Experiment 1

According to the introduction, what does an appropriate program of soil investigation for a given project depend on?

• The type of project, the importance of the project, and the nature of the soil involved.

• The weather conditions during construction.

• The availability of construction materials nearby.

• The estimated cost of the project only.

Which of the following projects would require a more thorough soil investigation?

• Highway project

• Large dam project

• Small building project

• Road repair project

Sampling either from pits or from borings followed by laboratory testing is widely used in soil investigation especially for:

• Decorative landscaping

• Important structures and relatively uniform subsoils

• Gardening

• Road painting

The determination of in-situ properties by laboratory tests can be most difficult due to the changes in soil structure during sampling, transportation, and preparation.

• True

• False

Fill in the blank: The strength, compressibility, and permeability of a soil in place may vary several fold within a few _____

• inches

• miles

• years

• hours

What is the most nearly undisturbed soil sample?

• One in which the moisture content and structure are preserved and which is protected from undue strain while being made and transported to the laboratory.

• One that is air-dried before transport to the laboratory.

• One that is mixed thoroughly to ensure uniformity before testing.

• One that is compacted to increase its density before analysis.

Undisturbed sampling is a critical process requiring utmost care.

• True

• False

If the sample required is more than 8 feet or 10 feet below the ground surface, what is usually necessary?

• Special boring and sampling devices are usually necessary.

• A simple hand auger is sufficient.

• No sampling is required at that depth.

• Only visual inspection is needed.

The simplest and most economical method of obtaining disturbed samples of good quality in most soils is the ________.

• post-hole auger

• rotary drilling

• wash boring

• percussion drilling

The auger works well in which type of soil?

• Medium stiff cohesive soil and in most cohesionless soil above the water table for depths up to about 15 feet.

• Very hard rocky soil below the water table for depths up to 50 feet.

• Loose sandy soil saturated with water at any depth.

• Highly organic clayey soil at depths greater than 30 feet.