ASTM D5911/D5911M-96(2010)e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Soil Sampling Site (Withdrawn 2019)
Standard Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Soil Sampling Site (Withdrawn 2019)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Normally, the basic soil data are gathered by trained personnel during the field investigation phase of a study. Each agency or company has its own methods of obtaining, recording, and storing the information. Usually, these data are recorded onto forms that serve both in organizing the information in the field and the office, and often as entry forms for a computer data base. For soil data to be of maximum value to the current project and any future studies, especially those involved in the assessment of the environment, it is essential that a minimum set of key identification data elements be recorded for each sampling site.
When obtaining basic data concerning a subsurface soil sampling site, it is necessary to thoroughly identify that sampling site so that it may be readily located again with minimal uncertainty and may be accurately plotted and interpreted for data parameters in relationship to other sampling sites. For example, information can be presented on maps and in summary tables (see Practice D3740).
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers what information should be obtained to uniquely identify any soil sampling or examination site where an absolute and recoverable location is necessary for quality control of the study, such as a waste disposal project. The minimum set of data elements for sampling site identification (DEFFSI) was developed considering the needs for informational data bases, such as geographic information systems (GIS). Other distinguishing details, such as individual site characteristics help in singularly cataloging the site. For studies that are not environmentally regulated, such as for an agricultural or preconstruction survey, the data specifications established an agency or company may be different from that of the minimum set (see Guide D420 and Practice D5254).
1.2 As used in this practice, a soil sampling site is meant to be a single point, not a geographic area or property, located by an X, Y, and Z coordinate position at land surface or a fixed datum. All soil data collected for the site are directly related to the coordinate position, for example, sample from x feet (or metres) or sample from interval x1 to x2 ft (or metres) below the X, Y, and Z coordinate position. A soil sampling site can include a test well, augered or bored hole, excavation, grab sample, test pit, sidewall sample, stream bed, or any other site where samples of the soil can be collected or examined for the purpose intended.
1.3 The collection of soil samples is a disruptive procedure as the material is usually extracted from its natural environment and then transported from the site to a laboratory for analysis. Normally, in this highly variable type of material, the adjacent soil profile will not be precisely the same as the sampled soil. For these reasons, when soil samples are removed the same material cannot be collected from the site later. Therefore, it is essential that the minimum set of DEFSSI be thoroughly documented and identified especially with an accurate location.
1.4 Samples of soil (sediment) filtered from the water of streams, rivers, or lakes are not in the scope of this practice.
Note 1—There are many additional data elements that may be necessary to identify and to describe a soil sampling site, but are not included in the minimum set of data elements. An agency or company may require additional data elements as a part of their minimum set for a specific project or program.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.5.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a un...
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D5911/D5911M − 96 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Practice for
Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Soil Sampling
Site
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5911/D5911M; 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.
ε NOTE—A units statement was added and the designation was revised editorially in August 2010.
1. Scope later.Therefore,itisessentialthattheminimumsetofDEFSSI
be thoroughly documented and identified especially with an
1.1 This practice covers what information should be ob-
accurate location.
tained to uniquely identify any soil sampling or examination
1.4 Samples of soil (sediment) filtered from the water of
sitewhereanabsoluteandrecoverablelocationisnecessaryfor
streams, rivers, or lakes are not in the scope of this practice.
quality control of the study, such as a waste disposal project.
The minimum set of data elements for sampling site identifi-
NOTE 1—There are many additional data elements that may be
cation (DEFFSI) was developed considering the needs for necessary to identify and to describe a soil sampling site, but are not
includedintheminimumsetofdataelements.Anagencyorcompanymay
informational data bases, such as geographic information
require additional data elements as a part of their minimum set for a
systems (GIS). Other distinguishing details, such as individual
specific project or program.
site characteristics help in singularly cataloging the site. For
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
studies that are not environmentally regulated, such as for an
[presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
agricultural or preconstruction survey, the data specifications
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
established an agency or company may be different from that
equivalents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependently
of the minimum set (see Guide D420 and Practice D5254).
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
1.2 As used in this practice, a soil sampling site is meant to
result in non-conformance with the standard.
be a single point, not a geographic area or property, located by
1.5.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
an X, Y, and Z coordinate position at land surface or a fixed
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
datum.All soil data collected for the site are directly related to
(lbf)representsaunitofforce(weight),whiletheunitformass
the coordinate position, for example, sample from x feet (or
isslugs.Therationalizedslugunitisnotgiven,unlessdynamic
1 2
metres)orsamplefromintervalx tox ft(ormetres)belowthe (F = ma) calculations are involved.
X, Y, and Z coordinate position. A soil sampling site can
1.6 This practice includes those data elements that will
include a test well, augered or bored hole, excavation, grab
distinguish a site’s geographical location on Earth, its location
sample, test pit, sidewall sample, stream bed, or any other site
by political regimes, its source identifiers, and its individual
where samples of the soil can be collected or examined for the
site characteristics. These elements apply to all soil and
purpose intended.
geotechnical sampling sites involved in environmental assess-
ment studies. Each category of site, such as a bore hole or
1.3 The collection of soil samples is a disruptive procedure
excavation, may require additional data elements to be com-
as the material is usually extracted from its natural environ-
plete.
ment and then transported from the site to a laboratory for
analysis. Normally, in this highly variable type of material, the
1.7 Some suggested components and representative codes
adjacent soil profile will not be precisely the same as the
for coded DEFSSI, for example, “setting”, are those estab-
sampled soil. For these reasons, when soil samples are re-
lished by Ref (1), by Practice D2487, by theWater Resources
moved the same material cannot be collected from the site
Division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Ref (2), and by
Boulding in Ref (3) and (4).
NOTE 2—The data elements presented in this practice do not uniquely
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
implyacomputerdatabase,buttheminimumsetofsoildataelementsthat
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
Vadose Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally
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approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D5911 – 96 (2002) . The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the
DOI: 10.1520/D5911_D5911M-96R10E01. end of the text.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5911/D5911M − 96 (2010)
should be collected for entry into any type of permanent file. and morphological properties and characteristics (7).
1.8 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing 3.2 “Sediment” (for geology) is a mass of organic or
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace inorganic solid fragmented material, or the solid fragment
education or experience and should be used in conjunction itself, which comes from weathering of rock and is carried by,
withprofessionaljudgment.Notallaspectsofthispracticemay suspended in, or dropped by air, water, or ice; or a mass
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not accumulatedbyanyothernaturalagentandthatformsinlayers
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which on the Earth’s surface such as sand, gravel, silt, mud, till, or
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, loess (5,8). These materials are“ soils” for the purpose of this
nor should this document be applied without consideration of practice.
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
3.3 “Soil Sampling Site” is meant to be a single point, not a
title of this document means only that the document has been
geographic area or property, located by an X, Y, and Z
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
coordinatepositionatlandsurfaceorafixeddatum(see1.2for
additional explanation).
2. Referenced Documents
3 3.4 ”DateofFirstRecordforSoilSamplingSite”isthedate
2.1 ASTM Standards:
that the first valid transaction occured for any element of the
D420GuidetoSiteCharacterizationforEngineeringDesign
4 specified site.This could be the date of a permit application or
and Construction Purposes (Withdrawn 2011)
start of construction.This element is important to facilitate the
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
proper identification of the record.
Fluids
D2487Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
4. Summary of Practice
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
4.1 This practice includes the following DEFSSI to identify
D2488Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
(Visual-Manual Procedure) a subsurface soil site:
4.1.1 Geographic Location:
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as 4.1.1.1 Latitude,
4.1.1.2 Longitude,
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D5254Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to 4.1.1.3 Coordinate precision,
4.1.1.4 Altitude, and
Identify a Ground-Water Site
4.1.1.5 Altitude precision.
3. Terminology
4.1.2 Political Regime Location:
4.1.2.1 State or country identification, and
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.1.2.2 County or county equivalent.
3.1.1 “Soils” are sediments or other unconsolidated solid
4.1.3 Source Identifiers:
particles of rock produced by the physical and chemical
4.1.3.1 Project identification,
disintegration of rock, and which may or may not contain
4.1.3.2 Owner’s name,
organic matter (see Terminology D653).
4.1.3.3 Source agency or company and address,
3.1.2 Discussion—Soil consists of any individual or combi-
4.1.3.4 Unique identification, and
nation of gravel (passes a 75-mm or [3-in.] screen), sand, clay,
4.1.3.5 Date of first record for the soil sampling site.
silt, organic clay, organic silt, and peat as categorized in the
4.1.4 Individual Site Characteristics:
Unified Soil Classification System (1, 2, 4, 5) (see Practices
4.1.4.1 Setting,
D2487 and D2488). Materials larger than gravel, including
4.1.4.2 Type of soil sampling site,
cobbles (between 75 and 300 mm or [3 and 12 in.]) and
4.1.4.3 Use of site, and
boulders (more than 300 mm or [12 in.]), are not included in
4.1.4.4 Reason for data collection or examination.
the definition of soil. Soil is found above the consolidated
rocks and can be unsaturated (vadose zone) or saturated
5. Significance and Use
(capillary fringe and water table) with water or other liquids.
5.1 Normally, the basic soil data are gathered by trained
NOTE 3—Soil, as defined by geotechnical engineers, is all unconsoli-
personnel during the field investigation phase of a study. Each
dated material above bedrock (5); or the natural medium for growth of
land plants (6).The pedologic definition is, the unconsolidated mineral or
agency or company has its own methods of obtaining,
organic matter on the surface of the earth subjected to and influenced by
recording, and storing the information. Usually, these data are
genic and environmental factors of: parent material, climate (including
recorded onto forms that serve both in organizing the informa-
water and effects), macro- and micro-organisms, and topography, all
tion in the field and the office, and often as entry forms for a
actingoveraperiodoftimeandproducingaproduct-soil-thatdiffersfrom
material from which it is derived in many physical, chemical, biological, computer data base. For soil data to be of maximum value to
the current project and any future studies, especially those
involved in the assessment of the environment, it is essential
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
that a minimum set of key identification data elements be
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on recorded for each sampling site.
the ASTM website.
5.2 When obtaining basic data concerning a subsurface soil
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. sampling site, it is necessary to thoroughly identify that
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D5911/D5911M − 96 (2010)
NOTE 6—In the United States, this reference surface should be the
sampling site so that it may be readily located again with
North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988 or National Geodetic
minimal uncertainty and may be accurately plotted and inter-
Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929. If another vertical reference datum is
preted for data parameters in relationship to other sampling
used to determine the altitude, describe the system.
sites. For example, information can be presented on maps and
NOTE 7—The measuring point is usually a carefully surveyed and
in summary tables (see Practice D3740).
permanentlyfixedobjectnearasoilsamplingsiteusedfordeterminingthe
altitude of the collected or examined material at the site.
6. Documentation
6.1.6 Altitude Precision—Record the precision of the alti-
6.1 Geographic Location: tude.Asanexample,record1.0,foranaccuracyof 61mor0.1
6.1.1 Introduction—The universally accepted coordinates
for 60.1m to denote the judged error of the measurement (2).
defining the absolute two-dimensional location of a site on the
6.2 Location Identification by Political Regimes:
Earth’s surface are latitude and longitude. The coordinates are
6.2.1 Introduction—Thedescriptionofthesoilsamplingsite
determined by careful measurement from an accurate map, by
in some political jurisdictions helps in the proper identification
survey, for example, Geographical Positioning System (GPS)
of the site.
orbyconversionfromanothercoordinatesystem,forexample,
6.2.2 State or Country—Record the state or country in
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) System or State Plane
which the site is physically located. The common systems for
Coordinate System (SPCS). The third-dimension of the loca-
identifying States and countries are the Federal Information
tion is established by determining the altitude at the site,
Processing Standard code (FIPS), a two-digit numeric code or
usually from topographic maps or by surveying techniques.
theAmerican National StandardAbbreviation two-letter code.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guid-
The country codes are a two-character and a set of three-
ancedocumentsconcerningtheirpolicyforlocatingdatapoints
character alphabetic codes (2,10–13–14).
orsites (9–10).Inaddition,thepublication (11)canbeobtained
by the address given in Footnote 5. NOTE 8—The publications (FIPS PUB 5-2, FIPS PUB 6-4 and FIPS
PUB 104-1) containing the codes for countries, states, and counties are
NOTE 4—If sites are located by property, local, State, or Federal
available from the address in Footnote 5.
boundaries or by soil sampling grid lines, other grid coordinates, plane
6.2.3 County and County Equivalent—Record the county or
coordinates, plant location grids, referenced to recoverable benchmarks,
their locations should be readily convertible to absolute latitude/longitude
county equivalent in which the site is physically located. The
coordinates by an acceptable method.
commoncodesystemforidentifyingcountiesistheFIPScode,
6.1.2 Latitude—Latitude is a coordinate representation that a three-digit numeric code. The documentation of political
subdivisionswilldependonthesystemusedineachindividual
indicateslocationsonthesurfaceoftheEarthusingtheEarth’s
equator as the respective latitudinal origin. Record the best country (2,10,12,14).
available value for the latitude of the site in degrees, minutes,
6.2.4 Local Government Subdivisions- In many cases it is
seconds and fractions of a second (DDMMSSss). If latitude of necessary to record a subdivision of the local government to
the site is south of the Equator, precede the numbers with a
furtheridentifytheareawherethesoilsamplingsiteislocated.
minussign(−).TheuseofNorSisalsoappropriate (2,10–12). Some local subdivisions are a city, town, village, municipality,
6.1.3 Longitude—Longitude is a coordinate representation
township, or borough. Identify the local subdivision, for
that indicates locations on the surface of the Earth using the example “City of Rockville”, to clearly denote the unit.
prime meridian (Greenwi
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