Field/in-situ tests should be used as part of all investigations but are particularly

valuable where the preparation of representative laboratory samples is

complicated by one or more of the following conditions.
a) The spacing of the bedding, fabric and discontinuity features in the mass is
such that a sample representing the mass would be too large for laboratory
test equipment. The discontinuities are assumed to govern the
geomechanical response of the material on the scale of the structure
concerned.
b) It is difficult to obtain samples of adequate quality because of the lack of
cohesion or irreversible changes in mechanical properties; these result from
changes in the pore pressure, the degree of saturation and stress
environments during sampling, and from physical disturbance resulting from
the sampling procedure.
c) It is difficult to determine the in-situ conditions, such as pore water
pressure, degree of saturation and stress environments for reproduction in
the laboratory testing.
d) Sample disturbance due to delays and transportation from remote sites is
excessive.
e) The zone of interest might be inaccessible to sampling equipment.
The larger scale field tests are expensive and should not be undertaken before
obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the geology and nature of the
ground.
NOTE 4 Standards are now generally available for the more common in-situ ground
investigation tests but the more specialist and large scale tests are generally
designed to take account of the nature of the works and the character of the
ground based on the findings of the initial ground investigation. Careful observation
is required in all field tests. Continuous recording equipment can be used to improve
the precision, e.g. to note small changes during the test, and can increase the quality
of the data obtained.

38 Probing
COMMENTARY ON CLAUSE 38
Probing from the surface probably represents the oldest method of investigating the
depth to a hard stratum where the overburden is of low strength and not unduly
thick. The simplest probe is a sharpened steel rod, which is pushed or driven into the
soil until it meets resistance. The method is still of use where it is likely that there
are relatively thin layers of low strength soils overlying much higher strength soils,
when the thickness of the soft stratum might be determined over a wide area very
quickly and economically. The method has many limitations, and a variety of more
sophisticated methods have been developed in an attempt to overcome these and to
extend the use beyond that of detecting a bearing stratum within the soils present.