This Part of BS 1377 has been prepared under the direction of the Road Engineering Standards Policy Committee. It is a revision of clause 1 of BS 1377 : 1975 which is deleted by amendment. BS 1377 was first published in 1948 and first appeared in metric form in 1975.
BS 1377. : 1975 which -has now been withdrawn is replaced by the following Parts of BS 1377 : 1990:
Part 1. General requirements and sample preparation
Part 2. Classification tests
Part 3. Chemical and electro-chemical tests
Part 4. Compaction-related tests
Part 5. Compressibility, permeability and durability tests
Part 6. Consolidation and permeability tests in hydraulic cells and with pore pressure measurement
Part 7. Shear strength tests (total stress)
Part 8. Shear strength tests (effective stress)
Part 9. I n-situ tests
Part 1 covers general requirements, Parts 2 to 8 relate to laboratory tests on soils, and Part 9 covers in-situ tests. The distinction between laboratory and in-situ tests is that the former are carried out on soil samples removed from the ground whether the testing takes place in a central laboratory, in a site laboratory, or in the field, whereas the latter are performed on the soil in-situ.
Descriptions of test methods have been broken down into smaller procedural stages than were used previously. Where more than one test procedure is given for a particular determination, the one termed the definitive method should normally be used. If an alternative method is used the reason should be stated in the test report and the relevant facts included. Examples of forms are included in an appendix to each Part on which to prepare the test report.
In each of the methods the measurement of only one value of the quantity concerned is described. It is recognized that in many practical applications it is necessary to make a number of tests in order to obtain a representative value and an indication of its reliability. Guidance on the number of measurements required and the treatment of the results obtained is beyond the scope of the present standard.
A new clause has been included on calibration. The term 'specific gravity' has been replaced by 'particle density' with dimensions of density in accordance with current ISO usage.
For general information on site investigation procedures, especially with regard to safety precautions, reference should be made to BS 5930 : 1981. It has been assumed in the drafting of this British Standard that the execution of its provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced people.
This Part of BS 1377 specifies general requirements for the testing of soils for c iv il engineering purposes and describes methods for the c81ibration of equipment and the preparation of test samples.
