement of the specimen in saturated or drained conditions carefully recorded when known load is applied.
Meets: - IS: 2720 (Part 15) 1986, IS: 12287-1988, BS: 1377, ASTM D2435

The standard outfit comprises fixed ring type of consolidometer cell for testing specimens 60 mm dia x 20 mm thick, but the unit is so designed that specimens of varying sizes from 50 mm dia to 100 mm dia can also be tested. Besides, the same loading unit can be used with floating ring consolidometer cells, which can be supplied at extra cost. The standard outfit is supplied with a set of weights to give a total pressure of 10 kg/cm2 (besides a seating load of 0.05 kg/cm3 on the specimen), but an additional set of weights are required to reach the full capacity of 20 kg/cm2. The necessary accessories to perform the permeability test of the 'Varying Head' type can also be provided at extra cost. The outfit is also available as three-gang or six-gang in which three/six consolidometers are mounted on a single frame. The consolidation may be measured by the conventional dial gauges or using the transducers and electronic readout unit in Digital Modals.

The apparatus comprises of the following:-

• Loading Unit Vertical load, capacity 8 kg/sq. cm. Load is applied either directly or through a counter balanced detachable lever. Provision is made for the load to be applied either through a steel ball recessed in the loading pad or directly through a boss on the loading yoke.
• Shear load capacity 400 kg.
• Direct shear box for square specimen size 60 x 60 x 25 mm complete with one base plate, two plain gripper plates, two perforated gripper plates, porous stones and one loading Pad. Shear box housing, complete with two ball roller strips. Specimen cutter for 60 x 60 x 25 mm specimens.
• For shear load measurement : Capacity 400 kg. Consolidation dial gauge .01 mm, One no. Strain dial gauge .01 mm, One no.

Meets:- IS: 2720 (Part 13), ASTM D 3080, IS: 2720 (Section 1 - Part 39),IS: 11593-1986, IS: 11229 - 1985, 2720 (Part 13) - 1986

1. Direct Shear apparatus, 2 KN Manual
   Specimen Size: 60 x 60 x 25 mm
2. Direct Shear apparatus, 2 KN Motorised
   Rates of Strain (mm/min): 1.25,
   Specimen Size: 60 x 60 x 25 mm
   Power Specifications: 230 V, 50 Hz, Single Phase, AC supply
3. Direct Shear apparatus, 2 KN, Motorised with Digital Readout
   Read Out: Digital Rates of Strain (mm/min): 1.25,
   Specimen Size: 60 x 60 x 25 mm
   Power Specifications: 230 V, 50 Hz, Single Phase, AC supply

For determining the resistance of different soil strata to dynamic penetration of a 50 mm cone and thereby obtain an indication regarding their relative strengths or density or both. The method helps survey of large area in a short time. In some cases, especially if the depth is great, it may be difficult to pull out the cone after the completion of the test. Hence the cone without threads should be used in the case of deep soundings as it may be left in the ground. For shallow depths, generally up to 15 m, if the conditions permit, the cone with threads may be used. It consists of following:

• Cone Plain 50mm base dia and cone angle 60 deg.
• Cone adaptor with cone and standard threads for 'A' rod coupling.
• Cone threaded for 'A' rod coupling 60 deg. cone angle, 50mm base dia.

California Bearing Ratio Apparatus Motorized- Complete as above, but supplied with a motorized load frame with rates of travel of lead screw 0.025 mm/min.; 0.05 mm/min.; 0.0625 mm/min.; 0.125 mm/min.; 0.25 mm/min.; 0.5 mm/min.; 0.625 mm/min.; and 1.25 mm/min.
Available in-Hand Operated, three speed, six speed, twelve speed and thirty speed.
The apparatus consists of

• Mould, 150 mm ID x 175 mm high M. steel
• Metal Tripod, for Dial Gauge
• Penetration Piston, 50 mm face dia
• Circular Metal Spacer Disc, with detachable handle, 148 mm dia x 47.7 mm height
• Perforated Plate, 148 mm dia, with adjustable Stem and Lock Nut
• Soaking Tank for six CBR mould
• Extension Collar, 150 mm ID x 50 mm high
• Annular Metal Weight, 2.5 kg, 147 mm dia with 53 mm dia central hole
• Slotted Metal Weight, 2.5 kg, 147 mm dia, with 53 mm dia slot
• Swell Plate
• Cutting Collar

Meets:- IS: 2720 (Part 5) - 1985, IS: 11196 - 1985,

Available in two options as follows

• Cone Penetrometer, Automatic
  The unit is supplied complete with a stainless steel penetration test cone 35 mm long with a smooth polished surface and an angle of 30°. Facility exists for adjusting cone height in relation to the specimen. Cone Penetrometer consists of one each of the following: Automatic Timer Penetration Test Cone Penetration Test Cup, 55 mm dia x 40 mm deep
• Cone Penetrometer
  Cone Penetrometer consists of one each of the following:
  Penetration Test Cone, Penetration Test Cup- 55 mm dia x 40 mm deep