Book excerpt: The essential tool for geotechnical and soil engineering fieldwork Written by AIA award-winning civil engineer Robert Day, Soil Testing Manual gives engineers, geologists, contractors, on-site construction managers -- anyone who needs answers on the characteristics of soil -- a convenient, complete source of today's most authoritative solutions. This reader-friendly guide simplifies each step of every process, from selecting appropriate methods to analyzing your results. Filled with handy tables, charts, diagrams, and formulas that eliminate time-wasting and frustrating searches and calculations, this manual gives you better results in less time as you: Get expert approaches to testing altered and disturbed soils Set up a mobile field lab with complete directions Use rip-out sheets for on-site reference and checks Get quick access to data on grading, instrumentation, technical methods, procedure guidelines, and preferred practices Draw authoritative conclusions on fill compaction Measure cohesiveness, shear strength, settlement, permeability, and other critical parameters Construct a subsoil profile