Volume 6 – Geotechnical Manual, Site Investigation and Engineering ...

Chapter 1 PLANNING AND SCOPE
Table 1.4 Common Uses of In Situ and Laboratory Tests
Purpose Suitable laboratory test Suitable in situ test
Profiling
Moisture content
Particle size distribution
Plasticity (Atterberg limits)
Undrained strength
Cone test
Dynamic penetration test
Geophysical down-hole
logging
Classification
Particle size distribution
Plasticity (Atterberg limits)
Cone
Parameter
determination:
Undrained strength,
cu
Peak effective
strength, c’ φ’
Residual strength,
c’ φ’
Compressibility
Permeability
Chemical
characteristics
Undrained triaxial
Effective strength triaxial
Shear box
Ring shear
Oedometer
Triaxial, with small strain
measurement
Triaxial consolidation
Triaxial permeability
pH
Sulphate content
SPT
Cone
Vane
Self-boring pressuremeter
Plate test
In situ permeability tests
Geophysical resistivity
The following table (Table 1.5 refers) details the applicable standards available for in-situ testing,
while Table 1.6 details on standards available for laboratory soils testing.
Table 1.5 Standards Available for In Situ Testing
Test British Standard American Standard
Density tests (sand BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 2 ASTM D1556-82
replacement,
water
ASTM D2937-83
replacement,
core
ASTM D2937-84
cutter,balloon and nuclear
ASTM D2922-91
methods)
Apparent resistivity BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 5.1 ASTM G57-78 (reapproved
1984)
In situ redox potential BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 5.2
In situ California bearing ratio BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 4.3 ASTM D4429-84
Standard penetration test BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 3.3 ASTM D1586-84
ASTM D4633-86 (energy
measurement)
Dynamic penetration test BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 3.2
Cone penetration test BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 3.1 ASTM D3441-86
Vane test BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause 4.4 ASTM D2573-72
(reapproved 1978)
Plate loading tests
BS 1377: part 9: 1990, clause ASTM D1194-72
4.1, 4.2
(reapproved 1978)
ASTM D4395-84
Pressuremeter test ASTM D4719-87
March 2009 1-15