Preface to third edition This book, the first ofa series ofthree, is intended primarily as aworking manual for laboratory technicians and others engaged on the testing of soils in a laboratory for building and civil engineering purposes. This third edition has been revised to bring the procedures into line withthe current requirements of BS 1377: 1990, including its subsequent amendments. ‘The book is based on my own experience over many years both in managing large soil testing laboratories and in the instruction of technicians and engineers in test procedures in the UK and overseas. Ihave made a special effort to explain those points of detail that are often the cause of difficulty or misunderstanding, The step-by-step presentation of procedures, the use of flow diagrams, and the setting out of test data and calculations are provided for this purpose, especially for the newcomer to soil testing. Its necessary that those calculations should be properly understood, ‘This Volume presents details ofthe methods and equipment used in soil classification and compaction tests the former including relevant chemical tests. Most of these procedures are covered by British Standards, the most important being BS 1377: 1990, Methods of test Jor soils for chil engineering purposes, Pats 1,2, 3 and 4, The book is nota substitute for the ‘Standard, but it augments its requirements by its essentially practical approach. References to certain US (ASTM) Standards are included, and some guidance is given on the quality assurance requirements of UKAS, especially regarding calibration procedures, Forthcoming revised editions of Volumes 2 and 3 will similarly relate to Parts 5, 6, 7 and 8 of BS 1377. ‘A basic knowledge of mathematies, physics and chemistry is assumed, but some ofthe fundamental principles that are essential in soil testing are explained where appropriate T hope that the sections giving background information, general applications and basic theory will enable technicians to obtain a better appreciation of the purpose and significance of the tests they perform. The inclusion of a chapter on soil description is intended as an introduction to that important aspect of soil mechanics, and might pechaps stimulate an interest inthe broader topic of geology. Thope that this book will continue to be well used in the laboratory, and I would welcome ‘any comments and criticisms from those who use it KH, Head Cobham, Surrey