Name Subject & Section BCE 322 (3393)
Group No. ____1______ Date Performed Date Submitted
EXPERIMENT NO. 3
Preparation of Undisturbed Soil Samples
Introduction
Sampling and preparation of undisturbed soil samples require extra care
compared to the sampling and preparation of disturbed soil samples. This is so
because undisturbed soil samples must retain it characteristics in the original natural
state so that errors in the determination and calculation of its properties will be
avoided. Undisturbed soil samples are useful in Consolidation Test, Unconfined
Compression Test, Triaxial Shear Test, and most especially in tests that involve
chemical or mineral composition of soils.
Objective:
To prepare and store an undisturbed soil sample for future laboratory tests
Apparatus/Materials:
Soil Lathe Wire Saw
Miter Box Knife
Extruder Ruler
Procedure:
1. Prepare the sample in the laboratory. Use cellophane gloves of wax paper to
handle the specimen. Protect the sample from breaking.
2. Remove the protective coating of the sample with a knife or a hacksaw.
3. Cut a portion of the sample from original sample with a wire
saw. Clean the wire saw after every cut.
4. Trim the finished specimen with the use of the soil lathe and a wire saw.
5. Place the specimen in the miter box and cut to standard heights.
6. Measure dimensions of the specimen
using a caliper.
Drawing:
Wire saw
5cm
6.85cm
Cellophane
13.7cm
Sample Tube Undisturbed Sample 0.226 kg 0.227 kg
Recommended Sample Sizes
Type Pieces Height Diameter
of Test Required of Specimen of Specimen
Consolidation 1 50 mm 68.75 mm
Unconfined Compression 2 100 – 175 mm 50 – 87.50 mm
Triaxial Shear 3-5 100 – 175 mm 50 – 87.50 mm
Observations:
Sample Sizes Prepared
Type
of Test Weight
Unconfined Compression 0.226 grams
Unconfined Compression 0.227 grams
Discussion of Result:
We collected the undisturbed soil sample by using the tube sampler. After collecting
it, we left the sample in the tube sampler to keep the shape and wrapped it in a cellophane
glove to keep the moisture in. The whole sample has a length of 13.7 cm and a diameter of 5
cm. The sample was cut in half and has a 6.85 cm length. Each half has 0.226 kg and 0.227
kg.
Conclusion
Even though the undisturbed sample has the same length and diameter after cutting it
into two, it has a small difference in weight.
Post-lab questions:
1. Describe the process of obtaining an undisturbed sample without the use of the
tube sampler?
There are different kinds of samplers to be used in obtaining an undisturbed
sample. One of these samplers is a standard- split- spoon sampler. These are the
steps to collect the sample by using this sampler.
i. After the borehole has been made, the sampler is attached to the bottom of the
drill rod and lowered to the bottom of the hole.
ii. The sampler is forced into the soil by repeated blows of a drop hammer.
iii. The sampler is driven to the required length, taking care not to overstress the
sample, and is then withdrawn.
iv. The split tube is separated after removing the shoe and the coupling, and the
sampling tube with sample is taken out.
v. The sampling tube containing sample is then placed in a container, sealed, and
transported to the laboratory.
vi. In the samplers with separate a 3.8-cm-diameter tube inside the split barrel, the
tube is taken out, waxed on both ends, and transported to the laboratory.
vii. If the soil encountered in the borehole is fine sand below the water table, the
sample recovery becomes difficult. For such soils, a spring core catcher device is
used to aid recovery. As the sampler is lifted, the springs close and form a dome
to retain the sample.
viii. While taking samples, the water level in the borehole should be always
maintained higher than the GWT to prevent quick conditions.
2. What precautions are to be observed in using the sampling method described in
question No. 1
A. Split spoon sampler must be in good condition.
B. The cutting shoe must be free from wear and tear.
References:
Bowles, Joseph (1986). Engineering Properties of Soils and their Measurement. USA:
McGraw-Hill, Inc.
McCarthy, David (1988). Essentials of Soil Mechanics and Foundations. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall, Inc.
Liu, Cheng and Evett, Jack (2000). Soil Properties Testing, Measurement, and
Evaluation. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc
