3
also described. Given the initial conditions at the labora-
tory, a numerical model analysis simulation was performed
to compare the results.
3.2 Soil Properties
The soil used in this experiment was a sandy soil obtained
from a site near the Energetic Materials Research and
Testing Center (EMRTC) at the New Mexico Tech cam-
pus, Socorro, NM. To better understand the soil used for
the experiments, it is essential to know the engineering
properties of the sand. The sandy soil has a fine texture,
brown color, and has angular shape grains. The soil is odor-
less and has no organic material present in it.
To classify the soil, a sieve analysis test was performed
according to ASTM-D422 to ascertain the grain size distri-
bution. The particle size distribution was measured, and the
result is shown in Figure 1. The soil is classified as poorly
graded sand (SP) based on the grain size distribution results.
The internal friction angle of the soil was measured
39° using the shear test (ASTM-D3080), and a bulk den-
sity of 1.73 g/cm3 was calculated. A specific gravity test
(Gs) conducted on the soil sample measured a Gs of 2.63
(ASTM-D854). A void ratio derived from these parameters
resulted in 0.52. The saturated hydraulic conductivity, k,
of the sandy soil had a value of 7.6 x 10-4 cm/s (Figure 2.).
3.3 Experimental Setup
The model box used for the experiment is shown in
Figures 3. and 4. It is 600 mm long, 100 mm wide and
400 mm high. Its walls and partitions are made from trans-
parent plexiglass to visually observe slope model changes
and monitor water seepage with a dye and an ultraviolet
(UV) LED flashlight.
The box has four compartments: one for the model
slope and three sections for the water. The water cham-
ber dimensions on the side views are 100 mm x 400 mm,
100 mm x 400 mm, and 100 mm x 500 mm. The main
chamber for the soil slope model has a dimension of
100 mm x 500 mm.
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
0.010 0.100 1.000 10.000
Grain Size (mm)
Figure 1. Grain Size Distribution
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 2. (a) Sieve Analysis test (ASTM D422) (b)
Permeability Test (c) Specific Gravity Test (ASTM D-854) (d)
Direct Shear Test (ASTM D-3080)
Figure 3. Drawing of the box with dimensions
Per
ntPassig
also described. Given the initial conditions at the labora-
tory, a numerical model analysis simulation was performed
to compare the results.
3.2 Soil Properties
The soil used in this experiment was a sandy soil obtained
from a site near the Energetic Materials Research and
Testing Center (EMRTC) at the New Mexico Tech cam-
pus, Socorro, NM. To better understand the soil used for
the experiments, it is essential to know the engineering
properties of the sand. The sandy soil has a fine texture,
brown color, and has angular shape grains. The soil is odor-
less and has no organic material present in it.
To classify the soil, a sieve analysis test was performed
according to ASTM-D422 to ascertain the grain size distri-
bution. The particle size distribution was measured, and the
result is shown in Figure 1. The soil is classified as poorly
graded sand (SP) based on the grain size distribution results.
The internal friction angle of the soil was measured
39° using the shear test (ASTM-D3080), and a bulk den-
sity of 1.73 g/cm3 was calculated. A specific gravity test
(Gs) conducted on the soil sample measured a Gs of 2.63
(ASTM-D854). A void ratio derived from these parameters
resulted in 0.52. The saturated hydraulic conductivity, k,
of the sandy soil had a value of 7.6 x 10-4 cm/s (Figure 2.).
3.3 Experimental Setup
The model box used for the experiment is shown in
Figures 3. and 4. It is 600 mm long, 100 mm wide and
400 mm high. Its walls and partitions are made from trans-
parent plexiglass to visually observe slope model changes
and monitor water seepage with a dye and an ultraviolet
(UV) LED flashlight.
The box has four compartments: one for the model
slope and three sections for the water. The water cham-
ber dimensions on the side views are 100 mm x 400 mm,
100 mm x 400 mm, and 100 mm x 500 mm. The main
chamber for the soil slope model has a dimension of
100 mm x 500 mm.
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
0.010 0.100 1.000 10.000
Grain Size (mm)
Figure 1. Grain Size Distribution
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 2. (a) Sieve Analysis test (ASTM D422) (b)
Permeability Test (c) Specific Gravity Test (ASTM D-854) (d)
Direct Shear Test (ASTM D-3080)
Figure 3. Drawing of the box with dimensions
Per
ntPassig