Types of Tests to obtain the density and shear strength of soils include;

Standard penetration

Vane

Unconfined compression test

Plate bearing test

California bearing ratio test (CBR)

Standard penetration test

This test measures the relative density of the soul. lt is done by driving a 35mm diameter rod into the soil. The number of controlled blows it takes for the rod to be driven to a particular depth is measured and then the result is checked against a standard chart to determine the strength and classification of the soil.

Vane test

This test measures the shear strength of soft cohesive soils. The vane is pushed into the soil and rotated by hand. The amount of torque necessary for rotation is measured and then shear strength of the soil is calculated

Unconfined compression test

This is a device used to measure the compressive strength of soil.  A soil sample of 76mm long and 38m in diameter is placed in the apparatus under applied loading. The the sample is then sheared under load & shear stress us automatically recorded

Plate bearing test

This process involves digging a portion of the ground to foundation level. Placing a 600mm by 600 mm steel plate at the bottom and subjecting it to vertical loading. A displacement meter is used to check the displacement of the steel plate into the soil. This is done until the place has sinked in the soil to about 15% of the breadth of the steel plate. The safe load is taken as ⅓ of the load that caused the steel plate to be vertically displaced by 15% of its breadth. Readings are taken every 6 hours and increments to loading are done every 24 hours.

California bearing ratio test (CBR)

The test shows the load penetration of soils relative to that of a standard crushed stone sample. It is stimulated in the laboratory by driving a cylindrical plunger of known cross sectional area  into the soil at a given rate.