MAIN ROADS Western Australia Document 71/04/105.

1 Issue Date: 05 April 2011

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PREPARATION OF DISTURBED SOIL AND MANUFACTURED
GRANULAR MATERIAL SAMPLES FOR TESTING


1 SCOPE

This method describes the procedures for the
preparation of samples of disturbed soil and
manufactured granular materials for testing and the
allocation of test portions for various tests.

2 SAFETY

This method does not attempt to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this method to establish
appropriate occupational health and safety practices
that meet statutory regulations.

3 DEFINTIONS

(a) A test sample is the material for examination
and/or testing and may be derived from a bulk sample,
by sample division or may consist of a single sample
increment.

(b) A test portion is the material derived from a test
sample by sample division.

(c) A test increment is the material for an individual
part of a particular test derived from a test portion by
sample division.

(d) A fine-grained soil is one containing not less than
eighty percent passing a 2.36 mm sieve.

NOTE: Any soil shall be regarded as belonging to the
finest grained group appropriate under these
definitions. This grouping is not a classification
framework.

(e) A medium grained soil is one containing not less
than eighty percent passing a 19.00 mm sieve.

(f) A coarse grained soil is one containing not less
than eighty percent passing a 37.50 mm sieve.

(g) Sample division is the process whereby a large
representative quantity is reduced to one or a number
of smaller representative portions. The two main
sample division techniques are quartering and riffling.










(h) Quartering is the reduction in quantity of a large
amount of material so as to obtain a representative
portion of the original mass by mixing the whole of the
material intimately together and forming a roughly
circular heap. The heap is divided into four
approximately equal parts separated by diameters at
right angles and two diagonally opposite quarters
removed together. The process is repeated on the
remaining material until the required quantity is
obtained. This method is particularly suited to the
sample division of very large quantities.

(i) Riffling is the reduction in quantity of a large
amount of material by dividing the mass into two
representative and approximately equal halves by
passing the material through an appropriately sized
riffle box. The process is repeated until the required
quantity is obtained.

4 APPARATUS

While all the following apparatus listed is desirable and
may be required in varying circumstances, the failure
to use them or the use of alternative apparatus does
not invalidate the method, provided the original intent
is achieved.

(a) A temperature controlled drying cabinet with
mechanically forced air circulation capable of
maintaining a temperature within the range 45C to
50C.

(b) Sample divider the essential requirement of a
sample divider shall be that, at each pass of material,
representative subsamples are obtained.

The width of the divider slots shall be at least 10%
larger than the maximum size of particle in the material
being split. The width shall not be greater than twice the
maximum particle size except for nominal 5 mm
material or finer when the maximum width shall be 10
mm. There shall be an equal number of riffle slots to
each material receiver and all slots shall be of
approximately equal dimensions.

It is recommended that the length of the divider slot is
at least 1.4 times the width of the slot. This requirement
reduces the possibility of particles bridging the exit from
the sample divider. Typical dimensions are given in
Figure 1.

(c) Sieves and recei ver pan complying with AS 1152,
of sizes 37.5 mm, 19.00 mm, 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm and
0.425 mm.

(d) Sieve brushes.
TEST METHOD WA 105.1 2011


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(e) A mortar and rubber pestle (International Rubber
Hardness Degrees 87 approximately).

(f) Trays, dishes and scoops as appropriate.

(g) Balances of appropriate capacity.

5 PROCEDURE

5.1 Drying

(a) If the test sample is received damp it shall be
spread in a thin layer on trays for drying unless tests
are required for insitu moisture content.

NOTE: Where limitations of time apply and the test
sample is in a suitable moisture condition, the need to
dry the material may be waived on condition care is
taken to ensure proper sample division is carried out.

(b) Drying may be carried out in a drying cabinet using
a temperature not exceeding 50C, or for a suitable
period in the air.

NOTE: With some soils irreversible changes take place
in the soil when it is dried at 105C to 110C. Material
to be used for consistency or pH tests must not be
dried above 50C. Material may be air dried by leaving
it spread out in trays in a protected area with free
access to air. Certain soils, e.g. organic soils, may
even be affected by air drying and should be tested in
their natural condition.

(c) Drying shall continue until the whole test sample is
brought to a state in which it may be crumbled.

(d) Break up any aggregations of particles that would
be retained on a 2.36 mm sieve so as to avoid
crushing any discrete particles.

(e) Where the test sample has been separated into
more than one tray for drying the whole test sample
shall be suitably recombined and mixed before
extracting any test portions.

5.2 Extraction of Test Portions

5.2.1 Moisture Content

(a) For determination of the moisture content of the soil
as received, use sample division to obtain a test
portion from the test sample. The minimum mass of
the test portion shall be related to the nominal size of
the material and shall be in accordance with Table 1.

TABLE 1

Soil Size
Minimum Mass of
Test Portion
Fine Grained 30 g
Medium Grained 300 g
Coarse Grained 3 kg

(b) All handling of the soil prior to moisture content
determination must be carried out in such a manner as
to prevent any significant moisture loss.

5.2.2 Particle Size Distribution

Using sample division, obtain a test portion from the
test sample that has been prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1. The minimum mass of the test portion
shall be related to the nominal size of the material and
shall be in accordance with Table 2.

TABLE 2

Nominal Maximum Size of
Particle Present
Minimum Mass of
Test portion
37.50 mm 15.0 kg
19.00 mm 5.0 kg
9.50 mm 1.0 kg
4.75 mm 0.5 kg
2.36 mm or smaller 0.1 kg

5.2.3 Sand Equivalent

Using sample division, obtain a test portion from the
test sample that has been prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1 such that approximately 600 g of the
material will pass 4.75 mm.

5.2.4 Consistency Limits

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample that has been prepared in accordance
with Procedure 5.1, such that approximately 350 g of
the material will pass a 0.425 mm sieve.

NOTE: The material passing a 2.36 mm sieve obtained
after completion of the determination of the coarse
particle size distribution may be used for preparation of
the test portion.

(b) Sieve the test portion on a 0.425 mm sieve suitably
protected by larger sieves. Retain all the material
passing the 0.425 mm sieve.

(c) Rub down, using a mortar and pestle, all material
retained on the 0.425 mm sieve in such a way as will
avoid any wearing or crushing of individual particles
yet will break down all aggregations of particles.

(d) Repeat procedure 5.2.4(c) until aggregations are
broken down.

(e) Retain all material passing the 0.425 mm sieve
and add to material previously retained in 5.2.4(b). Mix
thoroughly.

(f) Alternatively, separate test portions of
approximately 250 g, 100 g, or 300 g may be taken for
the separate determination of the Liquid Limit, Plastic
Limit or Linear Shrinkage respectively.

5.2.5 Soil Particle Density

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample that has been prepared in accordance
with Procedure 5.1, that will provide a minimum of 5 kg
retained on a 2.36 mm sieve and 200 g passing a 2.36
mm sieve.


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TEST METHOD WA 105.1 2011

(b) Sieve the test portion on a 2.36 mm sieve. Using
sample division, obtain an approximate 5 kg test
increment of material retained on the 2.36 mm sieve
and an approximate 200 g test increment of material
passing the 2.36 mm sieve.

(c) Alternatively, the test increments may be obtained
during the particle size distribution determination.

5.2.6 Dry Density/Moisture Content Relationship

5.2.6.1 Fine and Medium Grained Soils

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1, and determine the percent of material
retained on the 19.00 mm sieve in accordance with
Test Method WA 115.2 or WA 115.1.

NOTES:

1. Where limitations of time apply and the test sample
is in a suitable moisture condition, the need to dry the
material may be waived on condition care is taken to
ensure proper sample division is carried out.

2. The material used in the sieve analysis in WA
115.2 may be returned to the test sample and
thoroughly re-mixed.

(b) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample such that it contains approximately 20
kg of material passing 19.00 mm sieve.

(c) Sieve the test portion on a 19.00 mm sieve and
discard the material retained.

(d) Using sample division, divide the test portion into at
least four test increments of approximately 3.0 kg
each.

NOTE: For most soils a sample increment of
approximately 3.0 kg will be adequate. A denser
material, with a soil particle density greater than 2.6
g/cm may require up to 3.5 kg.

5.2.6.2 Coarse Grained Soils

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1 and determine the percent of material
retained on the 37.50 mm sieve in accordance with
Test Method WA 115.2 or WA 115.1.

NOTES:

Refer to Notes 1 and 2 of 5.2.6.1(a).

(b) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample such that it contains approximately 30
kg of material passing 37.50 mm sieve.

(c) Sieve the test portion on a 37.50 mm sieve and
discard the material retained.



(d) Using sample division, divide the test portion into
at least four test increments of approximately 6.0 kg
each.

NOTE: For most soils a sample increment of
approximately 6.0 kg will be adequate. A denser
material, with a soil particle density greater than 2.6
g/cm may require up to 7.0 kg.

5.2.7 Maximum Dry Compressi ve Strength

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1 and containing approximately 5 kg of
material passing a 19.00 mm sieve.

NOTE: Refer to Note 1 of 5.2.6.1(a).

(b) Sieve the test portion on a 19.00 mm sieve and
discard the material retained.

(c) Using sample division divide the test portion into at
least three test increments of approximately 1 kg each.

5.2.8 California Bearing Ratio

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1, containing 6 kg to 7 kg of material
passing a 19.00 mm sieve.

NOTE: Refer to Note 1 of 5.2.6.1(a).

(b) Sieve the test portion on a 19.00 mm sieve and
discard the material retained.

5.2.9 Western Australian Confined Compression
Test (WACCT)

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1, containing approximately 30 kg of
material passing a 19.00 mm sieve.

NOTE: Refer to Note 1 of 5.2.6.1(a).

(b) Sieve the test portion on a 19.00 mm sieve and
discard the material retained.

(c) Using sample division, divide the test portion into at
least seven test increments of 3.5 kg to 4 kg each.

5.2.10 Unconfined Compressi ve Strength

(a) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample prepared in accordance with
Procedure 5.1, and determine the percent of material
retained on the 19.00 mm sieve in accordance with
Test Method WA 115.2 or WA 115.1.

NOTES:

Refer to Notes 1 and 2 of 5.2.6.1(a).





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(b) Using sample division, obtain a test portion from
the test sample such that it contains approximately 8
kg of material passing 19.00 mm sieve.

(c) Sieve the test portion on a 19.00 mm sieve and
discard the material retained.

(d) Using sample division, divide the test portion into at
least two test increments of approximately 4.0 kg each.

NOTE: For most soils a sample increment of
approximately 4.0 kg will be adequate. A denser
material, with a soil particle density greater than 2.6
g/cm may require up to 4.5 kg

5.2.11 Soil Chemical Tests

(a) For each test (except resistivity) use sample
division to obtain a test portion from the test sample
prepared in accordance with Procedure 5.1. The
minimum mass of the test portion shall be related to
the nominal size of the material and in accordance with
Table 3.

(b) For the resistivity test, obtain a test portion such
that approximately 1.3 kg of the material will pass a
2.36 mm sieve.

TABLE 3

Soil Size
Minimum Mass of Test
Portion
Fine Grained 0.2 kg
Medium Grained 0.5 kg
Coarse Grained 3.0 kg




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TEST METHOD WA 105.1 2011
6 FIGURES AND DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1

SUITABLE TYPE OF SAMPLE DIVIDER (RIFFLE BOX)


APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS

Maximum Size of
Particle in Sample
mm
Number of
Slots
Internal dimensions
mm
Width Length (top) Length(base)
A B C
40 8 44 - 80 62 112 65
20 10 22 - 40 30 56 38
10 12 11 - 20 15 - 28 29
5 12 10 14 13



Dimension C B A





This design has been
found satisfactory
however alternative
designs may be
employed.


MAIN ROADS Western Australia Document 71/04/105.1 Issue Date: Issue Date: 05 April 2011
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TEST METHOD WA 105.1 2011
7 ISSUING AUTHORITY



8 REVISION STATUS RECORD

Page No. Section
Revision
Description / Reference
All All Format Revision and Re-issue of Test Method
Repetitive Notes Condensed



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