Geotechnical Lab
The lab provides advanced resources, equipment, and expertise for conducting research, experimentation, and analysis related to soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and geotechnical earthquake engineering. With its state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary approach, the Geotechnical Lab at IIT Mandi plays a pivotal role in advancing the field of geotechnical engineering and addressing geotechnical challenges for infrastructure development and natural disaster mitigation.
The Geotechnical Lab at IIT Mandi is equipped with a wide range of modern facilities that enable researchers and students to conduct advanced experiments, simulations, and analysis related to geotechnical engineering.
Ashutosh Kumar
Prasanna Rousseau
Casagrande Apparatus
Casagrande apparatus is used to measure liquid limit of fine soil
This apparatus consist of brass cup and grooving tools
1. Casagrande grooving tool
2. ASTM grooving tool
Height of free fall can be set by using adjusting screw providing on top of the apparatus.
Drop Cone Penetrometer
Drop cone penetrometer is used to measure liquid limit of soil
Least count of manual apparatus is 0.1 mm where as automatic apparatus is 0.01mm.
Plastic Limit Apparatus
Plastic Limit Apparatus is used measure plastic limit of soil.
Apparatus consist of a thick & smooth glass plate with a 3 mm diameter brass/steel rod.
Shrinkage Limit Setup
Shrinkage Limit Apparatus is used to measure shrinkage limit of fine soil.
Mercury is used to find the shrinkage limit, as the density of mercury is known. (i.e. 13.6)
Automatic Sieve Shaker
Sieve shaker is used in sieve analysis, to shake the sieves stack.
This apparatus is time controlled, and can hold upto 12 sieves having diameter 200mm.
Hydrometer
Hydrometer is used to measure particle sizes of soil sample for particle size distribution. (Sedimentation analysis)
Pipette Apparatus
Pipette Apparatus is used to measure particle sizes of soil solution for particle size distribution. (Sedimentation analysis)
Pycnometer – Density Bottle – Helium Gas Pycnometer
These equipment are used to measure specific gravity of the soil samples.
Pycnometer is used for coarse grain soil whereas density bottle is preferred for fine grain soil.
Compaction Proctor Apparatus
These equipment are used to perform proctor tests for measuring relationship between OMC and Dry Density.
1. Standard mould for test
2. Rammer for standard proctor test
3. Rammer for modified proctor test
Core Cutter
Core Cutter is used for finding the field density.
Core cutter consists of standard volume mould and standard weight rammer.
Sand Replacement Apparatus
Sand Replacement is used for finding the field density.
The apparatus consist of a measuring container, calibration cap and a tray having a hole at its centre.
In measuring container there is open/close valve facility.
Vibration Table
Vibration Table is uses to obtain relative density of sand
It consist of a standard mould with standard surcharge load.
Vibration speed can be controlled in this equipment.
Direct Shear Apparatus
Direct Shear Apparatus is used to find shear strength of soil.
Size of the shear box is (60*60*25)mm
This instrument is strain rate controlled and the range of strain rate vary from (1.25-0.002) mm/min
Vane Shear Apparatus
Vane Shear Apparatus is used to measure shear strength of soft soil/ cohesive soil.
It consist of four springs having different stiffness.
Vane rotates at fixed rate i.e. 0.1 ͦ/min.
CBR Apparatus
CBR Apparatus is used to determine CBR value of soil and also to be used to find the unconfined compressive strength of soil.
Rate of compression is fixed i.e.1.25mm/min
Consolidation Apparatus
Consolidation Apparatus is used to measure consolidation property of soil.
The apparatus standard mould is 60mm diameter and 20mm thick.
Universal Permeameter
Universal Permeameter is used to obtain permeability of soil (both constant and falling head method)
For falling head test there is different no of tube with different diameter.
Flexible wall Permeameter
To obtain permeability of soil at different level of confinements
For this standard size of soil sample is used i.e. 38mm diameter and 76mm height.
Universal Testing Machine
To perform compressive as well as tensile testing.
The capacity of the instrument is 5 Tonne.
The instrument is computer operated
Sample Extractor
Used to extract the samples from the mould.
Automatic extractor is working on hydraulic pressure, and used to extract all type of mould.
Manual Extractor is used to extract 38mm diameter mould.
Proctor Penetrometer
This is a spring type penetrometer, used to obtain compaction density.
Apparatus consist of seven different surface area needle and load graduation readings on stem of the equipment.
Needle Vibrator
Needle Vibrator is used for compacting the concrete
It essentially consist of a power unit and a long flexible tube at the end of which a vibrating head is attached.
The frequency of the vibrator is about 700 cycles per minute
Humidity and Temperature Control Cabinet
Humidity and temperature control cabinet is used to store the sample as per desired temperature and humidity.