Soil Exploration MCQ with answer and solution

Concept

Tests that need undisturbed samples

Step-by-step solution

1. Compaction, Atterberg limits and grain-size tests are done on remoulded or disturbed samples. 2. The in-situ shear strength of clay depends on its natural structure and water content, so it needs an undisturbed sample.

Explanation

Natural structure controls the strength of clay, so remoulding destroys the property being measured. The index tests and compaction tests use disturbed samples. Sand cannot be sampled undisturbed easily, so its strength is normally found by in-situ tests or on reconstituted samples.

Shortcut

Undisturbed samples → strength and compressibility of clay.

Common mistake

Choosing the shear strength of sand.