Ground sampling program at the CANLEX test sites

Abstract

One of the primary objectives of the Canadian Liquefaction Experiment (CANLEX) project was to develop and evaluate undisturbed sampling techniques as part of the overall goal to focus and coordinate Canadian geotechnical expertise on the topic of soil liquefaction. Six sites were selected by the CANLEX project in an attempt to characterize various deposits of loose sandy soil. The sites consisted of a variety of soil deposits, including hydraulically placed sand deposits associated with the oil sands industry, natural sand deposits in the Fraser River Delta, and hydraulically placed sand deposits associated with the hard-rock mining industry. At each site, a target zone was selected and various methods of ground sampling were performed. These included ground freezing and sampling, fixed piston tube sampling, Christensen double-tube core sampling, large-diameter sampling using the Laval sampler, and sonic (rotary-vibratory) continuous coring. Ground freezing and sampling was performed at all six sites; the...