ASTM D7013/D7013M-23

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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: D7013/D7013M − 15 D7013/D7013M − 23
Standard Guide for
Calibration Facility Setup for Nuclear Surface Gauges
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7013/D7013M; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This guide outlines procedures for setup of a nuclear gauge calibration facility in either a shielded bay or an unshielded
area—Guide A and Guide B, respectively.
1.2 This guide does not attempt to describe the calibration techniques or methods. It is assumed that this guide will be used by
persons familiar with the operations of the gauge and in performing proper calibration, service and maintenance.
1.3 This guide does not attempt to address maintenance or service procedures related to the gauge.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound 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 non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 This guidestandard 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 guidestandard to establish appropriate safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of
action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not
all aspects of this guide 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 has been approved
through ASTM consensus process.
1.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in practice
D6026.
1.7.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the
accuracy to which the data can be applied in the design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this
standard is beyond its scope.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and Construction
Control Tests.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015Feb. 15, 2023. Published June 2015March 2023. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20112015 as
D7013–11. DOI: 10.1520/D7013_D7013M-15.–15. DOI: 10.1520/D7013_D7013M-23.
*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
D7013/D7013M − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
D6938 Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cinder block—a hollow building block made with concrete and coal cinders.
3.2.2 high density solid concrete blocks—solid concrete blocks designed for areas requiring radiation shielding.
3.2.3 safe position—position of the density source during the standardization process of the gauge.
3.2.4 shielded calibration bay—an enclosed area surrounded by walls in order to reduce background radiation to an acceptable
level.
3.2.5 shielded storage bay—an enclosed area with sufficient shielding material to maintain and control radiation background in
the facility and to reduce influences from stored gauges.
3.2.6 unshielded area—an open area within a calibration facility where the closest wall is a minimum of 1 m [3 ft] from the spot
in which the gauge is being calibrated.
4. Summary of Method
4.1 Nuclear moisture density gauges require proper calibration. Since these gauges contain radioactive isotopes, influences from
the surroundings and other gauges shouldshall be controlled during the calibration process. This guide provides procedures to
facilities involved in calibration of one or more gauges in a shielded bay or and an unshielded area. The goal of this guide is to
provide a calibration and storage facility for proper gauge calibration.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 To establish a proper calibration area for nuclear surface gauges.
5.2 To reduce the chance of improper calibration.
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the
equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
testing/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with practice D3740 does not in itself assure a means of evaluating some of
those factors.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Calibration reference block(s) as per the requirements of Test Method D6938 with density certification from a qualified
calibration facility.
6.2 High density Solid concrete blocks 9 cm high × 20 cm wide × 41 high × 20 cm wide × 41 cm long [3.5 in. × 8 in. × 16 in. × 8
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D7013/D7013M − 23
in. × 16 in.] or cinder blocks 20 cm high × 20 cm wide × 41 high × 20 cm wide × 41 cm long [8 in. × 8 in. × 16 in. × 8 in. × 16
in.] filled with sand or other fine aggregate materials for construction of bay walls.
6.3 Lead sheet 1 to 6 mm [0.032 to 0.25 in.] thick for lining the bay walls. The exposed surfaces containing lead shouldshall be
painted or covered.
6.4 Miscellaneous hardware for securing lead sheets to the calibration bay walls.
7. Shielded Storage Bay Setup
7.1 Set up a shielded storage bay if more than five gauges are routinely stored at a distance of 10 m [33 ft] or less from the area
where gauge calibration is to take place. If five or less gauges are routinely stored in the storage area, concrete walls are not
necessary. However, gauges shouldshall be stored in their shipping cases or likewise secured while other gauges are being
calibrated. Refer to Appendix X1 for examples of shielded storage bay configurations.
7.1.1 The storage bay shouldshall not be set up directly under or over the area where gauges are to be calibrated.
7.1.2 Stagger the blocks during wall construction to reduce gaps between blocks and to improve wall integrity.
7.1.3 If more than five gauges are routinely stored in the storage bay, build a wall made from high density solid concrete or cinder
blocks filled with sand or fine aggregate material.
7.1.4 The wall thickness for the storage bay shouldshall be a minimum of 410 mm [16 in]. The wall shouldshall completely
surround the area where the gauges are planned to be stored. If gauges are stored on shelves that are elevated from the floor, the
height of the wall shouldshall be a minimum of 0.5 m [20 in] above the height of the shelves on which gauges are stored.
NOTE 2—Additional requirements might be necessary in order to meet state and federal licensing regulations. These requirements might include, lockable
doors to limit access and appropriate caution signs. Users should check their materials license requirements and check with their regulatory agency when
building storage bays for nuclear gauges.
8. Guide A: Shielded Calibration Bay Setup
8.1 Set up a shielded calibration bay if two or more gauges are going to be calibrated simultaneously, and the space between
gauges being calibrated is less than 10 m [33 ft]. If the gauge in storage bay is less than 10 m [33 ft] from the area where the
calibration is going to take place, or if the area where gauges are routinely serviced is less than 10 meters [33 ft] from the
calibration area. Refer to Appendix X1 for examples of shielded calibration bay configurations. Use Guide B if 8.1 does not apply
to the calibration facility.
NOTE 3—Use Guide B if 8.1 does not apply to your calibration facility.
8.1.1 Determine the number of bays required for calibration of nuclear gauges. This can be based on the number of gauges
calibrated per year and can vary from one to several bays.
8.1.2 The bay inside dimensions should be established based on the bay walls being a minimum of 610 mm [24 in.] from the center
of calibration blocks and lined with 1 mm [0.032 in.] of lead. Smaller inside dimensions can be used if lead sheets thicker than
6 mm [0.25 in.] are used on the walls. However, under no circumstances shouldshall the walls be less than 610 mm [24 in.] from
center of the calibration block.
NOTE 2—Lead sheets may not be required, if it is determined that the wall influence (counts inside and outside the bay (See 8.2.1)) is within an accepta
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