E-leaning Part 3
B. Sampling B. Sampling
A process of taking soil for further investigation.
The selection of sampling technique depends on
the quality of samples required and the
character of the ground.
Basically there are two categories of samples;
namely, disturbed and undisturbed samples.
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B. Sampling
The sampling procedure should be selected on
the basis of the sample that is required and is
assessed largely by the suitability of the sample
for appropriate laboratory tests.
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By Ephrem F.
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There are four main techniques for obtaining
samples:
1. Taking disturbed samples from drill tools or excavating
equipment in the course of boring or excavation.
2. Drive sampling, in which a tube or split tube sampler
having a sharp cutting edge at its lower end is
forced into the ground either by static thrust or by
dynamic impact. E.g. thin walled samplers.
3. Rotary sampling, in which a tube with a cutter at its
lower end is rotated into the ground, thereby
producing a core sample.
4. Taking disturbed or undisturbed block samples from
a trial pit.
B. Sampling
The following table provides some guideline on
the amount of soil that should be obtained for
each type of tests.
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E-leaning Part 3
B. Sampling
Care should be taken in the protection and
handling of samples.
All samples should be labeled immediately after
being taken from a borehole or excavation.
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B. Sampling
Extrusion of samples
All extruding operations must be in one direction, i.e.,
in the direction of sample entrance.
After the sample is extruded, it should be kept either in
the humidity chamber or in a desiccator and taken out
only when actual testing is carried out, to avoid
possible loss of moisture.
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By Ephrem F.
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B. Sampling
Extrusion of samples
Undisturbed samples of soil retained in seamless tube
sampler, sealed with wax at both ends, have to be taken
out of the tubes for actual testing. This should be done
very carefully without causing any disturbance to the
samples themselves.
If tubes are oiled before use, it is quite possible for
samples of certain moisture range to be pushed out by
means of suitably designed piston extruders.
If the sample extruder is horizontal, there should be a
support for the sample as it comes out from the tube
so that it may not break.
B. Sampling
Types of samplers
Split spoon sampler is used to collect disturbed
samples.
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E-leaning Part 3 19/03/2020

B. Sampling B. Sampling
Types of samplers
Types of samplers
Undisturbed samples are usually collected by
Split spoon using thin walled samplers (Shelby tubes).

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B. Sampling B. Sampling
Types of samplers Degree of sample disturbance
Piston samplers are tube samplers with a piston The degree of disturbance for a soil sample is
to protect the soil which are used to collect usually expressed as
higher quality undisturbed samples.

Where
AR = area ratio (ratio of disturbed area to
total area of soil)
Do = outside diameter of the sampling tube
Di = inside diameter of the sampling tube
When the area ratio is 10% or less, the sample
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generally is considered to be undisturbed. 12

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CALCULATE THE AREA RATIO AND TELL WHAT

TYPE OF SAMPLE IS CAN BE COLLECTED
FROM STANDARD SPILT- SPOON SAMPLER ?

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By Ephrem F. 4