SOIL 100 LAB

EXPECTATIONS AND
ASTM DISCUSSION

SOILS LAB REQUIREMENTS

ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY
PUNCUALITY IS IMPORTANT FOR LAB
COMPLETION
Safety equipment

Safety glasses
Closed toe shoes running shoes minimum
Can use lab coat if so inclined

Horse play? Or Fooling around? or being

tools wont be tolerated. We have NO
time for that

ASTM & CSA

Course heavily geared to ASTM manuals

ASTM manuals are standard and are
utilized in working labs in North America
We will use ASTM along with CSA for our
lab procedures
Manual usage ensures consistency
among agencies across Canada and the
US and provides repeatability of
testing and continuity of language and
standard practices.

ASTM general layout

The ASTM manuals are produced for several

industries and provide testing for specific products
The manual for this soils course is ASTM standards
- Volume 04.08 Soil and Rock (I): D 420 D5876.
Obviously as the title states this manual deals with
soil and rock and all the physical testing for
construction of structures that involve soil and
rock.
These manuals are produced annually and are
updated by committee members to ensure they are
current with industry standards.

ASTM general layout

All ASTM manuals produced are listed in

the first few pages by section and volume
The next few pages list the items by subject
alphabetically so you can find which
volume of ASTM a subject pertains to
The contents are then listed by standard
number starting with D 5-06. The standard is
D 5, and was initially approved in 2006. A
revision is given as a, b, c, etc. and the last
year approved without change is in brackets.

ASTM general layout

The contents section lists the standards

increasing numerically hard to find a
standard
The next subjects section splits the
standards up by subject and makes
selection a bit easier
It is best to tag the standards we utilize
to ensure you can find the standard and
dont end up frustrated especially on
the exams

ASTM Specific Layout of the Standards

Title and description of the last year of review

Scope tells you overarching purpose of the test
Referenced Documents tells you what other
standards pertain to this specific standard and
have been utilized to write this standard
Terminology specific definitions to this
standard
Summary of test method General description
of the test

ASTM Specific Layout of the Standards

continued

Significance and Use overall outcome of the test and

what it is used for
Apparatus Detailed descriptions of the testing apparatus
including specifications that must be met to ensure the test is
repeatable. Often minimum levels of lab apparatus are listed
and the devices required accuracy are listed. * accredited
labs require their test apparatus to meet all these guidelines
Preparation of test specimens Describes the form that
the samples need to be prepared for the test procedure
Test Conditions Describes particular test conditions to be
met
Procedure step by step process of the test to obtain results

ASTM Specific Layout of the Standards

continued

Report Describes what test data

needs to be included in the written
report
Precision and Bias bases the
statistical relevancy of the test results
and states the single and multi lab
precision that can be expected
Keywords states keywords for the
standard that you would likely be
utilizing in a written report

Key things to remember

ASTM provides standard methods

Ensures repeatability of tests between
labs
Can be very technical and difficult to
understand BUT that is why you are
here!
The ASTM and the CSA manuals are
meant to be the s__t as far as manuals
go. Any other methods that are utilized
can be deemed non standard and will
not likely be able to stand up in a court