Can a disturbed soil sample be used to find the strength of soil?

Can a disturbed soil sample be used to find the strength of soil?

• A. Yes, using a thick wall sampler
• B. No, as it disturbs the soil
• C. Yes, if it's collected properly
• D. No, unless it's a split spoon sample

Answer: (B)

The correct perspective is that disturbed soil samples are generally not suitable for determining the strength of soil due to the inherent disturbance that occurs during the sampling process. Disturbed samples are significantly altered from their in-situ state, which can change the soil's physical and mechanical properties. When soil is disturbed, factors such as moisture content, particle arrangement, and density may vary greatly from the original conditions. These changes can lead to misleading results when assessing soil strength or stability, which is why in-situ tests or undisturbed samples are preferred for accurate engineering assessments. While there might be circumstances where disturbed samples could provide some insights (like general trends in soil behavior), relying on them to determine precise engineering properties such as shear strength is not advisable. In fact, techniques aimed at minimizing disturbance, like using specialized sampling methods, are typically employed to ensure that the soil’s natural conditions are preserved as much as possible for accurate analysis.

The correct perspective is that disturbed soil samples are generally not suitable for determining the strength of soil due to the inherent disturbance that occurs during the sampling process. Disturbed samples are significantly altered from their in-situ state, which can change the soil's physical and mechanical properties.

When soil is disturbed, factors such as moisture content, particle arrangement, and density may vary greatly from the original conditions. These changes can lead to misleading results when assessing soil strength or stability, which is why in-situ tests or undisturbed samples are preferred for accurate engineering assessments.

While there might be circumstances where disturbed samples could provide some insights (like general trends in soil behavior), relying on them to determine precise engineering properties such as shear strength is not advisable. In fact, techniques aimed at minimizing disturbance, like using specialized sampling methods, are typically employed to ensure that the soil’s natural conditions are preserved as much as possible for accurate analysis.