Site Investigation and In Situ Tests 10-19

For laboratory tests on undisturbed samples, the samples are carefully taken out of the
sampling tubes without causing any disturbance to the samples. If the tubes are oiled inside
before use, it is quite possible for samples of a certain moisture range to be pushed out by
means of suitably designed piston extruders. If the extruder is horizontal, there should be a
support for the sample as it comes out from the tube so that it will not break. All extruding
operations must be in one direction, that is, from cutting edge to the head of the sampling tube.
For soft clay samples, pushing with an extruder piston may result in shortening or distortion
of the sample. In such cases, the tube may be cut by means of a high-speed hacksaw in proper
test lengths, which can directly be used for the desired tests. After the sample is extruded, it is
kept in either a humidity chamber or a desiccator and removed only when actual testing is
carried out, to avoid possible loss of moisture.
Samples of soils and rocks are tested in the laboratory to determine their engineering
properties depending on the phase of the investigation. For example, during the site reconnais-
sance phase, visual classification of soils and rocks usually is sufficient, but for the detailed site
exploration phase, several tests as given in Table 10.3 are conducted, keeping the design needs
of the structure under consideration. For laboratory tests, the size and type of sample required
are dependent upon the tests to be performed, the relative amount of coarse particles present,
and the limitations of the test equipment to be used. For example, 1–15 kg of a fine-grained
soil (or nongravelly soil) is sufficient for its laboratory test analysis, whereas a large quantity
(e.g., 50–100 kg) may be required for the analysis of a coarse-grained soil (or gravelly soil).

TABLE 10.3 Laboratory Tests That Can Be Conducted on Samples for a Detailed Site Exploration

Materials Tests兾Properties

Soils Physical tests Visual classification

Natural moisture content
Unit weight
Specific gravity
Grain size analysis
Consistency limits (liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit)
Permeability test
Consolidation test
Shear strength (unconfined compression, triaxial compression,
direct shear)
Swelling index test
Chemical tests Soluble salt content: chlorides and sulfates
Calcium carbonate content
Organic matter content
Groundwater Chemical analysis using pH determination
Bacteriological analysis
Rocks Visual examination
Petrographic examination
Unit weight
Specific gravity
Water absorption
Porosity
Unconfined compressive strength
Shear strength
Brazilian tensile strength

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