Soil Testing Instruments

MILESTONE INSTRUMENTS offers the following models

1. Static Cone Penetrometer, 30 KN (3000 kgf) capacity, Hand Operated
The drive is by means of a rack and pinion manually through a gearing arrangement. The gear box and pinion are fixed on two handles, sprockets and chain arrangement. The movement of the rack is guided by a bracket (attached to the rack) and two pillars. The penetration resistance i.e. the pressure, is indicated on hydraulic gauges through a hydraulic measuring head. Two pressure gauges of 15 cm dia dial and capacities 0-160 kg/cm2and 0-60 kg/ cm2are provided. An automatic cut-off valve, to protect the low capacity gauge from being overloaded, is provided. The valve can be adjusted and locked at desirable values between 20 to 60 kg/cm2. A provision is made to anchor the unit to the ground (with the help of four anchors supplied with the unit) and there is a provision for lateral movement of the unit, so that subsequent tests could be performed without shifting the entire anchorage. A 10-cm2-penetration cone with friction jacket is provided along with fifteen mantle tubes (non-uniform) having an effective length of 1 m each with sounding rods for finding out the cone (point) resistance or jacket friction.
Meets: - IS: 4968 (Part 3)-1976 (Reaffirmed in 1987)
It consists of:

2. Static Cone Penetrometer Capacity 98 kN (10,000 kgf) (Engine Driven) IS: 4968 (Part 3)-1976
For reaching greater depths and to facilitate easy and constant rate of penetration of 1 to 2.5 cm/sec of the cone, this engine-driven Static Cone Penetrometer of 100 kN (10,000 kgf) capacity is preferable. The equipment consists of a hydraulic pump driven by a Diesel Engine. The whole system is mounted on a towable trolley fitted with pneumatic wheels. The pumping unit and ram are connected by means of flexible pipes through a direction control valve. The hydraulic ram moves on a two-pillar stand mounted on a trolley. Complete with the following:

3. Static Cone Penetrometer, 200kN (20,000kgf) engine driven, self-start
The hydraulic ram moves on a two-pillar stand mounted on a trolley. Complete with the following

It is designed to determine the swelling pressure developed by soil specimens moulded to desired densities at known moisture contents, when soaked in water. The load applied to restrain the swelling is transferred to a load measuring proving ring through a perforated swell plate and a load transfer bar. The proving ring is attached to the lead screw of hand operated load frame. A soaking tank is provided for saturating the specimen and the base of the mould has channels and radial grooves with connecting holes.
It consist of the following

• Capacity 50 kN (5,000kgf)
• Mould, 100 mm dia x 127.3 mm height (1,000 ml volume) with base plate and collar
• Proving Ring, with integral boss, high sensitivity 2.5 kN (250 kgf) capacity, with calibration chart
• Dial Gauge, 25 mm travel, 0.01 mm least count
• Perforated Swell Plate, 100 mm dia x 16 mm thick
• Spacer, 100 mm dia x 12.7 mm thick
• Pair of Porous Stones, 100 mm dia x 12.7 mm thick
• Load Transfer Bar
• Steel Ball
• Soaking Tank250 mm dia x 210 mm high

The Plate Bearing Test is essentially a model test of foundations and gives the load deformation characteristics for determining the ultimate bearing capacity of foundations. This test is a standard technique for determining bearing capacity of soils and the results of other methods are compared and calibrated with the values obtained with plate bearing test. In this method, a steel plate is subjected to a gradual increment of load and the corresponding settlement is noted. The Ultimate Bearing Capacity is taken as the load at which the settlement increases at a rapid rate.

• Load Truss 200kN (20,000 kgf)
• Load Truss 300kN (30,000 kgf)
• Load Truss 500kN (50,000 kgf)

It consists of clear transparent glass having uniform clarity through out the hydrometer which density scale is engraved. The scale range is 0.995 to 1.030 densities (gms/ml) at 27 degree centigrade.

Graduated glass cylinder made of borosilicate glass and 1000 ml capacity and dimension is 457 mm height and 60 mm dia.

Relative density relates the dry density of cohesion less soil to the maximum and minimum densities. The degree of compaction of cohesion less soil can be stated in terms of relative density.
This equipment consists of the following:

• Vibratory Table
• Cylindrical Metal Unit Weight Mould
• Guide Sleeve with clamp assembly
• Surcharge base plate
• Surcharge Weight
• Cylindrical Metal Unit Weight Mould
• Guide Sleeve with clamp assembly
• Surcharge base plate
• Dial Gauge Holder
• Dial Gauge
• Calibration Bar

It consist of Aluminium and use for keeping the samples. Following sizes are available:

1. 100 mm Dia x75 mm Height
2. 50mm Dia x 30 mm Height
3. 55mm Dia x 35 mm Height
4. 70mm Dia x 45 mm Height
5. 80mm Dia x 50 mm Height

• Unconfined Compression Testing Machine, Manual
  Unconfined Compression Testing of soil is a quick and simple method to study the behaviour of soil. This is generally done on cohesive soils. In this test, specimen is subjected to uniaxial compression without any lateral support. The equipment can be used for determining the unconfined compression strength of cohesive soil specimens of 38mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm dia size.
  The equipment comprises of the following
  1. One loading unit, 50 kN (5000 kgf) capacity with three rates of travel.
  2. One top platen with spring and ball seat arrangement
  3. One bracket: for dial gauge mounting
  4. One adaptor for proving ring
  5. One extra plate for lower platen
  6. One spanner
• Unconfined Compression Testing Machine, Motorised
  The Compression Testing is suitable for operation on 220 volts, 50 Hz., Single Phase, AC Supply.
• Unconfined Compression Testing Machine, Motorised, Digital
  Same as above but with Digital read out

Meets: - IS: 2720 (Part 10),

The front loading odometer test is used to determine the consolidation characteristics of soils of low permeability. Tests are carried out on specimens prepared from undisturbed samples. Data obtained from these tests, together with classification data and a knowledge of the soils loading history, enables estimates to be made of the behaviour of foundations under load

Meets:- IS 2720 (PART IV) AND BS 1377:2.
This is for the determination of the sub sieve particle distribution in a soil sample by mechanical analysis. An analysis of this kind expresses quantity the proportions by weight of the various sizes of particles present in the soil. It is recommended as a standard procedure to use dispersion agent to avoid flocculation.

This instrument is used for preparing soil samples for various tests like Triaxial Test, Unconfined Compression Test etc. Soil lathe consist of a cabinet enclosing motor and gear system whichrotates a disk at 24 R.P.M. this disc adopts gripper plate of various size. An up right has an adjustable holder and takes upper gripper plates of different diameters. Arrangement is provided to control height and depth of cutting tool through a lead screw which has speeds 0.8mm/min. and 1.6mm/min. Supplied complete with gripper plate pairs for 38mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm dia specimens.

It consist one each of :-
Glass Cylinder, graduated, 25 ml x 0.5 ml, Porcelain Evaporating Dish, Shrinkage Dish, Glass Cup, Perspex Prong Plate, with three Metal Prongs, Perspex Plain Plate, Spatula
Meets:- IS:2720 (Part 7), 10077, ASTM D 427, BS:1377, AASHO T 92

Soil sample rings 60mm dia, 100cc internal volume, complete with 10 stainless steel soil sampling rings with end caps, and one nylon headed shock absorbing hammer.