ASTM D4220/D4220M-14 - 1.2.2014
 
1. Scope

1.1 These practices cover procedures for preserving soil samples immediately after they are obtained in the field and accompanying procedures for transporting and handling the samples.

1.2 Limitations—These practices are not intended to address all requirements applicable to transporting of soil samples known or suspected to contain hazardous materials.

1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inchpound units 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 nonconformance with the standard.

1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are involved.

1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 7.

1.5 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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D6282-98

Standard Guide for Direct Push Soil Sampling for Environmental Site Characterizations

D7015-13

Standard Practices for Obtaining Intact Block (Cubical and Cylindrical) Samples of Soils

D6519-15

Standard Practice for Sampling of Soil Using the Hydraulically Operated Stationary Piston Sampler

D6169-98

Standard Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling Devices Used With Drill Rigs for Environmental Investigations

D5079-25

Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Rock Core Samples

D1586-11

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

D6151-25

Standard Practice for Using Hollow-Stem Augers for Geotechnical Exploration and Soil Sampling

D3550-01

Standard Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils

D2937-24

Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method

D1587-08

Standard Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes

D653-26a

Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids (Includes all amendments and changes 6/15/2026).

D1452-09

Standard Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings