ASTM International (originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) is a voluntary, but highly recognized, standards development organization. Their work guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy. Their consensus standards make products and services safer, better and more cost effective.
ASTM members have come to a consensus regarding the best methods for using portable nuclear gauges for measuring moisture and density on soils and/or asphalt. Every gauge user should be in possession of, and utilize, these methods. ASTM D6938 guides the user when making in-place measurements of wet density and water content of soil and soil-aggregate and the determination of dry density. ASTM D2950 gives guidance when determining the in-place density of compacted bituminous mixtures.
AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) is a similar group that focuses specifically on the United States national transportation system. AASHTO Test Method T310 describes the procedure for determining the in-place density and moisture of soil and soil-aggregate by use of nuclear gauge.
Links for Soils Standards
Use these links to preview and purchase soils standards from ASTM and AASHTO:
ASTM D6938 – Standard Test Method for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
http://www.astm.org/Standards/D6938.htm
AASHTO T310 – Standard Specification for In-Place Density and Moisture Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
https://bookstore.transportation.org/item_details.aspx?ID=844
Link for Asphalt Standard (ASTM D2950)
ASTM D2950 – Standard Test Method for Density of Bituminous Concrete in Place by Nuclear Methods
