16

No. B-7 DESCRIPTION OF AN APPARATUS TO REGISTER GRAPHICALLY THE SETTLEMENTS OF A

PLANE PLATE RESTING UPON A SUBSOIL AND CHARGED 7TITE A CONSTANT
OR INCREASING LOAD
This apperatus has been used for soil investigation in the Laboratory
for Clay Testing for Industrial Purposes at Gouda.
J. L. A. Cuperas, Engineer of the Netherland Railway Company

Description of the apparatus. In both spoke-shaped plates (b) and (c) of the model (a) holes have been
been bored, the one perpendicularly situated over the other, each provided with guide-bushes (d). The
rod (e) is made to move up and dorm through these bushes. A flat detachable circular plate (f) has been
fastened to the bottom of this rod. Plates of various dimensions may be used. On a cam fastened to rod
(e) a cistern (g) with, cylindrical sides and globe-shaped bottom has been placed. The top part of the
oistern, which is open, consists of four spokes that meet in a ring fitted round rod (e). Around this
rod, 1 between the ring and the bottom, there is a tube to ensure watertight enclosure. There are two
round openings which can be closed by means of plugs. Fastened to these are two pipes (h), which, with
square bends, extend outside the model. Rubber tubes with clamps (i) have been fastened in their turn
to these pipes. The weight of the cistern and appurtenances has been balanced on two pulleys (j) equip­
ped with ball-bearings.
On the top of rod (e) a round plate, (k) has been fastened, on which lead weights can be plaoed.
Rod (e) has been fastened by hinges (l) to the leverlike indicator (m) by means of a lengthening-bar be­
ginning at (k). This indioator is hinged to a fork (o). To the indioator a nib (p) has been fastened,
■which oan be made to write on millimetre-paper wrapped round a oylinder (q). This hollow cylinder has
been fitted round a olookwork which can be given various fixed velocities of rotation. The clookwork
is made to move along a stand (s) and is fixed to it by means of a strip turning round a sorew (r). In
this way it is possible to apply any enlargement desired, up to a maximum of 1:10. The adjustable weights
(t), the adjusting sorews (n), (v) and (w) are neoessary for the exact adjusting of the apparatus, where­
as the olamping-sorew (u) serves to fix the rod (e) in any desired position. Beside the stand (s) a
Mariotte bottle (x) with a scale division for the measurement of quantities of weight of water has been
plaoed. The exhaust at the bottom of the bottle is provided with a cook (y); to this a rubber tube has
been fastened whioh disoharges into the cistern (g).
How the apparatus works. When the plate (f) has been placed free-fixed on a sample of subsoil, the
clamping-ecrew (u) has been tightened, the indicator (m) has been adjusted, nib (p) is writing, a fixed
weight of lead shot is poured into the cistern (the bottom plugs have been put in).
At a given moment the clamping-screw (u) is loosened. The load begins to operate and plate (f) is
consequently pressed into the soil and nib (p) draws a curve upwards on the millimeter-paper of the cyl­
inder (q), turning round its own axle. When there is an equilibrium between the load and the resistance
of the soil this curve ends in a horizontal line. So, when we set to work in the manner described above,
we get a curve of resistance at a definite constant load for a definite lapse of timeo
A decrease and the entire loss of the load takes place when the bottom stops are taken out so that
the lead shot runs out through the drain-pipes (h).
In order to get a resistance-curve at an increasing load, the weight is increased by adding water
which flows with a constant speed out of the Mariotte bottle. Any given supply per unit of time can be
regulated by cock (y). In this way a constantly increasing load is obtained and a curve of resistance
which corresponds with the same. Whenever the load increases the curve goes upwards more and more steep­
ly and when an absolute disturbance of the equilibrium takes place it ends in a vertical line (fast to­
tal sagging of the plate at a maximum load, called the sagging-load).
The cistern (g) can contain 10 kg water. If larger loads are required the cistern is emptied after
screw (u) has been tightened, then the lead weights mentioned above take the place of the 10 kg water.
After thi6 insignificant interruption the test can be continued by supplying water up to a maximum of
20 kg.
The decrease and the entire loss of the load takes place by screwing open the clamps (i) so that the
water can flow out through the rubber tubes and is collected in a pail (decrease of the load as a result
of the evaporation of the water may be neglected with the tests taken with the apparatus).

Soil Investigation in Connection with the Construction of a Railway Embankment

Tests Executed in the Field .in a Small Pit and in the Laboratory
Showed the Non-Komogenity of Soils

Introduction. When the railroad Gouda - Alphen (Fig. 2) was constructed the phenomena of the sagging of
the embankment into the subsoil and of this soil being pressed to the surface at the sides have occurred
frequently (Fig. 3).
At the beginning of the construction a large number of borings wore taken, which gave a survey of
the subsoil on which the embankment had to be constructed. Fig. U Bhows a part of the longitudinal sec­
tion of the line.
In the "Putte" - and "Zuidplaspolder" the soil consisted principally of soft blue clay and sagging
of the embankment to be constructed was positively expeoted. However, these phenomena of the disturbance
of the equilibrium took place most irregularly. Consequently there rose a feeling of insecurity in re­
gard to the traffic later on. Therefore it wan decided to investigate on a large scale. (See publica­
tion of the author in the "Ingenieur" 1935 No. 21).
 B-7 17
Soil investigation. A series of investigations and measure­
ments made in the field and in the laboratory into the sub­
soil of a very small ground aree will be discussed.
In cormeotion with this the essentials of the investi­
ALPHEN.3
gations mentioned above will be indicated. ' ..¿iir
I. Investigations in the laboratory for clay testing at
Gouda on undisturbed samples of soil.
Description of the size of the samples (155 x 11 cm)j
of the way they were taken from the area (along the planned
railway line between hm 1+0 ana hm 7 0 , average distance from
the line axis: 13 *15 m *)* of the nature of the soil a.s.o.
Tests of 6 l samples with a constant increasing load up
to a maximum.
The apparatus is described by the author in this paper,
sub A.
Curve of resistance obtained graphically by self-regis­
tration (Fig. 5)»
The average sagging load of the tests on samples de­
rived from the soil on a depth of 1.2 0 m - groundlevel
amounted to 0 ,92 kp/om^; max. and min. values were 4*05
kg/cm and 0,3li kg/cm respectively.
The volume percentage of water in the soil compared
with the original volume was between 6 and 92$.
II. Pressure measurements in the field on undisturbed lay­
ers of soil with the Barentsen-apparatus. The apparatus is
described in paper No. B~3 by Mr, Barentsen.
The investigations were taken along the plannod rail­
way line (Fig. 6 ) at a short distance from the open test-
pits from which the samples had been taken.
Diagram of a pressure measurement and rough survey of
the investigations (Fig. 7)*
The tests in 6 l spots gave an average sagging load of
O 085 kg/cm on the layer of 1,2 0 m - groundlevel; max. and
min. values l,i.|. Kg/cm2and 0 ,5 K^/cmi
Comparison of the investigations sub. I and II.
The average results were the same, but important devi­
ations between the separate investigations up to the average
values were noted. Among others the distance between the
various spots where the investigations I and II took place
was thought to be the reason for the deviation.
The average distance was 8 .70 m.j max. and min. dis­
tances 19»85 and 1 .5 5
III. Several investigations combined described under I and II
in the subsoil of a very small area.
This area chosen beside the line at hm. 37»5° (Fig* 8 )
on which 28 spots were marked.
a. In these spots soundings were taken with the appara­
tus of-Barentsen.
Sagging loads are shown in Table I and in the dia­
gram in Fig. 8 .
Conneotion between the results of the investigations
and the boring made in the area itself.
Deviations from the extreme to the average values
of the tests are shown in Table II. Fig. 2
Disoussion of the homogenity of the various layers,
b. In order to obtain more aoourate information, two more soil samples were taken from the area at
pointiT"too. 10 , li+, 1 6 , 18 and 23 at 1 .20m. under the surface of the groundlevel.
1?) Tests with a proportional inoreasing load on layers of varying thickness, viz. 1, 2, 3 and 5 om.
The tests with a layer of 5 °m. thiokness were used at the same time to ascertain the sagging loads
(Fig. 9 and 10). This method of approximation vras followed in order to be able to use the 2n<* series of
samples from the 5 pits for investigations with a thickness of layer of 1 1 cm. (see sub, 2).
Sagging loads in kg/ora^ on Table III.
The deviations can be the result of:
1 . the mistakes made in the observation.
2. the imperfection of the apparatus Barentsen.
3 . the difference between the shape of the two pressure plates used for the two investigations
(oonio and flat plate).
4 . the difference in the oondition of the tested soil used with the two tests (pressure on top and
it being shut in at the sides).
5 . non-homogenity of the layers of soil under pressure both vertically and horizontally, notwith­
standing the faot that these two layers were very close to each other (distance about 20 err..).
16 B-7

curv;i
S) i-
or ae
sure . s
a final* - :¿,3 I*3àCr.vìu 8. ■hich -: no v. -
libriui' wa- f :1 C .

? A lis I

Depth Min. Min. Max ». Mas f Ä7 . '1 . ‘

soil layor values rail *^3 vali.;a* vai vies Tall*«.;

under of the wore of the we r ■ cf t. -
grotaie: sagging- regis veraci 1“OO-^fc sr.' c:à =?vsg;ir.g
surfaort ioe.d at follow­ 1 -j at s- 3O&d
ing spcts iur ,'s- • ..
Kp /cr.': k.;/™ 2 k-g/om2

0.20 in. 1 .0 i4-io 7, A .7'-,‘

0 .70 m* 0 .6 *•
l.?5
1.2 0 in« 0.7 1Ù ?■ i 0 .96
'•
/-'o'* o-
r-i
CT«'

1.6 0 E r >=»X.C!
o

o.a i
i-j—- . .
2.00 K. 0 .8 T„ 'Jm.' »
J. S 21 0.89

23-28
0.8 2-7-9-li*-
o
P

2.50 w . -L £' J Ò
«

15-22
n u
3.00 n * O .a 12 x ... 6 1 .1 1
rj
3.50 m . 1.5 X X 3« - 2 .1 5
O
4.00 E . 1 .6 18 3 -- '■ 2 .2 8
A
4,50 m . 1 .0 CL 1*9 24 1 .%
5.0 0 ID « 0 .9 9 3.^ 1.72
 LOXC-jïL'ÛiNÂL S E C T IO N . (L A N G E N SC H fvIT T ) *»“ ■ CCK
,uN3lN
— MA3Z3T/-B.
hm30 51 32 33 34 3 S 36 37 38 39 40 Ml -Ú 43 ,r 4 ' - ^ -':3 33 51 52.53 54 55 bG.5-' 38 5£. b l b!. 62. 63 f - o3 6b. br ■ ; /.* •«

bOH B lU ^ CLAV
■■_ CHER Bi 4 Ei
:\-.m rSO.L
fôrrBODl"N
FIN E GRL-y SAND.
f-ElNEP GMUER SAND
ISIAt NAR . ____________ ¡.;OWATER LE V E L
. ' TAND

SETTLEMENT ff
SETZUNG 3

-ÍO
O 0r

LOADED LAYER THICKNESS 11cm

BELASTETE SCM!CHTÜICKE 11cm
BORING W ITH SCREW-EARTHBORER AT: C SAGGING-LOAD 28 32 kq/:m2
BOHRUNG MIT SCHRAUB-ERDBOHRER BEI: C EINBRECHUNGS-BELASTUNG , , G'
qoo GROUNDLEVEL (GELÄNDE 1 2 3 ^ 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 llKq/cm2 5cm
TEST CV T est RSUCH) N =46 hni 37.50
ro
" 1 MOULD (DAMMERDF) .
PLATE-$URFACE CPLATTEN- o b e r f l A CHE) 5 c - 2
SOFT BLUE CLAY (WElcrtR BLAUER TON) LOAD-IN G R EA SE ( 3ELASTU NGS-ZUNAHME) 20 0 q/min
O
SAGGING LOAD CE«JBRECtU NGS-BEL/ STUNG) 1 .88 kq/C m2
,
VERY SOFT BLUE CLAY (SEHR WEICHER BLAUER TON l
■
SOFT BLUE CLAY (WEICHER BLAUER TON)
CURVE AT LAYFF THICKN IS S 5 cn
| PEATSOIL (TORFBOOEN) KURVE BEI SCHIC HT DICKE 5 cm
SOFT BLUE CLAY (WEICHER BLAUER TON)

1 FINE GREY SAND (FEINER GRAUER SAND)

sro,______
miCKNEi s 3 cm
A CURVE A ■LAYER
1TQ1CKE jcm
23. 12. •

tmigkne iS 2 cm
CURVE_A r LA/ER
rolC K El cm
T w T b isCtÜCH
4 cm
1cm
GRABEN ku r v e b
ETscHicr t d ic k e

j\
FIG. Ö 27
-1
,

TIME IZEIT)
7 cm
TEST CVERSUCH ) N210 hm 37.50 FIG .9 FIG. IO
PLATE-SURFACE CPLATTEN-OBERFLÄCME) 5 cm"
LOAD CBELASTUNG) 1-2-3-4-5 kg
CD
I

1933 OCTOBER NOVEMBFR DECEMBER

TIME
ZEIT
 B-7 21

T A B L E II

Depth Min. Deviation Average Deviation Max.

soil layer values in % of values in % of values
under of the the average of the the average of the
ground sagging- values sagging- values sagging-
surface load load load

kg/cm2 neg. kg/cm2 POB. kg/om2

0.20 m. 1.0 " 4-3 % 1.7k k9 % 2 .6

0.70 m. 0.6 - 52 % 1.25 8k % 2 .3
1.20 m. 0.7 - 29 % 0.98 22 % 1.2
1.6 0 m. 0.8 - 12 % 0.91 21 % 1 .1
2.00 m. 0.8 - 10 % 0.89 2k % 1 .1
2.50 m. 0.8 - 11 % 0.90 22 % 1 .1
3.00 m. 0.9 -19% 1.13 35 % 1.5
3.50 m. 1.5 - 30 % 2.15 k9 % 3.2
U .00 m. 1 .6 - 30 % 2.28 ¿40 % 3-2
4.50 m. 1.0 - 23 % 1.30 ks % 1.9
5.00 m. 0.9 - Ij8 % 1.72 86 % 3-2

T A B L E III

max. deviation
Numbers of the tests 10 ll+ 16 18 23 average of the average
values values in %,

a. Sagging load of the laboratory tests in kg/cm 0.76 0.51 0.88 0.75 0.88 0.76 ” 33 +16
b. Sagging load of the field tests with the Ba-
rentsen apparatus in kg/cm^ 1 .2 0 .7 0.8 1.0 1 .0 0 .9U - 26 +28
Differences between the sagging loads a and b
in % + 58 + 37 - 9 + 33 +14 +■ 27

Discussion of the test. It was possible to traoe approximately the utmost load (critical-load) with
which an equilibrium was formed and the final-load at whioh an equilibrium was no longer formed.
A survey of the test is given in Table IV.
Discussion of the differences and the improvement of the condition of the clay, as a result of the
driving out of the water.

Conclusions. 1. Notwithstanding its regular geological structure the tested soil is hardly homogenious
"at all, neither horizontally nor vertically.
Therefore, partly owing to the above, it is difficult to ascertain the bearing-power of this soil in
regard with the separate loads of sand pressing upon it side by side.
In most cases a mattress of fasoinage under the underground water will act favourably on the dis­
tribution of pressure on the non-homogenie layers.
2. The well-known phenomena that generally speaking the bearing-power of clay-scil increases under a
constant load when the water i6 driven out, was again oonfirmed, provided this load does not exceed a
oertain limit.
And finally: When in general soil is previously tested in order to ascertain its bearing-power, it
is advisable and in some oases necessary to make as large a number of pressure measurements as possible,
both vertically and horizontally.
At the same time these investigatiop.6 will have to be judged with considerable reserve.
22

vuinbers of :;he best3 10 i!; ■16 18 c3

Date beginning test 18/10/'''3> 6/8 / '3 3 3- / ’1* ,i/8''«33 29/ v. •

Crit ical-i oad*■ir. kg/oir,'~ 0.8 0 .H 0 .6 *.*c! I.li

Corresponding settlement in inm 2y,;3 - , 3.^ **f*0

Late of putting on finel-lo».d 30/ :.y 33 16

^*7 v/ .•
y • V V ’33 V'J: c‘7/'7/,7*

Final-lo&d in kg/ir 1 ,0 C'. 0 ©6 1.4 .'.•6

Fast sas£iJ*c ir uf.I’1L\* ■J. u'r ‘:! aft or C h*.urs j.iidof?.r.ite a^ter £ dwvs

Date finish test £= 1 '5 * 6 8/ ‘33 i7/:.o/« 53 2Q/"/«-.-:

Average percentage of »atex* ir the

sample in % ’* 75.1 i’.'cj • i

Percentage of water under tfc*. p?'. ;•-..r-.t-

plate after the test it -> 10 0t

y lr-.h ...O -:9.' 72 "

Tlie driving out of water 1.1 / f , -*■j ¡3 13,- ■>■’*■