ASTM D4428/D4428M is a standard test method for crosshole seismic testing in soil materials. It determines the velocities of two horizontally traveling seismic waves: primary compression (P) waves and secondary shear (S) waves. The technique involves placing boreholes, seismic sources, receivers, and recording systems to measure wave travel time over a known distance. Manufacturers can use the resulting seismic velocities to determine static and dynamic analyses, estimate geotechnical elastic properties such as shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio when density is known or assumed, determine seismic site classification, and assess liquefaction potential. ASTM D4428 (Standard Test Methods for Crosshole Seismic Testing) also covers borehole spacing, borehole drilling, casing and grouting, deviation survey, borehole data interpretation, and reporting.
Get Certified ASTM D4428/D4428M Testing for Reliable Crosshole Seismic Testing
ASTM D4428/D4428M testing is used by geotechnical professionals to provide information on seismic wave velocities of soil deposits. It can be used for subsurface characterization and for data used in engineering evaluations of dynamic soil behavior. The standard includes items such as seismic sources, receivers, recording systems, borehole spacing, drilling, casing, grouting, deviation surveys, testing procedures, and data interpretation.
What is the scope of the ASTM D4428/D4428M test standard?
ASTM D4428/D4428M outlines the procedure for measuring P-wave and S-wave velocities of soil materials when the wave travels horizontally. This method involves comparing the time of the first or next arrival of a pulse over a specified distance. It also includes requirements for equipment, preparation of the borehole, tests for the borehole, interpretation of test data, and uniformity of test results.
Material type: Primarily soil materials investigated through crosshole boreholes.
Purpose: Characterize and analyze the subsurface to determine seismic-wave velocities.
Property measured: P-wave and S-wave velocities.
Method: Generate seismic waves in one borehole and record their arrivals at receivers positioned at known depths in another borehole.
Result: Reports seismic-wave travel times and calculated P-wave and S-wave velocities.
Test Limitations: Assumes horizontal layering; must consider Snell’s law and refraction in interpretation.
Environmental conditions: Borehole and subsurface conditions should be conducive to generating seismic sources, coupling between the source and the receiver, and measuring the travel time accurately.
Applications: Static and dynamic analysis, seismic site classification, liquefaction assessment, foundation investigation, and geotechnical characterization.
What are the uses of ASTM D4428/D4428M testing?
ASTM D4428/D4428M provides seismic wave velocity data that engineers can use for several geotechnical evaluations. The standard explicitly defines applications for static analysis, dynamic analysis, calculation of elastic properties, seismic site classification, and liquefaction evaluation. This standard-
Supplies P- and S-wave velocity information.
Supports static and dynamic analyses.
Allows calculation of shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio when the density is known or assumed.
Supports seismic site classification and helps assess liquefaction potential.
Supports subsurface seismic characterization.
Which Materials Can Be Tested Under ASTM D4428/D4428M?
ASTM D4428/D4428M applies to soil materials where engineers need to determine the velocity of horizontally traveling P-waves and S-waves. The standard focuses on seismic wave measurements within the subsurface through crosshole testing.
Why is ASTM D4428/D4428M important?
ASTM D4428/D4428M provides a standardized approach for measuring seismic wave velocities in soil. These measurements help engineers understand subsurface dynamic behavior and support important geotechnical evaluations. The measured velocities can contribute to calculations of elastic soil properties and seismic site classification.
ASTM D4428/D4428M Equipment and Sample Preparation Guide
ASTM D4428/D4428M is a field-based seismic test rather than traditional laboratory specimens. Before technicians take crosshole seismic measurements, they drill boreholes and set appropriate casing and grout.
Technicians establish suitable boreholes in the soil deposit and collect seismic measurements at selected depths.
Specimen Preparation
Technicians drill, case, and grout the boreholes as required and perform deviation surveys before testing.
Specimen Dimensions
The standard does not specify conventional specimen size. The field setup includes borehole spacing and test geometry.
Instrumentation
Seismic source, seismic receivers, recording system, borehole equipment, casing, grouting equipment, and equipment for borehole deviation surveys.
Testing Procedures and Requirements for ASTM D4428/D4428M
ASTM D4428/D4428M provides guidance for the collection and interpretation of seismic travel-time data between boreholes. Technicians and skilled personnel set up boreholes, place the source and receivers, record wave arrivals, and calculate P- and S-wave velocities from travel distances. Other reference ASTM documents include D653, D3740, and D6026. The complete procedure for ASTM D4428 is given as:
Technicians drill and prepare the required boreholes. They address casing, grouting, borehole spacing, and deviation surveys as part of the test setup.
Equipment Setup
Skilled personnel position the seismic source, receivers, and recording system at the selected test depth.
Seismic Wave Generation
Technicians generate seismic energy to produce the required P-wave and S-wave responses within the soil.
Wave Reception and Recording
Analysts record the seismic signals and identify the applicable first-arrival or interval-arrival times.
Travel-Time Measurement
Personnel determine the travel time over the measured distance between the source and receiver positions.
Velocity Calculation and Data Interpretation
Analysts calculate P-wave and S-wave velocities from the measured travel time and test distance. Skilled personnel interpret the measured velocities while considering the applicable assumptions, including horizontal layering and Snell’s law of refraction.
Data Reporting
Technicians record and report the calculated values using appropriate significant digits and rounding.
ASTM D4428/D4428M Testing Process and Data Collection
The technician or field team first establishes the boreholes, prepares the test configuration, positions the seismic source and receivers at corresponding depths, and generates seismic waves through the soil. The recording system records seismic waves and arrival times. They used measured travel distance and travel time to calculate P-wave and S-wave velocities. They then analyze the results using appropriate crosshole seismic methods and document the results to the proper significant figures, rounding as necessary.
ASTM D4428 Testing Procedure Using Seismic Source
Common Challenges and Troubleshooting
The accuracy of borehole preparation, equipment positioning, recording of the signals, and interpretation of the data are essential for crosshole seismic testing. Poor field conditions or incorrect interpretation can affect the calculated seismic velocities. Common challenges include incorrect borehole spacing, borehole deviation, bad casing or grouting conditions, inadequate seismic source response, poor receiver coupling, weak or unclear seismic signals, misidentification of wave arrivals, and travel-time measurement errors. Technicians should check borehole conditions, equipment suitability, positioning of the source and receiver, signal quality, and data-processing procedures before accepting calculated velocities.
ASTM D4428/D4428M Analysis Results and Interpretation
The report summarizes the seismic wave velocities of the tested soil materials based on crosshole measurements of primary compression (P-wave) and secondary shear (S-wave) travel times over measured distances. The results can then be used for static or dynamic analysis, seismic site classification, and liquefaction potential assessment.
Laboratories report results for P-wave velocity in m/s, S-wave velocity in m/s, distance in m, and time in s.
Technicians record the measured seismic-wave travel times and corresponding source-to-receiver distances at the tested depth intervals to calculate wave velocities.
Analysts record the test configuration, borehole spacing and deviation data, test depths, seismic source and receiver arrangement, and relevant wave arrival data.
Engineers check the measured P-wave and S-wave velocities with the appropriate geotechnical or project specifications and can use the measurements to evaluate dynamic soil properties, seismic site conditions, or liquefaction potential.
ASTM D4428/D4428M provides standard test methods for crosshole seismic testing to determine P-wave and S-wave velocities in soil.
What does ASTM D4428/D4428M measure?
The standard measures the velocity of horizontally traveling primary compression (P) waves and secondary shear (S) waves in soil materials.
What equipment does ASTM D4428/D4428M-14 use?
The test employs seismic sources, receivers, recording systems, boreholes, and associated borehole preparation and survey equipment.
About Author
Rohit Dhembare
Rohit Dhembare is an Operations Associate at MaTestLab Inc. and holds a postgraduate degree in Organic Chemistry.
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