ASTM D1452/D1452M-16

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D1452 − 09 D1452/D1452M − 16
Standard Practice for
Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1452;D1452/D1452M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers equipment and procedures for the use of earth augers in shallow depth geotechnical exploration. This
practice does not apply to hollow-stem augers. Uses of hollow-stem auger drilling methods for geotechnical exploration are
addressed in Test Method D6151. Samples recovered from this standard are considered as belonging to Group A or B in accordance
with D4220. The samples are disturbed and can generally be used for classification testing (D2487, D2488), determination of
compaction characteristics (D698, D1557), or any other standard that requires bulk samples. For obtaining intact samples use of
thin-walled sample tubes (D1587) in conjunction with fluid rotary drilling (D5783) or hollow-stem augers (D6151.) may be
considered.
1.2 This practice does not include considerations for geoenvironmental site characteristics and installation of monitoring wells
which are discussed in Guide D5784.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units presented in brackets are to be regarded separately as standard. The
values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered
standard.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
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026 unless superseded by this method.
1.5 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.
1.6 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3 3
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft (2,700
kN-m/m ))
D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.02 on Sampling and Related
Field Testing for Soil Evaluations.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2009Nov. 1, 2016. Published March 2009November 2016. Originally approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 20072009
as D1452 – 07a.D1452 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/D1452-09.10.1520/D1452_D1452M-16.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1452/D1452M − 16
D4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
D5434 Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations of Soil and Rock
D4750 Test Method for Determining Subsurface Liquid Levels in a Borehole or Monitoring Well (Observation Well)
(Withdrawn 2010)
D5783 Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Drilling with Water-Based Drilling Fluid for Geoenvironmental Exploration and the
Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
D5784 Guide for Use of Hollow-Stem Augers for Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Installation of Subsurface
Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
D6151 Practice for Using Hollow-Stem Augers for Geotechnical Exploration and Soil Sampling
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions:
3.1.1 For common definitions of terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cutter bit—a bit where there are no moving parts, but drilling occurs due to shearing, scraping or abrasion of the rock.
Cutter bits can be either polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) or grit hot-pressed inserts (GHI) or natural diamond.
3.2.2 pilot bit—a small bit that drills a first hole to guide a larger drill bit - the cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and
replaceable.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Auger borings often provide the simplest method of soil exploration and sampling. They may be used for any purpose where
disturbed samples can be used and are valuable in connection with groundwater level determination and indication of changes in
strata and advancement of hole for split-barrel penetration tests and sampling (Test Method D1586) and thin-walled tube sampling
(Practice D1587). Equipment required is simple and readily available. Depths of auger explorations are, however, limited by
groundwater conditions, soil characteristics, and the equipment used.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Hand-Operated Augers:
5.1.1 Screw Type Augers, (Fig. 1) consisting of a flat thin metal strip, machine twisted to a spiral configuration of uniform pitch;
having at one end, a sharpened or hardened point, with a means of attaching a shaft or extension at the opposite end. Small
lightweight augers are generally available in sizes from 1 through 3 in. [25 through 75 mm].
5.1.2 Helical Augers,Ship-Type Auger, (Fig. 12(a)) small lightweight augers generally available in sizes from 1 through 3 in.
(25.4 through 76.2 mm).) similar to a carpenter’s wood bit. It is generally forged from steel and machined to the desired size and
configuration. It is normally provided with sharpened and hardened nibs at the point end and with an integral shaft extending
through its length for attachment of a handle or extension at the opposite end.
5.1.1.1 Spiral-Type Auger, consisting of a flat thin metal strip, machine twisted to a spiral configuration of uniform pitch; having
at one end, a sharpened or hardened point, with a means of attaching a shaft or extension at the opposite end.
5.1.1.2 Ship-Type Auger—Similar to a carpenter’s wood bit. It is generally forged from steel and machined to the desired size
and configuration. It is normally provided with sharpened and hardened nibs at the point end and with an integral shaft extending
through its length for attachment of a handle or extension at the opposite end.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
FIG. 1 Hand AugersScrew-Type Auger
D1452/D1452M − 16
FIG. 2 Post-Hole AugersShip-Type Auger
5.1.3 Open Tubular Augers, (Fig. 13(b))) ranging in size from 1.5 through 8 in. (38.1[40 through 203.2 mm)200 mm] and
having the common characteristic of appearing essentially tubular when viewed from the digging end.
5.1.2.1 Orchard-Barrel Type, (Fig. 1(c)) consisting essentially of a tube having cutting lips or nibs hardened and sharpened to
penetrate the formation on one end and an adaptor fitting for an extension or handle on the opposite end.
5.1.2.2 Open-Spiral Type, consisting of a flat thin metal strip that has been helically wound around a circular mandrel to form
a spiral in which the flat faces of the strip are parallel to the axis of the augered hole. The lower helix edges are hard-faced to
improve wear characteristics. The opposite end is fitted with an adaptor for extension.
5.1.2.3 Closed-Spiral Type—Nearly identical to the open-spiral type except the pitch of the helically wound spiral is much less
than that of the open-spiral type.
5.1.4 Barrel Auger Types, (Fig. 4) the barrel auger is a complete cylinder. The cutting blades are cupped so that soil is loosened
and forced into the barrel as the unit is rotated and pushed into the ground. Each filling of the barrel corresponds to a depth of
penetration of 3 to 5 in. [75 to 125 mm]. The most popular barrel diameter is 3.5 in. [90 mm], but sizes ranging from 1.5 to 7 in.
[40 to 180 mm] are available.
5.1.4.1 Sand Augers, (Fig. 4 (c))—For dry, sandy soils it may be necessary to use a variation of the regular barrel auger that
includes a specially-formed bit to retain the sample in the barrel. Sand augers with 2, 3, or 4-in. [50, 75, or 100-mm] diameters
are available.
5.1.4.2 Mud Augers, (Fig. 4 (d))—Another variation on the regular barrel auger design is available for sampling wet, clayey
soils. As shown in Fig. 4(d), the barrel is designed with open sides to facilitate extraction of samples. The bits are the same as those
used on the regular barrel auger. Mud augers with 2, 3, or 4-in. [50, 75, or 100-mm] diameters are available.
5.1.5 Post-Hole Augers, generally 2 through 8 in. (50.8[50 through 203.2 mm),200 mm], and having in common a means of
blocking the escape of soil from the auger.
5.1.3.1 Clam-Shell Type, (Fig. 2(a)) consisting of two halves, hinged to allow opening and closing for alternately digging and
retrieving. It is not usable deeper than about 3.5 ft (1.07 m).
5.1.5.1 Iwan Type, (Fig. 25(b))) consisting of two tubular steel segments, connected at the top to a common m
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