ASTM D4220/D4220M-14 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D4220/D4220M-14 — Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples. This practice provides procedures for preserving soil samples immediately after collection in the field and for their subsequent handling and transportation to the laboratory to maintain sample integrity and representativeness.

Abstract

The standard classifies field-collected soil samples by intended tests and sensitivity (grouped by A–D), specifies appropriate containers, packing and protection against vibration and contamination, and gives guidance on labeling, documentation, units of measurement (SI and inch‑pound), and limitations (for example, it does not address the transport of samples known or suspected to contain hazardous materials).

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal announced January 2023).
• Publication date: Approved Feb 1, 2014; published in early 2014 (designation D4220/D4220M‑14).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 93.020 — Earthworks; excavations; foundation construction; underground works.
• Edition / version: D4220/D4220M‑14 (2014 edition).
• Number of pages: 11 pages.

Scope

These practices cover procedures for preserving soil samples immediately after they are obtained in the field and accompanying procedures for transporting and handling the samples. The standard identifies sample groupings by intended testing and sensitivity, recommends container types and packing, and clarifies that it does not address all requirements for samples known or suspected to contain hazardous materials. It also presents values in SI and inch‑pound systems (each to be used independently).

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of field samples into groups (A–D) by purpose and sensitivity (visual/profile logging; water content, classification, compaction; intact specimens for engineering tests; fragile/highly sensitive specimens).
• Recommended containers (wide‑mouthed jars, bags, liners) and sealing methods to avoid moisture loss or contamination.
• Packing and cushioning to protect samples from vibration and shock during transport.
• Labeling, documentation and basic chain‑of‑custody recommendations for sample identification.
• Guidance on temperature control and time‑sensitive preservation where applicable, and on limitations regarding hazardous materials.
• Use of either SI or inch‑pound units (values in one system are not exact equivalents to the other).

Typical use and users

Used by geotechnical and environmental engineers, field technicians, drilling and sampling contractors, and testing laboratories to standardize preservation and transport practices so samples remain representative for subsequent laboratory testing (classification, moisture content, density, consolidation, shear, hydraulic conductivity, and chemical analyses when appropriate). It is also referenced by other sampling guides and direct‑push sampling practices.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside other ASTM practices and guides related to sampling and environmental testing, including references to Terminology D653 and cross‑references found in guides such as D6282/D6282M (direct push sampling) and other preservation/subsampling practices (for chemical analysis) like D4547, D6418, and D6640. Users should consult the relevant ASTM documents for specific procedures for chemical preservation, specialty samplers, or hazardous material transport.

Keywords

soil sample preservation, sample transport, sample handling, field sampling, soil sampling, chain of custody, sample containers, intact samples, geotechnical sampling, environmental sampling

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D4220/D4220M‑14 is a practice that gives field and transport procedures for preserving soil samples collected for laboratory testing — covering container selection, packing, labeling, and limitations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers immediate post‑collection preservation, recommended containers and packing, protection against vibration and contamination, unit systems (SI and inch‑pound), and notes exclusions such as detailed procedures for hazardous materials.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical engineers, environmental consultants and technicians, field sampling crews, and laboratories that receive soil samples for physical and (where applicable) chemical testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D4220/D4220M‑14 edition was approved in 2014 and the document was withdrawn in January 2023 (withdrawal action recorded by ASTM/standards registries). Users should confirm whether a replacement or reinstatement has been issued before relying on it for regulatory compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is maintained under ASTM Committee D18 (Soil and Rock) and drafted by Subcommittee D18.02 (Sampling and Related Field Testing for Soil Evaluations). It is commonly cited alongside other D18 soil sampling and field‑testing standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Soil preservation, sample transport, chain of custody, field sampling, containers, intact specimens, moist‑ure control, packaging, geotechnical testing, environmental sampling.