ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
CHAPTER
04
BORING AND SAMPLING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY
Division of Construction and Transport Technology
1
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
3. ROCK BORING AND SAMPLING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
1. INTRODUCTION
The general purpose of subsurface investigation (boring and sampling) is to determine the
following (AASHTO, 1996):
Soil strata
Depth, thickness, and variability
Identification and classification
Relevant engineering properties, such as shear strength, compressibility, stiffness,
permeability, expansion or collapse potential, and frost susceptibility.
Rock strata
Depth to rock;
Identification and classification;
Quality, such as soundness, hardness, jointing and presence of joint filling, resistance
to weathering (if exposed), and soluble nature of the rock.
Groundwater elevation
Local conditions requiring special consideration.
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
1. INTRODUCTION
Common ASTM standards for boring and sampling
Standard Title/Purpose of use
D 1542 Standard Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings
D 1586 Standard Test Method for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soil
D 1587 Standard Practice for Thin-Wall Tube Sampling of Soil for Geotechnical Purposes
D 2113 Standard Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of Rock for Site Investigation
D 3550 Standard Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils
D 4220 Standard Practice for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
D 4700 Standard Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
D 5079 Standard Practice for Preserving and Transporting Rock Core Samples
D 5092 Standard Practice for Design and Installation of Groundwater Monitoring Wells
D 5434 Standard Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations of Soil and Rock
Standard Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Drilling with Water-Based Drilling Fluid for
D 5783 Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring
Devices
Standard Practice for Using Hollow-Stem Augers for Geotechnical Exploration and Soil
D 6151
Sampling
Standard Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling Devices Used with Drill Rigs for
D 6169
Environmental Investigations.
D 6519 Standard Practice for Sampling of Soil Using Hydraulically Operated Stationary Piston Sampler
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: DRILL RIG
(a) (b)
Example of: (a) a truck-mounted drill rig (reproduced from Sabatini et al. 2002); (b) a track-mounted drill rig
on work in Busan, S. Korea
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS:
DRILL RIG
Examples of vessel-mounted drill rigs:
(a) Downhole system: drilling operations
are controlled on vessel through the drill
string; (b) Seabed system: a standalone
unit landed on seabed to perform drilling
controlled via umbilical cable (after
Randolph and Gourvenec, 2011)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: DRILL RIG
Different platforms used for offshore site investigation (Randolph and Gourvenec,
2011)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: DRILL RIG
An example of vessel for offshore site investigation [Fugro]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-68l0hHkB_Y
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: DRILL RIG
An example of seabed system being lowered onto the seabed for soil sampling
How a seabed system works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh5L6rMxyR
g
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: DRILL RODS AND CASINGS
Specifications of DCDMA drill rods (reproduced from ASTM 2113 -08)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: DRILL RODS AND CASINGS
(b)
(a)
Configuration of DCDMA casings: (a) W series: flush-jointed casing; (b) X series: flush-coupled casing (
www.drillwell.co.uk)
Specifications of DCDMA casings (reproduced from ASTM 2113 - 08)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: DRILL BITS
(b) (d)
(a)
Typical configurations of drill bits: (a) drag bits; (b) roller bits; (c) solid-stem
continuous flight auger bit: (d) ) hollow-stem continuous flight auger bits
(c)
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2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: THIN-WALLED VS THICK-WALLED SAMPLERS
Schematic design of a typical thin-wall sampler (after ASTM D 6169)
Di De
Inside clearance ratio (Ci): Ci
De
Do2 De2
C
Wall area ratio (Ca):
De2
Do Di t
Wall thickness ratio (Ct): Ct
2 Do Do
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: THIN-WALLED VS THICK-WALLED SAMPLERS
General Sampler Specifications Defining Undisturbed Samples for Groups C and D groups (after ASTM D 6169)
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: THIN-WALLED SAMPLERS
Common Type of thin-walled samplers (after Mayne et al. 2001)
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING Thành mỏng
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: THIN-WALLED SAMPLERS
Dimensional tolerances for some common thin-walled sampler (ASTM
D1587-08)
An example of thin-walled sampling tube (for
taking undisturbed clay samples)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING Thành dày
BASIC DRILL TOOLS: THICK-WALLED SAMPLERS
SPT split spoon is an example of thick-walled An example of SPT split spoon sample used to
sampler (ASTM D 1586) collect disturbed soil (sand) sample
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: OPEN TUBE VS FIXED-PISTON SAMPLERS
Schematic view of an open-tube (Shelby) sampler Schematic diagram of fixed-piston samplers (thin-walled sampler): (a)
(non-piston) (ASTM 4700-06) Mechanical type; (b) Hydraulic type (Chung and Kwon 2013)
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
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2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: OPEN TUBE VS FIXED-PISTON SAMPLERS
Open tube samplers
The open-tube sampler (Shelby sampler) is a type of thin-walled tube samplers and it is often used in
conjunction with rotary wash boring method (ASTM D 1452, ASTM D 5783) or hollow-stem augers
(ASTM D 6151) in soft to medium soils. The key point of this sampler is that it is inserted (pushed)
into soft soils without a piston (therefore called “open”) inside the sampler. Fig. 3.15 shows an
example of an open-tube sampler in practice. The sampler tube is usually connected with set screws
to a sampler head that in turn is threaded to connect with extension rods. The sampler can be
pushed into soft soil by mechanical or hydraulic pressures.
Fixed-piston samplers
Fixed-piston samplers are often advanced into soil by two methods: (a) mechanical jacking/pushing;
(b) hydraulic pressure. That is, the sampling tube of the former method is pushed into ground using
mechanical forces whereas the sampling tube of the latter method is pushed into ground by hydraulic
(water or oil) pressure. The key advantages the piston are to prevent any soil (or drill cake) from
entering the sampling tube before sampling depth is attained and to reduce sample loss during
withdrawal of the sampled tube with the aid of vacuum pressure developed about the soil sample.
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: METHODS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
Common sampling methods for soils (after Mayne et al. 2001)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: ROTARY WASH METHOD
Schematic of drilling rig for rotary wash method An illustration of rotary wash method being
(Mayne et al. 2001). implemented in the field
An illustration of rotary wash method (t =10:30-12:18): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGk1HI1N
g
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: ROTARY WASH METHOD
Sampling using fixed-piston (thin-walled) tube Sampling using fixed-piston (thin-walled) tube sampler: Removing
sampler: Lowering sampler into the borehole sampling tube (with undisturbed soil sample inside)
Soil sampling by piston sampler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siO_YSFy1rs
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: SOLID-STEM CFA METHOD
Boring and sampling method using Solid-stem Continuous Flight Auger (CFA): (ASTM 4700-06)
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: SOLID-STEM CFA METHOD
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Boring and sampling method using Solid-stem Continuous Flight Auger (CFA : (a) drill rig; (b) typical size of
solid-stem auger; (c) some drill bits; (d) Assemblies of auger and bit (after Mayne et al. 2001)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: HOLLOW-STEM CFA METHOD
Boring and sampling method using Hollow-stem Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) (ASTM 4700-06)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: HOLLOW-
STEM CFA METHOD
A hollow-stem continuous flight auger being
performed in the field (Mayne et al. 2001)
Hollow-stem auger coupled with drill rods and pilot bit
(reproduced from CME (Central Mine Equipment) product
catalog: http://www.cmeco.com)
An illustration of rotary wash method (t =6:50-7:42): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGk1HI1N
g
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: BUCKET AUGER DRILLING METHOD
(b)
(a)
10 Bucket auger drilling: (a) Schematic view of a track-mounted bucket auger (reproduced from ASTM D
4700); (b) an example of bucket used for soil boring (reproduce from product catalog of Jeffrey Machine Inc:
http://www. reffreymachine.com)
An example of bucket auger drilling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3aIAf
mWuDE
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
2. SOIL BORING AND SAMPLING
BORING & SAMPLING: SAMPLING BY SPT SAMPLER
Sand sample (for disturbed soil samples) collected
from SPT sampler (Busan, S. Korea)
An example of performing in the field
(Busan, S. Korea)
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
3. ROCK BORING AND SAMPLING
DRILL BITS
For rock boring the drill bit is important. There are several types of bits as typically shown in the figure
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ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
3. ROCK BORING AND SAMPLING
CORE BARRELS
There are three common types of core barrels: (1)
Single tube; (2) double tube (3) triple tube. The figure
on the right shows: (a) a single tube core barrel; (b) a
double tube core barrel (fixed design).
A triple tube core barrel is essentially a double tube
barrel with a liner inside the inner tube (ASTM
D2113-08).
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3. ROCK BORING AND SAMPLING
DOUBLE TUBE CORE
BARREL: SWIVEL DESIGN
There are three common designs of
double tube core barrel: (1) rigid type
(2) swivel type; (3) and wireline type.
A rigid type design means that the
inner and outer tubes are fixed and
advanced simultaneously (the type
shown in previous slide). Swivel type
design means the inner tube and outer
tube move separately. This can be
facilitated by the compression spring
systems.
The right hand side figure shows a
typical double tube core barrel, swivel
type. (ASTM D2113-08).
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3. ROCK BORING AND SAMPLING
DOUBLE TUBE CORE
BARREL: SWIVEL DESIGN
The right hand side figure shows a
typical double tube core barrel, wireline
type. (ASTM D2113-08).
In principle, the inner tube (with rock
core) is lifted up using a wireline. This
can be done by means of a retrievable
overshot latching mechanism .
For this design, the drill rods (also act
as casings) are only removed from the
hole when changing the coring bit. Thus,
it perform quickly, allowing to drill and
core at great depths.
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SOME KEY REFERENCES
ASTM D1586-11 (2011). Standard test method for standard penetration test (SPT) and split-barrel
sampling of soils. ASTM International.
ASTM D2113-08 (2008). Standard practice for rock core drilling and sampling of rock for site
investigation. ASTM International.
ASTM D6169-05 (2005). Standard guide for selection of soil and rock sampling devices used with drill
rigs for environmental investigations. ASTM International
Chung, S.G. And Kwon, H.J. (2013). Oil-operated fixed-piston sampler and its applicability, Journal of
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, 139(1): 134-142.
Mayne, P.W., Christopher, B.R. and DeJong J. (2001). Subsurface investigations – Geotechnical site
characterization. Publication No. FHWA-NHI-01-031.
Randolph, M. and Gourvenec, S. (2011). Offshore geotechnical engineering, CRC Press
Robertson, P.K. and Cabal, K.L. (2015). Guide to cone penetration testing for geotechnical engineering.
The 6th Edition.
Sabatini, P.J., Bachus, R.C., Mayne, P.W., Schneider, J.A. and Zettler, T.E. (2002). Geotechnical
Engineering Circular No. 5, Evaluation of soil and rock properties. Report No. FHWA-IF-02-034.
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY 33
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: CHAPTER 04
SOME KEY REFERENCES
ASTM D1586-11 (2011). Standard test method for standard penetration test (SPT) and split-barrel
sampling of soils. ASTM International.
ASTM D2113-08 (2008). Standard practice for rock core drilling and sampling of rock for site
investigation. ASTM International.
ASTM D6169-05 (2005). Standard guide for selection of soil and rock sampling devices used with drill
rigs for environmental investigations. ASTM International
Chung, S.G. And Kwon, H.J. (2013). Oil-operated fixed-piston sampler and its applicability, Journal of
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, 139(1): 134-142.
Mayne, P.W., Christopher, B.R. and DeJong J. (2001). Subsurface investigations – Geotechnical site
characterization. Publication No. FHWA-NHI-01-031.
Randolph, M. and Gourvenec, S. (2011). Offshore geotechnical engineering, CRC Press
Robertson, P.K. and Cabal, K.L. (2015). Guide to cone penetration testing for geotechnical engineering.
The 6th Edition.
Sabatini, P.J., Bachus, R.C., Mayne, P.W., Schneider, J.A. and Zettler, T.E. (2002). Geotechnical
Engineering Circular No. 5, Evaluation of soil and rock properties. Report No. FHWA-IF-02-034.
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY 34
