27 NOVEMBER 2010
Types of samples
Disturbed samples - DS
Does not imply remoulded samples Supposed to retain the texture Supposed to retain the moisture Can be collected in bulk
Sampling Methods
Disturbed samples - DS
Sampling using SPT sampler (Split Spoon sampler) Bulk sampling from trial pits Sampling using smaller diameter tubes Sample for auger cuts
Auger cuts are mixed / remoulded / with severe alteration in water content
Sampling Methods
Undisturbed samples - UDS
By pushing thin walled tubes of 80 to 100mm dia Using piston samplers in soft deposits Using Shelby tubes By hand cut cube samples in trial pits By driving sampling tubes
severe sampling disturbance
Undisturbed sampling in sand Undisturbed sampling in Expansive and other residual soils
Core drilling is not very successful, Tube sampling causes severe disturbance Freezing techniques, etc., highly expensive, not very successful
Undisturbed Sampling
Thin Walled Tube Sampling
Sampler Head
Sampling Tube
Undisturbed Sampling
Thin Walled Tube Sampler
Wax second layer Wax first layer Polythene sheet UDS tube Sample
Undisturbed Sampling
Thin Walled Tube Sampling
Using ordinary light rigs and tripod Pushing the sampler is possible only when the shear strength is less than 20 kPa Driving of the sampler is resorted for stiffer soil
Undisturbed Sampling
Thin Walled Tube Sampling
In the field Disturbances during sampling
1. Disturbance to the structure during pushing the sampler 2. Alteration in stress levels when withdrawn
In the lab
1. Disturbance to the structure during pushing the tubes 2. Alteration in stress levels when withdrawn 3. Further disturbance while trimming to the size
Undisturbed Sampling
Effect of sampling disturbance
UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH (Kg/cm )
2
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
Near Karaikkal
VST UCC TRIAXIAL
Undisturbed Sampling
Effect of sampling disturbance
Undisturbed Sampling
Thin Walled Tube Sampling
Ways to reduce the disturbance In the field and during transport
1. Use very thin samplers and preferably piston samplers only by pushing the sampler using a hydraulic system 2. Place the sample filled tubes in a box with shock absorber packing
In the lab
1. Carry out the tests without time delay 2. Use very thin sampling tubes 3. The test specimens shall be initially confined to the field stresses (Requires three to four days extra for each sample and also requires more sensitive confining pressure application) 4. Saturation of specimen with back pressure
Disturbed sampling
Methods of sampling
More important because of the difficulties related to UDS The sample shall be representative and the collection shall be more frequent to present relatively thin layers along the depth Common method is collection using SPT sampler Collection of auger cuts is very common Collection of bulk samples form shallow trial pits Collection of samples using tubes of smaller diameter which is successful in the case of sand layers also.
Disturbed sampling
Methods of sampling & their influence
SPT samples
SPT samples are more representative with regard to texture Natural Moisture content Good for index property tests and grain size analysis
Tube samples
These samples are most representative with regard to texture and Natural Moisture content Good for index property tests and grain size analysis Long sampler can be sued for continuous sampling
Disturbed sampling
Method of Boring
Boreholes are usually 150mm diameter Disturbance at the borehole bottom is critical Most of the procedures leave 200 to 300mm disturbed bottom resulting bad sampling (and even SPT N) My experience with rotary boring and mud circulation with side discharge causes less disturbance
Disturbed sampling
Rotary wash boring procedure
Disturbed sampling
Using SPT sampler
HEAD
Disturbed sampling
Using SPT sampler
Disturbed sampling
Using SPT sampler
Disturbed sampling
In highly weathered rock using SPT sampler
SPT blow count 50 blows /12cm SPT blow count 50 blows /12cm
Disturbed sampling
In highly weathered rock using SPT sampler
Disturbed sampling
In highly weathered rock using SPT sampler
Disturbed sampling
In highly weathered rock using SPT sampler
Disturbed sampling
Effect of washing (wash samples during drilling)
CLAY SILT FINE MEDIUM COARSE FINE SAND MEDIUM COARSE FINE GRAVEL MEDIUM
100 90
80 70
PERCENTAGE FINER
Natural samples