CE-412

Geotechnical Engineering

Lab 1: Soil Sampling

Group 3

Lab Date: August 28 2017

Report Date: Dec 21, 2017

T.A: Erwin D. Cabral

Lab Grp: 3

Lab Members:

Alano, Aldin Z.

Albuera, Queency Lovely C.

Alcantara, Jora Marie H.

Delen, Edriel Royce P.

Laylo, Angelika Joy E.

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ABSTRACT

The experiment aims to obtain disturbed and undisturbed soil sample. It also aims to

perform soil sampling on the site since the first step in any construction projects is geotechnical

investigation. It is done to determine the integrity and stability of soil for the proposed structures

because the soil acts as the base or foundation of any structure.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………ii

II. OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………………..…1

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND………………………….……………………….1

IV. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT……………………………………………….….2

V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE……………………………….……………….…..3

VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA………………………………………………………………..4

VII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS……………………………………………….………5

VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS……………...………….……….5

IX. REFERENCES………………………………………………………….……….……6

X. DOCUMENTATION…………………………………………………………………..7

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1: DISTURBED SAMPLES DATA…………………………………………….5

TABLE 2: UNDISTURBED SAMPLE DATA………………………………….………5

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II. OBJECTIVES

The experiment is carried out with the purpose of getting and investigating two kinds of soil

samples; disturbed soil sample and undisturbed soil sample. The objective of this part of the lab

is to get soil samples off-site from Batangas State University Alangilan Campus and to perform

Soil Sampling with the knowledge acquired from the class demonstration and from other

references and resources. Furthermore, the group shall determine the suitability of the soil and

discuss the quality of the soil samples through observation and come up with an answer on what

is/are the importance of soil sampling for future construction purposes.

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Proper design of foundation of civil engineering structure, need sufficient knowledge about

subsurface condition of proposed site upon which foundation is to be supported. Arrangement

and orientation of underlying soil layers and physical properties of each layer, extent of each

layer are the necessary information in deriving both bearing and settlement behavior of

foundation soil. To obtain essential information like these, through laboratory and field testing,

subsurface investigation is conducted. In this process soil samples are collected from shallow

and deep strata. The method by which soil sample is collected is called sampling.

The first and most critical step in soil testing is collecting a soil sample. A soil sample is the

representative of the whole lot from which it is taken. It completely represents all the

characteristics of the lot from which it is recovered. There are two types of sample: disturbed

and undisturbed 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 the
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original conditions, and only properties of the soil grains can be accurately determined. On the

other hand, an undisturbed sample is one where the condition of the soil in the sample is close

enough to the original conditions of the soil, so that tests of structural properties of the soil can

be approximated.

IV. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Shovel

2. Gardening Hoe

3. Plastic bags

4. Cling wrapper

5. Gloves

6. Meter Stick

7. Weighing scale

8. Marker

9. Trowel

10. Crowbar
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V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

For Disturbed Sample:

Mark the desired 1-meter by 1-meter area of land. Clear all the unwanted clutter present

in the site like grass, leaves, etc. Scrape the soil until it reaches a depth of 6 inches. Then

excavate and collect the soil, which will serve as the undisturbed sample. Continue

excavation until it reaches a depth of 18 inches. Place the collected soil sample in plastic

bags and weigh it. Finally, label the samples using marker.

For the Undisturbed Sample:

Upon the collection of disturbed soil samples on the excavated area, continue digging

and make sure to preserve the center part of the soil. Be sure not to apply any form of

external force or undesired material to the preserved part of soil to maintain it’s on site

characteristics necessary for future lab experiments. Carefully detach the sample to the soil

and quickly cover it in cling wrap to maintain its moisture content. Weigh the sample and

then label it with marker.

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VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA

For the Disturbed Sample:

Sample No. Weight(kg)

1 4

2 4

3 4

4 4

Table 1. Disturbed samples data

For the Undisturbed Sample:

Sample No. Weight(kg)

1 7

2 8

Table 2. Undisturbed Sample Data

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VII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

For the Disturbed Sample:

There were 4 Disturbed soil samples collected. Sample 1 weighing 4 kg, so as Sample 2,

3 and 4. A total of 16 kg of disturbed soil sample was collected.

For the Undisturbed Sample:

Two samples of undisturbed samples were obtained weighing 7 kg and 8 kg repectively.

Samples were obtained at Brgy. Bagalangit, Mabini, Batangas

VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The process of soil sampling is a delicate procedure specially in obtaining undisturbed

samples. It requires huge effort to assure that the quality of soil sample is maintained to its

original state. It is important to maintain the original quality of soil for us to come up with

precised and accurate results of future laboratory experiments.

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IX. REFERENCES

https://www.scribd.com/doc/96842453/Soil-Sampling-in-Geotechnical-Engineering

http://www.nairaland.com/1364248/why-soil-investigation-necessary-building

http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/Soil_Sampling_Instructions.htm
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DOCUMENTATION

Marking of the desired location

Clearing and scraping of the selected area

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Excavation and collection of disturbed samples

For undisturbed samples