CHAPTER 2 Standard Test Procedures

Sampling

CHAPTER 2

SAMPLING

2.1 General

This standard deals with the sampling of soils, bricks, aggregates, cement, concrete, bitumen
and bituminous materials. A sample is a small quantity of material which represents in every way,
a much larger quantity of material. In taking a sample we are not usually attempting to select the
best or worst examples of the materials used but the typical material as used in the works.
Sampling should therefore be done on a completely random basis and personal preferences
should not be allowed to interfere with the selection.

2.2 Sampling of Soils

Samples are of one of two main types: disturbed or undisturbed.

2.2.1 Disturbed samples. Usually taken with a pick and shovel, scoop or other appropriate
hand tool, care should be taken to prevent coarse material from rolling off the sides of
the tool, which will leave behind too fine a sample.

Disturbed samples can be taken in test pits, trenches or similar excavations, auger
holes and boreholes. Disturbed samples can also be taken from stockpiles of material
and from material laid during road construction. Small disturbed samples can also be
available as the result of carrying out other work, e.g. samples from the Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) shoe, and samples from the cutting shoe of undisturbed sample
tubes.

2.2.1.1 Techniques. The sampling technique employed will be influenced by factors such as
the type and quantity of material being sampled, the equipment available, physical
constraints of the sampling location, the intended use of the material being sampled.

2.2.1.1.1 Test pits. Based upon the changes in moisture condition, colour consistency, soil type,
structure etc., the sides of the test pit are inspected to their full depth and any
observable change is recorded with depth. Any vegetation growing around the upper
edge of the test pit should be removed. Now every distinguishable gravel, soil or sand
layer should separately sampled by holding a spade or canvas sheet at the lower level
of the layer against the side of the pit and by cutting a sheer groove to the full depth of
the layer with a pick or spade. If the test pit had been dug sometimes before, then
weathered material should be removed from the surface before sampling. The material
obtained in this way should be placed in sample bags. The canvas sheet may also be
spread out on the floor of the test pit if this is more convenient. Once all the layers have
been sampled, all of the material from a particular layer must be combined on either a
clean, hard, even surface or on a canvas sheet and properly mixed with a spade. The
material sampled should not be contaminated with other material.

Samples should preferably be sealed in airtight tins and should fill the tin completely.
Duplicate or even triplicate samples should be taken. If the bulk sample is too large,
quarter or riffle out into sample bags a representative sample of the layer as explained
earlier. The sample bags must be clearly and indelibly marked, so that the samples can
be identified in the laboratory. All test pits should be properly fenced to safeguard
villagers and animals.

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Sampling

Caution: It is recommended that in any case no excavation deeper than 1.5m should be
made unless:

a) It is properly propped and braced

b) The gradient of the sides is at least equal to the natural angle of repose of the soil.
c) It is in firm rock.

2.2.1.1.2 Stockpiles. When sampling from a stockpile the material on the top and sides of the
pile must not be used as this is generally coarser than the interior of the stockpile. The
correct procedure is to dig small holes in the stockpile (Figure 2.2.1) and sample the
material from the base of these holes. At least ten holes must be made at different
places on the stockpile and the materials obtained should be thoroughly mixed
together. However, stockpiles are often scraped together in natural material with
bulldozers, in which case it is better to wait until the stockpile has been completed
before taking samples. Samples will be carried out using hand tools. Sampling can also
be done using a mechanical loader-digger (in large stockpiles). Samples may be
collected by using two shovels perpendicularly, one to prevent material falling on to the
samples and one to clean off and take the sample (Figure 2.2.2). Samples may also be
collected by digging a groove from the top to the bottom of the stockpile (Figure 2.2.3).

Table 2.2.1
Type of Test Soil Group*
Fine- Medium- Coarse-grained
grained grained
Moisture content 50 g 350 g 4 kg
Atterberg limits 1 kg 1.5 kg 2.5 kg
Particle size distribution (sieving) 150 g 2.5 kg 17 kg
Particle size distribution (sedimentation) 250 g 100 g** 100 g**
Particle density 1.5 kg 2 kg 4 kg
MDD test 80 kg 80 kg 80 kg
California bearing ratio 6 kg 6 kg 12 kg
pH value 150 g 600 g 3.5 kg
Mass of sample required for each test on disturbed samples is given in Table 2.2.1.
These masses include some allowance for drying, wastage and rejection of stones
where required. Multiply these masses by the number of tests required. Where
appropriate, these masses assume that soils are susceptible to crushing.

** Sufficient to give the stated mass of fine-grained material.

* Soil group

i) Fine-grained soils: Soils containing not more than 10% retained on a 2 mm test
sieve.
ii) Medium-grained soils: Soils containing more than 10% retained on a 2 mm test
sieve but not more than 10% retained on a 20 mm test sieve.
iii) Coarse-grained soils: Soils containing more than 10% retained on a 20 mm test
sieve but not more than 10% retained on a 37.5 mm test sieve.

A soil shall be regarded as belonging to the finest-grained group as appropriate under

the above definitions.

2.2.1.1.3 Road pavement layers. When sampling from a partly constructed road pavement, for
example in crushed brick consolidation work, several small areas should be marked out
and all the material must be collected from the excavated holes or trenches of each
area. Care must be taken to ensure all the fine material is collected by using small tools
like brushes. Undisturbed samples are not generally taken in roadwork layers. Core-
cutters used primarily in fine grained soils for in-situ density determination can also
provide an undisturbed sample.

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Sampling

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Sampling

2.2.2 Undisturbed samples. It is extremely difficult to obtain a truly “undisturbed” sample.

Samples generally described as undisturbed can be taken in the form of excavated
blocks, from which test specimens are later prepared, or in metal tubes fitted with
sharpened cutting shoes. Sample tubes of this type are driven or jacked into the ground
using a variety of methods and the sample are more frequently taken in boreholes
using machine-operated equipment, but can also be obtained in test pits using hand-
operated equipment.

2.2.2.1 Techniques

2.2.2.1.1 Block samples. Cohesive material in test pits or other locations can be sampled in
blocks by carefully cutting away surrounding material and then undercutting the block
to remove it.

2.2.2.1.2 Samples in moulds and tubes. Metal tubes for taking undisturbed samples are
commonly 75 mm or 100 mm φ and 450 mm long (known as U3 or U4 tubes) or 38 mm
φ and 230 mm long. The latter are convenient for use in test pits, when they can be
driven by using a hammer or preferably by a driving dolly. On ejection and trimming,
the samples are suitable sizes for triaxial testing. The larger sample tubes are fitted
with detachable cutting shoes and are generally driven using mechanised equipment or
hand-operated hammering device. Considerable care is required to maintain the
verticality of the tube when driving it. Samples in tubes or block sample should be
carefully waxed after removing just enough of the top of the sample with a palette knife
to form a flat surface.

2.2.3 Labeling sample. The sample must be comprehensively labeled. The label should
include information from the following list, as appropriate;

a) Name of the project

b) Name of the sampler
c) Date and time of sampling
d) Location within project: chainage; offset; carriageway; construction area, etc.
e) Depth of sample below reference datum, e.g. finished road level
f) Sample number
g) Description of the layer
h) Description of the material
i) Test pit; borehole; auger hole number
j) Type of sample
k) Sampling method
l) Supplier’s name
m) Source of material
n) Number and type of container(s), and the number(s) with which the containers are
marked
o) How samples are being sent
p) Registration number of sampled truck
q) Additional information, e.g. how the material was processed before sampling.

Metal tubes should be labeled on the side of the tube and not on the end cap. The end
of the metal tube marking the top of the stratum should be so marked (i.e. with a T).
The present system uses pre-printed ‘Sample Record Cards’, shown as Form 2.2.1.

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Sampling

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