SOIL SAMPLING
process of collecting soil samples
studying the ground's geotechnical properties
detailed analysis of soil behavior
direct method of soil investigation
Significance of sampling
Soil testing mandatory prior to the execution of
major construction projects.
For repairing or upgrading existing infrastructure
Assess the potential for damage to existing
infrastructure from natural disasters
Assessment of water table
Long term economy
Why sampling is done ?
Satisfactory sample size with minimum disturbance
for lab tests
Analysis of index and engineering properties
Load bearing capacity.
Settlement
Factors to be considered
Samples should be representative of the ground
Samples large enough to contain fabric, fissures,
fractures, rock samples, vegitation etc.
minimum disturbance
Sampling procedure
Field area to sample
Time of sampling
Sampling tools
Sampling depth
Amount of samples
Sampling process
Sample ID and shipping
Requirements at site
Soil sampling augers
Soil samplers
Tripods , motor,winch ,pump etc
Shovels
Sampling bags
Sample containers/cans
Type of soil samples
Disturbed sample
Undisturbed sample
DISTURBED SAMPLES
in-situ properties of soil do not retain while
collection process
natural conditions of a sample such as its structure,
texture, density, natural water contents or the stress
conditions are disturbed
Composition and mineral content retained
for identifying index properties
samples collected by normal pit,auger boring, wash
boring, split spoon sampler etc
Representative samples
Natural moisture condition preserved
Proportions of mineral constituents intact
Non-Representative samples
Soil structure altered
Soil layers mixed
Mineral constituents mixed
UNDISTURBED SAMPLES
natural conditions of a sample not disturbed
structure, texture, density, natural water contents or
the stress condition
For determination of engineering properties
Samples collected with thin walled samplers
(stationary/rotary), dennison type double tube core
barrels.
Type of samples required
TYPE OF TEST TYPE OF THE SAMPLE
Natural Water Content Undisturbed
Density Undisturbed
Specific Gravity Disturbed/Undisturbed
Grain size distribution Disturbed/Undisturbed
Atterberg limits Disturbed/Undisturbed
Coefficient of permeability Undisturbed
Consolidation parameters Undisturbed
Shear strength parameters Undisturbed
Factors that affect the quality of an
undisturbed soil sample
Side friction
Volume displacement
Lateral expansion
Variation in water content
Hydrostatic pressure
Weather conditions
Sampler condition
Handling and Transportation
Professionalism of the working group
Degree of disturbance
SAMPLER DESIGN
1. Inside clearance
D3-D1)/D1
Range =0.5-3%
2. Outside clearance
(D2-D4)/D4
Range =0-2%
3. Area Ratio
((D2^2-D1^2)/D1^2)x100
If cutting edge thickness is more, degree of
disturbance is more
Ratio – Less than 10% for soft clays
Ratio – Less than 20% for stiff formations
[Link] wall friction
[Link]-return valve
[Link] of applying force
Type of samples
Depending upon ratio
Thick wall sampler
Thin wall sampler
Depending upon mode of operation
Open drive
Stationary piston
Rotary piston
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