11.5.1.2 Sampling category B
11.5.1.2.1 Soil samples obtained according sampling category B shall be preserved and transported in sealed moisture-protected containers. All containers shall be of sufficient thickness and strength to ensure no breakage and moisture loss.
11.5.1.2.2 The following container types can be used:
- waterproof glass or plastic jars;
- thin-walled tubes, liners or rings;
- caps or lids.
11.5.1.2.3 Cylindrical and cube samples shall be wrapped in suitable plastic film and/or aluminium foil and coated with several layers of wax, or sealed in several layers of cheese cloth and wax.
11.5.1.2.4 These samples shall be transported in larger shipping containers, e.g. bags, card bowls or wooden boxes by available transportation.
11.5.1.3 Sampling category C
Samples obtained according to sampling category C can be transported in any type of container by way of available transportation.If the natural water content of the samples is to be determined, water-tight containers shall be used.
11.5.2 Transport of rock samples
11.5.2.1 General
A detailed log has to be completed on the drill site in cases where the rock sample is likely to deteriorate or otherwise change before being examined again.
11.5.2.2 Sampling category A
11.5.2.2.1 Rock samples obtained according to sampling category A have to be placed in solid containers individually. If samples were not obtained in tubes, they immediately have to be tight wrapped with film or foil completely. They have to be protected against vibration, shock, heat and coldness and temperature changes. Samples shall be horizontally transported and stored in suitable shipping containers made of wood, metal or other material, that provide cushioning and/or thermal insulation for each sample and each container. Rocks sensitive to changes in moisture content shall be sealed with wax or a similar material.
11.5.2.2.2 The cushioning material (sawdust, rubber, polystyrene, urethane foam, or material with similar resiliency) shall completely encase the samples in such a way that they are not disturbed during transport.
NOTE A satisfactory cushioning between samples and walls of the shipping container can have a minimum thickness of 25 mm. A minimum thickness of 50 mm can be provided on the container floor.
11.5.2.3 Sampling category B
Rock samples obtained according to sampling category B have to be placed in solid containers individually. If samples were not obtained in tubes, they shall immediately be completely wrapped with film or foil. They have to be protected against vibration, shock, heat and coldness and temperature changes. Samples shall be transported horizontally.
11.5.2.4 Sampling category C
Rock samples obtained according to sampling category C shall be placed and transported in structurally sound core boxes. They have to be placed regarding the in situ strata and have to be coated with film or foil. They shall be transported and stored horizontally.
11.5.3 Transport of water samples
Water samples shall be transported within 24 h to the laboratory after sampling. They shall be protected against heat, frost, light and damage.
11.6 Preparation of storage and shipping containers
Core boxes shall be constructed rigidly enough to prevent flexing of the core when the box is picked up by its ends. The lid should have sturdy hinges and a strong hasp or screw closure. Nails shall not be driven in the lid. A core stop block shall be placed at the ends of each core run. Unnecessary breaking of the core to fit the core box is not allowed. Any necessary breaks shall be recorded on the log. Depth of the top and bottom of the core length in the box shall be marked with a waterproof manner near the core ends and corresponding box corners. Intermediatedepth that are accurately known shall also be similarly marked. The effective length of the core boxes should be 5 % longer than the core length (e.g. a core box with a length of 105 cm for a core with a length of 100 cm).
11.7 Storage of samples
Single samples in sample containers and core samples in core boxes shall be stored in such a way that the mechanically-relevant soil and rock characteristics of these samples do not change. Samples shall be tightly sealed with a foil and unnecessary handling should be avoided. Usually samples may not be exposed to frost. The samples shall be stored in a cool environment. For special purposes, the storage room temperature should be the same as the ground temperature (+ 6 °C to + 12 °C) and moisture content (85 % to 100 %). If there is a doubt that a sample has beendisturbed during storage, a remark shall be marked on the laboratory forms.
