ASTM D6914-04
(Practice)Standard Practice for Sonic Drilling for Site Characterization and the Installation of Subsurface Monitoring Devices
Standard Practice for Sonic Drilling for Site Characterization and the Installation of Subsurface Monitoring Devices
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for using sonic drilling methods in the conducting of geoenvironmental exploration for site characterization and in the installation of subsurface monitoring devices.
1.2 The use of the sonic drilling method for geoenvironmental exploration and monitoring-device installation may often involve preliminary site research and safety planning, administration, and documentation. This guide does not purport to specifically address site exploration planning and site safety.
1.3 Soil or Rock samples collected by sonic methods are classed as group A or group B in accordance with Practices D 4220. Other sampling methods may be used in conjunction with the sonic method to collect samples classed as group C and Group D.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. It is a description of the present state-of-the-art practice of sonic drilling. It does not recommend this method as a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.6 This practice does not purport to comprehensively address all the methods and the issues associated with drilling practices. Users should seek qualified professionals for decisions as to the proper equipment and methods that would be most successful for their site investigation. Other methods may be available for drilling and sampling of soil, and qualified professionals should have the flexibility to exercise judgment as to possible alternatives not covered in this practice. This practice is current at the time of issue, but new alternative methods may become available prior to revisions, therefore, users should consult manufacturers or sonic drilling services providers prior to specifying program requirements.
1.7 This practice does not purport to address all the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use and may involve use of hazardous materials, equipment, and operations. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use. For good safety practice, consult applicable OSHA regulations and drilling safety guides.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:D6914–04
Standard Practice for
Sonic Drilling for Site Characterization and the Installation
of Subsurface Monitoring Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6914; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope be available for drilling and sampling of soil, and qualified
professionals should have the flexibility to exercise judgment
1.1 This practice covers procedures for using sonic drilling
as to possible alternatives not covered in this practice. This
methodsintheconductingofgeoenvironmentalexplorationfor
practice is current at the time of issue, but new alternative
site characterization and in the installation of subsurface
methods may become available prior to revisions, therefore,
monitoring devices.
users should consult manufacturers or sonic drilling services
1.2 The use of the sonic drilling method for geoenviron-
providers prior to specifying program requirements.
mental exploration and monitoring-device installation may
1.7 This practice does not purport to address all the safety
often involve preliminary site research and safety planning,
concerns, if any, associated with its use and may involve use of
administration, and documentation. This guide does not pur-
hazardous materials, equipment, and operations. It is the
port to specifically address site exploration planning and site
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
safety.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3 Soil or Rock samples collected by sonic methods are
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use. For good safety
classed as group A or group B in accordance with Practices
practice, consult applicable OSHA regulations and drilling
D 4220. Other sampling methods may be used in conjunction
, ,
2 3 4
safety guides.
with the sonic method to collect samples classed as group C
and Group D.
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2.1 ASTM Standards—Soil Classification:
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock and Contained
information only.
Fluids
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of
one or more specific operations. It is a description of the
Rock for Site Investigation
present state-of-the-art practice of sonic drilling. It does not
D 2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
recommend this method as a specific course of action. This
(Visual—Manual Method)
document cannot replace education or experience and should
D 5434 GuideforFieldLoggingofSubsurfaceExplorations
be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all
of Soil and Rock
aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances.
2.2 ASTM Standards—Drilling Methods:
ThisASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the
D 1452 Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by
standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional
Auger Boring
service must be judged, nor should this document be applied
D 5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The
Used at Nonradioactive Waste Sites
word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that
D 5299 Guide for Decommissioning of Ground Water
the document has been approved through theASTM consensus
Wells, Vadose Zone Monitoring Devices, Boreholes, and
process.
other Devices for Environmental Activities
1.6 This practice does not purport to comprehensively
address all the methods and the issues associated with drilling
practices. Users should seek qualified professionals for deci-
sions as to the proper equipment and methods that would be
“Drilling Safety Guide,” National Drilling Association.
“Drillers Handbook,” Thomas C. Ruda and Peter Bosscher, National Drilling
most successful for their site investigation. Other methods may
Association.
“Innovative Technology Summary Report,” April 1995, U.S. Department of
Energy.
1 5
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21.01 on Direct Push contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Sampling. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D6914–04
D 5781 Guide for use of Dual-Wall Reverse-Circulation 3.2.4 harmonic—the point in a drill string where a special
Drilling for the Geoenvironmental Exploration and the frequency creates a standing wave pattern throughout the
Installation of Sub-Surface Water-Quality Monitoring De- string.
vices 3.2.5 hertz—international unit of frequency, equal to one
D 5782 Guide for the Use of Direct Air Rotary Drilling for cycle per second.
Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Installation of 3.2.6 hydraulic extraction—the removal of the sample
Subsurface Water Quality Monitoring Devices specimen from the solid sampling barrel by the application of
D 5783 Guide for the Use of Direct Rotary Drilling with fluid.
Water-Based Drilling Fluid for Geoenvironmental Explo- 3.2.7 natural frequency—the frequency or frequencies at
ration and the Installation of Subsurface Water Quality which an object tends to vibrate when disturbed.
Monitoring Devices 3.2.8 resonance—when one object (sine generator) vibrat-
D 5784 Guide for the Use of Hollow Stem Augers for ing at the natural frequency of a second object (drill pipe or
Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Installation of casing) forces the second object into vibrational motion.
Subsurface Water Quality Monitoring Devices 3.2.9 sine wave—a wave form corresponding to a single-
D 6151 Practice for Hollow Stem Drilling and Soil Sam- frequency periodic oscillation.
pling for Geotechnical Investigation 3.2.10 sinusoidal force—energy force generated by an os-
D 6286 Guide for Selection of Drilling Methods for Envi- cillator that is transmitted to the drill tool string.
ronmental Site Characterization 3.2.11 sonic—thepracticeofusinghighfrequencyvibration
2.3 ASTM Standards—Soil Sampling: as the primary force to advance drill tools through subsurface
D 420 Practice for Investigating and Sampling Soil and formations.
Rock for Engineering Purposes 3.2.12 standing wave pattern—a vibratory pattern created
D 1586 Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel withinthedrillstringwherethevibratingfrequencyofacarrier
Sampling of Soil causes a reflected wave from one end of the drill string to
D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils interfere with incidental waves from the source in such a
D 3550 Practice for Ring-Lined Barrel Sampling of Soils manner that at specific points along the drill string it appears to
D 3694 Practice for Preparation of Sample Containers and be standing still. The resulting disturbance is a regular pattern.
for Preservation of Organic Constituents
4. Summary of Practice
D 4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil
4.1 Sonic drilling is the utilization of high frequency vibra-
Samples
tion aided by down pressure and rotation to advance drilling
D 4700 Guide for Soil Sampling in the Vadose Zone
tools through various subsurface formations.All objects have a
D 6169 Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling
natural frequency or set of frequencies at which they will
Devices Used with Drill Rigs for Environmental Site
vibrate when disturbed. The natural frequency is dependant
Characterization
uponthepropertiesofthematerialtheobjectismadeofandthe
2.4 ASTM Standards—Aquifer Testing:
D 4044 Test Method (Field Procedure) for instantaneous length of the object. The sonic drill head provides the distur-
bance to the drilling tools causing them to vibrate. To achieve
Change in Head (Slug Tests) for Determining Hydraulic
properties of Aquifers penetration of the formation the strata is fractured, sheared, or
displaced. The high frequency vibration can cause the soil in
D 4050 Test Method (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal and
Injection Well Tests for Determining Hydraulic Properties contact with the drill bit and drilling casing string to liquefy
and flow away allowing the casing to pass through with
of Aquifer Systems
D 5092 Practice for Design and Installation of Ground reduced friction. Rotation of the drill string is primarily for
even distribution of the applied energy, to control bit wear, and
Water Monitoring Wells in Aquifers
to help maintain borehole alignment. The use of vibratory
2.5 ASTM Standards—Other:
technology reduces the amount of drill cuttings, provides rapid
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
formation penetration, and the recovery of a continuous core
EngagedintheTestingand/orInspectionofSoilandRock
sample of formation specimens for field analysis and labora-
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
tory testing. Boreholes generated by sonic drilling can be fitted
3. Terminology
with various subsurface condition monitoring devices. Numer-
3.1 Terminology used within this guide is in accordance
ous sampling techniques can also be used with this system
with Terminology D 653. Definitions of additional terms may
including thin walled tubes, split barrel samplers, and in-situ
be found in Terminology D 653.
ground water sampling devices. Fig. 1 demonstrates the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
general principle of sonic drilling.
3.2.1 amplitude—range of drill bit movement necessary to
5. Significance and Use
overcome formation elasticity.
3.2.2 bit face design—the practice of changing the drill bit 5.1 Sonic drilling is used for geoenvironmental investiga-
face to be neutral to, include, exclude, or shear the material tive programs. It is well suited for environmental projects of a
being penetrated. production-orientated nature. Disposal of drilling spoils is a
3.2.3 forced vibration—the tendency of one object to force majorcostelementinanyenvironmentalproject.Sonicdrilling
an adjoining or interconnected object into vibrational motion. offers the benefit of significantly reduced drill cuttings and
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D6914–04
FIG. 1 General Principle of Sonic Drilling
reduced fluid production. Sonic drilling offers rapid formation distortion. The use of split barrels, with or without liners, may
penetration thereby increasing production. It can reduce field- improve the sample condition but may not completely remove
work time generating overall project cost reductions. The the vibratory effect. When penetrating rock formations, the
continuous core sample recovered provides a representative vibration may create mechanical fractures that can affect
lithological column for review and analysis. Sonic drilling structural analysis for permeability and thereby not reflect the
readily lends itself to environmental instrumentation installa- true in-situcondition.Sonicdrillinginrockwillrequiretheuse
tion and to in-situ testing. The advantage of a clean cased hole of air or fluid to remove drill cuttings from the face of the bit,
without the use of drilling fluids provides for increased as they generally cannot be forced into the formation. Samples
efficiency in instrumentation installation. The ability to cause collected by the dry sonic coring method from dense, dry,
vibration to the casing string eliminates the complication of consolidated or cemented formations may be subjected to
backfill bridging common to other drilling methods and re- drilling induced heat. Heat is generated by the impact of the bit
duces the risk of casing lockup allowing for easy casing on the formation and the friction created when the core barrel
withdrawal during grouting. The clean borehole reduces well is forced into the formation. The sampling barrel is advanced
development time. Pumping tests can be performed as needed without drilling fluid whenever possible. Therefore, in very
prior to well screen placement to insure proper screen location. denseformations,drillingfluidsmayhavetobeusedtoremove
The sonic method is readily utilized in multiple cased well drill cuttings from the bit face and to control drilling generated
applications which are required to prevent aquifer cross con- heat. In dry, dense formations precautions to control drilling
tamination. Notwithstanding the possibility of vibratory effects generated heat may be necessary to avoid affecting contami-
on the surrounding formations, the same sonic drilling plus nant presence. The affects of drilling generated heat can be
factors for environmental monitoring device installations carry mitigated by shortening sampling runs, changing vibration
over for geotechnical instrumentation as well. The installation level and rotation speed, using cooled sampling barrels, col-
of inclinometers, vibrating wire piezometers, settlement lecting larger diameter samples to reduce affect on the interior
gauges, and the like can be accomplished efficiently with the of the sample, and using fluid coring methods or by using
sonic method. alternate sampling methods such as the standard penetration
5.2 The cutting action, as the sonic drilling bit passes test type samplers at specific intervals. Heat generated while
through the formation, may cause disturbance to the soil casing the borehole through dense formations after the core
structure along the borehole wall. The vibratory action of sample has been extracted can be alleviated by potable water
directing the sample into the sample barrel and then vibrating injection and/or by using crowd-in casing bits that shear the
it back out can cause distortion of the specimen. Core samples formation with minimal resistance. Should borehole wall
canbehydraulicallyextractedfromthesamplebarreltoreduce densification be a concern it can be alleviated by potable water
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded an
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