Dear Friends, I want to perform soil testing in my company on environmental aspects. Kindly let me know the procedures of soil sampling and test parameters to covered. Regards, SSM
From India, Madras
47From India, Madras
Hi Friend !
We are one of the largest Pesticide Manufacturing company named Excel Crop Care Limited situated at Bhavnagar, Gujarat. We are having a Soil Health Research Laboratory with a highly qualified team. We are also in process of getting NABL certification for our Soil Health Research Lab. I don't know much about it but it may be helpful to you if you can please contact our Laboratory Incharge Dr. R B Jadeja for your further queries and guidance.! His e-mail address is
Kiran C Parmar
From India, Ahmadabad
We are one of the largest Pesticide Manufacturing company named Excel Crop Care Limited situated at Bhavnagar, Gujarat. We are having a Soil Health Research Laboratory with a highly qualified team. We are also in process of getting NABL certification for our Soil Health Research Lab. I don't know much about it but it may be helpful to you if you can please contact our Laboratory Incharge Dr. R B Jadeja for your further queries and guidance.! His e-mail address is
Kiran C Parmar
From India, Ahmadabad
The below may be useful.
1.0 SCOPE
The objective of the geotechnical and geophysical study is to determine the surface foundation condition of the poject. The investigation shall include surveying, develop a description of the geologic field conditions, boring and test holes for surface lithology proposed sites, record drilling rates for soil and bedrock, obtain sample materials for soil and bedrock, conduct engineering geophysical surveys and develop design parameters for dynamic machine foundation analysis, study surface material rippability and retaining pond, laboratory testing and engineering evaluation of conditions encountered, recommendations, and issuance of a report. The report shall include all field data, laboratory test results, and the resulting interpretations and recommendations. All testing, interpretation of results and recommendations shall be completed under the direct supervision of a practicing Professional Engineer.
1.1 References
Latest applicable ASTM, IEEE, and UBC references shall apply.
2.0 DRILLING AND SAMPLING
2.1 General
2.1.1 Before the drilling program begins, the Contractor must discuss the program with the Company.
2.1.2 The work shall be performed using equipment of suitable type and in good operating condition. The equipment shall be capable of boring, sampling and testing below the water level and preventing sidewall collapse.
2.1.3 Equipment materials shall be supplied by the contractor.
2.2 Probe Holes:
a. The probe hole locations shall be provided by the Company. In consultation with the Company, the Contractor may recommend the need to add or delete specific probe holes to ensure that all required information is obtained.
b. The depth of probe holes shall be agreed upon between the Contractor and the Company.
c. A brief soil description and locations of any change in strata shall be recorded.
d. Groundwater levels in probe holes shall be recorded after the water level has stabilized. Open stand pipes and pneumatic piezometers shall be installed in the probe holes at locations to be selected by the Contractor. The location(s) and numbers of these instruments shall be agreed upon between the Contractor and the Company.
e. Piezometers shall be monitored soon after installation and then after a period of 14 days. Proper protective measures such as a cap and locking device shall be installed on these piezometers.
2.3 Bore Holes:
a. The bore hole locations shall be provided by the Company. In consultation with the Company, the Contractor may recommend the need to add or delete specific bore holes to ensure that all required information is obtained.
b. The depth of the bore holes shall ensure that the depth of competent material has been determined and all the required information has been obtained. If bedrock is encountered, drilling shall be carried out at least 10ft into the bedrock and cores shall be obtained for laboratory tests. If bedrock is not encountered within reasonable depths and the Contractor, in agreement with the Company, decides not to drill into bedrock then drilling shall be out at least 10ft into the competent material beyond the recommended pile length.
c. Depth(s) of bore holes to be drilled shall be finalized in agreement with the Company.
d. Undisturbed samples shall be taken for cohesive soils at any change in strata, and at 5ft intervals within a given stratum. In areas where soil properties change rapidly with depth, samples shall be taken at smaller intervals.
e. Standard Penetration Tests should be conducted at bore hole locations close to the levels where undisturbed samples are taken. Standard Penetration values must be provided for cohesionless soils.
f. Groundwater levels in bore holes shall be recorded after the water level has stabilized. Open stand pipes and pneumatic piezometers shall be installed in the bore holes at locations to be selected by the Contractor. The location(s) and numbers of these instruments shall be agreed upon between the Contractor and the Company.
g. Piezometers shall be monitored soon after installation and then after a period of 14 days. Proper protective measures such as a cap and locking device shall be installed on these piezometers.
h. Soil pH shall be measured in accordance with ASTM-G 51 - 95 completed at locations selected by the Contractor.
2.4 Soil ResistivityTesting:
a. Soil resistivity testing locations shall be provided by the Company.
b. Soils electrical resistivity measurements shall be taken per IEEE Std 81-1983 (Wenner Four - Electrode Method) to a depth of 15 ft. Test results are to be submitted in the written report. The report shall include ohmmeter values obtained and location of test points.
2.5 Dynamic Soil Property Testing:
a. The Contractor shall discuss all aspects of the testing to evaluate dynamic soil/bedrock properties with the Company prior to proceeding.
b. Dynamic soil/bedrock property testing locations shall be provided by the Company.
c. Crosshole Seismic Testing shall be carried out to evaluate dynamic soil properties per ASTM-D4428 - 00 using the "three-hole" test method.
d. The contractor shall provide justification to show the reliability of alternate testing if proposed. Alternate testing shall be approved by the Company.
3.0 LABORATORY TESTING
3.1.1 Sufficient tests shall be performed to permit the development of geotechnical design for earthwork and site development including roads and foundation design criteria. The number and location of these tests shall be finalized after a review of field logs by the Company and Contractor. Tests on representative samples may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
a. Cohesive Soils
i. Natural moisture content
ii. In-situ density.
iii. Grain size analysis.
iv. Atterberg limits.
v. Consolidation tests including rebound.
vi. Shear strength tests (unconfined compression tests).
vii. Compaction tests.
viii. Swell tests.
b. Cohesionless Soils
i. Specific gravity.
ii. Grain size analysis.
iii. Friction angle.
c. Miscellaneous
i. Water soluble sulphate content.
ii. pH.
iii. Soil resistivity.
iv. CBR (both soaked and unsoaked).
v. Other tests as required for recommendations
d. Spare soil samples shall be retained for possible additional testing in future. These samples shall be properly stored for a minimum of 6 months. The Company shall be notified before these samples are discarded.
e. Test data points shall be shown on all plots, charts or graphs of the report.
From India, Lucknow
1.0 SCOPE
The objective of the geotechnical and geophysical study is to determine the surface foundation condition of the poject. The investigation shall include surveying, develop a description of the geologic field conditions, boring and test holes for surface lithology proposed sites, record drilling rates for soil and bedrock, obtain sample materials for soil and bedrock, conduct engineering geophysical surveys and develop design parameters for dynamic machine foundation analysis, study surface material rippability and retaining pond, laboratory testing and engineering evaluation of conditions encountered, recommendations, and issuance of a report. The report shall include all field data, laboratory test results, and the resulting interpretations and recommendations. All testing, interpretation of results and recommendations shall be completed under the direct supervision of a practicing Professional Engineer.
1.1 References
Latest applicable ASTM, IEEE, and UBC references shall apply.
2.0 DRILLING AND SAMPLING
2.1 General
2.1.1 Before the drilling program begins, the Contractor must discuss the program with the Company.
2.1.2 The work shall be performed using equipment of suitable type and in good operating condition. The equipment shall be capable of boring, sampling and testing below the water level and preventing sidewall collapse.
2.1.3 Equipment materials shall be supplied by the contractor.
2.2 Probe Holes:
a. The probe hole locations shall be provided by the Company. In consultation with the Company, the Contractor may recommend the need to add or delete specific probe holes to ensure that all required information is obtained.
b. The depth of probe holes shall be agreed upon between the Contractor and the Company.
c. A brief soil description and locations of any change in strata shall be recorded.
d. Groundwater levels in probe holes shall be recorded after the water level has stabilized. Open stand pipes and pneumatic piezometers shall be installed in the probe holes at locations to be selected by the Contractor. The location(s) and numbers of these instruments shall be agreed upon between the Contractor and the Company.
e. Piezometers shall be monitored soon after installation and then after a period of 14 days. Proper protective measures such as a cap and locking device shall be installed on these piezometers.
2.3 Bore Holes:
a. The bore hole locations shall be provided by the Company. In consultation with the Company, the Contractor may recommend the need to add or delete specific bore holes to ensure that all required information is obtained.
b. The depth of the bore holes shall ensure that the depth of competent material has been determined and all the required information has been obtained. If bedrock is encountered, drilling shall be carried out at least 10ft into the bedrock and cores shall be obtained for laboratory tests. If bedrock is not encountered within reasonable depths and the Contractor, in agreement with the Company, decides not to drill into bedrock then drilling shall be out at least 10ft into the competent material beyond the recommended pile length.
c. Depth(s) of bore holes to be drilled shall be finalized in agreement with the Company.
d. Undisturbed samples shall be taken for cohesive soils at any change in strata, and at 5ft intervals within a given stratum. In areas where soil properties change rapidly with depth, samples shall be taken at smaller intervals.
e. Standard Penetration Tests should be conducted at bore hole locations close to the levels where undisturbed samples are taken. Standard Penetration values must be provided for cohesionless soils.
f. Groundwater levels in bore holes shall be recorded after the water level has stabilized. Open stand pipes and pneumatic piezometers shall be installed in the bore holes at locations to be selected by the Contractor. The location(s) and numbers of these instruments shall be agreed upon between the Contractor and the Company.
g. Piezometers shall be monitored soon after installation and then after a period of 14 days. Proper protective measures such as a cap and locking device shall be installed on these piezometers.
h. Soil pH shall be measured in accordance with ASTM-G 51 - 95 completed at locations selected by the Contractor.
2.4 Soil ResistivityTesting:
a. Soil resistivity testing locations shall be provided by the Company.
b. Soils electrical resistivity measurements shall be taken per IEEE Std 81-1983 (Wenner Four - Electrode Method) to a depth of 15 ft. Test results are to be submitted in the written report. The report shall include ohmmeter values obtained and location of test points.
2.5 Dynamic Soil Property Testing:
a. The Contractor shall discuss all aspects of the testing to evaluate dynamic soil/bedrock properties with the Company prior to proceeding.
b. Dynamic soil/bedrock property testing locations shall be provided by the Company.
c. Crosshole Seismic Testing shall be carried out to evaluate dynamic soil properties per ASTM-D4428 - 00 using the "three-hole" test method.
d. The contractor shall provide justification to show the reliability of alternate testing if proposed. Alternate testing shall be approved by the Company.
3.0 LABORATORY TESTING
3.1.1 Sufficient tests shall be performed to permit the development of geotechnical design for earthwork and site development including roads and foundation design criteria. The number and location of these tests shall be finalized after a review of field logs by the Company and Contractor. Tests on representative samples may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
a. Cohesive Soils
i. Natural moisture content
ii. In-situ density.
iii. Grain size analysis.
iv. Atterberg limits.
v. Consolidation tests including rebound.
vi. Shear strength tests (unconfined compression tests).
vii. Compaction tests.
viii. Swell tests.
b. Cohesionless Soils
i. Specific gravity.
ii. Grain size analysis.
iii. Friction angle.
c. Miscellaneous
i. Water soluble sulphate content.
ii. pH.
iii. Soil resistivity.
iv. CBR (both soaked and unsoaked).
v. Other tests as required for recommendations
d. Spare soil samples shall be retained for possible additional testing in future. These samples shall be properly stored for a minimum of 6 months. The Company shall be notified before these samples are discarded.
e. Test data points shall be shown on all plots, charts or graphs of the report.
From India, Lucknow
Dear SSM,
There are two point of views.
1. Environmental point of View.
If you want to test the soil from environmental point of view, you need to specify why?
Do you generate any Hazardous wastes?
Do you Generate any Effluents? Which you dispose to gerdening after treatment.
If this is the case, you need to know the pollutants being generatd by you. Then the soil is to be tested to see the contamination level of those pollutants.
2. Structural Engieering Point of View.
If you need to build a building then the soil strata is to be checked, this becomes the design inputs for building nay structure, building, bridge etc.
The load bearing capacity, sismc load etc depend on these data.
This is very well explained by Mr. Pon.
Hope the information is useful to you. If you wnat to know any more details pl let us know.
Dear Mr. Pon,
Thanks for the detailed writeup.
I could learn some new points from what you have shared.
Thanks again.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
There are two point of views.
1. Environmental point of View.
If you want to test the soil from environmental point of view, you need to specify why?
Do you generate any Hazardous wastes?
Do you Generate any Effluents? Which you dispose to gerdening after treatment.
If this is the case, you need to know the pollutants being generatd by you. Then the soil is to be tested to see the contamination level of those pollutants.
2. Structural Engieering Point of View.
If you need to build a building then the soil strata is to be checked, this becomes the design inputs for building nay structure, building, bridge etc.
The load bearing capacity, sismc load etc depend on these data.
This is very well explained by Mr. Pon.
Hope the information is useful to you. If you wnat to know any more details pl let us know.
Dear Mr. Pon,
Thanks for the detailed writeup.
I could learn some new points from what you have shared.
Thanks again.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
dear friends, pleas find attached here with some soil test presentation and related i collated from net .hope its help to u regards ashok
From Saudi Arabia
From Saudi Arabia
Dear SSM,
There are several parameters (such as pH, soil properties, etc.) on which soil testing is done. Most of them have been highlighted to you by Mr. Pon and Mr. Ashok.
However, for a more specialized aspect for soil testing, you can either:
a) outsource the task to certain specialized consultants in your city/state, or
b) recruit environmentalists / microbiologists (BSc / MSc levels), providing them a laboratory to conduct such experiments.
From India, Ahmadabad
There are several parameters (such as pH, soil properties, etc.) on which soil testing is done. Most of them have been highlighted to you by Mr. Pon and Mr. Ashok.
However, for a more specialized aspect for soil testing, you can either:
a) outsource the task to certain specialized consultants in your city/state, or
b) recruit environmentalists / microbiologists (BSc / MSc levels), providing them a laboratory to conduct such experiments.
From India, Ahmadabad
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