---
title: "Precautions in sampling and storage"
subject: "Foundation Engineering"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/foundation_engineering:sampling-precautions"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/foundation_engineering/sampling-precautions
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Precautions in sampling and storage

Foundation Engineering · Chapter 2: Soil Exploration

- Asked in: 2079 Bhadra, 3 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/foundation_engineering/sampling-precautions
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/foundation_engineering/chapter-2

## Question

Explain the various precautions to be taken during the sampling, transportation and storage of the sample.

## Short answer

During sampling, clean the borehole, use a good-geometry sampler, push smoothly without hammering, keep the hole full below the water table, and twist to cut off. For transport, seal tube ends with wax, label, keep vertical, cushioned, and avoid shock. Store in a cool, humid room away from sun and test as soon as possible.

## Answer

#### During sampling
- Clean the borehole bottom of loose soil and use a sampler with good geometry (small area ratio, correct clearances).
- Push the sampler slowly and smoothly (not hammered) in soft soils; do not rotate it.
- Keep the borehole full of water/drilling mud when below the water table to avoid heave.
- Leave the sampler for a short time and then twist to cut off the base before withdrawing.

#### Transportation
- Seal the ends of the tube with wax, cap them, and label (project, borehole, depth, top/bottom, date).
- Keep the tubes vertical (top up), pack in sawdust/cushion and avoid vibration, shock and heat.

#### Storage
- Store in a cool, humid room without freezing or drying, away from direct sun.
- Test as soon as possible (ideally within 2-3 weeks) and keep the extrusion in the direction of sampling.
- Protect disturbed samples in airtight bags or jars to preserve moisture content.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. In soft soils the sampler should be
   A. pushed slowly and smoothly, not hammered or rotated
   B. hammered quickly
   C. rotated while pushing
   D. dropped from height
   Answer: A. Slow steady pushing limits disturbance. (Key point: Pushing)

2. Tubes are transported
   A. upside down in a hot vehicle
   B. vertically, sealed with wax, labelled, packed against shock
   C. loose and unsealed
   D. horizontally with vibration
   Answer: B. Seal, label, keep top up and avoid shock and heat. (Key point: Transport)

3. Samples should be tested
   A. after several months
   B. never
   C. as soon as possible, ideally within 2-3 weeks
   D. only after drying in sun
   Answer: C. Long storage allows moisture loss and changes. (Key point: Storage)

## Related in Foundation Engineering

- [Precautions against tilt and shift of well](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Ffoundation_engineering%3Awell-tilt-shift-precautions) — Foundation Engineering, chapter 9

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