Determination of Volumetric Shrinkage of Soils by Dish Method

Abstract

Shrinkage characteristics of soils are very important parameters for consideration in the design of a safe and stable foundation. Volumetric shrinkage test gives a very effective idea about shrinkage behaviour of the soils. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommended the method of test for soils, for determination of shrinkage factors, as per Indian Standards IS: 2720 (Part 6)—1972 (Reaffirmed 1995). This method is commonly used to determine various shrinkage factors of soils. This laboratory method is very sophisticated, costly and time taking method. Generally, this test is not available easily in the middle class and small towns, and everyone cannot afford the expense of this test. Authors developed an alternative method named “Dish Method” to determine volumetric shrinkage of soils. The study suggests a very simple, quick, effective and economical procedure for the determination of volumetric shrinkage of soils by steel dish, plastic dish and paper dish methods. The proposed method provides a preliminary idea about the shrinkage characteristic of cohesive soil.