Consolidation Test - Soil Properties: Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation - page 288

Figure 20-2 Consolidation Device (Courtesy of Cheng Liu)

large undisturbed block samples fabricated and sealed in the field.
Finally, remolded specimens may be prepared from bulk samples
to density and moisture conditions stipulated by the agency
requesting the test.

(2) Undisturbed samples destined for testing in accordance with
this test method shall be preserved, handled, and transported in
accordance with the practices for Group C and D samples in
ASTM Practices D 4220. Bulk samples for remolded specimens
should be handled and transported in accordance with the practice
for Group B samples.

(3) Storage —Storage of sealed samples should be such that no
moisture is lost during storage, that is, no evidence of partial dry-
ing of the ends of the samples or shrinkage. Time of storage should
be minimized, particularly when the soil or soil moisture is ex-
pected to react with the sample tubes.

(4) The quality of consolidation test results diminishes greatly with
sample disturbance. No sampling procedure can ensure completely
undisturbed samples. Therefore, careful examination of the sample
is essential in selection of specimens for testing.

Note 1 —Examination for sample disturbance, stones, or other
inclusions, and selection of specimen location is greatly facili-
tated by x-ray radiography of the samples (see ASTM Methods
D 4452).