ASTM D4220-95(2000)
(Practice)Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover procedures for preserving soil samples immediately after they are obtained in the field and accompanying procedures for transporting and handling the samples.
1.2 Limitations -These practices are not intended to address requirements applicable to transporting of soil samples known or suspected to contain hazardous materials.
1.3 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 7.
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Designation:D4220–95 (Reapproved 2000)
Standard Practices for
Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4220; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 4. Summary of Practices
1.1 These practices cover procedures for preserving soil 4.1 The various procedures are given under four groupings
samples immediately after they are obtained in the field and as follows:
accompanying procedures for transporting and handling the 4.1.1 Group A—Samples for which only general visual
samples. identification is necessary.
1.2 Limitations—These practices are not intended to ad- 4.1.2 Group B—Samples for which only water content and
dress requirements applicable to transporting of soil samples classification tests, proctor and relative density, or profile
known or suspected to contain hazardous materials. logging is required, and bulk samples that will be remolded or
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the compacted into specimens for swell pressure, percent swell,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the consolidation, permeability, shear testing, CBR, stabilimeter,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- etc.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.1.3 Group C—Intact, naturally formed or field fabricated,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 7. samples for density determinations; or for swell pressure,
percent swell, consolidation, permeability testing and shear
2. Referenced Documents
testing with or without stress-strain and volume change mea-
2.1 ASTM Standards: surements, to include dynamic and cyclic testing.
D 420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, De-
4.1.4 Group D—Samples that are fragile or highly sensitive
sign, and Construction Purposes for which tests in Group C are required.
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
4.2 The procedure(s) to be used should be included in the
Fluids project specifications or defined by the designated responsible
D 1452 Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by
person.
Auger Borings
5. Significance and Use
D 1586 Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel
Sampling of Soils 5.1 Use of the various procedures recommended in these
D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils practices is dependent on the type of samples obtained (Prac-
D 2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils tice D 420), the type of testing and engineering properties
(Visual-Manual Procedure) required, the fragility and sensitivity of the soil, and the
D 3550 Practice for Ring-Lined Barrel Sampling of Soils climatic conditions. In all cases, the primary purpose is to
D 4564 Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the preserve the desired inherent conditions.
Sleeve Method 5.2 The procedures presented in these practices were prima-
D 4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone rily developed for soil samples that are to be tested for
engineering properties, however, they may be applicable for
3. Terminology
samplesofsoilandothermaterialsobtainedforotherpurposes.
3.1 Terminology in these practices is in accordance with
6. Apparatus
Terminology D 653.
6.1 The type of materials and containers needed depend
upon the conditions and requirements listed under the four
ThesepracticesareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
groupings A to D in Section 4, and also on the climate and
Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.02 on Sampling and
Related Field Testing for Soil Investigations. transporting mode and distance.
Current edition approved April 15, 1995. Published June 1995. Originally
6.1.1 Sealing Wax, includes microcrystalline wax, paraffin,
published as D 4220 – 83. Last previous edition D 4220 – 89.
beeswax, ceresine, carnaubawax, or combinations thereof.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D4220–95 (2000)
6.1.2 Metal Disks, about ⁄16 in. (about 2 mm) thick and 7.2.1 Samples shipped by way of common carrier or U.S.
having a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the Postal Service must comply with the Department of Transpor-
tube,liner,orringandtobeusedinunionwithwaxorcapsand tation Hazardous Materials Regulation, 49CRF Part 172.
tape, or both.
7.3 Sample traceability records (see Fig. 1) are encouraged
6.1.3 Wood Disks,prewaxed,1in.(25mm)thickandhaving
and should be required for suspected contaminated samples.
a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the liner or
7.3.1 The possession of all samples must be traceable, from
tube.
collection to shipment to laboratory to disposition, and should
6.1.4 Tape, either waterproof plastic, adhesive friction, or
be handled by as few persons as possible.
duct tape.
7.3.2 The sample collector(s) should be responsible for
6.1.5 Cheesecloth, to be used in union with wax in alterna-
initiating the sample traceability record; recording the project,
tive layers.
sample identification and location, sample type, date, and the
6.1.6 Caps, either plastic, rubber or metal, to be placed over number and types of containers.
the end of thin-walled tubes (Practice D 1587), liners and rings
7.3.3 A separate traceability record shall accompany each
(Practice D 3550), in union with tape or wax.
shipment.
6.1.7 O’ring (Sealing End Caps), used to seal the ends of
7.3.4 When transferring the possession of samples the
samples within thin-walled tubes, by mechanically expanding
person(s) relinquishing and receiving the samples shall sign,
an O’ring against the tube wall.
date, record the time, and check for completeness of the
traceability record.
NOTE 1—Plastic expandable end caps are preferred. Metal expandable
end caps seal equally well; however, long-term storage may cause
corrosion problems. 8. Procedure
8.1 All Samples—Properly identify samples with tags, la-
6.1.8 Jars, wide mouthed, with rubber-ringed lids or lids
bels, and markings prior to transporting them as follows:
lined with a coated paper seal and of a size to comfortably
receive the sample, commonly ⁄2 pt (250 mL), 1 pt (500 mL) 8.1.1 Job name or number, or both,
and quart-sized (1000 mL).
8.1.2 Sampling date,
6.1.9 Bag, either plastic, burlap with liner, burlap or cloth
8.1.3 Sample/boring number and location,
type (Practice D 1452).
8.1.4 Depth or elevation, or both,
6.1.10 Packing Material, to protect against vibration and
8.1.5 Sample orientation,
shock.
8.1.6 Special shipping or laboratory handling instructions,
6.1.11 Insulation, either granule (bead), sheet or foam type,
or both, including sampling orientation, and
to resist temperature change of soil or to prevent freezing.
8.1.7 Penetration test data, if applicable (Test Method
6.1.12 Sample Cube Boxes, for transporting cube (block)
D 1586).
1 3
samples. Constructed with ⁄2 to ⁄4 in. (13 to 19 mm) thick
8.1.8 Subdivided samples must be identified while main-
plywood (marine type).
taining association to the original sample.
6.1.13 Cylindrical Sample Containers, somewhat larger in
8.1.9 If required, sample traceability record.
dimension than the thin-walled tube or liner samples, such as
8.2 Group A—Transportsamplesinanytypeofcontainerby
cylindrical frozen food cartons.
way of available transportation. If transported commercially,
6.1.14 Shipping Containers, either box or cylindrical type
the container need only meet the minimum requirements of the
and of proper construction to protect against vibration, shock,
transporting agency and any other requirements necessary to
and the elements, to the degree required.
assure against sample loss.
NOTE 2—The length, girth and weight restrictions for commercial
8.3 Group B:
transportation must be considered.
8.3.1 Preserve and transport these samples in sealed, mois-
6.1.15 Identification Material—This includes the necessary
tureproof containers. All containers shall be of sufficient
writing pens, tags, and labels to properly identify the thickness and strength to ensure against breakage and moisture
sample(s).
loss. The container types include: plastic bags or pails, glass or
plastic (provided they are waterproof) jars, thin walled tubes,
7. Precautions liners, and rings.Wrap cylindrical and cube samples in suitable
plastic film or aluminum foil, or both, (Note 3) and coat with
7.1 Special instructions, descriptions, and marking of con-
several layers of wax, or seal in several layers of cheesecloth
tainers must accompany any sample that may include radioac-
and wax.
tive, chemical, toxic, or other contaminant material.
8.3.2 Transport these samples by any available transporta-
7.2 Interstate transportation containment, storage, and dis-
tion. Ship these samples as prepared or placed in larger
posal of soil samples obtained from certain areas within the
shipping containers, including bags, cardboard, or wooden
United States and the transportation of foreign soils into or
boxes or barrels.
through the United States are subject to regulations established
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal, and Plant
NOTE 3—Some soils may cause holes to develop in aluminum foil, due
Health Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs, and
to corrosion. Avoid direct contact where adverse affects to sample
possibly to regulations of other federal, state, or local agencies. composition are a concern.
D4220–95 (2000)
FIG. 1 Example Layout of Record Form
8.3.3 Plastic Bags—Place the plastic bags as tightly as 8.3.6.4 Cheesecloth and Wax—Use alternating layers (a
possible around the sample, squeezing out as much air as minimum of two each) of cheesecloth and wax to seal each end
possible. They shall be 3 mil or thicker to prevent leakage.
of the tube and stabilize the sample.
8.3.4 Glass-Plastic Jars—If the jar lids are not rubber
NOTE 4—Where necessary, spacers or appropriate packing materials, or
ringed or lined with new waxed paper seals, seal the lids with
both, must be placed prior to sealing the tube ends to provide proper
wax.
confinement. Packing material must be nonabsorbent and must maintain
8.3.5 Plastic Pails—I
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