ASTM D4992-22

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Rock to be Used for Erosion Control

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The field examination, sampling, and petrographic examination in this practice along with appropriate laboratory testing may be used to determine the suitability of rock for erosion control. Factors to consider include identification and delineation of areas or zones of the rock, beds, and facies of unsuitable or marginal composition and properties due to weathering, alteration, structural weaknesses, porosity, and other potentially deleterious characteristics.  
4.2 Evaluate both the rock mass properties and the rock material properties.  
4.2.1 The rock mass properties are the lithologic properties of the in situ rock that are evaluated on a macroscopic scale in the field. These properties include features such as fractures, joints, faults, bedding, schistosity, and lineations, as well as the lateral and vertical extent of the rock unit.  
4.2.2 The rock material properties are those lithologic properties that may be evaluated using small specimens and thus can be subject to meaningful laboratory testing. These properties would include mineral composition, grain size, rock hardness, degree of weathering, porosity, unit weight, and many others.  
4.3 Rock proposed for use in erosion control applications are normally classified as either filter bedding stone, riprap stone, armor stone, or breakwater stone. However, these procedures may be also extended to rocks used in groin and gabion structures.  
4.4 In cases in which only stockpile samples are to be obtained for laboratory testing, a full quarry geological examination may not be required. It is the responsibility of the specifier of this standard to indicate which sections of this Practice apply to the specific project.
Note 2: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent upon the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and obj...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the evaluation of rock to be used for erosion control. The complexity and extent of this evaluation will be governed by the size and design requirements of the individual project, the quantity and quality of rock required, and the potential risk for property damage or loss of human life.  
1.2 It is not intended that all of the evaluations listed in this practice be addressed for every project. For some small, less critical jobs, a visual inspection of the rock may be all that is necessary. Several of the evaluations listed may be necessary on large, complex, high-hazard projects. It is the responsibility of the designer to determine the intensity and number of evaluations made on any one project.  
1.3 Examination of the rock at the source, evaluation of similar rock exposed to the environment at any field installations, as well as laboratory tests may be necessary to determine the properties of the rock as related to its predicted performance at the site of intended use (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).2  
1.4 The examination of the rock at its source is essential to its evaluation for erosion control and aids in the planning of the subsequent laboratory examinations. Very large pieces of rock up to several tons weight are used in the control of erosion; take great care with the field descriptions and in the sampling program to assure that zones of impurities or weaknesses that might not occur in ordinary size specimens are recorded and evaluated for their deleterious potential under the conditions of intended use. It is necessary that the intended method of rock removal be studied to ascertain whether the samples taken will correspond to the blasting, handling, and weathering history of the rock that will finally be used (3).  
1.5 The specific procedures employed in the laboratory examinations depend on the kind of rock, its characteristics, mineral components, macro and micro structure, and perhaps mo...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2021
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.17 - Rock for Erosion Control

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: D4992 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Evaluation of Rock to be Used for Erosion Control
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4992; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* mineral components, macro and micro structure, and perhaps
most importantly, the intended use, size of the pieces, and the
1.1 Thispracticecoverstheevaluationofrocktobeusedfor
exposure conditions at the site of use (1, 2, 3, 4).
erosion control. The complexity and extent of this evaluation
will be governed by the size and design requirements of the
1.6 Itisassumedthatthispracticewillbeusedbypersonnel
individual project, the quantity and quality of rock required,
who are qualified by education and experience to plan the
and the potential risk for property damage or loss of human
necessary evaluations and to conduct them so that the neces-
life.
sary parameters of the subject rock will be defined. Therefore,
this practice does not attempt to detail the laboratory tech-
1.2 It is not intended that all of the evaluations listed in this
niques required, but rather to mention them and only detail
practice be addressed for every project. For some small, less
those properties that are of special concern in the course of the
critical jobs, a visual inspection of the rock may be all that is
examination for rock to be used for erosion control.
necessary. Several of the evaluations listed may be necessary
on large, complex, high-hazard projects. It is the responsibility
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
of the designer to determine the intensity and number of
as standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are
evaluations made on any one project.
provided for information only.
1.3 Examination of the rock at the source, evaluation of
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
similar rock exposed to the environment at any field
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
installations, as well as laboratory tests may be necessary to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
determine the properties of the rock as related to its predicted
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
2
performance at the site of intended use (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 The examination of the rock at its source is essential to
NOTE 1—Erosion stone pieces can weigh from several hundred pounds
itsevaluationforerosioncontrolandaidsintheplanningofthe
to several tons. Exercise caution at all times as the mass of each piece
subsequent laboratory examinations. Very large pieces of rock
represents a potential pinch point and a lifting, handling, and carrying
up to several tons weight are used in the control of erosion;
hazard.
take great care with the field descriptions and in the sampling
1.9 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
program to assure that zones of impurities or weaknesses that
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
might not occur in ordinary size specimens are recorded and
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
evaluatedfortheirdeleteriouspotentialundertheconditionsof
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
intended use. It is necessary that the intended method of rock
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
removal be studied to ascertain whether the samples taken will
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
correspond to the blasting, handling, and weathering history of
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
the rock that will finally be used (3).
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
1.5 The specific procedures employed in the laboratory
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
examinations depend on the kind of rock, its characteristics,
title of this document means only that the document has been
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for Erosion
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Control.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published January 2022. Originally
ization established i
...

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.
´2
Designation: D4992 − 14 D4992 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Evaluation of Rock to be Used for Erosion Control
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4992; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected referenced document in April 2015.
2
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected units of measurement statement in June 2021.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers the evaluation of rock to be used for erosion control. The complexity and extent of this evaluation will
be governed by the size and design requirements of the individual project, the quantity and quality of rock required, and the
potential risk for property damage or loss of human life.
1.2 It is not intended that all of the evaluations listed in this practice be addressed for every project. For some small, less critical
jobs, a visual inspection of the rock may be all that is necessary. Several of the evaluations listed may be necessary on large,
complex, high-hazard projects. The It is the responsibility of the designer to determine the intensity and number of evaluations
made on any one project must be determined by the designer.project.
1.3 Examination of the rock at the source, evaluation of similar rock exposed to the environment at any field installations, as well
as laboratory tests may be necessary to determine the properties of the rock as related to its predicted performance at the site of
2
intended use (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
1.4 The examination of the rock at its source is essential to its evaluation for erosion control and aids in the planning of the
subsequent laboratory examinations. Very large pieces of rock up to several tons weight are used in the control of erosion; thustake
great care must be taken with the field descriptions and in the sampling program to assure that zones of impurities or weaknesses
that might not occur in ordinary size specimens are recorded and evaluated for their deleterious potential under the conditions of
intended use. It is necessary that the intended method of rock removal be studied to ascertain whether the samples taken will
correspond to the blasting, handling, and weathering history of the rock that will finally be used (3).
1.5 The specific procedures employed in the laboratory examinations depend on the kind of rock, its characteristics, mineral
components, macro and micro structure, and perhaps most importantly, the intended use, size of the pieces, and the exposure
conditions at the site of use (1, 2, 3, 4).
1.6 It is assumed that this practice will be used by personnel who are qualified by education and experience to plan the necessary
evaluations and to conduct them so that the necessary parameters of the subject rock will be defined. Therefore, this practice does
not attempt to detail the laboratory techniques required, but rather to mention them and only detail those properties that must be
are of special concern in the course of the examination for rock to be used for erosion control.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for Erosion Control.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014Jan. 1, 2022. Published May 2014January 2022. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20072014 as
ɛ2
D4992 – 07.D4992 – 14 . DOI: 10.1520/D4992-14E02.10.1520/D4992-22.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
*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
1

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D4992 − 22
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values inch-pound units given in parentheses are
provided for information only and are not considered standard.only.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—Erosion stone pieces can weigh from several hundred pounds to several tons. Ex
...