ASTM D4452/D4452M-22
(Practice)Standard Practice for X-Ray Radiography of Soil Samples
Standard Practice for X-Ray Radiography of Soil Samples
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Many geotechnical tests require the utilization of intact, representative samples of soil. The quality of these samples depends on many factors. Many of the samples obtained by intact sampling methods have inherent anomalies. Sampling procedures cause disturbances of varying types and intensities. These anomalies and disturbances, however, are not always readily detectable by visual inspection of the intact samples before or after testing. Often test results would be enhanced if the presence and the extent of these anomalies and disturbances are known before testing or before destruction of the sample by testing. Such determinations assist the user in detecting flaws in sampling methods, the presence of natural or induced shear planes, and the presence of natural intrusions, such as gravels or shells at critical regions in the samples, the presence of sand and silt seams, and the intensity of disturbances caused by sampling.
5.2 X-ray radiography provides the user with a picture of the internal massive structure of the soil sample, regardless of whether the soil is X-rayed within or without the sampling tube. X-ray radiography assists the user in identifying the following:
5.2.1 Appropriateness of sampling methods used.
5.2.2 Effects of sampling in terms of the disturbances caused by the turning of the edges of various thin layers in varved soils, large disturbances caused in soft soils, shear planes induced by sampling, or extrusion, or both, effects of overdriving of samplers, the presence of cuttings in sampling tubes, or the effects of using bent, corroded, or nonstandard tubes for sampling.
5.2.3 Naturally occurring fissures, shear planes, etc.
5.2.4 The presence of intrusions within the sample, such as calcareous nodules, gravel, or shells.
5.2.5 Sand and silt seams, organic matter, large voids, and channels developed by natural or artificial leaching of soil components.
Note 1: The quality of the results produced by this standard is de...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the quality of soil samples in thin wall tubes or of extruded soil cores by X-ray radiography.
1.2 This practice enables the user to determine the effects of sampling and natural variations within samples as identified by the extent of the relative penetration of X-rays through soil samples.
1.3 This practice can be used to X-ray soil cores (or observe their features on a fluoroscope) in thin wall tubes or liners ranging from approximately 50 to 150 mm [2 to 6 in.] in diameter. X-rays of samples in the larger diameter tubes provide a radiograph of major features of soils and disturbances, such as large scale bending of edges of varved clays, shear planes, the presence of large concretions, silt and sand seams thicker than 6 mm [1/4 in.], large lumps of organic matter, and voids or other types of intrusions. X-rays of the smaller diameter cores provide higher resolution of soil features and disturbances, such as small concretions (3 mm [1/8 in.] diameter or larger), solution channels, slight bending of edges of varved clays, thin silt or sand seams, narrow solution channels, plant root structures, and organic matter. The X-raying of samples in thin wall tubes or liners requires minimal preparation.
1.4 Greater detail and resolution of various features of the soil can be obtained by X-raying extruded soil cores, as compared to samples in metal tubes. The method used for X-raying soil cores is the same as that for tubes and liners, except that extruded cores have to be handled with extreme care and have to be placed in sample troughs (similar to Fig. 2) before X-raying. This practice should be used only when natural water content or other intact soil characteristics are irrelevant to the end use of the sample.
1.4.1 Often it is necessary to obtain greater resolution of features to determine the propriety of sampling methods, the representative nature of soil samples,...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4452/D4452M − 22
Standard Practice for
1
X-Ray Radiography of Soil Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4452/D4452M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* This practice requires that either duplicate samples be obtained
or already tested specimens be X-rayed.
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the quality of
soil samples in thin wall tubes or of extruded soil cores by
1.5 This practice can only be used to its fullest extent after
X-ray radiography.
considerable experience is obtained through many detailed
comparisonsbetweentheX-rayimageandthesampleX-rayed.
1.2 This practice enables the user to determine the effects of
sampling and natural variations within samples as identified by
1.6 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
the extent of the relative penetration of X-rays through soil
pound units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded sepa-
samples.
rately as standard.The values stated in each system may not be
exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used inde-
1.3 This practice can be used to X-ray soil cores (or observe
pendentlyoftheother.Combiningvaluesfromthetwosystems
their features on a fluoroscope) in thin wall tubes or liners
may result in nonconformance with standard.
ranging from approximately 50 to 150 mm [2 to 6 in.] in
diameter. X-rays of samples in the larger diameter tubes
1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
provide a radiograph of major features of soils and
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
disturbances, such as large scale bending of edges of varved
educationorexperienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith
clays, shear planes, the presence of large concretions, silt and
professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be
1
sand seams thicker than 6 mm [ ⁄4 in.], large lumps of organic
applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
matter, and voids or other types of intrusions. X-rays of the
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
smaller diameter cores provide higher resolution of soil fea-
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
1
tures and disturbances, such as small concretions (3 mm [ ⁄8
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
in.] diameter or larger), solution channels, slight bending of
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
edges of varved clays, thin silt or sand seams, narrow solution
title of this document means only that the document has been
channels, plant root structures, and organic matter. The
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
X-raying of samples in thin wall tubes or liners requires
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
minimal preparation.
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
1.4 Greater detail and resolution of various features of the
Practice D6026.
soil can be obtained by X-raying extruded soil cores, as
1.8.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated
compared to samples in metal tubes. The method used for
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
X-raying soil cores is the same as that for tubes and liners,
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
except that extruded cores have to be handled with extreme
digits in the specified limits.
care and have to be placed in sample troughs (similar to Fig. 2)
1.8.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
before X-raying. This practice should be used only when
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
natural water content or other intact soil characteristics are
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
irrelevant to the end use of the sample.
signification digits that generally should be retained. The
1.4.1 Often it is necessary to obtain greater resolution of
procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
features to determine the propriety of sampling methods, the
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
representative nature of soil samples, or anomalies in soils.
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
of this stand
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4452 − 14 D4452/D4452M − 22
Standard Practice for
1
X-Ray Radiography of Soil Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4452;D4452/D4452M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the quality of soil samples in thin wall tubes or of extruded cores by X-ray
radiography.
1.2 This practice enables the user to determine the effects of sampling and natural variations within samples as identified by the
extent of the relative penetration of X-rays through soil samples.
1.3 This practice can be used to X-ray cores (or observe their features on a fluoroscope) in thin wall tubes or liners ranging from
approximately 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 in.) in diameter. X-rays of samples in the larger diameter tubes provide a radiograph of major
features of soils and disturbances, such as large scale bending of edges of varved clays, shear planes, the presence of large
1
concretions, silt and sand seams thicker than 6 mm ( ⁄4 in.), large lumps of organic matter, and voids or other types of intrusions.
X-rays of the smaller diameter cores provide higher resolution of soil features and disturbances, such as small concretions (3 mm
1
( ⁄8 in.) diameter or larger), solution channels, slight bending of edges of varved clays, thin silt or sand seams, narrow solution
channels, plant root structures, and organic matter. The X-raying of samples in thin wall tubes or liners requires minimal
preparation.
1.4 Greater detail and resolution of various features of the soil can be obtained by X-raying of extruded cores, as compared to
samples in metal tubes. The method used for X-raying cores is the same as that for tubes and liners, except that extruded cores
have to be handled with extreme care and have to be placed in sample holders (similar to Fig. 2) before X-raying. This practice
should be used only when natural water content or other intact soil characteristics are irrelevant to the end use of the sample.
1.4.1 Often it is necessary to obtain greater resolution of features to determine the propriety of sampling methods, the
representative nature of soil samples, or anomalies in soils. This practice requires that either duplicate samples be obtained or
already tested specimens be X-rayed.
1.5 This practice can only be used to their fullest extent after considerable experience is obtained through many detailed
comparisons between the X-ray image and the sample X-rayed.
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6.1 Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this test method.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
Classification of Soils.
Current edition approved July 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2022. Published August 2014October 2022. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20062014 as
D4452 – 06.14. DOI: 10.1520/D4452-14.10.1520/D4452_D4452M-22.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D4452/D4452M − 22
1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. 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.
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.8.1 For purposes of compar
...
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