ASTM D2488-09

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:D2488–06 Designation: D 2488 – 09
Standard Practice for
Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual
1
Procedure)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2488; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the description of soils for engineering purposes.
1.2 This practice also describes a procedure for identifying soils, at the option of the user, based on the classification system
described in Test Method D 2487. The identification is based on visual examination and manual tests. It must be clearly stated in
reporting an identification that it is based on visual-manual procedures.
1.2.1 Whenpreciseclassificationofsoilsforengineeringpurposesisrequired,theproceduresprescribedinTestMethodD 2487
shall be used.
1.2.2 In this practice, the identification portion assigning a group symbol and name is limited to soil particles smaller than 3
in. (75 mm).
1.2.3 The identification portion of this practice is limited to naturally occurring soils (disturbed and undisturbed).
NOTE 1—This practice may be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale, claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. (seeAppendix X2).
1.3 The descriptive information in this practice may be used with other soil classification systems or for materials other than
naturally occurring soils.
1.4The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. For specific precautionary statements see Section 8.
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
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D 1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings
D 1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of Rock for Site Investigation
D 2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
Classification of Soils.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published November 2006. Originally approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D2488–00.
Current edition approved May 15, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D 2488 – 06.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
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