In-Situ Characterization of Soils

It happens quite frequently that one comes across a very intense and heated discussion regarding the merits of in-situ versus laboratory tests. According to Jamiolkowski and Presti (1994), this discussion is of little practical significance, because laboratory and in-situ testing are complementary rather than contrasting methodologies. In-situ characterization of soils coupled with laboratory testing is probably the best policy The normal tendency, however, is to avoid in-situ testing due to the time and cost involved. There are some situations though, when in-situ testing becomes essential, for example, for: Soil profiling and characterization Evaluation of in-situ horizontal stresses Assessment of horizontal permeability Evaluation of stiffness of cohesionless soils Calculation of settlement and bearing capacity directly from in-situ test results specially for cohesionless soils.