ASTM D6914-04(2010)
(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
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Sonic drilling is used for geoenvironmental investigative programs. It is well suited for environmental projects of a production-orientated nature. Disposal of drilling spoils is a major cost element in any environmental project. Sonic drilling offers the benefit of significantly reduced drill cuttings and reduced fluid production. Sonic drilling offers rapid formation penetration thereby increasing production. It can reduce fieldwork time generating overall project cost reductions. The continuous core sample recovered provides a representative lithological column for review and analysis. Sonic drilling readily lends itself to environmental instrumentation installation and to in-situ testing. The advantage of a clean cased hole without the use of drilling fluids provides for increased efficiency in instrumentation installation. The ability to cause vibration to the casing string eliminates the complication of backfill bridging common to other drilling methods and reduces the risk of casing lockup allowing for easy casing withdrawal during grouting. The clean borehole reduces well development time. Pumping tests can be performed as needed prior to well screen placement to insure proper screen location. The sonic method is readily utilized in multiple cased well applications which are required to prevent aquifer cross contamination. Notwithstanding the possibility of vibratory effects on the surrounding formations, the same sonic drilling plus factors for environmental monitoring device installations carry over for geotechnical instrumentation as well. The installation of inclinometers, vibrating wire piezometers, settlement gauges, and the like can be accomplished efficiently with the sonic method.
The cutting action, as the sonic drilling bit passes through the formation, may cause disturbance to the soil structure along the borehole wall. The vibratory action of directing the sample into the sample barrel and then vibrating it back out can cause distortion of the...
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 D4220. 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 successfu...
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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 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Practice for
Sonic Drilling for Site Characterization and the Installation
of Subsurface Monitoring Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6914; 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 practices. Users should seek qualified professionals for deci-
sions as to the proper equipment and methods that would be
1.1 This practice covers procedures for using sonic drilling
mostsuccessfulfortheirsiteinvestigation.Othermethodsmay
methodsintheconductingofgeoenvironmentalexplorationfor
be available for drilling and sampling of soil, and qualified
site characterization and in the installation of subsurface
professionals should have the flexibility to exercise judgment
monitoring devices.
as to possible alternatives not covered in this practice. This
1.2 The use of the sonic drilling method for geoenviron-
practice is current at the time of issue, but new alternative
mental exploration and monitoring-device installation may
methods may become available prior to revisions, therefore,
often involve preliminary site research and safety planning,
users should consult manufacturers or sonic drilling services
administration, and documentation. This guide does not pur-
providers prior to specifying program requirements.
port to specifically address site exploration planning and site
1.7 This practice does not purport to address all the safety
safety.
concerns, if any, associated with its use and may involve use of
1.3 Soil or Rock samples collected by sonic methods are
hazardous materials, equipment, and operations. It is the
classed as group A or group B in accordance with Practices
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D4220. Other sampling methods may be used in conjunction
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
with the sonic method to collect samples classed as group C
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use. For good safety
and Group D.
practice, consult applicable OSHA regulations and drilling
2,3,4
safety guides.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
2. Referenced Documents
information only.
2.1 ASTM Standards—Soil Classification:
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
one or more specific operations. It is a description of the
Fluids
present state-of-the-art practice of sonic drilling. It does not
D2113Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of
recommend this method as a specific course of action. This
Rock for Site Exploration
document cannot replace education or experience and should
D2488Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all
(Visual-Manual Procedure)
aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances.
D5434Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations
ThisASTMstandardisnotintendedtorepresentorreplacethe
of Soil and Rock
standardofcarebywhichtheadequacyofagivenprofessional
2.2 ASTM Standards—Drilling Methods:
service must be judged, nor should this document be applied
D1452PracticeforSoilExplorationandSamplingbyAuger
without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The
Borings
word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that
D5088Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
thedocumenthasbeenapprovedthroughtheASTMconsensus
Used at Waste Sites
process.
1.6 This practice does not purport to comprehensively
“Drilling Safety Guide,” National Drilling Association.
address all the methods and the issues associated with drilling
“Drillers Handbook,” Thomas C. Ruda and Peter Bosscher, National Drilling
Association.
1 4
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and “Innovative Technology Summary Report,” April 1995, U.S. Department of
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and Energy.
Vadose Zone Investigations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ε1
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D6914–04 . DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D6914-04R10. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6914 − 04 (2010)
D5299Guide for Decommissioning of Groundwater Wells, 3.2.1 amplitude—range of drill bit movement necessary to
Vadose Zone Monitoring Devices, Boreholes, and Other overcome formation elasticity.
Devices for Environmental Activities
3.2.2 bit face design—the practice of changing the drill bit
D5791Guide for Using Probability Sampling Methods in
face to be neutral to, include, exclude, or shear the material
Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
being penetrated.
D5782Guide for Use of Direct Air-Rotary Drilling for
3.2.3 forced vibration—the tendency of one object to force
Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Installation of
an adjoining or interconnected object into vibrational motion.
Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
3.2.4 harmonic—the point in a drill string where a special
D5783Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Drilling with Water-
frequency creates a standing wave pattern throughout the
Based Drilling Fluid for Geoenvironmental Exploration
string.
and the Installation of SubsurfaceWater-Quality Monitor-
ing Devices 3.2.5 hertz—international unit of frequency, equal to one
D5784Guide for Use of Hollow-StemAugers for Geoenvi-
cycle per second.
ronmental Exploration and the Installation of Subsurface
3.2.6 hydraulic extraction—the removal of the sample
Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
specimen from the solid sampling barrel by the application of
D6151PracticeforUsingHollow-StemAugersforGeotech-
fluid.
nical Exploration and Soil Sampling
3.2.7 natural frequency—the frequency or frequencies at
D6286GuideforSelectionofDrillingMethodsforEnviron-
which an object tends to vibrate when disturbed.
mental Site Characterization
3.2.8 resonance—when one object (sine generator) vibrat-
2.3 ASTM Standards—Soil Sampling:
ing at the natural frequency of a second object (drill pipe or
D420GuidetoSiteCharacterizationforEngineeringDesign
casing) forces the second object into vibrational motion.
and Construction Purposes (Withdrawn 2011)
D1586Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
3.2.9 sine wave—a wave form corresponding to a single-
Barrel Sampling of Soils frequency periodic oscillation.
D1587Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for
3.2.10 sinusoidal force—energy force generated by an os-
Geotechnical Purposes
cillator that is transmitted to the drill tool string.
D3550Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
3.2.11 sonic—thepracticeofusinghighfrequencyvibration
Drive Sampling of Soils
as the primary force to advance drill tools through subsurface
D3694Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and
formations.
for Preservation of Organic Constituents
3.2.12 standing wave pattern—a vibratory pattern created
D4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil
withinthedrillstringwherethevibratingfrequencyofacarrier
Samples
causes a reflected wave from one end of the drill string to
D4700Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
interfere with incidental waves from the source in such a
D6169Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling
mannerthatatspecificpointsalongthedrillstringitappearsto
Devices Used With Drill Rigs for Environmental Investi-
be standing still.The resulting disturbance is a regular pattern.
gations
2.4 ASTM Standards—Aquifer Testing:
4. Summary of Practice
D4044Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
4.1 Sonic drilling is the utilization of high frequency vibra-
Change in Head (Slug) Tests for Determining Hydraulic
tion aided by down pressure and rotation to advance drilling
Properties of Aquifers
toolsthroughvarioussubsurfaceformations.Allobjectshavea
D4050Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal
natural frequency or set of frequencies at which they will
and Injection Well Testing for Determining Hydraulic
vibrate when disturbed. The natural frequency is dependant
Properties of Aquifer Systems
uponthepropertiesofthematerialtheobjectismadeofandthe
D5092Practice for Design and Installation of Groundwater
length of the object. The sonic drill head provides the distur-
Monitoring Wells
bance to the drilling tools causing them to vibrate. To achieve
2.5 ASTM Standards—Other:
penetration of the formation the strata is fractured, sheared, or
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
displaced. The high frequency vibration can cause the soil in
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
contact with the drill bit and drilling casing string to liquefy
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
and flow away allowing the casing to pass through with
reduced friction. Rotation of the drill string is primarily for
3. Terminology
evendistributionoftheappliedenergy,tocontrolbitwear,and
3.1 Terminology used within this guide is in accordance
to help maintain borehole alignment. The use of vibratory
with Terminology D653. Definitions of additional terms may
technologyreducestheamountofdrillcuttings,providesrapid
be found in Terminology D653.
formation penetration, and the recovery of a continuous core
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
sample of formation specimens for field analysis and labora-
torytesting.Boreholesgeneratedbysonicdrillingcanbefitted
with various subsurface condition monitoring devices. Numer-
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. ous sampling techniques can also be used with this system
D6914 − 04 (2010)
including thin walled tubes, split barrel samplers, and in-situ 5.2 The cutting action, as the sonic drilling bit passes
groundwatersamplingdevices.Fig.1demonstratesthegeneral through the formation, may cause disturbance to the soil
principle of sonic drilling. structure along the borehole wall. The vibratory action of
directing the sample into the sample barrel and then vibrating
5. Significance and Use
it back out can cause distortion of the specimen. Core samples
5.1 Sonic drilling is used for geoenvironmental investiga- canbehydraulicallyextractedfromthesamplebarreltoreduce
tive programs. It is well suited for environmental projects of a distortion. The use of split barrels, with or without liners, may
production-orientated nature. Disposal of drilling spoils is a improve the sample condition but may not completely remove
majorcostelementinanyenvironmentalproject.Sonicdrilling the vibratory effect. When penetrating rock formations, the
offers the benefit of significantly reduced drill cuttings and vibration may create mechanical fractures that can affect
reduced fluid production. Sonic drilling offers rapid formation structural analysis for permeability and thereby not reflect the
penetration thereby increasing production. It can reduce field- true in-situcondition.Sonicdrillinginrockwillrequiretheuse
work time generating overall project cost reductions. The of air or fluid to remove drill cuttings from the face of the bit,
continuous core sample recovered provides a representative as they generally cannot be forced into the formation. Samples
lithological column for review and analysis. Sonic drilling collected by the dry sonic coring method from dense, dry,
readily lends itself to environmental instrumentation installa- consolidated or cemented formations may be subjected to
tion and to in-situ testing.The advantage of a clean cased hole drillinginducedheat.Heatisgeneratedbytheimpactofthebit
without the use of drilling fluids provides for increased on the formation and the friction created when the core barrel
efficiency in instrumentation installation. The ability to cause is forced into the formation. The sampling barrel is advanced
vibration to the casing string eliminates the complication of without drilling fluid whenever possible. Therefore, in very
backfill bridging common to other drilling methods and re- denseformations,drillingfluidsmayhavetobeusedtoremove
duces the risk of casing lockup allowing for easy casing drillcuttingsfromthebitfaceandtocontroldrillinggenerated
withdrawal during grouting. The clean borehole reduces well heat. In dry, dense formations precautions to control drilling
development time. Pumping tests can be performed as needed generated heat may be necessary to avoid affecting contami-
priortowellscreenplacementtoinsureproperscreenlocation. nant presence. The affects of drilling generated heat can be
The sonic method is readily utilized in multiple cased well mitigated by shortening sampling runs, changing vibration
applications which are required to prevent aquifer cross con- level and rotation speed, using cooled sampling barrels, col-
tamination.Notwithstandingthepossibilityofvibratoryeffects lecting larger diameter samples to reduce affect on the interior
on the surrounding formations, the same sonic drilling plus of the sample, and using fluid coring methods or by using
factors for environmental monitoring device installations carry alternate sampling methods such as the standard penetration
over for geotechnical instrumentation as well. The installation test type samplers at specific intervals. Heat generated while
of inclinometers, vibrating wire piezometers, settlement casing the borehole through dense formations after the core
gauges, and the like can be accomplished efficiently with the sample has been extracted can be alleviated by potable water
sonic method. injection and/or by using crowd-in casing bits that shear the
FIG. 1 General Principle of Sonic Drilling
D6914 − 04 (2010)
formation with minimal resistance. Should borehole wall 6.1.6 Boring depth,
densificationbeaconcernitcanbealleviatedbypotablewater 6.1.7 Instrumentation requirements,
injection, by borehole wall scraping with the casing bit, by 6.1.8 Chemical composition of soil and contained pore
using a crowd-in style bit, or by injecting natural clay break- fluids,
down compounds. 6.1.9 Available funds,
6.1.10 Estimated cost,
5.3 Otherusesforthesonicdrillingmethodin
...
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