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D 4546
some soils and should be added to primary swell. of rust within the tube which could result in the sample
6.1.5 Chemical content of the inundating water affects adhering to the tube. Therefore, sampling tubes should be
volume changes and swell pressure; that is, field water con- brass, stainless steel, or galvanized or lacquered inside to
taining large concentrations of calcium ions will produce less inhibit corrosion in accordance with Practice D 1587.
swelling than field water containing large concentrations of 8.3 If samples are to be stored prior to testing, they should
sodium ions or even rain water. be extruded from the sampling tubes as quickly as possible
6.1.6 Disturbance of naturally occurring soil samples after sampling and thoroughly sealed to minimize further
greatly diminishes the meaningfulness of the results. stress relief and moisture loss. The sample should be extruded
from the sampling tube in the same direction as sampled, to
7. Apparatus and Materials minimize further sample disturbance. If the sample cannot be
7.1 Consolidometer—The apparatus shall comply with the extruded from the tubes immediately, they should be handled
requirements of Test Method D 2435. The apparatus shall be and shipped in accordance with Practices D 4220, Group D.
capable of exerting a pressure on the specimen of (1) at least 8.4 Prior to sealing in storage containers, samples extruded
200 % of the maximum anticipated design pressure, or (2) the from tubes that were obtained with slurry drilling techniques
pressure required to maintain the original specimen height should be wiped clean to remove drilling fluid adhering to the
when the specimen is inundated (Method C), whichever is surface of the sample. An outer layer of 3 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.3
greatest. in.) should be trimmed from the cylindrical surface of the
7.1.1 Consolidometer rigidity influences the observed samples so that moisture or the slurry will not penetrate into
swell, particularly with Method C. Therefore, the sample and alter the swell potential, swell pressure, and
consolidometers of high rigidity should be used with Method other soil parameters. Such trimming will also remove some
C (see Test Method D 2435). distur- bance at the periphery due to sidewall friction. Drilling
with air or foam instead of slurry will reduce moisture
NOTE 6—Small increases in soil volume can significantly relieve
swell pressures. Therefore, variations in displacements that occur during
penetration.
deter- mination of swell pressures by Method C should be as small as 8.5 Containers for storage of extruded samples may be
possible to reduce the magnitude of correction required in 13.2.5. The either cardboard or metal and should be approximately 25 mm
measure- ments, especially swell pressure measurements, should be (1 in.) greater in diameter and 40 to 50 mm (1.5 to 2.0 in.)
based on corrections for compression of members. greater in length than the sample to be encased.
7.2 Porous Stones—The stones shall be smooth ground and 8.6 Soil samples stored in containers should be completely
fine enough to minimize intrusion of soil into the stones if sealed in wax. The temperature of the wax should be 8 to 14°C
filter paper is not used and shall reduce false displacements (15 to 25°F) above the melting point when applied to the soil
caused by seating of the specimen against the surface of sample; wax that is too hot will penetrate pores and cracks in
porous stones (Note 7). Such displacements may be the sample and render it useless and will also dry the sample.
significant, especially if displacements and applied vertical Aluminum foil, cheese cloth, or plastic wrap may be placed
pressures are small. around the sample to prevent penetration of molten wax into
7.2.1 Porous stones shall be air dry. open fissures. A small amount of wax (about 113-mm or 0.5-
7.2.2 Porous stones shall fit close to the consolidometer ring in. thickness) should be placed in the bottom of the container
to avoid extrusion or punching at high vertical pressures. and allowed to partly congeal. The sample should
Suitable stone dimensions are described in 5.3 of Test Method subsequently be placed in the container, completely immersed
D 2435. and covered with molten wax, and then allowed to cool
before moving.
NOTE 7—A suitable pore size is 10 µm if filter paper is not used.
Filter paper is not recommended because of its high compressibility and NOTE 8—A good wax for sealing expansive soils consists of a 1 to 1
should not be used when measuring the swell/settlement of stiff clays mixture of paraffin and microcrystalline wax or 100 % beeswax.
and when measuring swell pressure by Method C.
8.7 Examine and test samples as soon as possible after
7.3 Plastic Membrane, Aluminum Foil, or Moist Paper receipt; however, samples required to be stored should be kept
Towel, a loose fitting cover to enclose the specimen, ring, and in a humid room and may require rewaxing and relabeling
porous stones prior to inundating the specimen, used to before storage. Samples encased in wax or sampling tubes may
minimize evaporation from the specimen. be cut using a band-saw. The soil specimen should be ad-
equately supported while trimming to size using sharp and
8. Sampling of Naturally Occurring Soils clean instruments. The specimen may be extruded from a
8.1 Disturbance of the soil sample from which specimens section of sampling tube and trimmed in one continuous
are to be obtained greatly diminishes the meaningfulness of operation to minimize sampling disturbance.
results and should be minimized. Practice D 1587 and Practice
D 3550 cover procedures and apparatus that may be used to 9. Specimen Preparation
obtain satisfactory undisturbed samples. 9.1 Undisturbed or laboratory-compacted specimens may be
8.2 Storage in sampling tubes is not recommended for used for testing. Prepare laboratory-compacted specimens to
swelling soils even though stress relief may be minimal. The duplicate compacted fills as closely as possible.
influence of rust and penetration of drilling fluid or free water
NOTE 9—The compaction method, such as kneading or static
into the sample may adversely influence laboratory test results. compac- tion, may influence the volume change behavior when
Water and oxygen from the sample could cause the formation prepared wet of optimum water content. Compaction of laboratory
specimens is described in Test Methods D 698 and Test Methods D
1557. Swelling soil is
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D 4546
sometimes adequately treated with lime and test specimens compacted as 12.3 A graphical representation of results of the three
described in Test Methods D 3877. alternative test methods shown in Fig. 2 includes corrections
9.2 Trim the specimen in accordance with Test Method for consolidometer compressibility. These test methods are
D 2435. A ring extension or guide ring as shown in Test performed in accordance with Test Method D 2435 except as
Methods D 3877 may be added to the consolidometer follows:
assembly to accommodate specimen swell. Alternatively, a 12.3.1 Method A—After the initial deformation reading at
thin hard disk may be inserted in the bottom of the specimen the seating pressure is recorded, inundate the specimen and
ring during compaction or trimming of a specimen into the record deformations after various elapsed times. Readings at
ring. Turn the ring and specimen upside down and remove the 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 15.0, and 30.0 min and 1, 2, 4,
thin disk insert to provide space for specimen swell. Take 8, 24, 48, and 72 h are usually satisfactory. Continue readings
precaution to minimize disturbance of the soil or changes in until primary swell is complete, as determined by the method
moisture and unit weight during sample transportation and illustrated in Fig. 1. After completion of swell, apply a vertical
preparation. Vibration, distortion, and compression must be pressure of approximately 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, etc., kPa (100,
avoided. 200,
400, 800, 1600, etc., lbf/ft2) with each pressure maintained
NOTE 10—Tests with specimens recessed 5 mm (0.2 in.) in rings
of constant in accordance with 10.4 of Test Method D 2435.
25-mm (1.0-in.) height have performed adequately. Maintain pressure until the specimen is recompressed to its
initial void ratio/height. The duration of each load increment
10. Calibration shall be equal and of a duration which assures 100 % primary
10.1 Calibrate the consolidation machine in accordance consolidation (see section 11.2 or 11.6 of Test Method D
with Test Method D 2435. 2435).
10.2 Measure the compressibility of the apparatus with a NOTE 12—Some secondary swell must be recorded in order to
smooth copper, brass, or hard steel disk substituted for the soil deter- mine graphically the end of primary swell.
specimen. The disk should be approximately the same height NOTE 13—The duration of a typical loading increment is 1 day.
as the specimen and 1 mm (0.04 in.) smaller in diameter than NOTE 14—Vertical pressures may be applied to recompress the speci-
that of the ring. Place moistened filter papers between the men to void ratios less than the initial void ratio (point 6, Fig. 2 (Method
porous stones and metal disk if filter papers are to be used A)) because the exact magnitude of vertical pressure required to recom-
press the specimen to its initial void ratio is unknown. Loading
during the test. Allow sufficient time for moisture to be units equipped with pneumatic regulators are ideally suited for this
squeezed from the filter paper during each load increment and purpose.
decrement. The deflections of the calibration test are subtracted
12.3.2 Method A may be modified to place an initial
from the deflections of the soil test for each load increment
vertical stress, s1, on the specimen equivalent to the estimated
and decrement.
vertical pressure on the in situ soil within 5 min of placing the
NOTE 11—When filter paper is used, calibration must duplicate the seating pressure and securing the zero deformation reading.
exact load increment/decrement sequence due to inelastic compression of Read the deformation within 5 min and remove the
paper; thus, calibration is needed for each test. Periodic calibration will vertical stress, except for the seating pressure. Record the
suffice for tests without filter paper.
deformation within
11. Associated Soil Properties 5 min after removal of s1, inundate the specimen, and continue
11.1 Determine the initial (or natural) water content, wet the test as in 12.3.1. This modification provides a correction to
and dry unit weights, volume, and initial void ratio in accor- the initial deformation reading at sse in an effort to
dance with Test Method D 2435. Determine the specific more closely duplicate the in situ void ratio of the soil.
gravity in accordance with Test Method D 854 when 12.3.3 Method B—Apply a vertical pressure exceeding the
results are required in terms of void ratio. The liquid limit, seating pressure within 5 min of placing the seating pressure.
plastic limit, and plasticity index as determined in accordance Read the deformation within 5 min of placing the vertical
with Test Method D 4318 and the particle size distribution for pressure. The specimen is inundated immediately after the
soils with substantial granular material as determined in deformation is read and deformation recorded after elapsed
accordance with Method D 422 are useful in identifying the times similar to 12.3.1 until primary swell is complete.
soil and correlating results of tests on different soils. Continue the test as in 12.3.1.
12.3.4 Method C—Apply an initial stress, s1, equivalent to
12. Procedure the estimated vertical in situ pressure or swell pressure within
12.1 Assemble the ring with the specimen recessed in the 5 min after placement of the seating pressure. Read the
ring, dry filter paper if used, and air-dry porous stones in the deformation within 5 min after placing s1, and immediately
loading device. Enclose the specimen, ring, filter paper, if any, inundate the specimen with water. Apply increments of
and porous stones as soon as possible with a loose fitting vertical stress as needed to prevent swell (see Note 14).
plastic membrane, moist paper towel, or aluminum foil to Variations from the deformation reading at the time the
minimize change in specimen water content and volume due to specimen is inundated at stress s1 shall be kept preferably
evaporation. This wrapping may be cut away and discarded at within 0.005 mm (0.0002 in.) and not more than 0.010 mm
the time of specimen inundation. (0.0004 in.). Load the specimen in accordance with 12.3.1,
12.2 Apply a seating pressure, sse, of at least 1 kPa (20 following no further tendency to swell (usually overnight).
Load increments shall be sufficient to define the maximum
point of curvature on the consolidation curve and to
determine the slope of the virgin
lbf/ft2). Within 5 min after application of s se, adjust the compression curve. The rebound curve following consolidation
extensometer deformation device for the initial or zero reading. shall also be determined as illustrated in Fig. 2 (Method C).
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D 4546
Duration of rebound load decrements shall be in accordance may be used to evaluate the swell and settlement parameters of
with 10.6 of Test Method D 2435. the tested soil.
NOTE 15—The use of small weight increments, such as lead 13.2.1 Method A—The free swell at the seating pressure
shot, provide adequate control as needed to prevent swell. relative to the initial void ratio, eo, is given as follows (see Fig.
12.4 Measurements shall include the time of reading, ap- 2 (Method A)):
pression of members.
ho 3 100 5 1 1 eo 3 100 5
Dh ese 2
S
gdo
gdse 2 1
D 100 (1)
S d
Dh e 2 eo gdo the bisector line is designated the corrected swell pressure, s8sp, which is
g 380 kPa for the example in Fig. 2 (Method C). A detail of this construction
is shown in Fig. 3. s8sp in this case is less than svm. If the recompression
where: line is not well defined, draw a line parallel with the rebound curve for
e 5 void ratio at vertical pressure, and void ratios greater than eo through the bisector line. Frequent
gd 5 dry unit weight at void ratio e. load increments may be necessary to define any recompression curve.
NOTE 17—Fig. 2 (Method A) illustrates a percent heave, as 13.2.6 Draw a suitable curve parallel with the rebound (or
follows: recompression) curve for void ratios greater than eo through
Dh 0.830 2 0.785 the
3 100 5 3 100 5 2.5 corrected swell pressure s8sp at the initial void ratio eo given by
ho 1.000 1 0.785
% point 3, Fig. 2 (Method C), to obtain the percent heave for any
where: vertical pressure relative to s8sp and eo within the range of test
e 5 evo 5 0.830, and results.
s 5 svo 5 100 kPa (2000 lbf/ft2).
The swell pressure, ssp, is given by 400 kPa (8350 lbf/ft2) relative NOTE 21—Percent heave calculated by Method C for svo 5 100
to kPa
eo 5 0.785. (2000 lbf/ft2) is as follows:
13.2.3 Fig. 2 may be plotted with dry unit weight, gd, versus Dh evo 2 0.828 2 0.785
eo
logarithm of applied pressure, s, instead of void ratio e versus 3 100 5 3 100 5 3 100 5 2.4 %
ho 1 1 eo 1.000 1 0.785
logarithm s if specific gravities were not determined. The
13.2.7 The percent settlement (negative percent heave) may
swell for any change in dry unit weight within limits of the test
be evaluated from the void ratio e2 exceeding the corrected
results may be determined in a manner similar to that
swell pressure, as follows:
described
in 13.2.1. Dh e 2 eo
13.2.4 Method B—The percent heave at the vertical pres- 3 100 5 2 3 100 (5)
ho 1 1 eo
sure svo, applied following the seating pressure, (see 4.1.2)
relative to eo is given as follows (see Fig. 2 (Method B)): NOTE 22—Fig. 2 (Method C) illustrates the percent settlement, as
follows:
S
ho 3 100 5 1 1 eo 3 100 5 2 1 D 100 (4)
dvo
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D 4546
and s8sp shall be described. 15.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this
14.1.3 The type of water used to inundate the specimen. test method, therefore, bias cannot be determined.
15. Precision and Bias 16. Keywords
15.1 Precision—Data are being evaluated to determine the
precision of this test method. In addition, Subcommittee 16.1 Expansive soil; heave; laboratory tests; settlement;
D18.05 is seeking pertinent data from users of the test method. swell pressure; swell index.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This section identifies location of changes to these test (2) A new Note 5 was inserted in Section 5, Significance and
methods since the last edition. Use, immediately after Note 4.
(1) Standard Practice D 3740 was added to Section 2, Refer- (3) The remaining Notes 5-21 were renumbered.
enced Documents. (4) A new Section entitled “Summary of Changes” was added.
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