GROUND INVESTIGATION TESTING Selection of Testing for SPECIFIERS

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GROUND INVESTIGATION TESTINGSelection of
Testingfor SPECIFIERS
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Ground Investigations

• The technical objectives of a ground
  investigation
• Characterize ground
• Determine hazards
• Assess suitability of a site for the proposed
  development
• Provide design parameters

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Achieving Technical Objectives

• To identify and classify soil and rock samples
  and determine soil and rock properties relevant
  to the technical objectives of the ground
  investigation
• Geological description of samples collected
  during investigation
• In-situ testing during investigation
• Geotechnical and analytical laboratory testing
  of samples collected during investigation

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Laboratory Testing

• Testing by a laboratory accredited to ISO 17025
  is an essential part of soil and rock testing
• Competency of staff
• Control of test conditions
• Accuracy of test measurements
• Traceability of measurements to national
  standards
• Control of test material
• Repeatability of results

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Presentation of Results

• AGS Electronic Data Format
• To the format specified by standard for the test

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Laboratory Testing

• Soil and Water testing
• Rock Testing
• Chemical Testing (for effect on construction
  materials)
• Contamination (Analytical) Testing

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Types of Laboratory Tests

• Classification tests
• Chemical Tests
• Compaction Tests
• Shear strength and triaxial tests
• Consolidation Tests
• Permeability Tests
• Specialist Tests
• Rock Tests
• Contamination Tests

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Structuring the Test Schedule

• Design data required and for what purpose
• Identification of material characteristics
• Identification of contamination levels
• Type of sample needed
• Minimum mass of sample
• Multiple tests on samples

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Classification Tests

• Moisture content
• Density
• Atterberg limits
• Particle size distribution

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Rock Testing

• Classification (moisture, density, porosity,
  slake durability)
• Point load strength
• Uniaxial compressive strength and modulus
• Triaxial strength
• Permeability

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Chemical Tests

• To provide design parameters for civil
  engineering materials in the ground
• pH, sulphate, chloride, carbonate
• Organic content and mass loss on ignition
• Special testing (eg SD1)

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Compaction Tests

• Density/moisture content relationships
• California bearing ratio (CBR)
• Moisture condition value tests (MCV)
• Maximum/minimum density
• Combined relationship testing

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Shear Strength and Triaxial Tests

• Shear Box
• Laboratory vane shear
• Quick undrained triaxial test (total stress)
• Consolidated undrained triaxial test (effective
  stress)
• Consolidated drained triaxial test (effective
  stress)
• Ring shear for residual strength

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Consolidation Tests

• One dimensional consolidation
• Triaxial consolidation
• Hydraulic cells (Rowe)
• Swelling tests

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Permeability Tests

• Constant head permeameter
• Falling head permeameter
• Triaxial permeability

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Specialist Soils Tests

• Other tests are available for specific purposes
• Talk to your Laboratory

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Contamination Testing

• pH
• Organics
• Inorganics
• Metals
• Asbestos

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Further Guidance

• AGS Guide The selection of geotechnical soil
  laboratory testing
• AGS Addendum note on Analytical Testing
• AGS Guide lines for Combined Geoenvironmental and
  Geotechnical Investigations
• If in doubt seek advice from the laboratory

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