ASTM D6031/D6031M-24
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Logging In Situ Moisture Content and Density of Soil and Rock by the Nuclear Method in Horizontal, Slanted, and Vertical Access Tubes
Standard Test Method for Logging In Situ Moisture Content and Density of Soil and Rock by the Nuclear Method in Horizontal, Slanted, and Vertical Access Tubes
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is useful as a repeatable, nondestructive technique to monitor in-place density and moisture of soil and rock along lengthy sections of horizontal, slanted, and vertical access holes or tubes. With proper calibration in accordance with Annex A1, this test method can be used to quantify changes in density and moisture content of soil and rock.
5.2 This test method is used in vadose zone monitoring, for performance assessment of engineered barriers at waste facilities, and for research related to monitoring the movement of liquids (water solutions and hydrocarbons) through soil and rock. The nondestructive nature of the test allows repetitive measurements at a site and statistical analysis of results.
5.3 The fundamental assumptions inherent in the density measurement portion of this test method are that Compton scattering and photoelectric absorption are the dominant interactions of the gamma rays with the material under test.
5.4 The probe response, in counts, can be converted to wet density by comparing the detected rate of gamma radiation with previously established calibration data (see Annex A1).
5.5 The probe count response may also be utilized directly for unitless, relative comparison with other probe readings.
5.5.1 For materials of densities higher than that of about the density of water, higher count rates within the same soil type relate to lower densities and, conversely, lower count rates within the same soil type relate to higher densities.
5.5.2 For materials of densities lower than the density of water, higher count rates within the same soil type relate to higher densities and, conversely, lower count rates within the same soil type relate to lower densities.
5.5.3 Because of the functional inflection of probe response for densities near the density of water, exercise great care when drawing conclusions from probe response in this density range.
5.6 The fundamental assumption inherent in the moisture meas...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers collection and comparison of logs of thermalized-neutron counts and back-scattered gamma counts along horizontal or vertical air-filled access tubes.
1.2 For limitations, see Section 6, “Interferences.”
1.3 The in situ water content in mass per unit volume and the density in mass per unit volume of soil and rock at positions or in intervals along the length of an access tube are calculated by comparing the thermal neutron count rate and gamma count rates respectively to previously established calibration data.
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. Within the text of this standard, SI units appear first followed by the inch-pound (or other non-SI) units in brackets
1.4.1 Reporting the test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with the standard.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.6 This standard does not ...
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
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: D6031/D6031M − 24
Standard Test Method for
Logging In Situ Moisture Content and Density of Soil and
Rock by the Nuclear Method in Horizontal, Slanted, and
1
Vertical Access Tubes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6031/D6031M; 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* of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
methods for engineering design.
1.1 This test method covers collection and comparison of
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
logs of thermalized-neutron counts and back-scattered gamma
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
counts along horizontal or vertical air-filled access tubes.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 For limitations, see Section 6, “Interferences.”
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.3 The in situ water content in mass per unit volume and mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the density in mass per unit volume of soil and rock at positions For specific hazards, see Section 8.
or in intervals along the length of an access tube are calculated 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
by comparing the thermal neutron count rate and gamma count dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
rates respectively to previously established calibration data. ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
2. Referenced Documents
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
from the two systems shall not be combined. Within the text of
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
this standard, SI units appear first followed by the inch-pound
Fluids
(or other non-SI) units in brackets
D1452/D1452M Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling
1.4.1 Reporting the test results in units other than SI shall
by Auger Borings
not be regarded as nonconformance with the standard.
D1586/D1586M Test Method for Standard Penetration Test
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
(SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D1587/D1587M Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of
D6026.
Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes (Withdrawn
3
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected,
2024)
recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of
3
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
Rock for Site Exploration (Withdrawn 2023)
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
D2937 Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
Drive-Cylinder Method
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
D3550/D3550M Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils
1 2
This test method 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 on Groundwater and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Vadose Zone Investigations. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2024. Published January 2024. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D6031–96(2015). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D6031_D6031M-24. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyri
...
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: D6031/D6031M − 96 (Reapproved 2015) D6031/D6031M − 24
Standard Test Method for
Logging In Situ Moisture Content and Density of Soil and
Rock by the Nuclear Method in Horizontal, Slanted, and
1
Vertical Access Tubes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6031/D6031M; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers collection and comparison of logs of thermalized-neutron counts and back-scattered gamma counts
along horizontal or vertical air-filled access tubes.
1.2 For limitations, see Section 6, “Interferences.”
1.3 The in situ water content in mass per unit volume and the density in mass per unit volume of soil and rock at positions or in
intervals along the length of an access tube are calculated by comparing the thermal neutron count rate and gamma count rates
respectively to previously established calibration data.
1.4 Units—The values stated in either inch-poundSI units or SI units [presented in brackets] inch-pound units are to be regarded
separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not beare not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure
conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combiningother, and values from the two
systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.shall not be combined. Within the text of this standard, SI units appear
first followed by the inch-pound (or other non-SI) units in brackets
1.4.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf)
represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F =
ma) calculations are involved.Reporting the test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with the
standard.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and Vadose
Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015Jan. 1, 2024. Published November 2015January 2024. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20102015
ɛ1
as D6031–96(2010)D6031–96(2015). . DOI: 10.1520/D6031_D6031M-96R15.10.1520/D6031_D6031M-24.
*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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6031/D6031M − 24
1.6 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 and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards, see Section 68.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1452D1452/D1452M Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings
D1586D1586/D1586M Test Method for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Bar
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.