ASTM D6429-20
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
Standard Guide for Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide applies to commonly used surface geophysical methods for those applications listed in Table 1. The rating system used in Table 1 is based upon the ability of each method to produce results under average field conditions when compared to other methods applied to the same application. An “A” rating implies a preferred method and a “B” rating implies an alternate method. There may be a single method or multiple methods that can be successfully applied. There may also be a method or methods that will be successful technically at a lower cost. The final selection must be made considering site specific conditions and project objectives; therefore, it is critical to have an experienced professional make the final decision as to the method(s) selected.
5.1.1 Benson (1) provides one of the earlier guides to the application of geophysics to environmental problems.
5.1.2 Ward (2) is a three-volume compendium that deals with geophysical methods applied to geotechnical and environmental problems.
5.1.3 Butler (3) provides detailed technical explanations of near-surface geophysical methods and includes several detailed case histories
5.1.4 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manual (4) provides introductory chapters for the methods of Geophysical Exploration for Engineering and Environmental Investigations. This manual can be downloaded for no charge from the Corps of Engineers website.
5.1.5 Olhoeft (5) provides an expert system for helping select geophysical methods to be used at hazardous waste sites.
5.1.6 The U.S. EPA (6) provides an excellent literature review of the theory and use of geophysical methods for use at contaminated sites.
5.2 An Introduction to Geophysical Measurements:
5.2.1 A primary factor affecting the accuracy of site investigation results is the number of test locations. Insufficient spatial sampling to adequately characterize the conditions at a site can result if the number of samples is too small. Interpolation bet...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection of surface geophysical methods, as commonly applied to geologic, geotechnical, hydrologic, and environmental site investigations and subsequent site characterization, as well as forensic and archaeological applications. These geophysical methods are rarely the sole method used in the site investigation and are often used for pre-screening to guide how and where drilling, sampling or other targeted in-situ testing are conducted. This guide does not describe the specific procedures for conducting geophysical surveys. Individual guides have been developed for many surface geophysical methods.
1.2 Surface geophysical methods yield direct and indirect measurements of the physical properties of soil and rock and pore fluids, as well as buried objects.
1.3 This guide provides an overview of applications for which surface geophysical methods are appropriate. It does not address the details of the theory underlying specific methods, field procedures, or interpretation of the data. Numerous references are included for that purpose and are considered an essential part of this guide. It is recommended that the user of this guide be familiar with the references cited (1-27)2 and with Guides D420, D5730, D5753, D5777, D6285, D6430, D6431, D6432, D6820, D7046, and D7128, as well as Practices D5088, D5608, D6235, and Test Methods D4428/D4428M, D7400/D7400M, and G57.
1.4 To obtain detailed information on specific geophysical methods, ASTM standards, other publications, and references cited in this guide, should be consulted.
1.5 The success of a geophysical survey is dependent upon many factors. One of the most important factors is the competence of the person(s) responsible for planning, carrying out the survey, and interpreting the data. An understanding of the method's theory, field procedures, and interpretation along with an understanding of the site geology, is necessary to successful...
General Information
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: D6429 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6429; 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* the method’s theory, field procedures, and interpretation along
with an understanding of the site geology, is necessary to
1.1 This guide covers the selection of surface geophysical
successfully complete a survey. Personnel not having special-
methods, as commonly applied to geologic, geotechnical,
ized training or experience should be cautious about using
hydrologic, and environmental site investigations and subse-
geophysical methods and should solicit assistance from quali-
quent site characterization, as well as forensic and archaeologi-
fied practitioners.
cal applications. These geophysical methods are rarely the sole
method used in the site investigation and are often used for 1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
pre-screening to guide how and where drilling, sampling or as standard. The values given in parentheses are for informa-
other targeted in-situ testing are conducted. This guide does not tion only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test
describe the specific procedures for conducting geophysical results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as noncon-
surveys. Individual guides have been developed for many formance with this standard.
surface geophysical methods.
1.7 This guide offers an organized collection of information
1.2 Surface geophysical methods yield direct and indirect or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
measurements of the physical properties of soil and rock and course of action. This document cannot replace education or
pore fluids, as well as buried objects. experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
1.3 This guide provides an overview of applications for
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
which surface geophysical methods are appropriate. It does not
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
address the details of the theory underlying specific methods,
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
field procedures, or interpretation of the data. Numerous
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
references are included for that purpose and are considered an
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
essential part of this guide. It is recommended that the user of
2 document means only that the document has been approved
this guide be familiar with the references cited (1-27) and with
through the ASTM consensus process.
Guides D420, D5730, D5753, D5777, D6285, D6430, D6431,
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D6432, D6820, D7046, and D7128, as well as Practices
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5088, D5608, D6235, and Test Methods D4428/D4428M,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D7400/D7400M, and G57.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.4 To obtain detailed information on specific geophysical
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
methods, ASTM standards, other publications, and references
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
cited in this guide, should be consulted.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.5 The success of a geophysical survey is dependent upon
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
many factors. One of the most important factors is the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
competence of the person(s) responsible for planning, carrying
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
out the survey, and interpreting the data. An understanding of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface D420 Guide for Site Characterization for Engineering De-
Characterization.
sign and Construction Purposes
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
ɛ1
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D6429 – 99 (2011) ,
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which was withdrawn in March 2020 and reinstated in August 2020. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D6429-20.
...
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