MODIFIED SLUMP TEST:

A METHODOLOGY FOR YIELD

STRENGTH DETERMINATION
OF CLAYEY SOILS
A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED
BY
GUETA, CHARLES C.
MAHABAGUE, CRISANTO M.
SALABAO, JOHN MARK P.
SICABALO, JHON CARLO S.

Undergraduate Research Program in

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

GUIDED BY
ENGR. JOHN LEMAR M. TIRAO, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
 describes a phenomenon whereby a saturated
or partially saturated soil substantially loses strength and
stiffness in response to an applied stress, usually earthquakes
shaking or other sudden change in stress condition, causing it to
behave like a liquid. Clay soils contain more than 30 percent
fine clay particles. This type of soil swell and shrink as they wet
and dry. Saturated clay soil loses strength and resistance to
external pressure.
 Batangas experiences an earthquake swarm in April 2017. A
magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck 5 km W of Batangas on
April 4, 2017, 8:58 pm at a depth of 82 km. Twin earthquakes
with magnitudes of 5.6 and 6.0 hit the barangays of
Bagalangit and Tanauan, both in Mabini, Batangas
respectively on April 8, 2017, 3:07 and 3:09 pm at a depth of
40.4 km. Damages on some buildings and houses have been
reported. One month after the series of earthquakes in
Batangas, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck 2 km SW of San
Narciso, Zambales on May 26, 2017 at 10:27 pm at a depth of
10 km. The quake was felt in nearby provinces including
Metro Manila. Philvolcs forecast that a magnitude 7.2
earthquake to be generated by the West Valley Fault may hit
the whole Metro Manila anytime.
 We often think of earthquakes by imagining
violent tremors and cracks in the ground. But
one of the most damaging impacts of a quake
is (a phenomenon where the
ground turns to soup, and sucks in cars, roads
and even buildings)

The study aspired primarily, to determine the

yield strength of soil specifically clayey soil
when penetrated by water.
• GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
This study represents an initial step toward development of
new ideas and principles applied in soil testing. This research
investigates properties of soil that are significant in proving the
workability and consistency.
• SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
1. To modify the basic slump test used to determine the
workability of concrete. Rather than cone mold, the
researchers adopted principle of cylindrical mold test for
determining yield state of soil sample.
2. To assess the behavior and consistency of clay soil at different
moisture contents.
3. To determine correlation of yield strength to slump value and
moisture content. Wherein slump value and moisture content
are laboratory data.
Significant results from this study can contribute to the
development of ways to improve soil testing. The greater
demand for houses and high-rise apartment buildings inside
the Metropolitan Manila justifies the need for more effective,
resilient and reliable soil foundations. Thus, urban developers
that apply the recommended approach derived from the
results of this study will be able to find out remedies for
failure of the existing soil subgrade. Structure’s foundation is
the most vital member of any architectural structure wherein
it transfers loads from the structure to the ground. Clay soil
concerns are settlement, without considering the capability of
existing soil, foundation settles more than another part and
will cause problems to the structure which the foundation is
supporting.
The researchers used clay soil that is found within Valenzuela
City. For the soil specimen, the researchers used no. 40 sieve.
Evaluation of the three samples was according to their
characteristics and capability to hold water. It will help to
understand and develop new approach in strengthening
existing soil subgrade.
1. SLUMP TEST
• Based on the American Society for Testing and Materials, Slump test is a way to
determine the workability of concrete. The ASTM C 143: Standard Test Method for
Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete provide the Standard test procedures. The
cone mold for the test is poured with concrete mixture of 3 levels. Each level of
concrete is compacted using a metal rod. The cone is then raised within 5 seconds
to get the difference between initial and final height of the sample. The changed
of height is the slump height of the concrete.

2. CYLINDRICAL MOLDER
• According to the Analysis of the Slump Test for on-site Yield Stress measurement of
mineral suspensions, comparing between the cylindrical and the cone test, the
cylindrical mold is much suitable for yield stress determination of soil samples. The
findings of their study showed that using a cylindrical molder, it is simpler to
calculate because it has uniform diameter compared to the cone mold.
3. ATTERBERG LIMITS
• This is a test method to determine the liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index
of soils. Albert Mauritz Atterberg used the Atterberg limits test to differentiate the
different states of soil consistency. This test aided the researchers to classify and
identify soils according to their properties.
In this Study, the researchers aim to gather soil samples that will fall under clay
category.
• Plasticity Chart……..
4. MOISTURE CONTENT
• Moisture Content is essential in determining the consistency of soil
samples. Moisture Content can be obtained by drying the soil and getting it loss of
mass. Based on ASTM D2216-10 Standard Test Method for Laboratory
Determination of Moisture Content of Soil and Rock by Mass percentage of water
to the sample can be taken using the formula:
𝑊𝑀 − 𝑂𝐷
Moisture Content = x 100%
𝑂𝐷
where:
WM = wetted mass of the sample
OD = oven-dried mass of the sample
• The research will be conducted as a
in which data are
collected before and after the intervention.
 SOIL SELECTION
Soil used was sieved on No. 40 sieve (4.75 mm opening diameter) specifically
clayey type soil was used for the experiments (the researchers get clayey soils in the
different places in Valenzuela City).
OVEN-DRYING OF SAMPLES
By following the ASTM D 4643 - Microwave Method of Drying soils, the
samples were dried using the oven and left for not more the 24 hours. After the oven-
drying the samples were removed from the oven and let the remaining heat disperse.
ATTERBERG LIMITS TEST
In accordance with ASTM D4318 - Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit,
Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soil the Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index
was determined using the given test procedures.
LIQUID LIMIT TEST:
Refer to the Flow Chart
PLASTIC LIMIT TEST:
Refer to the Flow Chart
 PAN BLOWS MOISTURE CONTENT

1 19 55.88

2 24 53.333

3 33 49.254

SAMPLE 1 2 3
MASS OF BOWL (g) 82 82 82
MASS OF BOWL + MOIST SOIL (g) 135 128 182
MASS OF BOWL + DRY SOIL (g) 116 112 149
MASS OF MOIST SOIL (g) 53 46 100
MASS OF DRY SOIL (g) 34 30 67
MOISTURE CONTENT (%) 0.5588 0.5333 0.4925

LOCATION 1: BRGY. MAYSAN, VALENZUELA CITY

 PAN BLOWS MOISTURE CONTENT

1 22 63.333

2 26 59.091

3 38 55.172

SAMPLE 1 2 3
MASS OF BOWL (g) 82 82 82
MASS OF BOWL + MOIST SOIL (g) 131 117 127
MASS OF BOWL + DRY SOIL (g) 112 104 111
MASS OF MOIST SOIL (g) 49 35 45
MASS OF DRY SOIL (g) 30 22 29
MOISTURE CONTENT (%) 0.6333 0.5909 0.5517
LOCATION 1: GEN. T. DE LEON, VALENZUELA CITY
ATTERBERG LIMIT OF CLAY SAMPLE 1
ATTERBERG LIMIT OF CLAY SAMPLE 1
THANK YOU
AND
GOD BLESS
