- Author
- Yokel, F. Y. | Tanner, A. B.
- Title
- Site Exploration for Radon Source Potential.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC
- Report
- NISTIR 5135, December 1992, 73 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- radon | advection | building technology | diffusion | permeability | radium activity concentration | radon availability | radon source potential | soil exploration | soil testing
- Abstract
- Proposed measurement methods and test procedures and tentative protocols for the assessment of the radon source potential of building sites and fill materials are presented. The proposed protocols are based on repeatable measurements of invariant soil properties, with corrections for typical prevailing environmental conditions. The measured or estimated soil properties are: the radium activity concentration per unit dry mass of the soil; the emanation coefficient; the inplace dry density; the porosity; and the dry gas permeability. Three specific field exploration methods are proposed: The "SPT" method, which utilizes the Standard Penetration Test (ASTM D 1586); a manual procedure, whereby a soil sample is extracted from an auger hole or excavation and saved for laboratory analysis; and a soil gas extraction test, where an in situ measurement of soil gas permeability and radon activity concentration is linked with measurements of in-place dry density and natural water content. The proposed test and site exploration procedures can be readily integrated with present geotechnical engineering practice. An empirically-based expression for a radon source potential index is proposed. The index is used to rate the radon source potential of building sites and fill materials.