ASTM D3550/D3550M-17 PDF Download

The ASTM D3550/D3550M-17 standard is titled "Standard Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils" and provides procedures for obtaining representative soil samples for classification and laboratory testing using a thick wall, split barrel drive sampler. The sampler is designed with a sharpened cutting shoe and a ball check vent, and the middle barrel section contains ring liners. The standard specifies that the sampler can be driven or pushed into softer deposits, and penetration resistance data may be recorded.

The practice involves the use of rotary drilling equipment, and alternative drilling and sampling procedures may be more appropriate for certain circumstances. The standard also recognizes that the soil samples obtained using this method will have some degree of disturbance due to the driven thick walled sample tube. It provides guidelines for evaluating the degree of disturbance and determining the suitability of the sample for laboratory testing.

The standard emphasizes the need for adherence to established guidelines for significant digits and rounding in reporting observed and calculated values. It also states that the document offers options and information but does not recommend a specific course of action. It highlights that professional judgment and consideration of project-specific factors are necessary for the proper application of the standard. Additionally, the standard does not cover all methods and issues associated with soil sampling, and qualified professionals should have the flexibility to use alternative methods as appropriate for their specific site exploration needs.