CCIL CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories Soil Testing and Geotechnical Analysis Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to ASTM D422, what is the standard sieve size used to separate coarse and fine fractions during a mechanical sieve analysis of soil?

Accepted Answer

No. 4 (4.75 mm)

Answer

No. 10 (2.00 mm)

Answer

No. 40 (0.425 mm)

Answer

No. 200 (0.075 mm)

Question 2

Which ASTM standard governs the determination of the Liquid Limit of soils using the Casagrande device?

Accepted Answer

ASTM D4318

Answer

ASTM D1557

Answer

ASTM D698

Answer

ASTM D2487

Question 3

In the USCS soil classification system, what group symbol designates a well-graded gravel with little or no fines?

Accepted Answer

GW

Answer

GP

Answer

GM

Answer

GC

Question 4

What parameter is calculated as the ratio of the coefficient of uniformity (Cu) threshold check during USCS classification of gravels?

Accepted Answer

Cu ≥ 4 and 1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3

Answer

Cu ≥ 6 and 1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3

Answer

Cu ≥ 4 and 1 ≤ Cc ≤ 2

Answer

Cu ≥ 6 and 1 ≤ Cc ≤ 2

Question 5

During a standard Proctor compaction test (ASTM D698), how many layers of soil are compacted into the mold?

Accepted Answer

3 layers

Answer

5 layers

Answer

4 layers

Answer

2 layers

Question 6

What does a Plasticity Index (PI) of zero indicate about a soil sample?

Accepted Answer

The soil is non-plastic and has no range between liquid and plastic limits

Answer

The soil has equal liquid and plastic limits at high moisture

Answer

The soil is highly expansive clay

Answer

The soil cannot be classified by Atterberg limits