ASTM D4992-94(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D4992–94 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Rock to be Used for Erosion Control
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4992; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 Itisassumedthatthispracticewillbeusedbypersonnel
who are qualified by education and experience to plan the
1.1 Thispracticecoverstheevaluationofrocktobeusedfor
necessary evaluations and to conduct them so that the neces-
erosion control. The complexity and extent of this evaluation
sary parameters of the subject rock will be defined. Therefore,
will be governed by the size and design requirements of the
this practice does not attempt to detail the laboratory tech-
individual project, the quantity and quality of rock required,
niques required, but rather to mention them and only detail
and the potential risk for property damage or loss of human
those properties that must be of special concern in the course
life.
of the examination for rock to be used for erosion control.
1.2 It is not intended that all of the evaluations listed in this
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
practice be addressed for every project. For some small, less
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
critical jobs, a visual inspection of the rock may be all that is
information only.
necessary. Several of the evaluations listed may be necessary
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
on large, complex, high-hazard projects. The intensity and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
number of evaluations made on any one project must be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
determined by the designer.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3 Examination of the rock at the source, evaluation of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
similar rock exposed to the environment at any field installa-
1.9 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
tions,aswellaslaboratorytestsmaybenecessarytodetermine
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
the properties of the rock as related to its predicted perfor-
2 education or experience and should be used in conjunction
mance at the site of intended use (1, 2, 3).
withprofessionaljudgment.Notallaspectsofthispracticemay
1.4 The examination of the rock at its source is essential to
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
itsevaluationforerosioncontrolandaidsintheplanningofthe
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
subsequent laboratory examinations. Very large pieces of rock
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
up to several tons weight are used in the control of erosion;
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
thus great care must be taken with the field descriptions and in
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
the sampling program to assure that zones of impurities or
title of this document means only that the document has been
weaknessesthatmightnotoccurinordinarysizespecimensare
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
recordedandevaluatedfortheirdeleteriouspotentialunderthe
conditions of intended use. It is necessary that the intended
2. Referenced Documents
method of rock removal be studied to ascertain whether the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
samples taken will correspond to the blasting, handling, and
C88 Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of
weathering history of the rock that will finally be used (1).
Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
1.5 The specific procedures employed in the laboratory
C127 Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of
examinations depend on the kind of rock, its characteristics,
Coarse Aggregate
mineral components, macro and micro structure, and perhaps
C294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Natu-
most importantly, the intended use, size of the pieces, and the
ral Mineral Aggregates
exposure conditions at the site of use (3).
C295 Practice for Petrographic Examination of Concrete
Aggregates
C535 Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Large-
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Size CoarseAggregate byAbrasion and Impact in the Los
rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for Erosion
Angeles Machine
Control.
Current edition approved March 15, 1994. Published May 1994. Originally
published as D4992–89. Last previous edition D4992–89.
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
this standard. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4992
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained 5. Planning
Fluids
5.1 A plan and schedule of the field examination and
D3967 Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact
subsequent laboratory examination should include a review of
Rock Core Specimens
allavailableinformationaboutthesourcerockandthepurpose
D5121 Practice for Preparation of Rock Slabs for Durabil-
for which it is intended. State geological surveys, geological
ity Testing
divisions of state transportation departments, and geology/
D5240 Test Method for Testing Rock Slabs to Evaluate
environmentaldepartmentsofuniversitiesnearthesourcetobe
Soundness of Riprap by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Mag-
examinedaregenerallygoodsourcesofinformation.Anylocal
nesium Sulfate
engineering geologists should also be consulted, to gain all
D5312 Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock
collateral information that might be useful in examining the
for Erosion Control Under Freezing and Thawing Condi-
source site and any project installations, and in the planning of
tions
the laboratory test requirements.
D5313 Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock
5.2 This review may provide the name of the rock unit and
for Erosion Control Under Wetting and Drying Condi-
key to lithologic descriptions, previous examinations, and
tions
structural and compositional characteristics affecting the rock
in its intended use, as well as test data. The information may
3. Terminology
further assist in planning the examinations and alternatives to
3.1 Definitions:
problems such as vertical quarry faces.
3.1.1 rock mass properties—lithologic properties of rock
anditsdiscontinuitiesthatmustbeevaluatedonamacroscopic
6. Materials and Equipment for Examinations
scale in the field.
6.1 Equipment for the field examination will be at the
3.1.2 rockmaterialproperties—lithologicpropertiesofrock
investigator’s discretion. A checklist of equipment may in-
thatcanbeevaluatedusinganin-handsampleeitherinthefield
clude, but not be limited to, the following:
or in the laboratory.
6.1.1 Geologists’s Pick or Hammer.
3.1.3 shot rock—(synonym for quarry run); unprocessed
stone produced from a source primarily by blasting. The term 6.1.2 Hand Lens.
does not indicate stone size or gradation. 6.1.3 Sledge Hammer.
3.1.4 For other definitions of terms relating to this practice,
6.1.4 Bottle of Dilute Hydrochloric Acid (3 parts water, 1
refer to Terminology D653. part HCl).
6.1.5 Tape or Scale.
4. Significance and Use
6.1.6 Rock Scratching Tool, Knife, or Dissecting Needle.
4.1 The field examination and petrographic examination in
6.1.7 Brunton Compass.
this practice along with appropriate laboratory testing may be
6.1.8 Camera.
used to determine the suitability of rock for erosion control. It
6.1.9 Note Book.
should identify and delineate areas or zones of the rock, beds,
6.1.10 Sample Bags.
and facies of unsuitable or marginal composition and proper-
6.1.11 Marking Pens or Spray Paint.
ties due to weathering, alteration, structural weaknesses, po-
6.2 Apparatus and Supplies for Petrographic Examination:
rosity, and other potentially deleterious characteristics.
6.2.1 The apparatus and supplies listed for petrographic
4.2 Both the rock mass properties and the rock material
examination in Practice C295 will be those required for this
properties must be evaluated.
standard practice except that some of the equipment for
4.2.1 The rock mass properties are the lithologic properties
handling the large pieces of rock should be of larger size as
of the in situ rock that must be evaluated on a macroscopic
outlined below.
scale in the field. These would include features such as
6.2.1.1 Rock Cutting Saw,diamondedgedbladeatleast600
fractures, joints, faults, bedding, schistosity, and lineations, as
mm (24 in.) in diameter.
well as the lateral and vertical extent of the rock unit.
4.2.2 The rock material properties are those lithologic
NOTE 1—Some laboratories have fabricated reciprocating saws that cut
properties that may be evaluated using small specimens and
with diamond powder in a slurry. Such saws can be made capable of
cutting almost any size rock specimen.
thus can be subject to meaningful laboratory testing. These
properties would include mineral composition, grain size, rock
6.2.1.2 Horizontal Grinding Wheel, minimum of 400 mm
hardness, degree of weathering, porosity, unit weight, and
(16 in.) diameter.
many others.
6.2.1.3 Polishing Wheel, minimum of 400 mm (16 in.)
4.3 Rock proposed for use in erosion control applications
diameter.
will normally be classified as either filter bedding stone, riprap
NOTE 2—When the first saw cut is smooth, as when fabricated with a
stone, armor stone, or breakwater stone. However, these
smooth edged circular diamond saw running in an oil bath, vibrating laps
procedures may be also extended to rocks used in groin and
maybesubstitutedforthehorizontalgrindingwheelandthepolishinglap.
gabion structures.
These laps may be obtained in sizes up to 675 mm (27 in.) in diameter.
These large vibratory laps will be a useful addition and will completely
substitute for the polishing lap. Considerable effort must be expended to
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09. keep vibratory laps clean and the abrasives free of contamination.
D4992
6.2.1.4 Stereoscopic Microscope—The stereoscopic micro- The geologic scientist conducting the field examination must
scopeshallhaveazoomlensfrom10to1203.Themicroscope have knowledge of the intended use of the rock and of the size
shall be mounted on an arm that can swing over the specimen pieces that will be required and the environment to which the
or alternatively have a specially constructed stage of large size rock will be subjected.The scientist must also be familiar with
to facilitate the handling of the large specimen slabs that will the laboratory tests that are most apt to be conducted in order
be required. that appropriate samples may be obtained.
6.2.1.5 Petrographic Microscope, shall be as described in 7.2 During the field examination determine the following:
Practice C295. Optionally, for the detection of very small 7.2.1 The type of quarry and its development plan. The
microcracks, it may be equipped with incident ultraviolet light blastingproceduresthatareorwillbeemployed.Noteblasting
for use with thin sections impregnated with a fluorescing dye hole diameter, hole depth, spacing, angle, amount of overbur-
(4). den, types of explosives, distribution, and sequences. The
expected 8curing time,’ the interval between blasting or other
NOTE 3—Special types of thin sections will probably require additional
removal from the bedrock, and the size sorting and final
preparation equipment. An example is given in Ref (4).
inspection and evaluation for use in the intended placement (1,
6.3 Thin Section Fabrication:
5, 6, 7).
6.3.1 Laboratories may find that they can obtain good,
7.2.2 The general lithology and, if possible, geologic unit
rapid, individualized service from a geological laboratory that
and age.
specializes in the fabrication of thin sections. When choosing
7.2.3 Homogeneity throughout the proposed source. In par-
such a laboratory, considerations should include the following.
ticular note the stratigraphic facies, metamorphic and weath-
6.3.1.1 Time between sending off the rock fragments or
ering phases, and lateral extent of each.
prepared chips and return of the finished sections.
7.2.4 Dip and strike of the bedding, lineation, or both,
6.3.1.2 Will adjacent rock fragments or slices be returned
should be noted as well as the dip and strike of any structural
for further examination or archival use, or both?
features, zones of brecciation, partings, solution features,
6.3.1.3 Costs involved.
schistosity, foliation, diastrophic joints, faults, folds, dikes,
6.3.1.4 Charges and any extra time required for specially
veins, and etc. Any joints due to overburden-relief must be
prepared sections: special large size, epoxy impregnated,
recorded.
impregnatedwithspecialdyes,andthinsectionsthinnedtoless
7.2.5 The thickness of the bedding, and the presence and
than the standard 30 µm (10 to 15 µm required for fine grained
distance between any poorly indurated beds or facies. The
rock and for detection of fine microcracking, certain deleteri-
distancebetweenanyregularzonesofweaknesssuchasjoints,
ous textures and substances).
weakly filled veins, etc. must be recorded as this will be a
6.3.1.5 Workload.
major control of the size fragments available.
6.3.1.6 Quality of work.
7.2.6 Special note shall be taken of any fragments of the
6.3.2 Laboratories should consider obtaining their own
rock that have been exposed to weather for a long period of
thin-section equipment whenever workload, space, and finan-
time. If these are not available at the proposed site of rock
cial considerations permit if experienced personnel are avail-
removal, an effort shall be made to find such weathered
ableorobtainabletofabricatethesections.In-houseequipment
examples of this rock at other sites.
allows for much greater versatility of operation. As the
7.2.7 Any examples of this rock in use in a manner similar
knowledge of the rock material accumulates through examina-
to the proposed use shall be investigated for evidence of
tion of finely lapped slabs and hand specimens, and from the
durability. In conjunction with this examination, natural occur-
resultsoflaboratorytesting,itwillinvariablybefoundthatthe
rences of this rock at sites similar to the proposed use shall be
first estimate of the proper number, location of “chips” and
soughtandexamined;forexample,anaturaloutcroponariver
types of
...