ASTM D2488-17
(Practice)Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedures)
Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedures)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The descriptive information required in this practice can be used to describe a soil to aid in the evaluation of its significant properties for engineering use.
5.2 The descriptive information required in this practice should be used to supplement the classification of a soil as determined by Test Method D2487.
5.3 This practice may be used in identifying soils using the classification group symbols and names as prescribed in Test Method D2487. Since the names and symbols used in this practice to identify the soils are the same as those used in Test Method D2487, it shall be clearly stated in reports and all other appropriate documents, that the classification symbol and name are based on visual-manual procedures.
5.4 This practice is to be used for identification of soils in the field, laboratory, or any other location where soil samples are inspected and described.
5.5 This practice may be used to group similar soil samples to reduce the number of laboratory tests necessary for positive soil classification.
Note 2: The ability to describe and identify soils correctly is learned more readily under the guidance of experienced personnel, but it may also be acquired systematically by comparing numerical laboratory test results for typical soils of each type with their visual and manual characteristics.
5.6 Soil samples from a given boring, test pit or location which appear to have similar characteristics are not required to follow all of the procedures in this practice, providing at least one sample is completely described and identified. These samples may follow only the necessary procedures to determine they are “similar” and shall be labeled as such.
5.7 This practice may be used in combination with Practice D4083 when working with frozen soils.
Note 3: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that mee...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the description of soils for engineering purposes.
1.2 This practice also describes a procedure for identifying soils, at the option of the user, based on the classification system described in Test Method D2487. The identification is based on visual examination and manual tests. It shall be clearly stated in reporting, the soil identification is based on visual-manual procedures.
1.2.1 When precise classification of soils for engineering purposes is required, the procedures outlined in Test Method D2487 shall be used.
1.2.2 In this practice, the identification procedures assigning a group symbol and name are limited to soil particles smaller than 3 in. (75 mm).
1.2.3 The identification portion of this practice is limited to naturally occurring soils. Specimens used for identification may be either intact or disturbed.
Note 1: This practice may be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale, claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. (see Appendix X2).
1.3 The descriptive information in this practice may be used with other soil classification systems or for materials other than naturally occurring soils.
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are rationalized conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. The sieve designations are identified using the “alternative” system in accordance with Practice E11.
1.5 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, health and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements see Section 8.
1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or ...
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Designation:D2488 −17
Standard Practice for
Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual
1
Procedures)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2488; 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.
1. Scope* mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For specific precautionary statements see Section 8.
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the description of
1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
soils for engineering purposes.
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
1.2 This practice also describes a procedure for identifying
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
soils, at the option of the user, based on the classification
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
system described in Test Method D2487. The identification is
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
based on visual examination and manual tests. It shall be
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
clearly stated in reporting, the soil identification is based on
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
visual-manual procedures.
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
1.2.1 When precise classification of soils for engineering
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
purposes is required, the procedures outlined in Test Method
title of this document means only that the document has been
D2487 shall be used.
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.2.2 Inthispractice,theidentificationproceduresassigning
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
a group symbol and name are limited to soil particles smaller
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
than 3 in. (75 mm).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2.3 The identification portion of this practice is limited to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
naturally occurring soils. Specimens used for identification
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
may be either intact or disturbed.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
NOTE 1—This practice may be used as a descriptive system applied to
suchmaterialsasshale,claystone,shells,crushedrock,etc.(seeAppendix
2. Referenced Documents
X2).
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 The descriptive information in this practice may be used
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
withothersoilclassificationsystemsorformaterialsotherthan
Fluids
naturally occurring soils.
D1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling byAuger
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
Borings
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
D1586 Test Method for Standard PenetrationTest (SPT) and
rationalized conversions to SI units that are provided for
Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
information only and are not considered standard. The sieve
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-
designations are identified using the “alternative” system in
Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
accordance with Practice E11.
D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of
Rock for Site Exploration
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
priate safety, health and environmental practices and deter-
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
2
Classification of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 15, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D2488 – 09a. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2488-17. the ASTM website.
*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
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D2488−17
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2488 − 09a D2488 − 17
Standard Practice for
Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual
1
Procedure)Procedures)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2488; 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. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the description of soils for engineering purposes.
1.2 This practice also describes a procedure for identifying soils, at the option of the user, based on the classification system
described in Test Method D2487. The identification is based on visual examination and manual tests. It mustshall be clearly stated
in reporting an identification that it reporting, the soil identification is based on visual-manual procedures.
1.2.1 When precise classification of soils for engineering purposes is required, the procedures prescribedoutlined in Test Method
D2487 shall be used.
1.2.2 In this practice, the identification portionprocedures assigning a group symbol and name isare limited to soil particles
smaller than 3 in. (75 mm).
1.2.3 The identification portion of this practice is limited to naturally occurring soils (either intact or disturbed).soils. Specimens
used for identification may be either intact or disturbed.
NOTE 1—This practice may be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale, claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. (see Appendix X2).
1.3 The descriptive information in this practice may be used with other soil classification systems or for materials other than
naturally occurring soils.
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematicalrationalized conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. The sieve
designations are identified using the “alternative” system in accordance with Practice E11.
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. For specific precautionary statements see Section 8.
1.5 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, health and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements see Section 8.
1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be
applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s
many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through
the ASTM consensus process.
1.7 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
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
Classification of Soils.
Current edition approved June 15, 2009July 15, 2017. Published July 2009August 2017. Originally approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as
D2488 – 09.D2488 – 09a. DOI: 10.1520/D2488-09A.10.1520/D2488-17.
*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
1
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D2488 − 17
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM S
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