D18.95 - Information Retrieval and Data Automation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide provides those using standards related to soil, rock, and related construction materials, with a means for selecting the balance required for a particular standard.  
4.2 This guide provides those writing standards pertaining to soil, rock, and related construction materials with a means for specifying the balance capabilities required for a particular standard and for describing the balance selected in a uniform fashion.  
4.3 This guide provides agencies conducting soil, rock, and related construction materials, testing with guidance for selecting and evaluating general purpose balances and standard masses.  
4.4 This guide provides inspection organizations with criteria for evaluating general purpose balances and standard masses.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides minimum requirements for general-purpose balances and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.  
1.2 This guide provides guidance for evaluating, selecting, and specifying general purpose balances and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.  
1.3 The accuracy requirements for balances are specified in terms of the combined effect of all sources of error contributing to overall balance performance. The measurement of specific sources of error and consideration of details pertaining to balance construction has been intentionally avoided.  
1.4 This guide does not include requirements for balances having accuracies greater than those generally required in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials or for research programs or specialized testing requirements.  
1.5 This guide does not apply to nongraduated balances.  
1.6 This guide does not address the methods used to verify or quantify specific parameters dealing with balances. For a description of tests used in evaluating balance performance, see NIST Handbook 44.  
1.7 This guide is not intended to be used as a specification for the purchase of balances.
Note 1: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) publish standards or practices that specify construction requirements as well as performance guides for balances. ASTM, OIML, and NIST publish construction standards and tolerances for standard masses.
Note 2: The terms “mass” and “determine the mass of” are used in this standard instead of the more commonly used terms “weight” and “weigh” to comply with standard metric practice. In addition, the term “standard mass(es)” is used instead of “standard weight(s)” when referring to a piece of material of known specified mass used to compare or measure the mass of other masses.  
1.8 The values states in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.9 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document 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 ASTM standard 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 document 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.  
1.10 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.  
1.11 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standard...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The displacement transducer plays an important role in geotechnical applications to measure change in dimensions of specimens.  
5.2 The displacement transducer must be calibrated/verified for use in the laboratory to ensure reliable conversions of the sensor's electrical output to engineering units.  
5.3 The displacement transducer should be calibrated/verified before initial use, at least annually thereafter, after any change in the electronic configuration that employs the sensor, after any significant change in test conditions using the transducer that differ from conditions during the last calibration/verification, and after any physical action on the transducer that might affect its response.  
5.4 Displacement transducer generally has a working range within which voltage output is linearly proportional to displacement of the transducer. This procedure is applicable to the linear range of the transducer. Recommended practice is to use the displacement transducer only within its linear working range.
Note 1: Verification as in Practices E2309/E2309M should not be confused with calibration
SCOPE
1.1 This practice outlines the procedure for calibration/verification of displacement transducers and their readout systems for geotechnical purposes. It covers any transducer used to measure displacement, which gives an electrical output that is linearly proportional to displacement. This includes linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs), linear displacement transducers (LDTs) and linear strain transducers (LSTs).  
1.2 This calibration/verification procedure is used to determine the relationship between output of the transducer and its readout system and change in length. This relationship is used to convert readings from the transducer readout system into engineering units.  
1.3 This calibration/verification procedure also is used to determine the accuracy of the transducer and its readout system over the range of its use to compare with the manufacturer’s specifications for the instrument and the suitability of the instrument for a specific application.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units given in brackets are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combination values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with standard.  
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026 unless superseded by this standard.  
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consideration for the user’s objectives; 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 analytical methods for engineering design.  
1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard 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 document 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.  
1.7 This standa...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The displacement transducer plays an important role in geotechnical applications to measure change in dimensions of specimens.  
5.2 The displacement transducer must be calibrated for use in the laboratory to ensure reliable conversions of the sensor's electrical output to engineering units.  
5.3 The displacement transducer should be calibrated before initial use, at least annually thereafter, after any change in the electronic configuration that employs the sensor, after any significant change in test conditions using the transducer that differ from conditions during the last calibration, and after any physical action on the transducer that might affect its response.  
5.4 Displacement transducer generally has a working range within which voltage output is linearly proportional to displacement of the transducer. This procedure is applicable to the linear range of the transducer. Recommended practice is to use the displacement transducer only within its linear working range.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice outlines the procedure for calibrating displacement transducers and their readout systems for geotechnical purposes. It covers any transducer used to measure displacement, which gives an electrical output that is linearly proportional to displacement. This includes linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs), linear displacement transducers (LDTs) and linear strain transducers (LSTs).  
1.2 This calibration procedure is used to determine the relationship between output of the transducer and its readout system and change in length. This relationship is used to convert readings from the transducer readout system into engineering units.  
1.3 This calibration procedure also is used to determine the accuracy of the transducer and its readout system over the range of its use to compare with the manufacturer’s specifications for the instrument and the suitability of the instrument for a specific application.  
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units given in brackets are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combination values from the two systems may results in non-conformance with standard.  
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026 unless superseded by this standard.  
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consideration for the user’s objectives; it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these consideration. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical methods for engineering design.  
1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard 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 document 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.  
1.7 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 ...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide provides those using standards related to soil, rock, and related construction materials, with a means for selecting the balance required for a particular standard.  
4.2 This guide provides those writing standards pertaining to soil, rock, and related construction materials with a means for specifying the balance capabilities required for a particular standard and for describing the balance selected in a uniform fashion.  
4.3 This guide provides agencies conducting soil, rock, and related construction materials, testing with guidance for selecting and evaluating general purpose balances and standard masses.  
4.4 This guide provides inspection organizations with criteria for evaluating general purpose balances and standard masses.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides minimum requirements for general-purpose scales, balances, and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.  
1.2 This guide provides guidance for evaluating, selecting, and specifying general purpose scales, balances, and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.  
1.3 The accuracy requirements for balances and scales are specified in terms of the combined effect of all sources of error contributing to overall balance performance. The measurement of specific sources of error and consideration of details pertaining to balance construction has been intentionally avoided.  
1.4 This guide does not include requirements for balances and scales having accuracies greater than those generally required in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials or for research programs or specialized testing requirements.  
1.5 This guide does not apply to nongraduated balances.  
1.6 This guide does not address the methods used to verify or quantify specific parameters dealing with balances and scales. For a description of tests used in evaluating balance performance, see NIST Handbook 44.  
1.7 This guide is not intended to be used as a specification for the purchase of balances and scales.
Note 1: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) publish standards or practices that specify construction requirements as well as performance guides for balances. ASTM, OIML, and NIST publish construction standards and tolerances for standard masses.  
Note 2: The terms “mass” and “determine the mass of” are used in this standard instead of the more commonly used terms “weight” and “weigh” to comply with standard metric practice. In addition, the term “standard mass(es)” is used instead of standard “standard weight(s)” when referring to a piece of material of known specified mass used to compare or measure the mass of other masses.  
1.8 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document 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 ASTM standard 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 document 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.  
1.9 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide provides those using standards related to soil, rock, and related construction materials, with a means for selecting the balance required for a particular standard.  
This guide provides those writing standards pertaining to soil, rock, and related construction materials with a means for specifying the balance capabilities required for a particular standard and for describing the balance selected in a uniform fashion.
This guide provides agencies conducting soil, rock, and related construction materials, testing with guidance for selecting and evaluating general purpose balances and standard masses.
This guide provides inspection organizations with criteria for evaluating general purpose balances and standard masses.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides minimum requirements for general-purpose scales, balances, and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.
1.2 This guide provides guidance for evaluating, selecting, and specifying general purpose scales, balances, and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.
1.3 The accuracy requirements for balances and scales are specified in terms of the combined effect of all sources of error contributing to overall balance performance. The measurement of specific sources of error and consideration of details pertaining to balance construction have been intentionally avoided.
1.4 This guide does not include requirements for balances and scales having accuracies greater than those generally required in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials or for research programs or specialized testing requirements.
1.5 This guide does not apply to nongraduated balances.
1.6 This guide does not address the methods used to verify or quantify specific parameters dealing with balances and scales. For a description of tests used in evaluating balance performance, see NIST Handbook 44.
1.7 This guide is not intended to be used as a specification for the purchase of balances and scales. Note 1The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) publish standards or practices that specify construction requirements as well as performance guides for balances. ASTM, OIML, and NIST publish construction standards and tolerances for standard masses.
Note 2
The terms "mass" and "determine the mass of" are used in this standard instead of the more commonly used terms "weight" and "weigh" to comply with standard metric practice. In addition, the term "standard mass(es)" is used instead of standard "standard weight(s)" when referring to a piece of material of known specified mass used to compare or measure the mass of other masses.
1.8 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgement. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard 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 document 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The LDTs play an important role in geotechnical applications to measure change in dimensions of specimens.
The LDTs must be calibrated for use in the laboratory to ensure reliable conversions of the sensor’electrical output to engineering units.
The LDTs should be calibrated before initial use, at least annually thereafter, after any change in the electronic configuration that employs the sensor, after any significant change in test conditions using the transducer that differ from conditions during the last calibration, and after any physical action on the transducer that might affect its response.  
LDTs generally have a working range within which voltage output is linearly proportional to displacement of the transducer. This procedure is applicable to the linear range of the transducer. Recommended practice is to use the LDT only within its linear working range.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method outlines the procedure for calibrating linear displacement transducers (LDTs) and their readout systems for geotechnical purposes. It covers any transducer used to measure displacement which gives an electrical output that is linearly proportional to displacement. This includes linear variable displacement transducers (LVDT's), linear displacement transducers (LDTs) and linear strain transducers (LST's).  
1.2 This calibration procedure is used to determine the relationship between output of the transducer and its readout system and change in length. This relationship is used to convert readings from the transducer readout system into engineering units.  
1.3 This calibration procedure also is used to determine the accuracy of the transducer and its readout system over the range of its use to compare with the manufacturer's specifications for the instrument and the suitability of the instrument for a specific application.  
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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This practice outlines the procedure for calibrating linear displacement transducers (LDTs) and their readout systems for geotechnical purposes.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, this practice was withdrawn in February 2013 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

SCOPE
1.1 This test method outlines the procedure for calibrating linear displacement transducers (LDTs) and their readout systems for geotechnical purposes. It covers any transducer used to measure displacement which gives an electrical output that is linearly proportional to displacement. This includes linear variable displacement transducers (LVDT's), linear displacement transducers (LDTs) and linear strain transducers (LST's).  
1.2 This calibration procedure is used to determine the relationship between output of the transducer and its readout system and change in length. This relationship is used to convert readings from the transducer readout system into engineering units.  
1.3 This calibration procedure also is used to determine the accuracy of the transducer and its readout system over the range of its use to compare with the manufacturer's specifications for the instrument and the suitability of the instrument for a specific application.  
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.

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for static calibration of electronic transducer-based systems used to measure fluid pressures in laboratory or in field applications associated with geotechnical testing.
1.2 This practice is used to determine the accuracy of electronic transducer-based pressure measurement systems over the full pressure range of the system or over a specified operating pressure range within the full pressure range.
1.3 This practice may also be used to determine a relationship between pressure transducer system output and applied pressure for use in converting from one value to the other (calibration curve). This relationship for electronic pressure transducer systems is usually linear and may be reduced to the form of a calibration factor or a linear calibration equation.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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 7.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Electronic transducer-based pressure measurement systems must be subjected to static calibration under room conditions to ensure reliable conversion from system output to pressure during use in laboratory or in field applications.
Transducer-based pressure measurement systems should be calibrated before initial use and at least quarterly thereafter and after any change in the electronic or mechanical configuration of a system.
Transducer-based pressure measurement systems should also be recalibrated if a component is dropped; overloaded; if ambient test conditions change significantly; or for any other significant changes in a system.
Static calibration is not appropriate for transducerbased systems used under operating environmental conditions involving vibration, shock, or acceleration.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for static calibration of electronic transducer-based systems used to measure fluid pressures in laboratory or in field applications associated with geotechnical testing.
1.2 This practice is used to determine the accuracy of electronic transducer-based pressure measurement systems over the full pressure range of the system or over a specified operating pressure range within the full pressure range.
1.3 This practice may also be used to determine a relationship between pressure transducer system output and applied pressure for use in converting from one value to the other (calibration curve). This relationship for electronic pressure transducer systems is usually linear and may be reduced to the form of a calibration factor or a linear calibration equation.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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 7.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Electronic transducer-based pressure measurement systems must be subjected to static calibration under room conditions to ensure reliable conversion from system output to pressure during use in laboratory or in field applications.
Transducer-based pressure measurement systems should be calibrated before initial use and at least quarterly thereafter and after any change in the electronic or mechanical configuration of a system.
Transducer-based pressure measurement systems should also be recalibrated if a component is dropped; overloaded; if ambient test conditions change significantly; or for any other significant changes in a system.
Static calibration is not appropriate for transducerbased systems used under operating environmental conditions involving vibration, shock, or acceleration.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for static calibration of electronic transducer-based systems used to measure fluid pressures in laboratory or in field applications associated with geotechnical testing.  
1.2 This practice is used to determine the accuracy of electronic transducer-based pressure measurement systems over the full pressure range of the system or over a specified operating pressure range within the full pressure range.
1.3 This practice may also be used to determine a relationship between pressure transducer system output and applied pressure for use in converting from one value to the other (calibration curve). This relationship for electronic pressure transducer systems is usually linear and may be reduced to the form of a calibration factor or a linear calibration equation.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 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 7.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This practice covers the procedure for static calibration of electronic transducer-based systems used to measure fluid pressures in laboratory or in field applications associated with geotechnical testing.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, this practice was withdrawn in January 2018 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Computers are becoming an integral part of each testing laboratory. A variety of automated test devices which collect and store data now exist. A variety of software programs to perform calculations and produce reported results are used. There is no consistency in the formats used to store data. Consequently, it is time consuming and expensive to exchange computerized test data files among organizations.
This guide presents a standard yet versatile format that can be used to exchange data across systems.
This guide defines the principal data elements that are considered important and worth recording and storing permanently in a computerized data storage system from which larger databases may be prepared. These data elements are not intended to be requirements of any specific or single database. The format permits only those elements that a specific user may require. Additional data elements may be added using the general outline of this guide. Those elements must be added in a manner consistent with the definitions in this guide, such that a computer program written to follow this guide can successfully read the entire data file, including one that contains data elements not identified in this guide.
This guide does not define how to obtain and record specific data. That activity is covered by each specific test method.
This guide may be incomplete for some applications. It is intended that additions to the formats will be made as requests come from each ASTM subcommittee responsible for a particular standard. Those additions will be made without rendering older files unreadable.
The recommended format in this guide does not require that all data elements be included in the data base. A user may elect to omit any data element without affecting the ability of the file format structure to work. However, those elements that are required in the report section of the relevant ASTM standard should be included in the standardized data file.
Following ASTM recom...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers recommended data formats for the exchange of mechanical test data for soils and rocks. From this guide, a standardized file of data can be prepared that can be read by others who use this guide.
1.2 The format specified in this guide is used for the exchange of data between computer programs, users, agencies, etc. It is not necessary that test data for internal use be stored in this format, only that a program adhering to this guide have the capability to read, or write test data in this format, or both.
1.3 This guide does not cover digital geospacial data which is treated Specification D 5714.
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.
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 document 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 ASTM standard 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 document 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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
Rationale
This guide covers recommended data formats for the exchange of mechanical test data for soils and rocks. From this guide, a standardized file of data can be prepared that can be read by others who use this guide.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, this guide was withdraw...