AS 1289.1.1-2001 (2008) PDF

Full title and description

St AS 1289.1.1-2001 (2008) — Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes, Method 1.1: Sampling and preparation of soils — Preparation of disturbed soil samples for testing. This document specifies laboratory procedures for preparing disturbed soil specimens (as received from the field) for subsequent laboratory testing in the AS 1289 series; it includes preparatory operations, trimming and sub-sampling methods, and specific preparation routes for common tests.

Abstract

This standard provides a concise, practice-focused procedure for converting field‑collected disturbed samples into test‑ready laboratory specimens. It details preliminary preparation, selection and preparation of sub‑samples for moisture content, Atterberg limits (liquid and plastic limits), compaction/remoulded tests, particle‑size determinations and other common geotechnical tests. The method excludes field sampling procedures (covered elsewhere), and describes both wet and dry preparation techniques and permitted apparatus for reducing and portioning samples.

General information

• Status: Current (reissued incorporating amendments; noted as pending revision).
• Publication date: Original publication 12 July 2001; reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (November 2002) and Amendment No. 2 (October 2008).
• Publisher: Standards Australia.
• ICS / categories: 13.080.05 (Examination of soils in general); Geotechnical testing / soil sampling and preparation.
• Edition / version: 2nd edition (AS 1289.1.1:2001) — reissued with amendments (2002, 2008).
• Number of pages: 6 (compact method sheet; includes scope, apparatus and preparation procedures).

Scope

The standard specifies laboratory procedures for preparing disturbed soil samples, as received from the field, for testing in accordance with the AS 1289 series (AS 1289.0 and the relevant test parts). It covers identification, preliminary preparation, splitting and subsampling, and specific preparation methods for moisture content determination, Atterberg limits, compaction/remoulded testing, particle density, chemical testing and particle‑size distribution. It does not cover in‑field sampling techniques (see AS 1289.1.2.1 and related parts for sampling).

Key topics and requirements

• Identification, labelling and chain‑of‑custody of received disturbed samples.
• Preliminary treatment to remove extraneous material and to achieve a representative working sample.
• Procedures for preparing samples for moisture content determination (sub‑sampling, containers, timing).
• Wet and dry preparation methods for Atterberg limits (liquid limit, cone liquid limit, plastic limit) and linear shrinkage.
• Mechanical and manual methods for breaking down coarse aggregates (mortar & pestle, mechanical devices) and guidance on permitted particle size after preparation.
• Preparation routes for compaction/remoulded CBR, remoulded permeability and resilient modulus specimens.
• Requirements for sub‑sampling for particle‑size distribution, particle density and common chemical tests.
• Apparatus and equipment recommendations and basic acceptance criteria for prepared sub‑samples.

Typical use and users

Used by geotechnical and materials testing laboratories, NATA‑accredited test houses, civil and geotechnical engineers, consulting engineering firms, construction contractors and researchers. Typical applications include site investigation sample processing, pre‑test preparation for engineering classification, compaction specification testing, and preparation of material for strength, consolidation, permeability and chemical analyses.

Related standards

Part of the AS 1289 series (Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes). Closely related documents include AS 1289.0 (general requirements and list of tests), AS 1289.1.2.1 (disturbed soil sampling procedures), AS 1289.2.x (moisture content tests), AS 1289.3.x (soil classification tests such as liquid and plastic limits, sieve analysis), AS 1289.5.x (compaction tests) and other parts of AS 1289 covering specific test methods and apparatus.

Keywords

disturbed sample preparation, soil preparation, soil subsampling, moisture content, Atterberg limits, liquid limit, plastic limit, compaction specimens, particle size distribution, particle density, geotechnical testing, AS 1289 series.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AS 1289.1.1-2001 (reissued with amendments to 2008) is an Australian standard that prescribes laboratory procedures for preparing disturbed soil samples (received from the field) so they are suitable for the suite of AS 1289 geotechnical tests.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers receipt and identification of disturbed samples, preliminary preparation, splitting and sub‑sampling, and specific preparation methods for moisture content, Atterberg limits, compaction/remoulded tests, particle‑size distribution, particle density and routine chemical tests. It does not prescribe field sampling methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical laboratories, consulting and contract engineers, construction materials laboratories, regulatory bodies and researchers involved in soil testing and site investigation work.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2001 edition was reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (2002) and Amendment No. 2 (2008). It is treated as the current method document for preparing disturbed samples but is listed as pending revision in some catalogue records — users should confirm the latest status or any newer revisions with Standards Australia before relying on the standard for formal compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is one part of the AS 1289 series, which collectively defines methods of testing soils for engineering purposes. AS 1289.1.1 specifically addresses preparation of disturbed samples; other parts cover sampling, specific test methods (moisture, classification, compaction, strength, permeability, etc.).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Disturbed sample preparation, soil subsampling, moisture content, Atterberg limits, compaction specimens, particle size, AS 1289.