This document deals with principles of sampling of soil, rock and groundwater as part of the programme
of geotechnical investigation and testing.
NOTE 1 This document fulfils the requirements for sampling of soil, rock and groundwater, and groundwater
measurements as part of the programme of geotechnical investigation and testing according to EN 1997-1
and EN 1997-2.
The aims of such ground investigations are:
a) to recover soil, rock and water samples of a quality appropriate to assess the general suitability of a
site for geotechnical engineering purposes and to determine the required ground characteristics in
the laboratory;
b) to obtain information on the sequence, thickness and orientation of strata and discontinuities;
c) to establish the type, composition and condition of strata;
d) to obtain information on groundwater conditions and recover water samples for assessment of the
interaction of groundwater, soil, rock and construction material.
Soil sampling for the purposes of agricultural and environmental soil investigation is not covered.
NOTE 2 Guidance on soil sampling for these purposes including of contaminated or potentially contaminated
sites is provided in the ISO 18400 series. ISO 18400-204 provides in addition guidance on sampling and
measurement of soil (ground) gas.
NOTE 3 The sampling methods, presented in this document may not be suitable for all types of soil e.g. peat
with strong fibrous structure.
NOTE 4 Some of the sampling methods presented in this document are suitable for both soil and rock.
Water sampling for the purposes of quality control, quality characterisation and identification of
sources of pollution of water, including bottom deposits and sludges, is not covered.
NOTE 5 Water sampling for these purposes can be found in the ISO 5667 series