ASTM D6429-23
(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. Selection of the most appropriate method(s) must be made based on the scale and setting of the target. The final selection must be made considering site specific conditions and project objectives; therefore, it is critical to have a qualified professional make the final decision as to the method(s) selected.
5.1.1 Benson et al (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 Geophysical measurements provide a means of mapping lateral and vertical variations of one or more physical properties or monitoring temporal cha...
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...
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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: D6429 − 23
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 professionals. All references in this standard to the
cal applications. These geophysical methods are rarely the sole
“qualified professional” refers to individuals (such as
method used in the site investigation and are often used for
engineers, soil scientists, geophysicists, engineering geologists
pre-screening to guide how and where drilling, sampling or
or geologists), who have the appropriate experience and, if
other targeted in situ testing are conducted. This guide does not
required by local regulations, applicable certification, licensure
describe the specific procedures for conducting geophysical
or registration. The term “engineering” must be understood to
surveys. Individual guides have been developed for many
be associated with the practices or activities of that qualified
surface geophysical methods.
professional.
1.2 Surface geophysical methods yield direct and indirect
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
measurements of the physical properties of soil and rock and
as standard. The values given in parentheses are for informa-
pore fluids, as well as buried objects.
tion only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test
1.3 This guide provides an overview of applications for
results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as noncon-
which surface geophysical methods are appropriate. It does not
formance with this standard.
address the details of the theory underlying specific methods,
1.7 This guide offers an organized collection of information
field procedures, or interpretation of the data. Numerous
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
references are included for that purpose and are considered an
essential part of this guide. It is recommended that the user of course of action. This document cannot replace education or
2
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
this guide be familiar with the references cited (1-27) and with
Guides D420, D5730, D5753, D5777, D6285, D6430, D6431, judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
D6432, D6820, D7046, and D7128, as well as Practices
D5088, D5608, D6235, and Test Methods D4428/D4428M, sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
D7400/D7400M, and G57.
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
1.4 To obtain detailed information on specific geophysical
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
methods, ASTM standards, other publications, and references
document means only that the document has been approved
cited in this guide, should be consulted.
through the ASTM consensus process.
1.5 The success of a geophysical survey is dependent upon
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
many factors. One of the most important factors is the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
competence of the person(s) responsible for planning, carrying
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
out the survey, and interpreting the data. An understanding of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Investigation.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2023. Published March 2023. 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.
Designation: D6429 − 20 D6429 − 23
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*
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 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
2
with the references cited (1-27) 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 successfully complete
a survey. Personnel not having specialized training or experience should be cautious about using geophysical methods and should
solicit assistance from qualified practitioners.professionals. All references in this standard to the “qualified professional” refers to
individuals (such as engineers, soil scientists, geophysicists, engineering geologists or geologists), who have the appropriate
experience and, if required by local regulations, applicable certification, licensure or registration. The term “engineering” must be
understood to be associated with the practices or activities of that qualified professional.
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only
and are not considered standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this
standard.
1
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
CharacterizationInvestigation.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020Feb. 15, 2023. Published September 2020March 2023. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20112020
ɛ1
as D6429 – 99 (2011)20. , which was withdrawn in March 2020 and reinstated in August 2020. DOI: 10.1520/D6429-20.DOI: 10.1520/D6429-23.
2
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a 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
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D6429 − 23
1.7 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend 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 guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the
standard of care by
...
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