ASTM_D_420_-_98_2003.pdf

Designation:D 420 98(Reapproved 2003)Standard Guide toSite Characterization for Engineering Design andConstruction Purposes1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 420;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONInvestigation and identification of subsurface materials involves both simple and complextechniques that may be accomplished by many different procedures and may be variously interpreted.These studies are frequently site specific and are influenced by geological and geographical settings,by the purpose of the investigation,by design requirements for the project proposed,and by thebackground,training,and experience of the investigator.This guide has been extensively rewritten andenlarged since the version approved in 1987.Material has been added for clarification and forexpansion of concepts.Many new ASTM standards are referenced and a bibliography of non-ASTMreferences is appended.This document is a guide to the selection of the various ASTM standards that are available for theinvestigation of soil,rock,and ground water for projects that involve surface or subsurfaceconstruction,or both.It is intended to improve consistency of practice and to encourage rationalplanning of a site characterization program.Since the subsurface conditions at a particular site areusually the result of a combination of natural,geologic,topographic,and climatic factors,and ofhistorical modifications both natural and manmade,an adequate and internally consistent explorationprogram will allow evaluation of the results of these influences.1.Scope1.1 This guide refers toASTM methods by which soil,rock,and ground water conditions may be determined.The objectiveof the investigation should be to identify and locate,bothhorizontally and vertically,significant soil and rock types andground water conditions present within a given site area and toestablish the characteristics of the subsurface materials bysampling or in situ testing,or both.1.2 Laboratory testing of soil,rock,and ground watersamples is specified by otherASTM standards not listed herein.Subsurface exploration for environmental purposes will be thesubject of a separate ASTM document.1.3 Prior to commencement of any intrusive exploration thesite should be checked for underground utilities.Shouldevidence of potentially hazardous or otherwise contaminatedmaterials or conditions be encountered in the course of theinvestigation,work should be interrupted until the circum-stances have been evaluated and revised instructions issuedbefore resumption.1.4 The values stated in(SI)inch-pound units are to beregarded as the standard.1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of informationor a series of options and does not recommend a specificcourse of action.This document cannot replace education orexperience and should be used in conjunction with professionaljudgment.Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in allcircumstances.This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy ofa given professional service must be judged,nor should thisdocument be applied without consideration of a projects manyunique aspects.The word“Standard”in the title of thisdocument means only that the document has been approvedthrough the ASTM consensus process.1.6 This guide does not purport to address all of the safetyconcerns,if any,associated with its use.It is the responsibilityof the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and SubsurfaceCharacterization.Current edition approved March 10,1998.Published January 1999.Originallypublished as D 425 65 T.Last previous edition D 420 93.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.health practices and determine the applicability of regulatorylimitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C 119 Terminology Relating to Dimension StoneC 294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Natu-ral Mineral AggregatesC 851 Practice for Estimating Scratch Hardness of CoarseAggregate ParticlesD 75 Practice for Sampling AggregatesD 653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD 1194 Test Method for Bearing Capacity of Soil for StaticLoad and Spread FootingsD 1195 Test Method for Repetitive Static Plate Load Testsof Soils and Flexible Pavement Components,for Use inEvaluation and Design ofAirport and Highway PavementsD 1196 Test Method for Nonrepetitive Static Plate LoadTests of Soils and Flexible Pavement Components,for Usein Evaluation and Design of Airport and Highway Pave-mentsD 1452 P