ASTM D5911-96e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Soil Sampling Site
Standard Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Soil Sampling Site
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 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 by a client and the project manager may be different from that of the minimum set.
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 , , and 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 feet (or metres) or sample from interval to ft (or metres) below the , , and 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 data elements be documented with a high degree of accuracy.
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 This practice includes those data elements that will distinguish a site's geographical location on the Earth, political regimes, source identifiers, and individual site characteristics. These elements apply to all soil and geotechnical sampling sites involved in environmental assessment studies. Each category of site, such as a bore hole or excavation, may require additional data elements to be complete.
1.6 Some suggested components and representative codes for coded data elements, for example, "setting", are those established by Ref (1), by ASCE in Ref (2), by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Ref (3), and by Boulding in Ref (4) and (5). Note 2-The data elements presented in this practice do not uniquely imply a computer data base, but the minimum set of soil data elements that should be collected for entry into any type of permanent file.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: D 5911 – 96
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
Minimum Set of Data Elements to Identify a Soil Sampling
1
Site
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5911; 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
e NOTE—Paragraph 1.7 was added editorially October 1998.
in the minimum set of data elements. An agency or company may require
1. Scope
additional data elements as a part of their minimum set for a specific
1.1 This practice covers what information should be ob-
project or program.
tained to uniquely identify any soil sampling or examination
1.5 This practice includes those data elements that will
site where an absolute and recoverable location is necessary for
distinguish a site’s geographical location on the Earth, political
quality control of the study, such as a waste disposal project.
regimes, source identifiers, and individual site characteristics.
The minimum set of data elements was developed considering
These elements apply to all soil and geotechnical sampling
the needs for informational data bases, such as geographic
sites involved in environmental assessment studies. Each
information systems (GIS). Other distinguishing details, such
category of site, such as a bore hole or excavation, may require
as individual site characteristics help in singularly cataloging
additional data elements to be complete.
the site. For studies that are not environmentally regulated,
1.6 Some suggested components and representative codes
such as for an agricultural or preconstruction survey, the data
for coded data elements, for example, “setting”, are those
specifications established by a client and the project manager
2
established by Ref (1), by ASCE in Ref (2), by the Water
may be different from that of the minimum set.
Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Ref (3),
1.2 As used in this practice, a soil sampling site is meant to
and by Boulding in Ref (4) and (5).
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
NOTE 2—The data elements presented in this practice do not uniquely
datum. All soil data collected for the site are directly related to imply a computer data base, but the minimum set of soil data elements that
should be collected for entry into any type of permanent file.
the coordinate position, for example, sample from x feet (or
1 2
metres) or sample from interval x to x ft (or metres) below the
1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
X, Y, and Z coordinate position. A soil sampling site can
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
include a test well, augered or bored hole, excavation, grab
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
sample, test pit, sidewall sample, stream bed, or any other site
with professional judgment. Nat all aspects of this practice may
where samples of the soil can be collected or examined for the
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
purpose intended.
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
1.3 The collection of soil samples is a disruptive procedure
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
as the material is usually extracted from its natural environ-
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
ment and then transported from the site to a laboratory for
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
analysis. Normally, in this highly variable type of material, the
title of this document means only that the document has been
adjacent soil profile will not be precisely the same as the
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
sampled soil. For these reasons, when soil samples are re-
2. Referenced Documents
moved the same material cannot be collected from the site
later. Therefore, it is essential that the minimum set of data
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
elements be documented with a high degree of accuracy.
D 420 Guide for Investigating and Sampling Soil and Rock
1.4 Samples of soil (sediment) filtered from the water of
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
3
streams, rivers, or lakes are not in the scope of this practice.
Fluids
D 2487 Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes
NOTE 1—There are many additional data elements that may be neces-
3
(Unified Soil Classification System)
sary to identify and to describe a soil sampling site, but a
...
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