Activity 3

Preparation of Undisturbed Soil Sample

For Testing

Date Performed: ________________

Date Due: ________________
Date Submitted: ________________

Attendance and Performance

Name of Students Present Absent Remarks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Submitted by:
________________________
________________________

Submitted to:
RINA MARIE V. PEDROSA, RCE, RMP, MEng
INSTRUCTOR I
 Activity 3
Preparation of Undisturbed Soil Sample
For Testing

I. Objective:
This laboratory exercise is carried out to understand the
procedure and the importance of getting undisturbed soil
samples ready for physical testing.
II. Significance:
It is critical to prepare an undisturbed soil sample
since the soil sample depicts the actual soil structure found
in the ground. This sample will be used to determine the
behavior of the soil under load. The closest examples of an
undisturbed sample are those that were taken with the least
amount of disturbance, meaning that both the natural density
and water content were kept as much as was generally
acceptable.
Undisturbed samples can be acquired using two
techniques: "open pit" sampling and tube sampling. These
samples are required for density, permeability,
consolidation, and different shear tests. The former method
involves carefully using standard digging tools to remove a
considerable proportion of the ground from an exposed area.
In the latter, the sample is extracted using thin-walled tubes
that are lowered deep beneath the ground. The samples are
immediately covered with a protective coating, like paraffin
wax, after removal.
III. Apparatus, Materials and Equipment:
1.) Soil Lathe
2.) Wire Saw
3.) Extruder if Tube Sample is used
4.) Miter Box
5.) Knife/Cutter
5.)6.) Caliper

IV. Methods:
1) If possible, the preparation of sample should be done
inside a room.
2) Remove the protective coating of the sample with a knife
or cutter.
3) Cut a portion of the sample from original sample with a
wire saw.
4) Trim the finished specimen with the use of the soil lathe
and a wire saw.
 5) Place the specimen on the miter box and cut to standard
heights.
6) Measure dimensions of the specimen using a caliper
7) Precautions in preparation of an undisturbed sample
a) Never handle the specimen with your hands. Use
cellophane or wax paper.
b) When transporting a specimen, support the entire
length.
2)c) Clean wire saw after every cut to remove soil sticking
into it.

V. Test Data and Test Results:

Sample Sizes for Test

No. of
TYPE OF HEIGHT DIAMETER
TEST WEIGHT Samples
SAMPLE (inches) (inches)
Required
1. Specific Disturbed 100g -- -- --
Gravity
2. Grain Size Oven Dried 400g -- -- --
3. Liquid Limit Disturbed 250g -- -- --
not Dried
4. Compaction Disturbed 11kgs -- -- --
not Dried
5. Consolidation Undisturbed -- 2 2 ¾ 1
6. Unconfined Undisturbed -- 4-7 2 to 3 ½ 2
Compression
7. Triaxial Shear Undisturbed -- 4-7 2 to 3 ½ 3-5

VI. Discussion and Analysis of Test Data:

a.) Computation

b.) Interpretation and Analysis of Test Results

References:
Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, Walden S. Rio, NBS Inc.,1988
https://www.cooper.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Soil-Lathe-
Trimmer-and-Extruder.jpeg

Drawing:

Source: https://www.cooper.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Soil-Lathe-Trimmer-and- Formatted: Font: 8 pt, Italic

Hand AugersSoil Lathe and

Trimmers
Extruder.jpeg
Documentation: