ASTM D1586/D1586M-18e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
Standard Test Method for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test is the most frequently used subsurface exploration drilling test performed worldwide. Numerous international and national standards are available for the SPT which are in general conformance with this standard.6 The test provides samples for identification purposes and provides a measure of penetration resistance which can be used for geotechnical design purposes. Many local and widely published international correlations which relate blow count, or N-value, to the engineering properties of soils are available for geotechnical engineering purposes.
4.1.1 Incremental SPT sampling is not a preferred method of soil sampling for environmental or geohydrological exploration unless the SPT N-value is needed for design purposes. Continuous sampling methods such as Direct Push Soil Sampling (Guide D6282/D6282M), or continuous coring using Hollow-Stem Augers (Practice D6151/D6151M) or Sonic Drills (Practice D6914/D6914M) provide the best continuous record of lithology. Continuous sampling can be performed with SPT samplers, but it is slow compared to other methods, and N values may unreliable (see 4.6.1). Sampling for detailed lithology can be reduced by using screening tests such as geophysics and Direct Push profiling tests such as Cone Penetrometers (Test Method D5778), Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, or electrical resistivity probe.
4.2 SPT N values are affected by many variables allowed in the design and execution of the test (see Appendix X1). Investigations of energy transmission in SPT testing began in the 1970’s and showed that differing drop hammer systems provide different energies to the sampler at depth. There are so many different hammer designs that it is important to obtain the energy transfer ratio (ETR) for the hammer system being used according to Test Method D4633. ETR of various hammer systems has shown to vary between 45 to 95 % of maximum Potential Energy (PE). Since the N-value is inversely proportional to the energy delivered, resultin...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the procedure, generally known as the Standard Penetration Test (SPT), for driving a split-barrel sampler with a 140 lb [63.5 kg] hammer dropped 30 in. [750 mm] to obtain a soil sample for identification purposes, and measure the resistance of the soil to penetration of the standard 2 in. [50 mm] diameter sampler. The SPT “N” value is the number of hammer blows required to drive the sampler over the depth interval of 0.5 to 1.5 ft [0.15 to 0.45 m] of a 1.5 ft [0.45 m] drive interval.
1.2 Test Method D4633 is generally necessary to measure the drill rod energy of a given drop hammer system and using the measured drill rod energy, N values can be corrected to a standard energy level. Practice D6066 uses Test Methods D1586 and D4633 and has additional requirements for hammers, hammer energy, and drilling methods to determine energy corrected penetration resistance of loose sands for liquefaction evaluation.
1.3 Practice D3550/D3550M is a similar procedure using a larger diameter split barrel sampler driven with a hammer system that may allow for a different hammer mass. The penetration resistance values from Practice D3550/D3550M do not comply with this standard.
1.4 Test results and identification information are used in subsurface exploration for a wide range of applications such as geotechnical, geologic, geoenvironmental, or geohydrological explorations. When detailed lithology is required for geohydrological investigations, use of continuous sampling methods (D6282/D6282M, D6151/D6151M, D6914/D6914M) are recommended when the incremental SPT N value is not needed for design purposes (see 4.1.1).
1.5 Penetration resistance testing is typically performed at 5 ft [1.5 m] depth intervals or when a significant change of materials is observed during drilling, unless otherwise specified.
1.6 This test method is limited to use in nonlithified soils and soils whose maximum particle s...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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.
´1
Designation: D1586/D1586M − 18
Standard Test Method for
Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling
1
of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1586/D1586M; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1
ε NOTE—Reference (14) was editorially corrected in April 2022.
1. Scope* 1.5 Penetration resistance testing is typically performed at 5
ft [1.5 m] depth intervals or when a significant change of
1.1 This test method describes the procedure, generally
materials is observed during drilling, unless otherwise speci-
known as the Standard Penetration Test (SPT), for driving a
fied.
split-barrel sampler with a 140 lb [63.5 kg] hammer dropped
30 in. [750 mm] to obtain a soil sample for identification
1.6 This test method is limited to use in nonlithified soils
purposes, and measure the resistance of the soil to penetration and soils whose maximum particle size is approximately less
of the standard 2 in. [50 mm] diameter sampler. The SPT “N”
than one-half of the sampler diameter.
value is the number of hammer blows required to drive the
1.7 This test method involves use of rotary drilling equip-
sampler over the depth interval of 0.5 to 1.5 ft [0.15 to 0.45 m]
ment (Guide D5783, Practice D6151/D6151M). Other drilling
of a 1.5 ft [0.45 m] drive interval.
andsamplingprocedures(GuidesD6286andD6169/D6169M)
1.2 Test Method D4633 is generally necessary to measure
are available and may be more appropriate. Considerations for
the drill rod energy of a given drop hammer system and using
hand driving or shallow sampling without boreholes are not
the measured drill rod energy, N values can be corrected to a
addressed. Subsurface investigations should be recorded in
standard energy level. Practice D6066 uses Test Methods
accordance with Practice D5434. Samples should be preserved
D1586 and D4633 and has additional requirements for
and transported in accordance with Practice D4220/D4220M
hammers, hammer energy, and drilling methods to determine
using Group B. Soil samples should be identified by group
energy corrected penetration resistance of loose sands for
name and symbol in accordance with Practice D2488.
liquefaction evaluation.
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
1.3 Practice D3550/D3550M is a similar procedure using a
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
larger diameter split barrel sampler driven with a hammer
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
system that may allow for a different hammer mass. The
1.8.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
penetrationresistancevaluesfromPracticeD3550/D3550Mdo
recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the
not comply with this standard.
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
1.4 Test results and identification information are used in
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
subsurface exploration for a wide range of applications such as
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
geotechnical, geologic, geoenvironmental, or geohydrological
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
explorations. When detailed lithology is required for geohy-
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
drological investigations, use of continuous sampling methods
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
(D6282/D6282M, D6151/D6151M, D6914/D6914M) are rec-
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
ommended when the incremental SPT N value is not needed
analysis methods for engineering data.
for design purposes (see 4.1.1).
1.9 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound or SI
units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
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standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.02 on Sampling and
equivalents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependently
Related Field Testing for Soil Evaluations.
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018. Published December 2018. Originally
result in non-conformance with the standard. Reporting of test
approved in 1958. La
...
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