Skip to main content

Geo-testing

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Practical Guide to Geo-Engineering

Part of the book series: Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering ((GGEE,volume 29))

  • 1977 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter contains results of interpretations of most common field and laboratory tests performed in soil and rock for determination of engineering properties.

Field tests considered are:

  • Standard penetration test (SPT) for estimation of mainly coarse grained soil density, shear strength and compressibility

  • Cone penetration test (CPT) for determination of mainly coarse grained soil density, shear strength and compressibility

  • Permeability to water of coarse grained soil using open pipe piezometers

  • Permeability to water of rock mass using water pressure test (Lugeon test)

  • Plate loading test for compressibility of soil sub-base

  • California bearing ratio (CBR) for compressibility of soil sub-base

  • Pressuremeter test in boreholes for soil and rock compressibility

  • Geophysical survey (refraction, reflection, electrical resistivity, ground penetrating radar, electro-magnetic)

Laboratory tests considered are:

  • Soil compressibility, swellability and collapsibility in oedometer

  • Swellability of rock

  • Soil static and cyclic shear strength and stiffness by simple shear apparatus

  • Soil static and cyclic shear strength and stiffness by triaxial apparatus (unconsolidated undrained and consolidated undrained with measurement of excess pore water pressures and local strain on specimen side)

  • Axial strength of rock cylinders in unconfined condition

  • Abrasivity of rock fill (Los Angeles test)

  • Transversal wave velocity by bender element

  • Soil stiffness and damping at small to large strain in cyclic condition by resonant column apparatus

  • Content of organics, sulphates, chlorides and carbonates, pH value

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Almeida MSS, Jamiolkowski M, Peterson RV (1992) Preliminary results of CPT tests in calcareous Quiou sand. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on calibration chamber testing, Potsdam, New York, 1991. Elsevier, pp 41–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambraseys NN (1988) Engineering seismology. Earthq Eng Struct Dyn 17:1–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arulnathan R, Boulanger RW, Riemer MF (1998) Analysis of bender element test. Geotech Test J 21(2):120–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM C131-06 Standard test method for resistance to degradation of small-size coarse aggregate by abrasion and impact in the Los Angeles machine. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM C1580-09e1 Standard test method for water-soluble sulfate in soil. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM C535-09 Standard test method for resistance to degradation of large-size coarse aggregate by abrasion and impact in the Los Angeles machine. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM C88-05 Standard test method for soundness of aggregates by use of sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D1195/D1195M-09 Standard test method for repetitive static plate load tests of soils and flexible pavement components, for use in evaluation and design of airport and highway pavements. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D1411-09 Standard test methods for water-soluble chlorides present as admixtures in graded aggregate road mixes. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D1586-11 Standard test method for standard penetration test (SPT) and split-barrel sampling of soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D1883-07e2 Standard test method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of laboratory-compacted soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D2435/D2435M-11 Standard test methods for one-dimensional consolidation properties of soils using incremental loading. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D2850-03a Standard test method for unconsolidated-undrained triaxial compression test on cohesive soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D2974-07a Standard test methods for moisture, ash, and organic matter of peat and other organic soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D3999-11 Standard test methods for the determination of the modulus and damping properties of soils using the cyclic triaxial apparatus. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4015-07 Standard test methods for modulus and damping of soils by resonant-column method. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4373-02 Standard test method for rapid determination of carbonate content of soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4428/D4428M-07 Standard test methods for crosshole seismic testing. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4429-09a Standard test method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of soils in place. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4719-07 Standard test methods for prebored pressuremeter testing in soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4767-11 Standard test method for consolidated undrained triaxial compression test for cohesive soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4972-01 Standard test method for pH of soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D5311-11 Standard test method for load controlled cyclic triaxial strength of soil. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D5777-00 Standard guide for using the seismic refraction method for subsurface investigation. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D5778-12 Standard test method for electronic friction cone and piezocone penetration testing of soils. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D6432-11 Standard guide for using the surface ground penetrating radar method for subsurface investigation. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D6639-01 Standard guide for using the frequency domain electromagnetic method for subsurface investigations. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D7128-05 Standard guide for using the seismic-reflection method for shallow subsurface investigation. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM G51-95(2005) Standard test method for measuring pH of soil for use in corrosion testing. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM G57-06 Standard test method for field measurement of soil resistivity using the Wenner four electrode method. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldi G, Bellotti R, Ghionna V, Jamiolkowski M, Pasqualini E (1986) Interpretation of CPTs and CPTUs; 2nd part: drained penetration of sands. In: Proceedings of the 4th international geotechnical seminar, Singapore, pp 143–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldi G, Bellotti R, Ghionna VN, Jamiolkowski M, Lo Presti DFC (1989) Modulus of sands from CPTs and DMTs. In: Proceedings of the 12th international conference on soil mechanics and foundation engineering, Rio de Janeiro, Balkema, Rotterdam, vol 1, pp 165–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergdahl U, Ottosson E, Malborg BS (1993) Plattgrundlagging. AB Svensk Byggtjanst, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • BRE Special Digest 1 (2005) Concrete in aggressive ground. Building Research Establishment, Garston

    Google Scholar 

  • BS 1377-3 (1990) Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. Chemical and electro-chemical tests. British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • BS 1377-5 (1990) Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. Compressibility, permeability and durability tests. British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • BS 1377-7 (1990) Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. Shear strength tests (total stress). British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • BS 1377-8 (1990) Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. Shear strength tests (effective stress). British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • BS 1377-9 (1990) Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. In-situ tests. British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • BS 5493 (1977) Code of practice for protective coating of iron and steel structures against corrosion. British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • BS 5930 (1999) + A2(2010) Code of practice for site investigations. British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Burland JB, Burbidge MC (1985) Settlement of foundations on sand and gravel. In: Proceedings of the institution of civil engineers, UK, Part 1, vol 78, pp 1325–1371

    Google Scholar 

  • Casagrande A (1936) The determination of the pre-consolidation load and its practical significance. In: Proceedings of the 1st international conference on soil mechanics and foundation engineering, Cambridge, UK 3

    Google Scholar 

  • Casagrande A, Fadum RE (1940) Notes on soil testing for engineering purposes. Harvard University Graduate School of Engineering, Publication No 8

    Google Scholar 

  • Cearns PJ, McKenzie A (1989) Application of dynamic cone penetrometer testing in East Anglia. In: Proceedings of the geotechnology conference Penetration Testing in the UK organized by the Institution of Civil Engineers, Birmingham, UK, pp 123–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Clayton CRI (1995) The standard penetration test (SPT): methods and use. Construction Industry Research Information Association report No 143, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornforth DH (1964) Some experiments on the influence of strain conditions on the strength of sand. Geotechnique 16(2):143–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DIN 4094-1 (2002) Baugrund – Felduntersuchungen – Teil 1: Drucksondierungen. Deutsche Industries Norm

    Google Scholar 

  • EN 1997-2 (2007) Eurocode 7: geotechnical design – Part 2: Ground investigation and testing. European Committee for Standardization, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • EN 1998-1 (2004) Eurocode 8: design of structures for earthquake resistance – Part 1: General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings. European Committee for Standardization, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • EN 1998-5 (2004) Eurocode 8: design of structures for earthquake resistance – Part 5: Foundations, retaining structures and geotechnical aspects. European Committee for Standardization, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Finn WDL (1985) Aspects of constant volume cyclic simple shear. In: Khosla V (ed) Advances in the art of testing soils under cyclic condition. In: Proceedings of geotechnical engineering division of ASCE convention in Detroit, Michigan, pp 74–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatanaka M, Uchida A (1996) Empirical correlation between penetration resistance and internal friction angle of sandy soils. Soils Found 36(4):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hvorslev J (1951) Time lag and soil permeability in ground water observations. US Waterways Experimental Station Bulletin 36, Vicksburg, US Army Corps of Engineers

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 10390 (2005) Soil quality – determination of pH. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 10693 (1995) Soil quality – determination of carbonate content – volumetric method. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 10694 (1995) Soil quality – determination of organic and total carbon after dry combustion (elementary analysis). International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 11048:1995 Soil quality – determination of water-soluble and acid-soluble sulfate. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 146891-1 (2003) Geotechnical investigation and testing – identification and classification of rock – Part 1: Identification and description. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 22476-1 (2011) Geotechnical investigation and testing. Field testing. Part 1. Electrical cone and piezocone penetration tests. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 22476-3 (2008) Geotechnical investigation and testing – field testing – Part 3: Standard penetration test. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 22476-12 (2009) Geotechnical investigation and testing – field testing – Part 12: Mechanical cone penetration test (CPTM). International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 22476–13 (future) Geotechnical investigation and testing – field testing – Part B: Plate loading test. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO/TS 17892-5 (2004) Geotechnical investigation and testing – laboratory testing of soil – Part 5: Incremental loading oedometer test. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO/TS 17892-8 (2007) Geotechnical investigation and testing – laboratory testing of soil – Part 8: Unconsolidated undrained triaxial test. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO/TS 17892-9 (2007) Geotechnical investigation and testing – laboratory testing of soil – Part 9: Consolidated triaxial compression tests on water-saturated soils. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (1979) Suggested method for determining the uniaxial compressive strength and deformability of rock materials. Parts 1 and 2. In: Ulusay R, Hudson JA (eds) The complete ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 1974–2006. The commission on testing methods. International Society for Rock Mechanics, Lisbon

    Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (1999) Suggested methods for laboratory testing of swelling rocks. Parts 1 to 4. In: Ulusay R, Hudson JA (eds) The complete ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 1974–2006. The commission on testing methods. International Society for Rock Mechanics, Lisbon

    Google Scholar 

  • Janbu N (1963) Soil compressibility as determined by oedometer and triaxial tests. In: Proceedings of the European conference on soil mechanics and foundation engineering, Wiesbaden, vol 1, pp 19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Japan Road Association (2003) Specifications for highway bridges, Part V: Seismic design, English version translated by PWRI, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer SL (1996) Geotechnical earthquake engineering. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulhaway FH, Mayne PH (1990) Manual on estimating soil properties for foundation design. Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI, Palo Alto

    Google Scholar 

  • Leong EC, Cahyadi J, Rahardjo H (2009) Measuring shear and compression wave velocities of soil using bender-extender elements. Can Geotech J 46(7):792–812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lord JA, Clayton CRI, Mortimore RN (2002) Engineering in chalk. Construction Industry Research Information Association report No C574, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugeon M (1933) Barrages et Geologie. Dunod, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunne T, Christophersen HP (1983) Interpretation of cone penetrometer data for offshore sands. In: Proceedings of the offshore technology conference, Richardson, TX, paper No. 4464

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunne T, Robertson PK, Powell JJM (1997) Cone penetration testing in geotechnical practice. Spoon Pres, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsland A, Powell JJM (1988) Investigation of cone penetration tests in British clays carried out by the Building research establishment 1962–1987. In: Proceedings of the geotechnology conference: Penetration Testing in the UK, Birmingham. Thomas Telford, London, pp 209–214

    Google Scholar 

  • McDowell PW, Barker RD, Butcher AP, Culshaw MG, Jackson PD, McCann DM, Skip BO, Matthews SL, Arthur JCR (2002) Geophysics in engineering investigations. Construction Industry Research Information Association report C562, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • McLelland Engineers (1977) Extract from technical report. In: Poulos HG (1988) marine geotechnics. Unwin Hyman, Boston, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Meight AC (1987) Cone penetration testing methods and interpretation. Construction Industry Research and Information Association report, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Peacock WH, Seed HB (1968) Sand liquefaction under cyclic loading simple shear condition. J Soil Mech Found Div ASCE 94(SM3):689–708

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck RB, Hanson WE, Thornburn TH (1953) Foundation engineering. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Penetration Testing in the UK (1989) Proceedings of the geotechnology conference organized by the Institution of Civil Engineers in Birmingham in 6–8 July 1988. Thomas Telford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell JJM, Quarterman RST (1988) The interpretation of cone penetration tests in clays, with particular reference to rate effects. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on Penetration Testing, ISPT-1, Orlando. Balkema, Rotterdam, vol 2, pp 903–910

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell WS, Potter JF, Mayhew HC, Numm ME (1984) The structural design of bituminous roads. The Transport and Road Research Laboratory report LR1132, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Power PT (1982) The use of electric cone penetrometer in the determination of the engineering properties of chalk. In: Proceedings of the 2nd European symposium on Penetration Testing, ESOPT-II, Amsterdam. Balkema, Rotterdam, vol 2, pp 769–774

    Google Scholar 

  • Rix GJ, Stokoe KH (1992) Correlation of initial tangent modulus and cone resistance. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on calibration chamber testing, Potsdam, New York, 1991. Elsevier, pp 351–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson PK (1990) Soil classification using the cone penetration test. Can Geotech J 27(1):151–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson PK, Campanella RG (1983) Interpretation of cone penetration tests, Part I: Sand. Can Geotech J 20(4):718–733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson PK, Campanella RG, Gillespie D, Greig J (1986) Use of piezometer cone data. In: Proceedings of the ASCE specialty conference In Situ’86: use of in situ tests in geotechnical engineering, Blacksburg 1263–1280, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe KH (1953) An apparatus for the application of simple shear to soil samples. In: Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on soil mechanics, Zurich, vol 1, pp 186–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanglerat G (1972) The penetrometer and soil exploration. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmertmann JH (1970) Static cone to compute settlement over sand. J Soil Mech Found Div ASCE 96(SM3):1011–1043

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmertmann JH (1975) Measurement of in situ shear strength. In: Proceedings of specialty conference on in situ measurement of soil properties, ASCE. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, vol 2, pp 57–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Seed HB, Tokimatsu K, Harder LF, Chung RM (1985) Influence of SPT procedures in soil liquefaction resistance evaluations. J Geotech Eng 111(12):1425–1445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senneset K, Sandven R, Lunne T, By T, Amundsen T (1988) Piezocone test in silty soil. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on Penetration Testing, ISOPT-1, Orlando. Balkema, Rotterdam, vol 2, pp 955–966

    Google Scholar 

  • Shirley DJ (1978) An improved shear wave transducer. J Acoust Soc Am 63(5):1643–1645

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skempton AW (1954) The pore pressure coefficients A and B. Geotechnique 4(4):143–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skempton AW (1986) Standard penetration test procedures and the effects in sands of overburden pressure, relative density, particle size, ageing and overconsolidation. Geotechnique 3(3):425–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skoglund GR, Marcuson WF 3rd, Cunny RW (1976) Evaluation of resonant column test devices. J Geotech Div ASCE 11:1147–1188

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenzel G, Melzer KJ (1978) Soil investigations by penetration testing according to DIN 4094 (in German). Tiefbau 20(S):155–160, 240–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroud MA (1989) The standard penetration test – its application and interpretation. In: Proceedings of the geotechnology conference Penetration Testing in the UK organized by the Institution of Civil Engineers, Birmingham, UK, pp 29–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroud MA, Butler FG (1975) The standard penetration test and the engineering properties of glacial materials. In: Proceedings of symposium on engineering behaviour of glacial materials, University of Birmingham, UK, pp 124–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor DW (1942) Research on consolidation of clays. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Publication No 82

    Google Scholar 

  • Terzaghi K, Peck RB (1948) Soil mechanics in engineering practice, 1st edn. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Terzaghi K, Peck RB (1974) Soil mechanics in engineering practice, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend FC (1978) A review of factors affecting cyclic triaxial tests. Special Technical Publication 654, ASTM, pp 356–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson SD, Marsal RJ (1979) Current trends in design and construction of embankment dams. Report prepared for International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) and Geotechnical Division of ASCE. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Srbulov, M. (2014). Geo-testing. In: Practical Guide to Geo-Engineering. Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering, vol 29. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8638-6_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics