5.1 This test method is useful as a repeatable, nondestructive technique to monitor in-place density and moisture of soil and rock along lengthy sections of horizontal, slanted, and vertical access holes or tubes. With proper calibration in accordance with Annex A1, this test method can be used to quantify changes in density and moisture content of soil and rock.

5.2 This test method is used in vadose zone monitoring, for performance assessment of engineered barriers at waste facilities, and for research related to monitoring the movement of liquids (water solutions and hydrocarbons) through soil and rock. The nondestructive nature of the test allows repetitive measurements at a site and statistical analysis of results.

5.3 The fundamental assumptions inherent in the density measurement portion of this test method are that Compton scattering and photoelectric absorption are the dominant interactions of the gamma rays with the material under test.

5.4 The probe response, in counts, can be converted to wet density by comparing the detected rate of gamma radiation with previously established calibration data (see Annex A1).

5.5 The probe count response may also be utilized directly for unitless, relative comparison with other probe readings.

5.5.1 For materials of densities higher than that of about the density of water, higher count rates within the same soil type relate to lower densities and, conversely, lower count rates within the same soil type relate to higher densities.

5.5.2 For materials of densities lower than the density of water, higher count rates within the same soil type relate to higher densities and, conversely, lower count rates within the same soil type relate to lower densities.

5.5.3 Because of the functional inflection of probe response for densities near the density of water, exercise great care when drawing conclusions from probe response in this density range.

5.6 The fundamental assumption inherent in the moisture measurement portion of this test is that the hydrogen contained in the water molecules within the soil and rock is the dominant neutron thermalizing media, so increased water content of the soil and rock results in higher count rates of the moisture content system of the instrument.

1.1 This test method covers collection and comparison of logs of thermalized-neutron counts and back-scattered gamma counts along horizontal or vertical air-filled access tubes.

1.2 For limitations, see Section 6, “Interferences.”

1.3 The in situ water content in mass per unit volume and the density in mass per unit volume of soil and rock at positions or in intervals along the length of an access tube are calculated by comparing the thermal neutron count rate and gamma count rates respectively to previously established calibration data.

1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. Within the text of this standard, SI units appear first followed by the inch-pound (or other non-SI) units in brackets

1.4.1 Reporting the test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with the standard.

1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards, see Section 8.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.