Soil Sampling
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Hamza NadeemSoil Sampling
Uploaded by
Hamza NadeemAssignment
Soil Samplers
Soil samples are often categorized as being either "disturbed" or "undisturbed;" however,
"undisturbed" samples are not truly undisturbed.
Disturbed sample:
A disturbed sample is one in which the structure of the soil has been changed sufficiently that
tests of structural properties of the soil will not be representative of in-situ conditions, and only
properties of the soil grains (e.g., grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, and possibly the water
content) can be accurately determined.
Undisturbed sample:
An undisturbed sample is one where the condition of the soil in the sample is close enough to the
conditions of the soil in-situ to allow tests of structural properties of the soil to be used to
approximate the properties of the soil in-situ.
The sample disturbance depends upon the design of the samplers and the method of sampling. To
take undisturbed samples from bore holes properly designed sampling tools are required. The
sampling tube when forced into the ground should cause as little remolding and disturbance as
possible. The design features of the sampler, that govern the degree of disturbance are (i) cutting
edge (ii) inside wall friction and (iii)non-return valve.
Area ratio:
Hvorslev defined one of the critical parameters affecting the disturbance
of soil during sampling as the area ratio, defined by
( )
De = external diameter of the sampler cutting edge and ,Di = internal
diameter of the sampler cutting edge.
On the basis of area ratio sampler can be classified as disturbed and
undisturbed sampler. i.e if
sampler will be disturbed and if
sampler will
be undisturbed.
Geo-Tech II
2010-Ge-19
Assignment
Types of sampler:
The samplers are classified as thick wall or thin wall samplers depending upon the area ratio.
Thick wall samplers are those having the area ratio greater than 10 percent. Depending upon the
mode of operation, samplers may be classified in the following three common types :
(i)
open drive sampler (including split spoon samplers),
(ii)
stationary piston sampler and
(iii)
Rotary sampler.
Open drive sampler:
The open drive sampler is a tube open at its lower end. The sampler head is provided with vents
(valve) to permit water and air to escape during driving. The check valve helps to retain sample
when the sampler is lifted up. The tube may be seamless or it may be split in two parts; in the
latter case it is known as split spoon sampler.
Stationary piston sampler:
The stationary piston sampler consists of a Sample cylinder and the piston system. During
lowering of the sampler through the hole, the lower end of the sampler is kept closed with the
piston. When the desired sampling elevation is reached, ihe piston rod is clamped, thereby
keeping the piston stationary, and the sampler tube is advanced down into the soil. The sampler
is then Iifted up, with piston rod clamped in position. The sampler is more suitable for sampling
soft soils saturated sands.
Rotatory samplers:
Rotatory samplers are the core barrel type having an outer tube provided with cutting teeth and a
removable thin wall liner inside. It is used for firm to hard cohesive soils and cemented soils.
Some examples of sampler:
Split Spoon Sampler
It is used for collecting disturbed soil sample. It is driven into the soil by hammer (623N). For
each blow the hammer is raised 762mm. No of blows for each 6in depth of soil are recorded.
Geo-Tech II
2010-Ge-19
Assignment
( )
Ar = Area Ratio
Do = Outer diameter of sampler
Di = Inner diameter of sampler
Ar > 10 (Disturbed Soil Sample)
Ar < 10 (Undisturbed Soil Sample)
Shelby sampler:
Thin-wall open-tube samplers (Shelby Tube Samplers) are used for soils that are particularly
sensitive to sampling disturbance. They are suitable for fine soils up to a firm consistency, and
free from large particles.
Shelby Tubes are available in carbon steel and in stainless steel. Usual diameters are 3" or 4"
OD.
Requirements to minimize disturbance to samples
( )
Area ratio should be as low as possible. (<10%).
It represents the amount of soil displaced.
Thin-wall open-tube samplers (Shelby Tube Samplers) are used for
soils that are particularly sensitive to sampling disturbance. They
are suitable for fine soils up to a firm consistency, and free from
large particles. Shelby Tubes are available in carbon steel and in
stainless steel. Usual diameters are 3" or 4" OD.
Geo-Tech II
2010-Ge-19
