Specimens of standard size and shape are not always available. Blocks of specimens that are smaller than 25-30 mm on edge may be tested. The force withstood may be assumed to decrease as the reciprocal of the dimension along which the stress is applied. If a block specimen with a length of 10 mm along the direction the force is applied were to be ruptured, the force should be one-third that for an identical specimen 30 mm on edge. If the specimen is smaller than the standard size, the evaluated rupture resistance should be recorded and the dimensions of the specimen along the axis the stress is applied should be indicated.
Soil structure complicates the evaluation of rupture resistance.
If a specimen of standard size can be obtained, report the rupture resistance of the standard specimen and other individual constituent structural units as desired. If structure size and expression are such that a specimen of standard size cannot be obtained, then the soil material overall is loose.