You are comparing apples and oranges. Particle sizes define what the particles are: Boulder / Cobble / Gravel / Sand / Silt / Clay. The limits are used to describe how the tested, "finer portion" of the soil behaves. USCS and AASHTO use those limits to help define a classification, based on the...
With free water implies there is water, and that the water has the ability to move freely. This will cause piping of soil due to pier movements, and create a gap between the soil and the pier. Therefore, there is a loss of support, and an increase in deflection verses a pier without free water...
I did not download that paper; however, I saw it was published in '89. I do believe Boutwell published a paper "THE STEI TWO-STAGE BOREHOLE FIELD PERMEABILITY TEST" in '92, as well. Per my discussion with Boutwell, this was the basis of the ASTM standard (D6391). It was interesting that the...
Lacroix & Horn is typically recommended when working close to geologic contacts with stiffer materials.
I use the Burmister equation for the sampler diameters (1948): (22-1.3752)/(DO2-Di2) for the split spoon diameters over the modified California diameters. At 2.5 OD and 1.935 ID, that puts...
Open only at the bottom does not make it a one-directional test. As the water enters the soil, it will move in "all directions", absent any confining situations. Two-stage borehole testing is designed in that way, with only being open at the bottom. The first stage will give you a permeability...
Well, Modified California sampler blow counts can be correlated to SPT, or perhaps we used a standard split spoon for this. That aspect is irrelevant to the question, although your thoroughness is appreciated.
Also, I agree with your first points, for the most part. And I certainly agree that a...
I started off with glass, but now use bags, as I also moved to the west and use mostly Modified California barrels.
I find MTNClimber's assessment of Colorado bit odd, as engineering is based on learning from past experience, and that of others. That is how engineering started, with people...
I have not been able to filter this out of other threads so forgive me if this duplicates:
I have a site where we have some saturated sand and silt (non-plastic) materials with very low blow counts found in two out of ten borings to depths of about 65 feet. These two borings are in the same...
The testing for Radon that I have done has been based on completed structures. I have been given a specification that calls for Radon testing of import fill, prior to delivery at the site (looking for <400 picoscuries per Liter).
I have been looking for a specification that discusses testing...
I think it is similar to establishing a bearing capacity for a footing. You can use some easy methods and get 3000psf, or you can go through a more detailed analysis including capacity and settlement and perhaps get 3200psf. The difference in this case is pretty minimal, and both fall below...
I have just found out that the owner of our small firm let the our liability insurance laps. It is currently being reinstated, with no loss of coverage.
My question is how or could this have impacted me, as a PE working for the company and signing documents? If a claim had been made, would I...
Like was said, signing bonuses are more for when people really need to get someone in the door. If they have a surplus of applicants, why would they offer extra to bring someone on?
Things like tuition reimbursement are likely laid out in the employee handbook, and are most likely not...
That is exactly like my house - one story built into the slope. I wish we had 2x6 walls though, more for heat retention than stopping heat gain.
Use the sun wisely. We have somewhat larger overhangs that shade the house in the summer (along with the trees), but let in direct sunlight in the...
