Soil Testing Instruments

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.)

• Compaction Mould, Dia. 4" Made of Gun metal
• Compaction Mould, Dia. 4" Made of M. Steel
• Modified Compaction Mould, Dia. 6" Made of Gun metal
• Modified Compaction Mould, Dia. 6" Made of M. Steel

It is a motor driven mechanical compactor useful for soil compaction. Two sets of Rammers are provided The rammer assembly is provided with a ratchet and pawl arrangement to lift it from the top of the soil layer. When the rammer reaches the required height the pawl release the rammer which falls freely on soil surface. An automatic blow counter fitted to the compactor is used to set the number of blows. The base plate of the specimen mould is to be fitted to the rotating base plate of the instrument which marks 1/5" revolution per stroke. The equipment is suitable for operation on 230 V, 50 Cycles, Single Phase, A.C. supply
Meets:- ASTM D 558, BS 1377-4
Note: - Only one mould is provided with the machines.

This test is for conducting one dimensional consolidation test using either fixed or the floating ring for determining The consolidation characteristics of soil
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.
MILESTONE INSTRUMENTS offers the following models:

• Consolidation Apparatus 60mm specimen dia, single gang
• Consolidation Apparatus 60mm specimen dia, three gang
• Consolidation cell assembly

Used to determine the resistance to shearing of all types of soil specimens both consolidated and drained, undisturbed or remolded samples.
Meets:- IS: 2720 (Part 13), ASTM D 3080, IS: 2720 (Section 1 - Part 39),IS: 11593-1986, IS: 11229 - 1985, 2720 (Part 13) - 1986
MILESTONE INSTRUMENTS offers the following models:

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
4. Direct Shear apparatus, 2 KN,
   Type of Shear Measurement: Direct/Residual Operation: By stepper motor
   Rates of Strain: 0.00001 to 9.99999 mm/min
   Specimen Size: 60 x 60 x 25 mm
   Digital Display: Displacement and Speed with 0.00001 mm resolution
   Provided RS232 for PC connection
   Max vertical direct load: 3 kg/cm2
   Power Specifications: 230 V, 50 Hz, Single Phase, AC supply
5. Pneumatic Direct Shear apparatus, 2KN
   Direct/Residual Shear Apparatus utilizes the pneumatic loading concept for applying the vertical load to the sample. It eliminates the need of loading weights used in dead weight-type systems.
   Type of Shear Measurement: Direct/Residual Operation: By stepper motor Vertical Load is applied by the pneumatic loading concept.
   Rates of Strain: 0.00001 to 9.99999 mm/min
   Specimen Size: 60 x 60 x 25 mm
   Digital Display: Displacement and Speed with 0.00001 mm resolution
   Provided RS232 for PC connection
   Max vertical direct load: 3 kg/cm2
   Power Specifications: 230 V, 50 Hz, Single Phase, AC supply
6. Large Direct Shear Apparatus, Motorised, 50 KN (5,000 kgf) IS: 2720 (Section 1 - Part 39), IS: 11593-1986
   For testing sands, gravel, gravely clays and clay gravels for use in rolled fill embankments.
   Type of Shear Measurement:

        Direct Operation: Motorised
        Rates of Strain (mm/min): 72 speeds Ranging from 0.0014 to 10.16mm/min
        Specimen Size: 30 x 30 x 15 cm
        Change gears: 12
        Shear Load capacity: 50 kN
        Vertical load capacity: 500 kN/m2
        Net weight: 990 kg
        Power Specifications: 220 V, 50 Hz, 1 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.

The CBR test is used for determining the relative bearing ratio and expansion characteristics under known surcharge weights of base, sub-base and sub grade soils for the design of roads, pavements and runways. Tests can be conducted on all types of soils including sand, gravel and washed stone (passing through 20 mm IS Sieve). The CBR test is used extensively in selection of materials and control of sub grades. The procedure consists of loading soil with a circular piston, 50 mm dia face and maintaining a penetration rate of 1.25 mm/min. The load is noted and the results of test on natural or recompacted soils, in soaked and unsoaked conditions, can be compared with standard test results.
Meets:- IS: 9669 - 1980 IS: 2720 (Part 16) - 1979

Same as MI.SO-1008 but having manual operation

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

This motorised machine with electronic digital control by microprocessor is suitable to perform all the tests where the requested speed rate is within 0.1 to 60.0 mm/min. with Max. load of 50 kN

The use of the in-situ CBR apparatus on large road construction projects has increased considerably in recent years. This apparatus, mounted on a rolled steel joist cantilevered from the back of the truck or fitted to the underside of a mobile frame, can be used to determine the bearing capacity of soils quickly and efficiently. This method of testing in-situ, using piston penetration, is useful for determining the load carrying capacity in the field, when the in-place density and water contents are such that the degree of saturation is 80 % or greater, when the material is coarse grained and cohesion less so that it is not affected by changes in the water content and when the material has been in place.
Meets:-IS: 2720 (Part 31)

Optional Extra

• Dial Gauge: 0.01x25 mm
• Proving Ring: 50 kN (5,000kgf) capacity

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

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: - BS: 1377, ASTM: 89, IS: 2720 (Part 5), IS: 9259

MILESTONE 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