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ASTM D 1586/D1586M : 2018 : EDT 1

Current
Current

The latest, up-to-date edition.

Standard Test Method for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
Available format(s)

Hardcopy , PDF

Language(s)

English

Published date

05-03-2022

1.1This test method describes the procedure, generally known as the Standard Penetration Test (SPT), for driving a split-barrel sampler with a 140 lb [63.5 kg] hammer dropped 30 in. [750 mm] to obtain a soil sample for identification purposes, and measure the resistance of the soil to penetration of the standard 2 in. [50 mm] diameter sampler. The SPT “N” value is the number of hammer blows required to drive the sampler over the depth interval of 0.5 to 1.5 ft [0.15 to 0.45 m] of a 1.5 ft [0.45 m] drive interval.

1.2Test Method D4633 is generally necessary to measure the drill rod energy of a given drop hammer system and using the measured drill rod energy, N values can be corrected to a standard energy level. Practice D6066 uses Test Methods D1586 and D4633 and has additional requirements for hammers, hammer energy, and drilling methods to determine energy corrected penetration resistance of loose sands for liquefaction evaluation.

1.3Practice D3550/D3550M is a similar procedure using a larger diameter split barrel sampler driven with a hammer system that may allow for a different hammer mass. The penetration resistance values from Practice D3550/D3550M do not comply with this standard.

1.4Test results and identification information are used in subsurface exploration for a wide range of applications such as geotechnical, geologic, geoenvironmental, or geohydrological explorations. When detailed lithology is required for geohydrological investigations, use of continuous sampling methods (D6282/D6282M, D6151/D6151M, D6914/D6914M) are recommended when the incremental SPT N value is not needed for design purposes (see 4.1.1).

1.5Penetration resistance testing is typically performed at 5 ft [1.5 m] depth intervals or when a significant change of materials is observed during drilling, unless otherwise specified.

1.6This test method is limited to use in nonlithified soils and soils whose maximum particle size is approximately less than one-half of the sampler diameter.

1.7This test method involves use of rotary drilling equipment (Guide D5783, Practice D6151/D6151M). Other drilling and sampling procedures (Guides D6286 and D6169/D6169M) are available and may be more appropriate. Considerations for hand driving or shallow sampling without boreholes are not addressed. Subsurface investigations should be recorded in accordance with Practice D5434. Samples should be preserved and transported in accordance with Practice D4220/D4220M using Group B. Soil samples should be identified by group name and symbol in accordance with Practice D2488.

1.8All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.

1.8.1The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.

1.9Units—The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Reporting of test results in units other than inch-pound shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this practice. SI equivalent units shown herein are in general conformance with existing international standards.

1.10Penetration resistance measurements often will involve safety planning, administration, and documentation. This test method does not purport to address all aspects of exploration and site safety.

1.11Performance of the test usually involves use of a drill rig; therefore, safety requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards (for example, OSHA regulations,2 NDA Drilling Safety Guide,3 drilling safety manuals, and other applicable local agency regulations) must be observed.

1.12This 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.

1.13This 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.

Committee
D 18
DocumentType
Test Method
Pages
26
ProductNote
ε1NOTE—Reference (14) was editorially corrected in April 2022.
PublisherName
American Society for Testing and Materials
Status
Current
Supersedes

ASTM D 6009 : 2019 Standard Guide for Sampling Waste Piles
ASTM D 4547 : 2020 Standard Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile Organic Compounds
ASTM C 12 : 2022 Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
ASTM D 653 : 2021 : REV B Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 6001/D6001M : 2020 Standard Guide for Direct-Push Groundwater Sampling for Environmental Site Characterization
ASTM D 6169/D6169M : 2021 Standard Guide for Selection of Subsurface Soil and Rock Sampling Devices for Environmental and Geotechnical Investigations

ASTM D 6914/D6914M : 2016 Standard Practice for Sonic Drilling for Site Characterization and the Installation of Subsurface Monitoring Devices
ASTM D 3740 : 2023 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 3740 : 2019 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 6913/D6913M : 2017 Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis
ASTM D 854 : 2014 Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer (Withdrawn 2023)
ASTM D 1587/D1587M : 2015 Standard Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes (Withdrawn 2024)
ASTM D 653 : 2022 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 6914/D6914M : 2016 : R2024 Standard Practice for Sonic Drilling for Site Characterization and the Installation of Subsurface Monitoring Devices
ASTM D 6282/D6282M : 2014 Standard Guide for Direct Push Soil Sampling for Environmental Site Characterizations (Withdrawn 2023)
ASTM D 653 : 2021 : REV B Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 4220/D4220M : 2014 Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples (Withdrawn 2023)
ASTM D 854 : 2023 Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by the Water Displacement Method
ASTM D 6151/D6151M : 2015 Standard Practice for Using Hollow-Stem Augers for Geotechnical Exploration and Soil Sampling (Withdrawn 2024)
ASTM D 2488 : 2017 : EDT 1 Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedures)

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