ASTM International

Standard Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)
 N D2488 REV A

Annotation

This practice covers procedures for the description of soils for engineering purposes.

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.

When precise classification of soils for engineering purposes is required, the procedures prescribed in Test Method D 2487 shall be used.

In this practice, the identification portion assigning a group symbol and name is limited to soil particles smaller than 3 in. (75 mm).

The identification portion of this practice is limited to naturally occurring soils (either intact or disturbed).

NOTE 1—This practice may be used as a descriptive system applied to such materials as shale, claystone, shells, crushed rock, etc. (see Appendix X2).

The descriptive information in this practice may be used with other soil classification systems or for materials other than naturally occurring soils

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.

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.