Split Barrel Sampler

What Does Split Barrel Sampler Mean?

A split barrel sampler can be defined as a steel sampling tool used for obtaining soil samples from sub-surface soil formations. Split barrel samplers are used for a standard penetration test (SPT) of soil to obtain disturbed and undisturbed samples for laboratory testing.

The test provides an indication of the relative density of the granular deposit and its approximate shear strength. It can also be used for cohesive soils to determine its unconfined compressive strength.

Conducting soil tests are important to understand the sub-surface soil properties based on which pipelines and boreholes are designed, and trenchless installation methods are selected.

Trenchlesspedia Explains Split Barrel Sampler

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has laid down the standard for conducting SPT in ASTM D3441 - ASTM D1586 - 08a Standard test method for SPT and split-barrel sampling of soils. The sampling method consists of driving a split-barrel sampler to obtain a sample as well as to measure the resistance of the soil to penetration by the sampler.

The standard split-barrel sampler has an outside diameter of two inches and inside diameter of 1^1/2inches. A 16-gauge liner can be used inside the 1^1/2inch slit barrel sampler. The driving shoe is of hardened steel with the penetrating end slightly rounded.