Summary of Information to Include on a Boring Log

Summary of information to include on a boring log. To enlarge an image, click on the image.
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Include on log	Description	Example / Photo
Boring name or number	Important to identify and distinguish each boring with a unique name	Most borings start with B or BH and end with a number Example: B-01 or BH01
Project name, number, client, and city or county	Information is used identification purposes and for sample storage
Boring coordinates and ground surface elevation	Each hole should be located and verified with coordinates in case of discrepancies If possible, record ground surface elevation with GPS Locations should be shown on a figure or map	Include Datum (NAD29 vs NAD83, NAVD 1929 or NAVD 1988) Understand coordinate systems. For example. UTM is in meters while Lat/long is in degrees or deg/min/sec
Start and end date and time	Helpful for tracking how long drilling is taking per borehole A known date can help identify the project for future reference
Type of drill rig and boring depth	Will be used to determine the hammer efficiency if performing blow counts. Examples include: rubber tire ATV/buggy rig truck rig track rig (CME750)	Rotosonic drill on truck rig. Source: United States Geological Survey - Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center
Drilling method	Record method used or depth where there is any change in the method being used. Different drilling methods may require different sampling techniques or procedures. Drilling methods include: Hollow Stem Auger, Direct Push Technology, Mud Rotary, Rotosonic, Air Rotary, ODEX.
Sampling method and sample type	Split-spoon samples (disturbed sample) Grab samples (disturbed sample) Bulk samples such as auger cuttings Make sure to record the date, project number, borehole location, depth of sample, N value (for SPT sample), and sample number on each sample collected	Source: Photo courtesy of Barr Engineering
Sample recovery	Record recovery of samples for comparison to length of drilled sample Note assumed reasoning for poor recovery (i.e. bedrock, gravel stuck in splitspoon)	For example, the split-spoon was pounded 18" but only 10" of soil was recovered in the sampler
Soil Density or Consistency	Different characterization of coarse and fine grained samples Based on N-value of sample
Color	Most colors should be earth tones with descriptors. Include all mottling or redoximorphic feature colors. Note iron staining or oxidized areas for indication of previously wet soil that has been dried out	Source:North Carolina State Cooperative Extension Resources
Grain size	For granular samples only (not for silts and clays). Can be called: very fine-, fine-, medium-, coarse-, or very coarse-grained	Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia tech/Virginia State University
Particle shape	Can be angular, subangular, subrounded, or rounded. Important for understanding deposition environment and weathering of soil.
Soil classification	USCS (most commonly used): behavioral classification: particle size, color, moisture, inclusions, granular vs. cohesive USDA: tri-plot (shown in the caption to the right), more of a textural classification based on grain size distribution ASHTO: more of an engineering classification, based on grain size and Atterberg limits	Source:USDA-NRCS
Sedimentary structure	Refers to bedding and laminations in the soil. Provides insight to origin of soils or potential weathering or chemical reactions experienced. Provides insight to geologic hazards (i.e. weak soil layers, collapsibility)	Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs
Layer boundaries and thickness	Note stratigraphy breaks on logs. Unless transition is obvious while drilling, assume it is halfway between sampling intervals.	Source: Texas State - center for Archaeological Studies
Blow Counts	The number of hammer blows to pound the split-spoon 6, 12, 18, and 24 inches into the soil. The 6 to 12 and 12 to 18 inch blow counts are added and recorded as the n-value for that split-spoon. "Refusal" or termination of borehole occurs if the hammer does not advance for >50 blows/6 inches. Note the advancement (e.g. 50/2").
Depth to bedrock and/or refusal	"Refusal" or termination of borehole occurs if the hammer does not advance for >50 blows/6 inches. Note the advancement (e.g. 50/2"). Note refusal on logs. Note sample recovery if refusal is reached in a split spoon interval.
Depth of groundwater	Record during and after drilling Note perched layers of water in sand or lignite. Record cave-in depth in unstable boreholes. Note if water isn't encountered. Saturated silts will have high dilatancy.	Source: U.S. EPA
Plasticity	Plasticity helps determine if a clay is lean (low plasticity) or fat (high plasticity). Is very dependent on moisture content (i.e. dry fat clay can seem like it has low plasticity)
Moisture	Provides indication of water table. For each sample identify if it is moist, wet, or saturated.
Inclusions	Used to describe the secondary components in a soil sample. "With" - more than 30% of an inclusion should be included as a main descriptor "Some" - 15 to 30% "Little" - 5 to 15%	Source: United States Geological Survey
Topsoil thickness	Helpful to know how much topsoil stripping may be necessary. Note organic material if present or not.	Photo: Pat Dumas. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA (cropped).
Photographs	Pictures should be taken of each borehole location. Take photo of stake and all four directions. Record and photograph any crop damage. Photograph any interesting soil samples that may be of concern