ASTM D6286-98(2006)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Drilling Methods for Environmental Site Characterization
Standard Guide for Selection of Drilling Methods for Environmental Site Characterization
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The selection of particular method(s) for drilling monitoring wells (see Table 1) requires that specific characteristics of each site be considered. These characteristics would include, but are not limited to, the ambient hydrogeologic parameters and conditions existing at the site. This guide is intended to make the user aware of some of the various drilling methods available and the applications, advantages and disadvantages of each with respect to determing groundwater chemistry and other hydrogeologic properties data.
This guide can be used in conjunction with Guide D6169. There are several guides that deal with individual drilling methods (see Guides D5781, D5782, D5783, D5784, D5872, D5875, and D5876) and how to the complete them for water quality monitoring device installation (see Practice D5092).
TABLE 1 Well-Drilling Selection Guide Drilling MethodDrilling
FluidCasing
AdvanceType of
Material
DrilledTypical
Drilling
Depth,
in ftATypical
Range of
Borehole
Sizes, in
in.Samples
ObtainableBCoring
PossibleReference
Section Power auger
(Hollow-stem)none, water, mudyessoil, weathered rock1505–22S, Fyes6.2 Power auger
(Solid-stem)water, mudnosoil, weathered rock1502–10syes6.3 Power bucket augernone, water (below water table)nosoil, weathered rock15018–48Syes6.4 Hand augernonenosoil70 (above water table only)2–6Syes6.5 Direct fluid rotarywater, mudyessoil, rock>10002–36S, Ryes7.3 Direct air rotaryair, water, foamyessoil, rock>15002–36S, R, Fyes7.4 DTH hammerair, water, foamyesrock, boulders20004–16Ryes7.5.1 Wirelineair, water, foamyessoil, rock>10003–6S, R, Fyes7.6 Reverse fluid rotarywater, mudyessoil, rock200012–36S, R, Fyes7.8 Reverse air rotaryair, water, foamyessoil, rock>100012–36S, R, Fyes7.7 Cable toolwateryessoil, rock50004–24S, R, F (F–below water table)yes8 Casing-advancerair, water, mudyessoil, rock, boulders20002–16S, R, Fyes9 Direct-push technologynoneyessoil1001.5–3S, Fyes10 Sonic (vibratory)none, wa...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides descriptions of various drilling methods for environmental site characterization along with advantages and disadvantages associated with each method discussed. A comprehensive description of these drilling methods can be found in individual ASTM standards, see Section 2. This guide is intended to aid in the selection of drilling method(s) for environmental soil and rock borings and the installation of monitoring wells and other water-quality monitoring devices.
1.2 This guide does not address methods of well construction, well development, or well completion. These topics are covered in other ASTM documents, see Section 2.
1.3 This guide cannot address all possible subsurface conditions that may occur such as, geologic, topographic, climatic, or anthropogenic. Site evaluation for engineering, design, and construction purposes is addressed in Guide D420.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Because dimensions of materials used in the drilling industry are given in inch-pound units by convention, inch-pound units also are used in this guide.
1.5 This guide does not specifically address methods of lithologic sample collection, such as coring, that may require the use of a specific drilling method. Other ASTM guides should be consulted for sampling methods (see Guide D6169) and equipment necessary for specific projects.
1.6 This guide does not purport to comprehensively address all of the methods and the issues associated with drilling for environmental purposes. Users should seek qualified professionals for decisions as to the proper equipment and methods that would be most successful for their site investigation. Other methods may be available for drilling and qualified professionals should have flexibility to exercise judgment as to possible alternatives not covered in this guide. The guide is current at the time of issue, but new alternative methods may b...
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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: D6286 − 98 (Reapproved2006)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Drilling Methods for Environmental Site
Characterization
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6286; 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 time of issue, but new alternative methods may become
available prior to revisions; therefore, users should consult
1.1 This guide provides descriptions of various drilling
with manufacturers or producers prior to specifying program
methods for environmental site characterization along with
requirements.
advantages and disadvantages associated with each method
discussed.Acomprehensive description of these drilling meth- 1.7 Pertinent guides addressing specific drilling methods,
ods can be found in individualASTM standards, see Section 2. equipment and procedures are listed in 2.1. A comprehensive
This guide is intended to aid in the selection of drilling list of guides, methods, practices, and terminology for drilling
method(s) for environmental soil and rock borings and the is contained in Guide D5730. Other documents covering
installation of monitoring wells and other water-quality moni- procedures for environmental site investigations with specific
toring devices. objectives or in particular geographic settings may be available
from federal, state, and other agencies or organizations. The
1.2 This guide does not address methods of well
appropriate agency or organization should be contacted to
construction, well development, or well completion. These
determine the availability and most current edition of such
topics are covered in other ASTM documents, see Section 2.
documents.
1.3 This guide cannot address all possible subsurface con-
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ditions that may occur such as, geologic, topographic, climatic,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
or anthropogenic. Site evaluation for engineering, design, and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
construction purposes is addressed in Guide D420.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
standard. Because dimensions of materials used in the drilling
1.9 This guide offers an organized collection of information
industry are given in inch-pound units by convention, inch-
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
pound units also are used in this guide.
course of action. This document cannot replace education and
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
1.5 This guide does not specifically address methods of
judgement. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in
lithologic sample collection, such as coring, that may require
all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to
the use of a specific drilling method. Other ASTM guides
represent or replace the standard of care by which the
should be consulted for sampling methods (see Guide D6169)
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor
and equipment necessary for specific projects.
should this document be applied without consideration of a
1.6 This guide does not purport to comprehensively address
project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
all of the methods and the issues associated with drilling for
title of this document means only that the document has been
environmental purposes. Users should seek qualified profes-
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
sionals for decisions as to the proper equipment and methods
thatwouldbemostsuccessfulfortheirsiteinvestigation.Other
2. Referenced Documents
methods may be available for drilling and qualified profession-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
als should have flexibility to exercise judgment as to possible
D420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering Design
alternatives not covered in this guide. The guide is current at
and Construction Purposes (Withdrawn 2011)
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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 July 1, 2006. Published July 2006. Originaly approved the ASTM website.
in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D6286 – 98. DOI: 10.1520/ The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
D6286-98R06. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6286 − 98 (2006)
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained 3.2.2 kelly bar, n—a formed or machined section of hollow
Fluids drill steel used in rotary drilling, which is joined directly to the
swivelatthetopandtothedrillpipebelow.Theflatsorsplines
D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
Barrel Sampling of Soils of the kelly engage the rotary table so that the rotation of the
rotary table turns the kelly, which in turn, rotates the drill pipe
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for
and the rotary bit.
Geotechnical Purposes
D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of
3.2.3 mud rings, n—soil or rock cuttings that form a ring or
Rock for Site Investigation
rings on the drill rod(s) during a rotary-drilling method, and as
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
such,preventdrillcuttingsfrombeingcarriedupandoutofthe
(Visual-Manual Procedure)
borehole. These rings can cause drill rods to become stuck in
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
theboreholeifsufficientdrillingfluidisnotinjectedorpumped
Drive Sampling of Soils
downhole to keep the cuttings fluid so that the ring(s) cannot
D5092 Practice for Design and Installation of Ground Water
form on the drill rods and block the cuttings return as drilling
Monitoring Wells progresses.
D5730 Guide for Site Characterization for Environmental
3.2.4 orange-peel bucket or boulder catcher, n—a bucket-
Purposes With Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone
typedevice,somewhatellipticalinshaperesemblinganorange
and Ground Water
peel, that is lowered down the borehole and used to remove
D5753 Guide for Planning and Conducting Borehole Geo-
boulders from the bottom of a borehole.
physical Logging
D5781 Guide for Use of Dual-Wall Reverse-Circulation
4. Significance and Use
Drilling for Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Instal-
4.1 The selection of particular method(s) for drilling moni-
lation of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
toring wells (see Table 1) requires that specific characteristics
D5782 Guide for Use of Direct Air-Rotary Drilling for
ofeachsitebeconsidered.Thesecharacteristicswouldinclude,
Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Installation of
but are not limited to, the ambient hydrogeologic parameters
Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
and conditions existing at the site. This guide is intended to
D5783 Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Drilling with Water-
make the user aware of some of the various drilling methods
Based Drilling Fluid for Geoenvironmental Exploration
available and the applications, advantages and disadvantages
and the Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitor-
of each with respect to determing groundwater chemistry and
ing Devices
other hydrogeologic properties data.
D5784 Guide for Use of Hollow-Stem Augers for Geoenvi-
4.2 This guide can be used in conjunction with Guide
ronmental Exploration and the Installation of Subsurface
D6169. There are several guides that deal with individual
Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
drilling methods (see Guides D5781, D5782, D5783, D5784,
D5872 Guide for Use of Casing Advancement Drilling
D5872, D5875, and D5876) and how to the complete them for
Methods for Geoenvironmental Exploration and Installa-
water quality monitoring device installation (see Practice
tion of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
D5092).
D5875 Guide for Use of Cable-Tool Drilling and Sampling
Methods for Geoenvironmental Exploration and Installa-
5. Program Planning and Drilling Considerations
tion of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
5.1 All factors affecting both surface and subsurface envi-
D5876 Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Wireline Casing
ronment at a specific site requires professional judgment and
Advancement Drilling Methods for Geoenvironmental
mustbeconsideredbythegeologist/hydrologistorexperienced
Exploration and Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality
driller before a drilling method is selected. Significant soil and
Monitoring Devices
rock masses and groundwater conditions within a given site
D6001 Guide for Direct-Push Ground Water Sampling for
should be described and defined, both vertically and horizon-
Environmental Site Characterization
tally, before drilling. Site planning requires a reconnaissance
D6151 Practice for Using Hollow-StemAugers for Geotech-
site investigation that considers access to the drilling site and
nical Exploration and Soil Sampling
conditionsforsettingupthedrillingequipment (1). Theextent
D6169 Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling
of site characterization and specific methods used will be
Devices Used With Drill Rigs for Environmental Investi-
determined by study objectives. Study objectives also will
gations
affect the type and complexity of data collected. Sources of
D6429 Guide for Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
data that may be useful during initial site evaluation include,
but are not limited to, topographic maps, aerial photography,
3. Terminology
satellite imagery, information from reconnaissance drilling,
borehole geophysical-log data, geologic maps and reports,
3.1 Definitions—Terminologyusedwithinthisguide,except
where noted, is in accordance with Terminology D653. statewide or county soil surveys, water-resource reports, well
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 borehole wall, n—refers to the naturally-occurring
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
soil(s)/rock(s) surrounding the borehole. this standard.
D6286 − 98 (2006)
TABLE 1 Well-Drilling Selection Guide
Typical
Typical
Type of Range of
Drilling Casing Drilling Samples Coring Reference
Drilling Method Material Borehole
B
Fluid Advance Depth, Obtainable Possible Section
Drilled Sizes, in
A
in ft
in.
Power auger none, water, soil, weathered
yes <150 5–22 S, F yes 6.2
(Hollow-stem) mud rock
Power auger soil, weathered
water, mud no <150 2–10 s yes 6.3
(Solid-stem) rock
none, water
soil, weathered
Power bucket auger (below water no <150 18–48 S yes 6.4
rock
table)
<70 (above
Hand auger none no soil 2–6 S yes 6.5
water table only)
Direct fluid rotary water, mud yes soil, rock >1000 2–36 S, R yes 7.3
Direct air rotary air, water, foam yes soil, rock >1500 2–36 S, R, F yes 7.4
DTH hammer air, water, foam yes rock, boulders <2000 4–16 R yes 7.5.1
Wireline air, water, foam yes soil, rock >1000 3–6 S, R, F yes 7.6
Reverse fluid rotary water, mud yes soil, rock <2000 12–36 S, R, F yes 7.8
Reverse air rotary air, water, foam yes soil, rock >1000 12–36 S, R, F yes 7.7
S, R, F (F–below
Cable tool water yes soil, rock <5000 4–24 yes 8
water table)
soil, rock,
Casing-advancer air, water, mud yes <2000 2–16 S, R, F yes 9
boulders
Direct-push technology none yes soil <100 1.5–3 S, F yes 10
none, water, soil, rock,
Sonic (vibratory) yes <500 4–12 S, R, F yes 11
mud, air boulders
Jet percussion water no soil <50 2–4 S no 12
Jetting water yes soil <50 4 S no 12
A
Actual achievable drilled depths will vary depending on the ambient geohydrologic conditions existing at the site and size of drilling equipment used. For example, large,
high-torque rigs can drill to greater depths than their smaller counterparts under favorable site conditions. Boreholes drilled using air/air foam can reach greater depths
more efficiently using two-stage positive-displacement compressors having the capability of developing working pressures of 250 to 350 psi and 500 to 750 cfm, particularly
when submergence requires higher pressures. The smaller rotary-type compressors only are capable of producing a maximum working pressure of 125 psi and produce
500 to 1200 cfm. Likewise, the rig mast must be constructed to safely carry the anticipated working loads expected. To allow for contigencies, it is recommended that the
rated capacity of the mast be at least twice the anticipated weight load or normal pulling load.
B
Soil = S (Cuttings), Rock=R(Cuttings), Fluid=F(some samples might require accessory sampling devices to obtain).
databases, and mineral-resource surveys covering the proposed three steps. To the extent possible, monitoring wells should be
project area. Available reports of surface and subsurface installed with an understanding of the ambient hydrogeologic
investigations of nearby or adjacent projects should be consid- site conditions. Monitoring wells often serve as part of an
ered and the information applicable to the current project overall site investigation for a specific purpose, such as
evaluated and applied if determined reliable and beneficial. determining the chemical quality of the water, gaining insight
Site-specific surface geophysical surveys (2-5) and direct-push into hydrochemical processes, or for predicting the effective-
methods for soil and groundwater data collection (see Guide nessofaquiferremediation.Inthesecases,extensiveadditional
D6429 and Guide D6001) also may be useful for planning geotechnical and hydrogeologic information may be required.
drilling locations.
5.3 If the monitoring well also is to be sampled for water
5.2 Site investigations for the purpose of determining the quality during the drilling process, the possible damage and
specific placement locations of monitoring-well installations subsequent aquifer contamination caused by drilling-fluid in-
can vary greatly due to the availability of reliable site data.The vasionoftheboreholewallthatmayoccurduringdrillingmust
general procedure, however, is as follows. First, gather factual be considered. For installation of monitoring wells designed
information and data regarding the surface and subsurface for water-sample collection, preferred dril
...
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