Coring is performed to evaluate construction control and physical properties of stabilized soil.

Coring is conducted to determine the quality and the total thickness of the stabilized soil and to evaluate bonding between lifts.

Coring stabilized soil before it has curved to at least 2070 kPa (300 psi) compressive strength can cause excessive breakage in the core.

If lab-cured specimens are prepared, samples may be cored to correlate with specified break intervals of the lab-cured specimens. Typical time intervals are 7, 28, 60, and/or 90 days after placement. Twenty-eight (28) days after placement is the most common time interval for first drilling cores.

1.1 This guide covers guidance for obtaining cores of cement or lime-stabilized soil for use in determining compressive strength, lift thickness and bond strength, and other physical properties. This guide is primarily for use in coring through shallow (0.3 to 3 m (1 to 10 ft) thick) layers of cement or lime-stabilized soils containing particles < 50 mm (2 in.) in diameter to the underlying foundation.

Note 1—This guide could be used for some Class C in self-cementing fly ash materials, which may also stabilize soil.

1.2 This guide does not cover material of less than 2070 kPa (300 psi) compressive strength such as cement-soil-bentonite mixtures or some controlled low strength materials (CLSM).

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Other values are examples or for information only.

1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.

1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This guide is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.