b) Differentiate between disturbed and undisturbed sample and give 3 type of

sampler for each sample

There are 2 types of soil samples, there are disturbed and undisturbed.

1.7.1 Disturbed Sampling

Disturbed samples are generally obtained to determine the soil type,

gradation, classification, consistency, density, presence of contaminants,
stratification, etc. The methods for obtaining disturbed samples vary from hand
excavating of materials with picks and shovels to using truck mounted augers and
other rotary drilling techniques. These samples are considered. disturbed. since
the sampling process modifies their natural structure.

1.7.2 Undisturbed Sampling

Undisturbed samples are used to determine the in place strength,

compressibility (settlement), natural moisture content, unit weight, permeability,
discontinuities, fractures and fissures of subsurface formations. Even though such
samples are designated as. undisturbed, in reality they are disturbed to varying
degrees. The degree of disturbance depends on the type of subsurface materials,
type and condition of the sampling equipment used, the skill of the drillers, and the
storage and transportation methods used.

1.7.3 Common Types of Samplers

The cuttings or washings from exploratory drill holes are inadequate to

furnish a satisfactory conception of the engineering characteristics of the soils
encountered, or even of the thicknesses and depths of the various strata. On the
contrary, such evidence more often than not is grossly misleading and has been
responsible for many foundation failures.
 Proper identification of the subsurface materials requires that samples be
recovered containing all the constituents of the materials in their proper
proportions. Moreover, evaluation of the appropriate engineering properties, such
as the strength, compressibility, or permeability, may require the performance of
laboratory tests on fairly intact or even virtually undisturbed samples.

The expenditure of time and money increases rapidly as the requirements

become more stringent with respect to the degree of disturbance that can be
tolerated and with increasing diameter of sample. Therefore, on small projects or
in the initial exploratory stages of large or complex projects, it is usually preferable
to obtain relatively inexpensive, fairly intact samples from the exploratory drill
holes.
On the basis of the information obtained from these samples, the necessity
for more elaborate sampling procedures can be judged.
Types of Soil Sampler

A wide variety of samplers are available to obtain soil samples for

geotechnical engineering projects.
These include standard sampling tools which are widely used as well as
specialized types which may be unique to certain regions of the country to
accommodate local conditions and preferences.
 General guidelines to assist geotechnical engineers and field supervisors
select appropriate samplers, but in many instace local practice will control.

Common types sampler used

i. Split Barrel Sampler

Used to obtain disturbed samples in all types of soils.

Typically used in conjunction with the Standard Penetration Test (SPT),
The sampler is driven with a 63.5-kg (140-lb) hammer dropping from a
height of 760 mm (30 in). (AASHTO T206 and ASTM D1586),
Available in standard lengths of
457 mm (18 in) and 610 mm (24in)
Inside diameters ranging from 38.1 mm (1.5 in) to 114.3 mm (4.5
in) in 12.7 mm (0.5 in) increments (Figure 3-7a,b).
The 38.1 mm (1.5 in) inside diameter sampler is popular because
correlations
High area ratio disturbs the natural characteristics of the soil being sampled,
thus disturbed samples are obtained.
 This corresponds to a relatively thick walled sampler with an area ratio

(Hvorslev, 1949).

Figure 3-7: Split-Barrel Samplers: (a) Lengths of 457 mm (18 in) and 610
mm (24 in); (b) Inside diameters from 38.1 mm (1.5 in) to 89 mm (3.5 in).

ii. Thin Wall Sampler (Shelby)

To obtain relatively undisturbed samples of cohesive soils for strength and

consolidation testing.
Commonly, it has a 76 mm (3.071in) outside diameter & a 73 mm (2.875 in) inside
diameter,
Resulting in an area ratio of 9 percent. (Figures 3-10)
Vary in outside diameter between 51 mm (2.0 in) and 76 mm (3.0 in) typically
come in lengths from 700 mm (27.56 in) to 900 mm (35.43 in), (Figure 3-11).
Larger diameter sampler tubes used when higher quality samples are required and
sampling disturbance must be reduced.
The thin-walled tubes are manufactured using carbon steel, galvanizedcoated carbon
steel, stainless steel,and brass.
Carbon steel tubes
The lowest cost tubes but are
 Unsuitable if the samples are to be stored in the tubes for more than a few days or if
the inside of the tubes become rusty,
Significantly increasing the friction between the tube and the soil sample. Galvanized
steel tubes
Preferred in stiff soils
Carbon steel is stronger,
Galvanizing provides additional resistance to corrosion.
Stainless Steel tubes

iii. Piston Sampler

Also known as an Osterberg or Hvorslev sampler.

Particularly useful for sampling soft soils where sample recovery is often
difficult although it can also be used in stiff soils.
The piston sampler (Figure 3-13) is basically a thin-wall tube sampler with
a piston, rod, and a modified sampler head.
Figure 3-13: Piston Sampler

(a) Picture with thin-walled tube cut out to show piston,

(b) Schematic

(After ASTM D4700).

The quality of the samples obtained is excellent

Probability of obtaining a satisfactory sample is high.
Advantages are that the fixed piston helps prevent the entrance of excess soil
at the beginning of sampling, thereby precluding recovery ratios greater than
100 %.
Helps the soil enter the sampler at a constant rate throughout the sampling
push.
The head used acts creates a better vacuum which helps retain
the sample better than the ball valve in thin-walled tube (Shelby) samplers.