ASTM D420-98
(Guide)Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, Design, and Construction Purposes
Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, Design, and Construction Purposes
SCOPE
1.1 This guide refers to ASTM methods by which soil, rock, and ground water conditions may be determined. The objective of the investigation should be to identify and locate, both horizontally and vertically, significant soil and rock types and ground water conditions present within a given site area and to establish the characteristics of the subsurface materials by sampling or in situ testing, or both.
1.2 Laboratory testing of soil, rock, and ground water samples is specified by other ASTM standards not listed herein. Subsurface exploration for environmental purposes will be the subject of a separate ASTM document.
1.3 Prior to commencement of any intrusive exploration the site should be checked for underground utilities. Should evidence of potentially hazardous or otherwise contaminated materials or conditions be encountered in the course of the investigation, work should be interrupted until the circumstances have been evaluated and revised instructions issued before resumption.
1.4 The values stated in (SI) inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 420 – 98
Standard Guide to
Site Characterization for Engineering Design and
Construction Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 420; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Investigation and identification of subsurface materials involves both simple and complex
techniques that may be accomplished by many different procedures and may be variously interpreted.
These studies are frequently site specific and are influenced by geological and geographical settings,
by the purpose of the investigation, by design requirements for the project proposed, and by the
background, training, and experience of the investigator. This guide has been extensively rewritten and
enlarged since the version approved in 1987. Material has been added for clarification and for
expansion of concepts. Many new ASTM standards are referenced and a bibliography of non-ASTM
references is appended.
This document is a guide to the selection of the various ASTM standards that are available for the
investigation of soil, rock, and ground water for projects that involve surface or subsurface
construction, or both. It is intended to improve consistency of practice and to encourage rational
planning of a site characterization program. Since the subsurface conditions at a particular site are
usually the result of a combination of natural, geologic, topographic, and climatic factors, and of
historical modifications both natural and manmade, an adequate and internally consistent exploration
program will allow evaluation of the results of these influences.
1. Scope 1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
1.1 This guide refers to ASTM methods by which soil, rock,
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
and ground water conditions may be determined. The objective
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
of the investigation should be to identify and locate, both
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
horizontally and vertically, significant soil and rock types and
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
ground water conditions present within a given site area and to
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
establish the characteristics of the subsurface materials by
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
sampling or in situ testing, or both.
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
1.2 Laboratory testing of soil, rock, and ground water
unique aspects. The word“ Standard” in the title of this
samples is specified by other ASTM standards not listed herein.
document means only that the document has been approved
Subsurface exploration for environmental purposes will be the
through the ASTM consensus process.
subject of a separate ASTM document.
1.6 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety
1.3 Prior to commencement of any intrusive exploration the
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
site should be checked for underground utilities. Should
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
evidence of potentially hazardous or otherwise contaminated
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
materials or conditions be encountered in the course of the
limitations prior to use.
investigation, work should be interrupted until the circum-
stances have been evaluated and revised instructions issued
2. Referenced Documents
before resumption.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 The values stated in (SI) inch-pound units are to be
C 119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
regarded as the standard.
C 294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Natu-
ral Mineral Aggregates
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and
Subsurface Characterization.
Current edition approved March 10, 1998. Published January 1999. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
published as D 425 – 65 T. Last previous edition D 420 – 93. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 420
C 851 Practice for Estimating Scratch Hardness of Coarse D 4428 Test Methods for Crosshole Seismic Testing
Aggregate Particles D 4429 Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of
4 2
D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates Soils in Place
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained D 4452 Methods for X-Ray Radiography of Soil Samples
Fluids D 4506 Test Method for Determining the In Situ Modulus
D 1194 Test Method for Bearing Capacity of Soil for Static of Deformation of Rock Mass Using a Radial Jacking
2 2
Load and Spread Footings Test
D 1195 Test Method for Repetitive Static Plate Load Tests D 4544 Practice for Estimating Peat Deposit Thickness
of Soils and Flexible Pavement Components, for Use in D 4553 Test Method for Determining the In Situ Creep
Evaluation and Design of Airport and Highway Pave- Characteristics of Rock
ments D 4554 Test Method for In Situ Determination of Direct
D 1196 Test Method for Nonrepetitive Static Plate Load Shear Strength of Rock Discontinuities
Tests of Soils and Flexible Pavement Components, for Use D 4555 Test Method for Determining Deformability and
in Evaluation and Design of Airport and Highway Pave- Strength of Weak Rock by an In Situ Uniaxial Compres-
2 2
ments sive Test
D 1452 Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by D 4622 Test Method for Rock Mass Monitoring Using
2 2
Auger Borings Inclinometers
D 1586 Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel D 4623 Test Method for Determination of In Situ Stress in
Sampling of Soils Rock Mass by Overcoring Method—USBM Borehole
2 2
D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils Deformation Gage
D 2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling, and Sampling of D 4630 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
Rock for Site Investigation Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Mea-
D 2487 Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes surements Using the Constant Head Injection Test
(Unified Soil Classification System) D 4631 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
D 2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Mea-
2 2
(Visual-Manual Procedure) surements Using the Pressure Pulse Technique
D 2573 Test Method for Field Vane Shear Test in Cohesive D 4633 Test Method for Stress Wave Energy Measurement
2 2
Soil for Dynamic Penetrometer Testing Systems
D 2607 Classification of Peats, Mosses, Humus, and Re- D 4645 Test Method for Determination of the In Situ Stress
2 2
lated Products in Rock Using the Hydraulic Fracturing Method
D 3017 Test Method for Water Content of Soil and Rock in D 4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
2 2
Place by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth) D 4719 Test Method for Pressuremeter Testing in Soils
D 3213 Practices for Handling, Storing, and Preparing Soft D 4729 Test Method for In Situ Stress and Modulus of
2 2
Undisturbed Marine Soil Deformation Using the Flatjack Method
D 3282 Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures D 4750 Test Method for Determining Subsurface Liquid
for Highway Construction Purposes Levels in a Borehole or Monitoring Well (Observation
D 3385 Test Method for Infiltration Rate of Soils in Field Well)
Using Double-Ring Infiltrometers D 4879 Guide for Geotechnical Mapping of Large Under-
D 3404 Guide to Measuring Matric Potential in the Vadose ground Openings in Rock
Zone Using Tensiometers D 4971 Test Method for Determining the In Situ Modulus
D 3441 Test Method for Deep, Quasi-Static, Cone and of Deformation of Rock Using the Diametrically Loaded
2 5
Friction-Cone Penetration Tests of Soil 76-mm (3-in.) Borehole Jack
D 3550 Practice for Ring-lined Barrel Sampling of Soils D 5079 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Rock
D 3584 Practice for Indexing Papers and Reports on Soil Core Samples
and Rock for Engineering Purposes D 5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
D 4083 Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual- Used at Nonradioactive Waste Sites
Manual Procedure) D 5092 Practice for Design and Installation of Ground
D 4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Water Monitoring Wells in Aquifers
Samples D 5093 Test Method for Field Measurement of Infiltration
D 4394 Test Method for Determining the In Situ Modulus Rate Using a Double-Ring Infiltrometer with a Sealed-
of Deformation of Rock Mass Using the Rigid Plate Inner Ring
Loading Method D 5126 Guide for Comparison of Field Methods for Deter-
D 4395 Test Method for Determining the In Situ Modulus mining Hydraulic Conductivity in the Vadose Zone
of Deformation of Rock Mass Using the Flexible Plate D 5195 Test Method for Density of Soil and Rock In-Place
2 5
Loading Method at Depths Below the Surface by Nuclear Methods
D 4403 Practice for Extensometers Used in Rock E 177 Practice for the Use of the Terms Precision and Bias
4 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 420
in ASTM Test Methods 4.1.1 The United States Geological Survey and the geologi-
E 380 Practice for the Use of the International System of cal surveys of the various states are the principal sources of
Units (SI) (the Modernized Metric System) geologic maps and reports on mineral resources and ground
G 51 Test Method for pH of Soil for Use in Corrosion water.
Testing 4.1.2 United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conser-
G 57 Method for Field Measurement of Soil Resistivity vation Service soil surveys, where available and of recent date,
,
7 8
Using the Wenner Four-Electrode Method should enable the investigator to estimate the range in soil
profile characteristics to depths of 5 or 6 ft (1.5 or 2 m) for each
3. Significance and Use
soil mapped.
3.1 An adequate soil, rock, and ground water investigation
NOTE 2—Each soil type has a distinctive soil profile due to age, parent
will provide pertinent information for decision making on one
material, relief, climatic condition, and biological activity. Consideration
or more of the following subjects:
of these factors can assist in identifying the various soil types, each
3.1.1 Optimum location of the structure, both vertically and requiring special engineering considerations and treatment. Similar engi-
neering soil properties are often found where similar soil profiles
horizontally, within the area of the proposed construction.
characteristics exist. Changes in soil properties in adjacent areas often
3.1.2 Location and preliminary evaluation of suitable bor-
indicate changes in parent material or relief.
row and other local sources of construction aggregates.
4.2 In areas where descriptive data are limited by insuffi-
3.1.3 Need for special excavating and dewatering tech-
cient geologic or soil maps, the soil and rock in open cuts in the
niques with the corresponding need for information, even if
vicinity of the proposed project should be studied and various
only approximate, on the distribution of soil water content or
soil and rock profiles noted. Field notes of such studies should
pore pressure, or both, and on the piezometric heads and
include data outlined in 10.6.
apparent permeability (hydraulic conductivity) of the various
4.3 Where a preliminary map covering the area of the
subsurface strata.
project is desired, it can be prepared on maps compiled from
3.1.4 Investigation of slope stability in natural slopes, cuts,
aerial photography that show the ground conditions. The
and embankments.
distribution of the predominant soil and rock deposits likely to
3.1.5 Conceptual selection of embankment types and hy-
be encountered during the investigation may be shown using
draulic barrier requirements.
data obtained from geologic maps, landform analysis and
3.1.6 Conceptual selection of alternate foundation types and
limited ground reconnaissance. Experienced photo-interpreters
elevations of the corresponding suitable bearing strata.
can deduce much subsurface data from a study of black and
3.1.7 Development of additional detailed subsurface inves-
white, color, and infrared photographs because similar soil or
tigations for specific structures or facilities.
rock conditions, or both, usually have similar patterns of
3.2 The investigation may require the collection of suffi-
appearance in regions of similar climate or vegetation.
ciently large soil and rock samples of such quality as to allow
adequate testing to determine the soil or rock classification or
NOTE 3—This preliminary map may be expanded into a detailed
mineralogic type, or both, and the engineering properties
engineering map by locating all test holes, pits, and sampling stations and
by revising boundaries as determined from the detailed subsurface survey.
pertinent to the proposed design.
3.3 This guide is not meant to be an inflexible description of
4.4 In areas where documentary information is insufficient,
investigation requirements; methods defined by other ASTM
some knowledge of subsurface conditions may be obtained
standards or non-ASTM techniques may be appropriate in
from land owners, local well drillers, and representatives of the
some circumstances. The intent is to provide a checklist to
local construction industry.
assist in the design of an exploration/investigation plan.
5. Exploration Plan
5.1 Available project design and performance requirements
4. Reconnaissance of Project Area
must be reviewed prior to final development of the exploration
4.1 Available technical data from the literature or from
plan. Preliminary exploration should be planned to indicate the
personal communication should be reviewed before any field
areas of conditions needing further investigation. A complete
program is started. These include, but are not limited to,
soil, rock, and ground water investigation should enco
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