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IS 10108:1982 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for a sampling of soils by thin wall sampler with stationary piston. This standard outlines the procedure for obtaining high-quality, undisturbed soil samples, particularly from soft to firm cohesive soils, using a thin-wall tube sampler with a stationary piston. It specifies the equipment requirements, operational procedure, and methods for sealing, handling, and reporting the collected samples for geotechnical laboratory testing.
Code of practice for a sampling of soils by thin wall sampler with stationary piston
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! This method is crucial for obtaining samples for consolidation and shear strength tests, as it minimizes sample disturbance.
! It is not suitable for hard, cemented, or gravelly soils where the thin-walled tube could be damaged.
! The stationary piston prevents loose or disturbed material from entering the tube before sampling starts and helps retain the sample during withdrawal by creating a vacuum.
Standard Practice for Sampling of Soil Using the Hydraulically Operated Stationary Piston Sampler
Details the procedure and equipment for obtaining high-quality soil samples using a stationary piston sampler, specifically focusing on hydraulic operation.
ISO 22475-1:2021International Organization for Standardization, International
MediumCurrent
Geotechnical investigation and testing — Sampling methods and groundwater measurements — Part 1: Technical principles for execution
A broad standard covering all soil sampling methods, where stationary piston sampling is defined as a primary method for achieving the highest quality (Category A) samples.
BS EN ISO 22475-1:2021British Standards Institution, UK
MediumCurrent
Geotechnical investigation and testing. Sampling methods and groundwater measurements. Technical principles for execution
The British and European adoption of ISO 22475-1, classifying stationary piston sampling as the method for obtaining top-quality undisturbed samples.
Key Differences
≠IS 10108 is a specific, standalone code for stationary piston sampling, whereas ISO 22475-1 is a comprehensive standard that covers and classifies a wide range of sampling methods (e.g., rotary core, window sampler, piston sampler).
≠Modern international standards like ISO 22475-1 introduce a formal Sample Quality Class system (1-5) based on the sampling method and dimensional ratios. IS 10108:1982 lacks this structured quality classification.
≠ASTM D6519 specifically focuses on the modern practice of using a hydraulically operated piston sampler, while the older IS code is more general and does not specify the method of operation (hydraulic, mechanical, etc.).
≠The recommended rate of penetration in IS 10108 (15-30 cm/s) is significantly faster than that recommended in ISO 22475-1 (1-2 cm/s or 10-20 mm/s), which may indicate a typo in the IS code or a major procedural difference.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental principle is identical: a thin-walled tube is pushed into the ground while a piston remains stationary at the sediment-water interface or top of the sampling interval to create a vacuum and prevent disturbance.
≈All standards share the primary objective of obtaining high-quality, 'undisturbed' samples of soft to firm cohesive soils suitable for laboratory testing of engineering properties.
≈The core design elements of the sampler, such as the thin-walled cutting edge, the need for a low area ratio, and the piston mechanism, are conceptually the same across all standards.
≈All codes emphasize the importance of a smooth, continuous push during sampling and careful handling, sealing, and transportation of the recovered sample to preserve its in-situ properties.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Area Ratio (Cₐ)
Preferably < 15%, but not exceeding 20%
≤ 10% for sensitive soils, ≤ 15% for other cohesive soils for highest quality samples (Category A).
ISO 22475-1:2021
Inside Clearance Ratio (Cᵢ)
0.5 to 3% (typically around 1%)
0.5% to 1.5% for most soils; can be higher for swelling soils.
ASTM D6519-18 (via D1587)
Outside Clearance Ratio (Cₒ)
Generally between 0 and 2%
Should be 0% for highest quality samples; small values (<1%) may be acceptable in some cases.
ISO 22475-1:2021
Rate of Penetration
15 to 30 cm/s
10 to 20 mm/s (1 to 2 cm/s)
ISO 22475-1:2021
Recovery Ratio (Lᵣ) Acceptance
To be recorded; no strict acceptance criteria provided.
For Quality Class 1, should be close to 100%. Samples with Lᵣ < 95% or > 103% are often rejected or noted.
ISO 22475-1:2021
Sampler Type Specificity
General (mechanical or hydraulic).
Specifically for hydraulically operated piston samplers.
ASTM D6519-18
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Recommended Area Ratio (Ar)< 10%
Recommended Inside Clearance Ratio (Ci)0.5 to 1.5%
Typical Length to Diameter Ratio (L/D)10 to 20
Minimum Piston Travel5 to 10 cm
Sample tube wall thickness1.25 to 1.65 mm for 50mm samplers
Key Formulas
Area Ratio Ar = [(Dw^2 - De^2) / De^2] * 100
Inside Clearance Ratio Ci = [(Ds - De) / De] * 100
What is the primary advantage of a stationary piston sampler?+
It allows for the collection of high-quality, undisturbed samples by preventing overlying disturbed material from entering the tube and helping to retain the sample during withdrawal (Clause 4.3).
What is the significance of the Area Ratio (Ar)?+
A low Area Ratio (preferably <10%) is essential to minimize soil displacement and disturbance as the sampler is pushed into the ground (Clause 3.2.1).
Can this sampler be hammered into the ground?+
No, the sampler should be advanced by a continuous and rapid push, not by driving or hammering, to ensure the quality of the sample (Clause 4.3.4).
For which soil types is this sampling method most suitable?+
It is most suitable for sampling soft to firm cohesive soils like clays and silts which are sensitive to disturbance (Clause 1.1).