ASTM_D_6031_-_D_6031M_-_96_2015.pdf

Designation:D6031/D6031M96(Reapproved 2015)Standard Test Method forLogging In Situ Moisture Content and Density of Soil andRock by the Nuclear Method in Horizontal,Slanted,andVertical Access Tubes1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6031/D6031M;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.Scope1.1 This test method covers collection and comparison oflogs of thermalized-neutron counts and back-scattered gammacounts along horizontal or vertical air-filled access tubes.1.2 The in situ water content in mass per unit volume andthe density in mass per unit volume of soil and rock at positionsor in intervals along the length of an access tube are calculatedby comparing the thermal neutron count rate and gamma countrates respectively to previously established calibration data.1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI unitspresented in brackets are to be regarded separately asstandard.The values stated in each system may not be exactequivalents;therefore,each system shall be used independentlyof the other.Combining values from the two systems mayresult in non-conformance with the standard.1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is usedwhen dealing with inch-pound units.In this system,the pound(lbf)represents a unit of force(weight),while the unit for massis slugs.The rationalized slug unit is not given,unless dynamic(F=ma)calculations are involved.1.4 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.For specifichazards,see Section 6.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by AugerBoringsD1586 Test Method for Penetration Test(SPT)and Split-Barrel Sampling of SoilsD1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils forGeotechnical PurposesD2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling ofRock for Site ExplorationD2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water(Moisture)Content of Soil and Rock by MassD2922 Test Methods for Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregatein Place by Nuclear Methods(Shallow Depth)(With-drawn 2007)3D2937 Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by theDrive-Cylinder MethodD3017 Test Method for Water Content of Soil and Rock inPlace by Nuclear Methods(Shallow Depth)D3550 Practice for Thick Wall,Ring-Lined,Split Barrel,Drive Sampling of SoilsD4428/D4428M Test Methods for Crosshole Seismic Test-ingD4564 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil inPlace by the Sleeve Method(Withdrawn 2013)3D5195 Test Method for Density of Soil and Rock In-Place atDepths Below Surface by Nuclear MethodsD5220 Test Method for Water Mass per Unit Volume of Soiland Rock In-Place by the Neutron Depth Probe Method3.Significance and Use3.1 This test method is useful as a repeatable,nondestruc-tive technique to monitor in-place density and moisture of soiland rock along lengthy sections of horizontal,slanted,andvertical access holes or tubes.With proper calibration inaccordance with Annex A1,this test method can be used toquantify changes in density and moisture content of soil androck.3.2 This test method is used in vadose zone monitoring,forperformance assessment of engineered barriers at wastefacilities,and for research related to monitoring the movementof liquids(water solutions and hydrocarbons)through soil and1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater andVadose Zone Investigations.Current edition approved Nov.1,2015.Published November 2015.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D603196(2010)1.DOI:10.1520/D6031_D6031M-96R15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 rock.The nondestructive nature of the test allows repetitivemeasurements at a site and statistical analysis of results.3.3 The fundamental assumptions inherent in this testmethod are that the dry bulk density of the test material isconstant and that the response to fast neutrons and gammarayenergy associated with soil and liquid chemistry is constant.4.Interferences4.1 The sample heterogeneity and chemical composition ofthe material under test will affect the measurement of