Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: a094549d-8685-4dad-b90f-c28c7d279a53
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Geologic and Geotechnical Site Characterization Investigations for Nuclear Power Plants + HISTORY – HISTORY 08/2021 – DG-1392 , Proposed Revision 3 07/2014 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Reviewed with no issues identified 02/2001 – DG-1101 , Proposed Revision 2 (Rev. 3)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2119/ML21194A176.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-05
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.132
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
on, then trim and confine the specimen in a testing device. Reversible stabilization methods include the biopolymers agar and agarose, Elmer’s glue, and freezing. These stabilization methods must be durable enough to allow handling, transportation, and trimming of the samples. The methods also need to be reversible so that cohesionless soil can be restored to its in situ state before laboratory testing for evaluation of stress-stain-strength properties. Disturbance associated with these methods, such as volume changes in the soil and pore water when using chemical or biochemical solutions or by cryogenic effects, must be taken into account. Test pits, trenches, and shafts offer the only effective access for collecting high-quality undisturbed samples and obtaining detailed information on stratification, discontinuities, or preexisting shear surfaces. Cost increases with penetration depth as the need for sidewall support arises. Samples can be obtained by hand-carving oversized blocks of soil or hand-advancing thin-walled tubes. 4.6 Borrow Materials Exploration for borrow sources determines the location and amount of available borrow materials. Borrow area investigations should consider horizontal and vertical intervals sufficient to determine material variability and include adequate sampling of representative materials for laboratory testing. Exploration of borrow sources should be tied to performance requirements expected from the backfill. It is preferable that one source or quarry be selected as a candidate for supplying all project fill material when possible; otherwise, the number of candidate borrow sources or quarries should be minimized for optimum quality assurance and quality control. The quantity of samples required should be DG-1392, Page 18 determined based on the type and number of tests planned. A sufficient quantity of each fill type should be collected, preferably all during the initial sampling efforts, to ensure better uniformity in soils