This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6026 − 21

Standard Practice for

Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical
Data1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6026; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the

1.1 Using significant digits in geotechnical data involves the
processes of collecting, calculating, and recording either mea-
sured values or calculated values (results) or both. This practice
is intended to promote uniformity in recording significant
digits for measured and calculated values involving geotech-
nical data.
1.2 The guidelines presented are industry standard and are
representative of the significant digits that should be retained in
general. The guidelines do not consider material variation, the
purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any
considerations for the user’s objectives, and it is common
practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data
to be commensurate with these considerations.
1.3 It is beyond the scope of this practice to consider
significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering
design.
1.4 This practice accepts a variation of the traditional
rounding method that recognizes the algorithm common to
most hand-held calculators and computers, see 6.2.3. The
traditional rounding method (see 6.2) is in accordance with
Practice E29, ASTM Manual 7, or IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
NOTE 1—Calculators and computers often present and use many digits
in their output and calculations, which may not all be significant. It is the
responsibility of the programmer and user to make sure that the measured
and calculated values are handled, interpreted and reported properly using
these guidelines.
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.91 on Standards
Development and Review.
Current edition approved June 15, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D6026 – 13. DOI:
10.1520/D6026-21.
title means only that the document has been approved through
the ASTM consensus process.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Fluids
D2435/D2435M Test Methods for One-Dimensional Con-
solidation Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
D4186/D4186M Test Method for One-Dimensional Consoli-
dation Properties of Saturated Cohesive Soils Using
Controlled-Strain Loading
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
MNL7 ASTM Manual 7 on Presentation of Data and Control
Chart Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For common definitions of soil and rock
terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 This terminology standard contains many definitions
that are applicable to this standard in a grouping named
Measurement Grouping. These terms are: accuracy, bias,
estimation, meaningful number/digit or significant number/
digit, observation/observed value or data point/recorded value,
precision, resolution or readability, sensitivity, signal noise or
noise.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D6026 − 21
3.3 Other definitions that are relevant to this topic of data
management or presentation or both are given below.
3.4 Definitions:
3.4.1 significant digit/number/figure, n—any of the integers
one through nine and zeros except leading zeros and some
trailing zeros.
3.4.1.1 Discussion—Zero is a significant digit if it comes
between two non-zero integers.
3.4.1.2 Discussion—Zeros, after a decimal point and lead-
ing the first nonzero digit of a number, indicate the order of
magnitude only and are not significant digits. For example, the
number 0.0034 has two significant digits.
3.4.1.3 Discussion—Zeros trailing the last nonzero digit for
numbers represented with a decimal point are significant digits.
For example, 4.00 and 4.01 have three significant digits.
3.4.1.4 Discussion—The significance of trailing zeros for
numbers represented without the use of a decimal point can
only be identified from a knowledge of the source of the value.
3.4.2 sensitivity analysis, n—a test of the outcome of an
analysis by altering one or more parameters from an initially
assumed or initial test value(s).
3.4.2.1 Discussion—Sensitivity analyses are often related to
the design process, but not exactly applied in that design
process. A sensitivity analysis might include how measured
shear strength or hydraulic conductivity varies with molding
water content or percent compaction, or both.
3.4.3 test result, n—the value obtained by applying a given
test method, expressed as a single measurement or a specified
combination of a number of measurements, calculations, or any
combination.
3.4.4 variability analysis, n—the determination of the varia-
tion in test results or property values (index or engineering)
within a given boundary condition(s).
3.4.4.1 Discussion—A variability analysis might include
how a given property varies with depth.
3.5 Data Processing Grouping, the following four defini-
tions cover how one should cover the collection or processing
of test data.
3.6 Definitions:
3.6.1 measurement or measured value, n—the act or process
of quantifying a physical measurement; such as time,
acceleration, dimension (length, diameter, depth, and
circumference), force, mass, pressure, and velocity. This pro-
cess would also include in many test methods the calculation of
basic quantities which do not require any judgment, such as
water content, void ratio, density, unit weight, stress, and
strain. See read or reading and determination.
3.6.1.1 Discussion—A typical example is: “Measure and
record the height, diameter, and mass of the test specimen and
calculate its density, in accordance with the requirements
specified in this standard. or simply state Measure the density
or water content.” However, in some standards, the apparatus
specified internally makes the necessary measurements and
calculations and displays a test result(s), such as a nuclear
gauge. In such cases, an example is: “Measure and record the
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total density and water content using a nuclear gauge meeting
the requirements specified in the apparatus section of this
standard.”
3.6.2 read or reading(s), n—the act or process of quantify-
ing an instrument(s); such as dial gauge, burette, multimeter,
transducer, or data acquisition system. See observation/
observed value or data point/recorded value, mentioned above
in 3.2.
3.6.2.1 Discussion—A typical example is: “Read and record
the dial gauge measuring the change in the height of the test
specimen during consolidation at time intervals and meeting
the requirements specified in this standard.” For usage of a data
acquisition system: “Read and record, at intervals specified in
this standards the transducer’s measuring the applied axial
force, axial displacement, and cell pressure applied to the test
specimen along with the internal pore-water pressure in the test
specimen.”
3.6.3 calculation or calculated value, n—the act or process
of using an equation which converts a measured value(s) into
another define quantity, without interpolation.
3.6.3.1 Discussion—Some examples being: converting di-
ameter to area or diameter and height to volume, or mass,
height, and diameter to density.
3.6.4 determine or determined value, n—the act or process
of quantifying measured or calculated or both value(s) into
another value(s) that requires judgment based on education,
training, or experience.
3.6.4.1 Discussion—A simplified example is: “Determine
the preconsolidation stress based on the test results from a
consolidation test (either Test Method D2435/D2435M or
D4186/D4186M).”
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The user follows a set of guidelines that allow making
decisions and actions that promote uniformity in the retention,
rounding, and recording of significant digits for measured and
calculated values involving geotechnical data.
4.2 The programmer and user make sure that the numbers
are handled, interpreted, and reported accordingly for any
specific requirements and caveats in the geotechnical standard
for which the data were obtained.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The guidelines presented in this practice for retaining
significant digits and rounding numbers may be adopted by the
using agency or user. Their adoption should generally be used
to calculate and record data when specified requirements are
not included in a standard.
5.2 While this practice originated when most geotechnical
data were manually collected and recorded on data forms,
tables, or into computers, the use of digital acquisition,
calculations, and reporting of data has become more common.
When calculators and computers are used for data collection,
the significant digits may not meet the requirements specified
in this standard. Nevertheless, their use shall not be regarded as
nonconforming with this practice.

5.3 The guidelines presented herein should not be inter-
preted as absolute rules but as guides to calculate and report
observed or test data without exaggerating or degrading the
precision of the values.
5.3.1 The guidelines presented emphasize recording data to
enough significant digits or the number of decimal places to
allow sensitivity and variability analyses to be performed.
6. Guidelines for Rounding Numbers in Calculating and
Recording Data
6.1 General Discussion—Rounding data avoid the mislead-
ing impression of precision while preventing the loss of
information due to coarse resolution. Any approach to retention
of significant digits of necessity involves some loss of infor-
mation; therefore, the level of rounding should be selected
carefully considering both planned and potential uses for the
data. (See Practice E29.)
6.2 Rounding Numbers—When a numerical value is to be
rounded to fewer digits than the total number available, use the
following procedure shown in Table 1, per Practice E29,
ASTM Manual 7 on Presentation of Data and Control Chart
Analysis, or IEEE/ASTM SI 10:
6.2.1 The rounded value should be obtained in one step by
direct rounding of the most precise value available and not in
two or more successive rounding steps. For example, 89 490
rounded to the nearest 1000 is at once 89 000. It would be
incorrect to round first to the nearest 100, giving 89 500 and
then to the nearest 1000, giving 90 000.
6.2.2 The same rule applies when rounding a number with
many digits to a number with a few digits. This typically occurs
when using a computer or calculator that displays the com-
puted answer as ten or more digits, and the answer is to be
recorded to a few digits. For example, the number 2.34567
rounded to two significant digits would be 2.3.
6.2.3 Calculators and computers, in general, do not follow
all the rules given in 6.2, (that is, only rounding up odd digits
followed by a five, while even digits stay the same (2.55 to 2.6
or 2.45 to 2.4)) and generally always round up. Recognizing
the widespread use of calculators and computers that always
round up, their use shall not be regarded as nonconforming
with this practice. When carrying out computer calculations, do
not perform intermediate rounding. Computations performed
with spreadsheets or computer programs hold real numbers in
double precision, about 17 digits, so concern about rounding
during computation is largely unnecessary. Rounding of calcu-
TABLE 1 Procedures and Examples of Rounding to Two
Significant Digits
When the first digit The digit in the last
beyond the last place place retained is:
to be retained is:
<5 unchanged
>5 increased by 1
Exactly 5 increased by 1
if it is odd
unchanged if it is even
5 followed only same as above
by zeros for exactly 5
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D6026 − 21
lator and computer values is done when reporting the test result
after all calculations have been completed. See Note 1.
6.2.4 The numbers to be reported are rounded at the end of
calculations to the appropriate number of significant digits, not
prior to the calculations. (See 6.4.)
6.3 Recording Measured Data—When recording measured
values, as in reading marks on a burette, ruler, or dial, record
all known digits exactly, plus one digit, which may be
uncertain due to estimation.
6.3.1 When the measuring device has a vernier scale, record
the last digit from the vernier.
6.3.2 The number of significant digits displayed by a digital
display or printout from an instrument should not be greater
than, but equal to the precision of the sensor to which it is
connected. However, most digital apparatus record and/or
display digits that are affected by “noise.” Therefore, there
needs to be some form of documentation specifying which
digits are meaningful/significant. For example, one could tape
over displayed digits that are not meaningful or in the heading
of tabulated data, one could write/type “1st four digits are
sufficient.”
6.4 Calculation of Measured Data—When measured values
are used in the calculations, avoid rounding of intermediate
quantities. As far as practicable with the calculation device or
data sheet/form used, or both, carry out calculations exactly as
they occur (no reduced digits) and round the final value/result.
6.5 Recording Data—The recorded data should conform to
instructions in the respective standards. For example, recording
the computed water content values used in measuring the liquid
and plastic limits of a soil on the data sheet/form to the nearest
0.1 %, see Table A1.1. While the liquid and plastic limits are
recorded, reported, or summarized to the nearest whole number
and the percent designation is omitted.
6.5.1 If the number of significant digits or number of
decimal places in the measured and calculated value(s) is not
specified in the respective standard, then one may use the
following approach. Use Table A1.1 to select the number of
significant digits or number of decimal places in the calculated
value(s). Using that value(s) and the rules of significant digits
as described in Section 7, select the required significant digits
or number of decimal places for the measured value(s).
6.5.2 If a standard has a conflict between the measured and
calculated value(s) related to significant digits or the number of
decimal places, then use the following criterion. The criterion
specified for calculated value(s) should govern how the mea-
sured value(s) is selected and recorded.
7. Guidelines for Retaining Significant Digits in
Calculating and Recording Data
Examples
7.1 Upon completion of mathematical calculations, use the
2.445 to 2.4 following rules as guidelines to select the proper number of
2.464 to 2.5 significant digits or decimal places of rounded numbers.
2.55 to 2.6
or 7.1.1 The rule when multiplying or dividing is that the result
2.45 to 2.4 shall contain no more significant digits than the value with the
2.5500 to 2.6 smaller number of significant digits. Examples include:
or
2.4500 to 2.4 7.1.1.1 11.38 × 4.3 = 49, since the factor 4.3 has two sig-
nificant digits.
3
 D6026 − 21
7.1.1.2 Calculate the volume, V, of an object having a base
area, A, of 28.48 in.2 and a height, h, of 6.12 in.,
V = Ah = (28.48 in.2) (6.12 in.) = 174 in.3, the answer to three
significant figures in agreement with the height measurement.
7.1.2 The rule when adding or subtracting data is that the
number of decimal places in the result is the same as in the
number containing the fewest digits following the decimal.
Examples include:
7.1.2.1 11.24 + 9.3 + 6.32 = 26.9, since the last significant
digit of 9.3 is the first following the decimal place, and 26.9
results by rounding the exact sum, 26.86.
7.1.2.2 (926 − 923.4) = 3.
7.1.2.3 (926 − 923.4)/4.3 = 0.6. Only one figure is signifi-
cant since the numerator difference has only one significant
digit. This is an important factor to consider when recording
and checking a calculated value(s) that include a difference(s),
see Note 2.
NOTE 2—Typical examples of calculated values which include a
difference(s) are water content, void ratio, deformation, degree of
saturation, and specific gravity.
7.1.3 The rules for logarithms and exponentials are: digits
of ln(x) or log10 (x) are significant through the nth place after
the decimal when x has n significant digits. The number of
significant digits of ex or 10x is equal to the place of the last
significant digit in x after the decimal. Examples include:
7.1.3.1 ln(3.46) = 1.241 to three places after the decimal
since 3.46 has three significant digits.
7.1.3.2 103.46 = 2 900 has two significant digits, since 3.46
is given to two places after the decimal.
7.1.4 When an exact count is used in a calculation with a
number, the number of significant digits in the result is the
same as the number of significant digits in the number. For
example, the sum of two measurements was found to be 8.24
in. To find the average value, this sum must be divided by two.
In this case, however, two is not a measurement but an exact
count. Therefore, 8.24 in./2 = 4.12 in. Since 8.24 has three
significant digits, the results also contain three significant
digits.
7.1.5 To preserve accuracy in calculations using constants,
or conversion factors with measured values, these non–mea-
sured values should retain at least one more significant digit
than the measured number. For example, compute the inside
circumference, C, of a mold having an inside measured
diameter, d, of 6.025 in. The example calculation, having a
constant value and a measured quantity, is:
C 5 π 3 d 5 π 3 ~ 6.025 in.! 5 ~ 3.1416! 3 ~ 6.025 in.! 5 18.93 in.
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8. Guidelines for Applicability to Committee D18
Standards
8.1 If the rounding method of Section 6 is to apply to all
data in the standard, and if all numbers expressed in the
standard are to conform to the guidelines for significant digits
as described in Section 7, then a statement similar to the
following should be included in the scope of the standard:
8.1.1 All observed and calculated values shall conform to
the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026unless superseded by this standard. (Add the
last italicized portion only if there are exceptions to Practice
D6026.)
8.2 If results are to be compared with specification limits, a
statement similar to the following should be included in the
scope section of the standard:
8.2.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculated
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
digits in the specified limits. (Add this section only if it is
applicable.)
NOTE 3—In preparing statement 8.2.1, the author might want to replace
“measured or calculated value” with the appropriate name of that value(s)
given in the standard.
8.3 If there is a report section, then the following caveats
should be included if applicable:
8.3.1 Scope Section of the Standard—Add this caveat after
the caveats for 8.1 and 8.2: The procedures used to specify how
data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are
regarded as the industry standard. Also, they are representative
of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The
procedures used do not consider material variation, the purpose
for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consid-
erations for the user’s objectives, and it is common practice to
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
methods for engineering design.
8.3.2 Report Section of the Standard—add the following
caveat; The methodology used to specify how data are re-
corded on the test data sheet(s)/form(s), as given below, is
covered in 1.X1 and Practice D6026.
9. Keywords
9.1 data; data management; determination value; measure-
ment value; recording data; rounding numbers; significant
digits; test result
 D6026 − 21
ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. RECOMMENDED ROUNDING FOR PROCESSING GEOTECHNICAL DATA

A1.1 See Table A1.1 below.

TABLE A1.1 Recommended Rounding for Processing Geotechnical Data A

Common Units Expressed to Nearest Decimal
Geotechnical Property
SI Inch-Pound or Significant Digits B
Index and Related Properties
Atterberg Limits Nearest whole number
Density, total/moist and dry g/cm3, Mg/m3, kg/m3 slugs/ft3, lbm/ft3 C 3 or 4 significant digits D
Effective particle diameter mm in. 2 or 3 significant digits
Percent passing (gradation) % % Nearest 0.1 or whole number
Percent/Relative Compaction % % Nearest 0.1
Relative density % % Nearest 0.1
Specific gravity 3 significant digits
Unit weight, total/moist and dry kN/m3 lbf/ft3 3 or 4 significant digits
Void ratio or porosity 2 or 3 significant digits
Water content % % Nearest 0.1 or 1 E
Engineering and Related Properties
Angle of shear resistance Degrees Degrees Nearest 0.1
Axial strain % % 3 significant digits F
Coefficient of consolidation m2/s, m2/day, m2/y ft2/day, ft2/y 2 significant digits
Cohesion kN/m2, kPa psi,ksf 2 significant digits
Compression indexes ratio of (∆e, ∆ εa, ∆ ε~) to (∆stress or ∆log stress) 2 or 3 significant digits, but #4 decimal places
Hydraulic head cm or m of H20 in. or ft of H20 3 significant digits
Hydraulic conductivity m/s, m/day, m/y ft/day, ft/y 2 or 3 significant digits
Moduli kN/m2, kPa psi, ksf 3 significant digits
Percent consolidation % Nearest 0.1
Pore pressure parameters 3 significant digits F
Preconsolidation stress kN/m2, kPa psi, ksf 2 significant digits
Stress or pressure kN/m2 psi, ksf 3 significant digitsF
Velocity m/s ft/s 3 significant digits
A
The significant digits and nearest decimal places presented in this table are not directly related to the precision with which the data can or should be applied in design
or other uses, or both. How one applies or transmits the results obtained using standards under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock are usually not
within their scope unless specified otherwise. However, it is common practice to use fewer significant digits in the design and transmittal of data than given above.
B
For studies involving a specialized application(s), more significant digits or decimal places might be required than recommended above. Since there is such a diverse
application of sensitivity studies, a range of significant digits is given in some cases.
C
This unit should not be used in standards under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, because Committee D18 has decided to use the gravitational
system of inch-pound units; that is, a pound represents a unit of force not mass.
D
If four significant digits are required, the dimensions of specimens must be measured to four significant digits; that is, typically to the nearest 0.01 mm or 0.001 in. In
addition, if the total density is calculated based on a dry density and water content, the dry density requires four significant digits and the water content (not in percent)
to three decimal places.
E
Recording the water content to the nearest 0.1 or 1 percent yield four or three significant digits, respectively, in the calculation of one plus the water content (not in
percent), even if the water content is greater than 99.9 percent.
F
At the start of loading, there might not be enough significant digits to have the prescribed significant digits in the calculated value(s). However, it is acceptable practice
to record those calculated values with fewer than the number of significant digits given above without being in nonconformance with this practice.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D6026 –
13) that may impact the use of this standard. (June 15, 2021)

(1) Added “and Data Records” to title. (6) Added Note 1 about significant digits when using comput-
(2) Moved subsection 1.1.1 up to subsection 1.1—Separated ers.
into subsections and ended 1.1 with first sentence from the (7) Revised scope to include new ASTM International caveat.
original 1.1; then renumbered accordingly. (8) Section 2—Deleted reference to E344, no longer needed
(3) Deleted 1.1.1. due to other changes.
(4) Deleted first sentence of 1.4 and made last sentence of 1.3 (9) Added reference MNL7 ASTM Manual 7 on Presentation
and renumbered sections. of Data and Control Chart Analysis.
(5) Subsection 1.4—Added “and computers.”

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 D6026 − 21
(10) The entire Terminology section was revised significantly
to fit with D18.93 terminology subcommittee guidelines.
(11) Added Section 4—Summary of Practice section and
renumbered subsequent sections as needed after that.
(12) Subsection 5.1—Cleared up some wording.
(13) Added subsection 5.2.
(14) In 5.3, changed “accuracy” to “precision.”
(15) Subsection 5.3.1—Minor English changes.
(16) Subsection 6.2—Added reference to ASTM Manual 7 on
Presentation of Data and Control Chart Analysis.
(17) After subsection 6.2, added a title to the table TABLE 1
Procedures and Examples of Rounding to Two Significant
Digits and moved to be after 6.3.
(18) Minor changes to 6.2.2.
(19) Added to end of section 6.2.3—“When carrying out
computer calculations, do not perform intermediate rounding.
Computations performed with spreadsheets or computer pro-
grams hold real numbers in double precision, about 17 digits,
so concern about rounding during computation is largely
unnecessary. Rounding of calculator and computer values is
done when reporting the test result after all calculations have
been completed. See Note 1.”
(20) Changed “to produce a calculated value(s)”, to “are used
in the calculations”
(21) Subsections 6.6 to 7.2—Minor rewording like “deter-
mine” changed to “select.”
(22) Subsection 7.1.1.2—Corrected units from in. to in.3
(23) Subsection 7.1.5—Changed “example calculation is” and
added units to the formula.
(24) Updated Section 8 (previously Section 7) to agree with
content related to this standard in the current version of the
D18 Standards preparation manual.
(25) Added 5.2—While this practice originated when most
geotechnical data were collected manually and record on
tables, data forms, or entered into computers, its use and
importance are still and maybe even more relevant to digital
acquisition, calculation, and reporting of data.
(26) Renumbered sections and links as needed.
(27) Table A1.1—Footnote D changed “have to” to “must” and
some minor spelling errors were fixed in the table and the
footnotes.
(28) Other minor spelling or punctuation edits as needed.

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