Measurement of Properties - Geotechnical Engineering Investigation - page 140

Laboratory Testing
Soil samples and rock cores are, for the most part tested in the laboratory. Rock cores are
occasionally field tested.
Rock cores are tested in the laboratory primarily for basic and index properties, since
engineering properties of significance are not usually represented by an intact specimen.
Laboratory tests of intact specimens, the property measured, and the application of the
test in terms of the data obtained are summarized in Table 3.2.
Soil samples are tested for basic and index properties and for engineering properties
when high-quality undisturbed samples are obtained (generally limited to soft to hard
intact specimens of cohesive soils lacking gravel size or larger particles). Laboratory soil
tests, properties measured, and the application of the tests in terms of the data obtained
are summarized in Table 3.3.

In Situ Testing
Geologic formations are tested in situ within boreholes, on the surface of the ground, or
within an excavation.

TABLE 3.2
Intact Rock Specimens: Laboratory Testing

Property or Test Applications Section

Basic Properties Correlations, analysis

Specific gravity Mineral Identification 3.2.1

Porosity Property correlations 3.2.1

Density Material and property correlations 3.2.1

Engineering analysis

Hardness Material correlations 3.2.1

Tunneling machine excavation evaluation

Durability
LA abrasion Evaluation of construction aggregate 3.2.1

quality

British crushing
Reactivity Reaction between cement and aggregate 3.2.1

Sonic velocities Computations of dynamic properties 3.5.3

Index Properties Classification and correlations

Uniaxial compression See rupture strength 3.4.3

Point-load test See rupture strength 3.4.3

Permeability Not normally performed in the lab

Rupture Strength Measurements of

Triaxial shear Peak drained or undrained strength 3.4.3

Unconfined compression Unconfined (uniaxial) compressive 3.4.3

strength used for correlations

Point-load test Tensile strength for correlation with 3.4.3

uniaxial compression

Uniaxial tensile strength Strength in tension 3.4.3

Flexural or beam strength Strength in bending 3.4.3

Deformation (static) Measurements of

Triaxial test Deformation moduli Ei , Es , Et 3.4.3

Unconfined compression Deformation moduli Ei , Es , Et 3.4.3

Dynamic Properties Measurements of

Resonant column Compression and shear wave velocities 3.5.3

V p, V s
Dynamic moduli E, G, D