Measurement of Soil Resistivity Using The Two-Electrode Soil Box Method

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.
Designation: G187 − 18
Standard Test Method for

Measurement of Soil Resistivity Using the Two-Electrode
Soil Box Method1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G187; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope G57 Test Method for Field Measurement of Soil Resistivity

1.1 This test method covers the equipment and procedures Using the Wenner Four-Electrode Method
for the measurement of soil resistivity, for soil samples G193 Terminology and Acronyms Relating to Corrosion
removed from the ground, for use in the assessment and control 2.2 UNS Standards:3
of corrosion of buried structures. UNS Designation S30400 & S30403
UNS Designation S31600 & S31603
1.2 Procedures allow for this test method to be used in the
field or in the laboratory. 3. Terminology
1.3 The test method procedures are for the resistivity 3.1 Definitions:
measurement of soil samples in the saturated condition and in 3.1.1 conductivity, n—A measure of the ability of a material
the as-received condition. to conduct an electrical charge (conductivity is the reciprocal
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the of resistivity).
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 3.1.2 soil resistivity, n—The electrical resistance between
only. Soil resistivity values are reported in ohm-centimeter. opposite faces of a unit cube of material, typically expressed in
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the ohm-meter, ohm-cm, or similar units; the reciprocal of con-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the ductivity.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.3 saturated soil, n—soil whose entire soil porosity is
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and to filled with water.
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
3.1.4 soil box factor, n—A factor which is determined by a
use.
two-electrode soil box’s internal dimensions (cross sectional
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
area/distance between electrode plates). The soil box factor is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
multiplied by the measured resistance of a substance in the soil
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
box to obtain that substance’s resistivity.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.1.5 soil resistance meter, n—An instrument capable of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. measuring soil resistance.
3.1.6 two-electrode soil box, n—A non-conductive container
2. Referenced Documents of known internal dimensions with two end plate electrodes for
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 measuring a substance’s resistivity.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water 3.2 The terminology used herein, if not specifically defined
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to otherwise, shall be in accordance with Terminology G193.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method Definitions provided herein and not given in Terminology
G193 are limited only to this standard.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 on 4. Summary of Test Method
Corrosion of Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.10 on
Corrosion in Soils. 4.1 The two-electrode soil box method is predicated on
Current edition approved May 1, 2018. Published July 2018. Originally approved measuring the resistance between two electrodes located on
in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as G187 – 12a. DOI: 10.1520/ opposing faces of a soil box containing a soil sample. That
G0187-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on UNS (Unified Numbering System) was developed jointly by ASTM Interna-
the ASTM website. tional and SAE International.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
G187 − 18
FIG. 1 Typical Connections for Use of Soil Box with Soil Resistance Meter
resistance is then converted to resistivity based on the soil box method. The two-electrode soil box method is an accurate and
factor as discussed in Section 11. more expeditious method than the four-pin soil box and often
compliments the four-pin, in situ soil resistivity method.
5. Significance and Use4
5.4 The saturated soil resistivity determined by this test
5.1 The resistivity of the surrounding soil environment is a method does not necessarily indicate the minimum soil resis-
factor in the corrosion of underground structures. High resistivity.
tivity soils are generally not as corrosive as low resistivity
soils. The resistivity of the soil is one of many factors that 6. Apparatus
influence the service life of a buried structure. Soil resistivity 6.1 The equipment required for the measurement of the
may affect the material selection and the location of a struc- resistivity of soil samples, either in the field or in the
ture.5 laboratory, consists of a two-electrode soil box, a soil resis-
5.2 Soil resistivity is of particular importance and interest in tance meter, wiring to make the necessary connections and a
the corrosion process because it is basic in the analysis of soil extraction tool with straightedge. A two-electrode soil box,
corrosion problems and the design of corrective measures. soil resistance meter and its electrical connections are shown in
5.3 The test method is focused to provide an accurate, Fig. 1.
NOTE 1—The soil extraction tool should be non-metallic so as to avoid
expeditious measurement of soil resistivity to assist in the damage to the soil box during use. It should fit within the soil box to
determination of a soil’s corrosive nature. Test Method G57 facilitate removal of the soil sample after completion of each test. It
emphasizes an in situ measurement commonly utilized in the should be rigid enough to aid in compaction of the soil sample in the soil
design of a buried structures’ corrosion control (cathodic box, and it should have a straight edge to facilitate levelling of the soil
protection systems’ ground bed design, and so forth), but also sample after compaction. The soil extraction tool may be a commercially
available utensil designed specifically for use with the soil box. In lieu of
includes information and procedures on a four-pin soil box this, any suitable implement such as a plastic putty knife may be used.
6.2 Two-Electrode Soil Box—Two-electrode soil boxes can
4
Method of Test for the Resistivity of Soils Material, Texas State Department of be constructed in various sizes provided the inside dimensions
Highways and Public Transportation – Materials and Tests Division, Test Method are known. Design and construction shall incorporate materials
Tex-129-E, November 1986.
5
that are durable and machinable. The two end plate electrodes
Method for Estimating the Service Life of Steel Culverts, California State
Department of Transportation – Engineering Service Center, California Test 643, shall be constructed of a clean, polished corrosion-resistant
November 1999. metal or alloy (that is, UNS Designation type S30400/S30403

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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

Standard Test Method for

1. Scope G57 Test Method for Field Measurement of Soil Resistivity

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