Table 37 Common laboratory tests for soils (7 of 10)

Category of test Name of test or Where details Remarks

parameter can be found
measured
Soil Effective stress The effective strength tests take into consideration pore pressures or are carried
strength tests out at a rate to ensure that there is no or very little change in pore pressures
tests Head and (drained tests).
(continued) Epps, 2013 [133] Data from effective strength tests are used for the analysis of long-term stability
in a variety of design situations.
Triaxial Head and Epps, The consolidation is usually isotropic but
compression tests 2013 [133] anisotropic consolidation might be
appropriate in some circumstances.
Triaxial BS 1377-8, The sample is saturated and consolidated
consolidated BS EN ISO prior to compression. The rate of
undrained test 17892-9 compression needs to be slow enough to
with pore pressure allow pore pressures to equalize during
measurements. compression. Local strain gauges or pore
pressure sensors allow more accurate
measurements.
Triaxial BS 1377-8, Samples are saturated, consolidated and
consolidated BS EN ISO the rate of compression set so there is
drained test with 17892-9 little rise in pore pressure. The sample is
measurements of allowed to drain during the test. In low
volume change permeability materials long periods are
needed to dissipate excess pore pressures
during compression.
Multistage triaxial BS 1377-8 Multistage tests might be useful where
versions of a) and there is a shortage of test specimens.
b) Results are not as reliable as single stage
tests.
Triaxial Stress path Head and Epps, Stress path tests can be applied to tests
tests 2013 [133] b) and c) to reproduce the stress history
of the ground before and during
construction.
Direct shear BS 1377-7, An alternative to triaxial tests.
(shear box) BS EN ISO Disadvantages are: drainage conditions
17892-10 cannot be controlled nor pore pressures
measured and the plane of shear is
predetermined by the nature of the test.
An advantage is that samples of
coarse-grained soil can be more easily
prepared than in the triaxial test. Only
drained tests should be undertaken.
Shear boxes are normally square with
sides of 60 mm or 100 mm but can also
be circular in plan. For gravels shear
boxes with sides 300 mm or larger
should be used.