ASTM D4220-95(2007)
(Practice)Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Use of the various procedures recommended in these practices is dependent on the type of samples obtained (Practice D 420), the type of testing and engineering properties required, the fragility and sensitivity of the soil, and the climatic conditions. In all cases, the primary purpose is to preserve the desired inherent conditions.
The procedures presented in these practices were primarily developed for soil samples that are to be tested for engineering properties, however, they may be applicable for samples of soil and other materials obtained for other purposes.
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.
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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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D4220 − 95(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Practices for
Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4220; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* D4564 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
Place by the Sleeve Method
1.1 These practices cover procedures for preserving soil
D4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
samples immediately after they are obtained in the field and
accompanying procedures for transporting and handling the
3. Terminology
samples.
3.1 Terminology in these practices is in accordance with
1.2 Limitations—Thesepracticesarenotintendedtoaddress
Terminology D653.
requirements applicable to transporting of soil samples known
or suspected to contain hazardous materials.
4. Summary of Practices
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The various procedures are given under four groupings
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
as follows:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.1 Group A—Samples for which only general visual
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
identification is necessary.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 7.
4.1.2 Group B—Samples for which only water content and
classification tests, proctor and relative density, or profile
2. Referenced Documents
2 logging is required, and bulk samples that will be remolded or
2.1 ASTM Standards:
compacted into specimens for swell pressure, percent swell,
D420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering Design
3 consolidation, permeability, shear testing, CBR, stabilimeter,
and Construction Purposes (Withdrawn 2011)
etc.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
4.1.3 Group C—Intact, naturally formed or field fabricated,
Fluids
samples for density determinations; or for swell pressure,
D1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling byAuger
percent swell, consolidation, permeability testing and shear
Borings
testing with or without stress-strain and volume change
D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
measurements, to include dynamic and cyclic testing.
Barrel Sampling of Soils
4.1.4 Group D—Samples that are fragile or highly sensitive
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for
for which tests in Group C are required.
Geotechnical Purposes
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils 4.2 The procedure(s) to be used should be included in the
(Visual-Manual Procedure) project specifications or defined by the designated responsible
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, person.
Drive Sampling of Soils
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Use of the various procedures recommended in these
ThesepracticesareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
practices is dependent on the type of samples obtained (Prac-
Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.02 on Sampling and
tice D420), the type of testing and engineering properties
Related Field Testing for Soil Evaluations.
required, the fragility and sensitivity of the soil, and the
Current edition approved July 1, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D4220 – 95 (2000).
climatic conditions. In all cases, the primary purpose is to
DOI: 10.1520/D4220-95R07.
preserve the desired inherent conditions.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.2 The procedures presented in these practices were pri-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
marily developed for soil samples that are to be tested for
the ASTM website.
engineering properties, however, they may be applicable for
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. samplesofsoilandothermaterialsobtainedforotherpurposes.
*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
D4220 − 95 (2007)
6. Apparatus 7.2 Interstate transportation containment, storage, and dis-
posal of soil samples obtained from certain areas within the
6.1 The type of materials and containers needed depend
United States and the transportation of foreign soils into or
upon the conditions and requirements listed under the four
through the United States are subject to regulations established
groupings A to D in Section 4, and also on the climate and
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal, and Plant
transporting mode and distance.
Health Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs, and
6.1.1 Sealing Wax, includes microcrystalline wax, paraffin,
possibly to regulations of other federal, state, or local agencies.
beeswax, ceresine, carnaubawax, or combinations thereof.
7.2.1 Samples shipped by way of common carrier or U.S.
6.1.2 Metal Disks, about ⁄16 in. (about 2 mm) thick and
Postal Service must comply with the Department of Transpor-
having a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the
tation Hazardous Materials Regulation, 49CRF Part 172.
tube,liner,orringandtobeusedinunionwithwaxorcapsand
tape, or both. 7.3 Sample traceability records (see Fig. 1) are encouraged
and should be required for suspected contaminated samples.
6.1.3 Wood Disks,prewaxed,1in.(25mm)thickandhaving
7.3.1 The possession of all samples must be traceable, from
a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the liner or
tube. collection to shipment to laboratory to disposition, and should
be handled by as few persons as possible.
6.1.4 Tape, either waterproof plastic, adhesive friction, or
duct tape. 7.3.2 The sample collector(s) should be responsible for
initiating the sample traceability record; recording the project,
6.1.5 Cheesecloth, to be used in union with wax in alterna-
sample identification and location, sample type, date, and the
tive layers.
number and types of containers.
6.1.6 Caps, either plastic, rubber or metal, to be placed over
7.3.3 A separate traceability record shall accompany each
the end of thin-walled tubes (Practice D1587), liners and rings
shipment.
(Practice D3550), in union with tape or wax.
7.3.4 When transferring the possession of samples the
6.1.7 O’ring (Sealing End Caps), used to seal the ends of
samples within thin-walled tubes, by mechanically expanding person(s) relinquishing and receiving the samples shall sign,
date, record the time, and check for completeness of the
an O’ring against the tube wall.
traceability record.
NOTE 1—Plastic expandable end caps are preferred. Metal expandable
end caps seal equally well; however, long-term storage may cause
8. Procedure
corrosion problems.
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 8.1.1 Job name or number, or both,
mL) 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 D1452).
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)
D1586).
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,andrings.Wrapcylindricalandcubesamplesinsuitable
7.1 Special instructions, descriptions, and marking of con- plastic film or aluminum foil, or both, (Note 3) and coat with
tainers must accompany any sample that may include radioac- several layers of wax, or seal in several layers of cheesecloth
tive, chemical, toxic, or other contaminant material. and wax.
D4220 − 95 (2007)
FIG. 1 Example Layout of Record Form
8.3.2 Transport these samples by any available transporta- use microcrystalline waxes or combine with up to 15 %
tion. Ship these samples as prepared or placed in larger beeswax or resin, for better adherence to the wall of the tube
shipping containers, including bags, cardboard, or wooden and to reduce shrinkage. Several thin layers of wax are
boxes or barrels. preferred over one thick layer. The minimum final thickness
shall be 0.4 in. (10 mm).
NOTE 3—Some soils may cause holes to develop in aluminum foil, due
8.3.6.3 End Caps—Seal metal, rubber, or plastic end caps
to corrosion. Avoid direct contact where adverse affects to sample
composition are a concern.
with tape. For long term storage (longer than 3 days), also dip
them in wax, applying two or more layers of wax.
8.3.3 Plastic Bags—Place the plastic bags as tightly as
possible around the s
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