ASTM D6151-97(2003)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D6151–97 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Practice for
Using Hollow-Stem Augers for Geotechnical Exploration and
Soil Sampling
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6151; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice covers how to obtain soil samples using
hollow-stem sampling systems and use of hollow-stem auger D 420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, De-
drilling methods for geotechnical exploration. This practice sign, and Construction Purposes
addresses how to obtain soil samples suitable for engineering D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
properties testing. Fluids
1.2 In most geotechnical explorations, hollow-stem auger D 2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
drilling is combined with other sampling methods. Split barrel (Visual-Manual Procedure)
penetration tests (Test Method D 1586) are often performed to D 5434 Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explora-
provide estimates of engineering properties of soils. Thin-wall tions of Soil and Rock
tube (Practice D 1587) and ring-lined barrel samples (Practice 2.2 Standards for Sampling of Soil and Rock:
D 3550) are also frequently taken. This practice discusses hole D 1452 Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by
preparation for these sampling events. For information on the Auger Borings
sampling process, consult the related standards. Other in situ D 1586 Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel
tests, such as the vane shear Test Method D 2573, can be Sampling of Soils
performed below the base of the boring by access through the D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Geotechnical Sam-
drill string. pling of Soils
1.3 This practice does not include considerations for geoen- D 2113 Practice for Diamond Core Drilling for Site Inves-
vironmental site characterizations and installation of monitor- tigation
ing wells which are addressed in Guide D 5784. D 3550 Practice for Ring-Lined Barrel Sampling of Soils
1.4 This practice may not reflect all aspects of operations. It D 4220 Practice for Preserving and Transporting Soil
offers guidance on current practice but does not recommend a Samples
specific course of action. It should not be used as the sole D 4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
criterionorbasisofcomparison,anddoesnotreplaceorrelieve D 5079 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Rock
professional judgment. Core Samples
1.5 Hollow-stem auger drilling for geotechnical exploration 2.3 In situ Testing:
often involves safety planning, administration, and documen- D 2573 Test Method for Field Vane Shear Test in Cohesive
tation. This standard does not purport to specifically address Soils
exploration and site safety. It is the responsibility of the user of D 3441 Test Method for Deep, Quasi Static, Cone and
this standard to establish appropriate safety and health prac- Friction-Cone Penetration Tests of Soil
tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations D 4719 Test Method for Pressuremeter Testing in Soils
prior to its use. Performance of the test usually involves use of 2.4 Instrument Installation and Monitoring:
a drill rig, therefore, safety requirements as outlined in appli- D 4428 Test Methods for Crosshole Seismic Testing
cable safety standards, for example OSHA (Occupational D 4750 Test Method for Determining Subsurface Liquid
Health and SafetyAdministration) regulations, DCDMAsafety Levels in a Borehole or Monitoring Well (Observation
2 3
manual (1), drilling safety manuals, and other applicable state Well)
and local regulations must be observed. D 5092 Practice for Design and Installation of Ground
Water Monitoring Wells in Aquifiers
2.5 Drilling Methods:
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
D 5784 Guide for the Use of Hollow-Stem Augers for
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.02 on Sampling and
Related Field Testing for Soil Investigations.
Current edition approved August 10, 1997, Published December 1997.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
practice. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6151–97 (2003)
Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Installation of
Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
D 5876 Guide for the Use of Direct Rotary Wireline Casing
Advancement Drilling Methods for Geoenvironmental
Exploration and the Installation of Subsurface Water-
Quality Monitoring Devices
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: Terminology used within this practice is in
accordance with Terminology D 653 with the addition of the
following (see Figs. 1-5 for typical system components):
3.1.1 auger cutter head—the terminal section of the lead
auger equipped with a hollow cutting head for cutting soil.The
cutter head is connected to the lead auger. The cutter head is
equipped with abrasion-resistant cutting devices, normally
withcarbidesurfaces.Thecuttercanbeteeth(usuallysquareor
conical), or blades (rectangular or spade design). Cutter head
designsmayutilizeonestylecutteroracombinationofcutters.
3.1.2 bit clearance ratio—a ratio, expressed as a percentage
of the difference between the inside diameter of the sampling
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
FIG. 2 Example of Rod-Type Sampling System
tube and the inside diameter of the cutting bit divided by the
inside diameter of the sampling tube.
3.1.3 blow-in—(PracticeD 5092)—theinflowofgroundwa-
ter and unconsolidated material into the borehole or casing
caused by differential hydraulic heads; that is, caused by the
presence of a greater hydraulic head outside the borehole/
casing than inside. Also known as sanding in or soil heave.
3.1.4 clean out depth—the depth to which the end of the
drill string (bit or core barrel cutting end) has reached after an
interval of drilling. The clean out depth (or drilled depth as it
is referred to after cleaning out of any sloughed material or
cuttings in the bottom of the drill hole) is normally recorded to
the nearest 0.1 ft. (0.03 m).
3.1.5 continuous sampling devices—sampling systems
which continuously sample as the drilling progresses. Hollow-
stem sampling systems are often referred to as continuous
samplers because they can be operated in that mode. Hollow-
stem sampling systems are double-tube augers where barrel-
type samplers fit within the lead auger of the hollow auger
FIG. 1 Rod-Type Auger System With Pilot Bit column.Thedouble-tubeaugeroperatesasasoilcoringsystem
D6151–97 (2003)
FIG. 3 Example of Wireline Sampling System
in certain subsurface conditions where the sampler barrel fills knowledge of the total length of the drill string, and by
withmaterialastheaugersadvance.Thebarrelcanberemoved subtracting the string length above a ground surface datum.
and replaced during pauses in drilling for continuous coring. 3.1.9 fluid injection devices—pumps, fittings, hose and pipe
3.1.6 double-tube auger—an auger equipped with an inner components, or drill rig attachments that may be used to inject
barrel for soil sampling (soil coring). If equipped with an inner a fluid within a hollow auger column during drilling.
barrel and liner, the auger system can be described as a 3.1.10 HSA—Hollow stem auger(s). See 3.1.11.
triple-tube auger. 3.1.11 hollow stem auger—a cylindrical hollow tube with a
3.1.7 drill hole—a cylindrical hole advanced into the sub- continuous helical fluting/fighting on the outside, which acts as
surface by mechanical means. Also known as borehole or a screw conveyor to lift cuttings produced by an auger drill
boring. head or cutter head bit to the surface.
3.1.8 drill string—the complete drilling assembly under 3.1.12 in-hole-hammer—a drop hammer for driving a soil
rotationincludingaugers,corebarrelorpilotbit,drillrods,and sampling device. The in-hole hammer is designed to run
connector subassemblies. Drilling depth is determined by down-hole within the HSAcolumn. It is usually operated with
D6151–97 (2003)
FIG. 4 Spindle Adaptor Assembly
a free-fall wireline hoist capable of lifting and dropping the 3.1.14 intermittent sampling devices—barrel-type samplers
hammer weight to drive the sampler below the HSA column that may be rotated, driven, or pushed below the auger head at
andretrievethehammerandsamplertothesurface.SeeFig.6
a designated depth prior to advancement of the auger column
3.1.13 in situ testing devices—sensors or probes, used for
(see 2.2).
obtaining test data for estimation of engineering properties,
3.1.15 lead auger assembly—the first hollow stem auger to
that are typically pushed, rotated, or driven in advance of the
be advanced into the subsurface. The end of the lead auger
hollow auger column assembly at a designated depth or
assembly is equipped with a cutter head for cutting. The lead
advanced simultaneously with advancement of the auger col-
auger may also contain a pilot bit assembly or sample barrel
umn (see 2.3).
assembly housed within the hollow portion of the auger. If a
wireline system is used, the lead auger assembly will have an
Foremost Mobile, Mobile Drilling Company Inc., 3807 Madison Avenue,
adapter housing on top of the first auger containing a latching
Indianapolis, IN.
D6151–97 (2003)
FIG. 5 Example of Drive Case Sampling Through HSA
device for locking the pilot bit assembly or sampling core barrel. See blow-in. Sanding in can occur from hydrostatic
barrel into the lead auger assembly. imbalance or by suction forces caused by removal of the pilot
3.1.16 lead distance—the mechanically adjusted length or bit or sampling barrel.
distance that the inner core barrel cutting shoe is set to extend 3.1.23 slough—the disturbed material left in the bottom of
beyond the lead auger assembly cutting head. the borehole, usually from falling off the side of the borehole,
3.1.17 overshot—a latching mechanism located at the end or falling out of the sampler, or off of the auger.
of the hoisting line (wireline). It is specially designed to latch 3.1.24 soil coring, hollow-stem—The drilling process of
onto or release the pilot bit or core barrel assemblies. It serves using a double-tube HSA system to intermittently or continu-
as a lifting device for removing the pilot bit or sampler ously sample the subsurface material (soil).
assembly. 3.1.25 wireline drilling, hollow-stem—a rotary drilling pro-
3.1.18 O-ring—a rubber ring for preventing leakage be- cess using a lead auger which holds a pilot bit or sampling
tween joining metal connections, such as hollow-stem auger barrel delivered and removed by wireline hoisting. Latching
sections. assemblies are used to lock or unlock the pilot bit or sampler
3.1.19 percent recovery—percentage which indicates the barrel. The pilot bit or core barrel is raised or lowered on a
successofsampleretrieval,calculatedbydividingthelengthof wireline cable with an overshot latching device.
sample recovered by the length of sampler advancement.
4. Significance and Use
3.1.20 pilot bit assembly—an assembly designed to attach
to a drill rod or lock into the lead auger assembly for drilling 4.1 Hollow-stem augers are frequently used for geotechni-
withoutsampling.Thepilotbitcanhavevariousconfigurations cal exploration. Often, hollow-stem augers are used with other
(drag bit, roller cone, tooth bit, or combination of designs) to sampling systems, such as split barrel penetration resistance
aid in more efficient or rapid hole advancement. testing, Test Method D 1586, or thin-wall tube sampling,
3.1.21 recovery length—the length of sample actually re- Practice D 1587 (see 2.5). Hollow-stem augers may be used to
trieved during the sampling operation. advance a drill hole without sampling using a pilot bit
3.1.22 sanding in—a condition that occurs when sand or silt assembly, or they may be equipped with a sampling system for
enters the auger after removal of the pilot bit or sampling obtainingsoilcores.Insomesubsurfaceconditionsthatcontain
D6151–97 (2003)
FIG. 6 In-Hole-Hammer and Conventional Drive Hammer
cohesive soils, the drillhole can be successfully advanced drilling and sampling method can be a satisfactory means for
without the use of a pilot bit assembly. Intermittent drilling collecting samples of shallow unconsolidated subsurface ma-
(advancing of the HSAcolumn with or without a pilot bit) and terials (2).Additional guidance on use can be found in Refs. 2,
sampling can be performed depending on the intervals to be 3, 4, 5, 6.
sampled, or continuous sampling can be performed. During 4.2 Soil sampling with a double-tube hollow-stem sampling
pauses in the drilling and sampling process, in situ testing or system provides a method for obtaining continuous or inter-
other soil sampling methods can be performed through the mittent samples of soils for accurate logging of subsurface
hollow auger column below the lead auger assembly. At materials to support geotechnical testing and exploration. A
completion of the boring to the depth of interest, the hole may wide variety of soils from clays to sands can be sampled. The
be abandoned or testing or monitoring devices can be installed. sampling systems can be particularly effective in dry soft to
Hollow-stem auger drilling allows for drilling and casing the stiff clayey or silty deposits but also can work well under
hole simultaneously, thereby eliminating hole caving problems saturated conditions. Saturated cohesionless soils such as clean
and contamination of soil samples (2). The hollow-stem auger sands may flow and cave during drilling (see Note 1). In many
D6151–97 (2003)
cases, the HSA soil core sampling system can produce very bottom of the HSA column. Highly saturated sands or liquefi-
little disturbance to the sample and can provide samples for able material may be drawn into the HSA by vacuum created
laboratory tests for measurement of selected engineering prop- when the sampler barrel or pilot bit assembly is initially pulled
erties.Large-diametersoilcores,iftakencarefully,canprovide back through the cutter head of the lead auger assembly fr
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