ASTM_D_6032_-_D_6032M_-_17.pdf

Designation:D6032/D6032M17Standard Test Method forDetermining Rock Quality Designation(RQD)of Rock Core1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6032/D6032M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the determination of the rockquality designation(RQD)as a standard parameter in drill corelogging of a core sample in addition to the commonly obtainedcore recovery value(Practice D2113);however there may besome variations between different disciplines,such as miningand civil projects.1.2 This standard does not cover any RQD determinationsmade by other borehole methods(such as acoustic or opticalteleviewer)and which may not give the same data or results ason the actual core sample(s).1.3 There are many drilling and lithologic variations thatcould affect the RQD results.This standard provides examplesof many common and some unusual situations that the user ofthis standard needs to understand to use this standard andcannot expect it to be all inclusive for all drilling and loggingscenarios.The intent is to provide a baseline of examples forthe user to take ownership and watch for similar,additional orunique geological and procedural issues in their specificdrilling programs.1.4 This standard uses the original calculation methods byD.U.Deere to determine an RQD value and does not coverother calculation or analysis methods;such as Monte Carlo.1.5 The RQD in this test method only denotes the percent-age of intact and sound rock in a core interval,defined by thetest program,and only of the rock mass in the direction of thedrill hole axis,at a specific location.Acore interval is typicallya core run but can be a lithological unit or any other interval ofcore sample relevant to the project.1.6 RQD was originally introduced for use with conven-tional drilling of N-size core with diameter of 54.7 mm(2.155in.).However,this test method covers all types of core barrelsand core sizes from BQ to PQ,which are normally acceptablefor measuring determining RQD as long as proper drillingtechniques are used that do not cause excess core breakage orpoor recovery,or both.See 6.3 for more information on thisissue.1.7 Only the RQD classification which correlates with thecommon tunneling classification that was presented byDeere2,3is covered in this test method.Other classificationsystems are not covered specifically but are mentioned ingeneral and if used shall not be regarded as nonconformancewith this standard.1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.8.1 The method used to specify how data are collected,calculated,or recorded in this standard is not directly related tothe accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or otheruses,or both.How one applies the results obtained using thisstandard is beyond its scope.1.9 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsrational values are given in brackets are to be regardedseparately as standard.The values stated in each system maynot be exact equivalents;therefore,each system shall be usedindependently of the other.Combining values from the twosystems may result in non-conformance with the standard.Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not beregarded as nonconformance with this standard.1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for the1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics.Current edition approved March 1,2017.Published April 2017.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6032 08.DOI:10.1520/D6032_D6032M-17.2Deere,D.U.,and Deere,D.W.,The Rock Quality Designation(RQD)AfterTwenty Years,Rock Classification Systems for Engineering Purposes,ASTM STP984,1988,pp.91101.3Deere,D.U.,and Deere,D.W.,Rock Quality Designation(RQD)Index inPractice,Contract Report G1891,Department of the Army Corps of Engineers,1989.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for