Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer
Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer
Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D4221 – 99 (2005)
4.3 The percent dispersion is calculated by dividing the However, since this is a qualitative test, such minerals should not affect the
percent passing the 5-µm size using this test method by the test results.
percent passing the 5-µm size obtained using Test Method 6.11 Drying Oven, conforming to the requirements of Speci-
D422 and by multiplying the result by 100. fication E145. The oven should be thermostatically controlled,
preferably of the forced-draft type, and capable of maintaining
5. Significance and Use a uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C throughout the drying
5.1 Dispersive clays are those which normally deflocculate chamber. The temperature should be verified every four
when exposed to water of low-salt concentration, the opposite months.
of aggregated clays that would remain flocculated in the same
soil-water system (3, 4, 7). Generally, dispersive clays are 7. Sample Preparation
highly erosive, possibly subject to high shrink-swell potential,
7.1 Sieve approximately 200 g of soil through a 2.00-mm
may have lower shear strength, and have lower permeability
(No. 10) sieve. If materials are quite moist, this may require
rates than aggregated clays.
hand rubbing or use of a rubber-tipped pestle to force material
5.2 Available data (1) indicates that the test method has
through the sieve. It is recommended that this test be per-
about 85 % reliance in predicting dispersive performance
formed at natural water content. When samples are very moist,
(85 % of dispersive clays show more than 35 % dispersion).
they should be dried to about the plastic limit before proceed-
5.3 Since this test method may not identify all dispersive
ing with the test.
clays, design decisions based solely on this test method may
7.2 Collect a representative sample of about 100 g of
not be conservative. It is often run in conjunction with the
material passing the No. 10 sieve for water content determi-
crumb test (4, 7), the pinhole test given in Test Method D4647,
nation and retain the remainder of the minus No. 10 material in
or the analysis of pore water extract (4, 7), or combination
an airtight container.
thereof, to identify possible dispersive clay behavior.
7.3 Determine the water content of the minus No. 10
NOTE 1—Notwithstanding the statement on precision and bias con- material in accordance with Test Method D2216.
tained in this test method; the precision of this test method is dependent
on the competence of the personal performing it, and the suitability of the
8. Procedure
equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice
D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective 8.1 Obtain 50 g of oven-dried soil in accordance with 7.3.
testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with Determine the percent passing 5 µm in accordance with Test
Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable testing. Reliable testing Method D422.
depends on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluat- 8.2 Place approximately 125 mL of distilled water in the
ing some of those factors.
filtering flask.
6. Apparatus 8.3 Obtain from the container of minus No. 10 moist soil, a
6.1 Sieve—A 2.00-mm (No. 10) sieve conforming to the representative sample equivalent to 25.0 g of oven-dry soil, by
requirements of Specification E11. The physical condition of splitting or other appropriate means, and place into the filtering
sieves should be checked at least every 12 months. flask with the distilled water.
6.2 Containers—Airtight, for storing moist sample. 8.3.1 Determine the mass of moist soil equivalent to 25.0 g
6.3 Balance, meeting the requirements of Class GP2 in of dry soil as follows:
Specification D4753. Measurements should be verified every
12 months.
S w
Wm 5 Wd 3 1.0 1 100 D (1)
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D4221 – 99 (2005)
8.9 Using the palm of the hand over the open end of the NOTE 5—When the percent dispersion equals 100, it indicates a
cylinder (or a rubber stopper in the open end), shake the completely dispersive clay-sized fraction. When the percent dispersion
cylinder end over end for a period of 1 min (see Note 3). At the equals 0, it indicates completely nondispersive.
end of 1 min, set the cylinder in a convenient location and
record the time. This is the start of the sedimentation period. 11. Precision and Bias
The time interval between step 8.5 and step 8.9 should not 11.1 Precision:
exceed 1 h. 11.1.1 Single-Operator Precision—The single-operator co-
NOTE 3—The number of turns during the minute should be approxi- efficient of variation has been found to be 3.9 %. Therefore,
mately 60, counting the turn upside down and back as two turns. Any soil results of two properly conducted tests by the same operator
remaining in the bottom of the cylinder during the first few turns should with the same equipment should not be considered suspect
be loosened by shaking the cylinder while it is in the inverted position.
unless they differ by more than 11.1 % of their mean.
8.10 Take hydrometer and temperature readings necessary 11.1.2 Multilaboratory Precision—An interlaboratory test
to determine the percent of material finer than 5-µm in program is being conducted to determine a multilaboratory
suspension using procedures and calculations described in Test
precision statement. As soon as this data has been collected and
Method D422.
analyzed, this test method will be revised to include a precision
NOTE 4—It should be recognized that the hydrometer composite statement for multilaboratory precision.
correction described in Test Method D422 must be made using Type IV
water instead of a solution of dispersing agent.
11.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
method; therefore, bias cannot be determined.
9. Calculation
9.1 Calculate percent dispersion from: 12. Keywords
% passing 52µm in this test 12.1 clays; deflocculation; dispersion; dispersive clay; ero-
% Dispersion 5 % passing 52µm in Test Method D422 3 100 (2)
sion; gradation; hydrometer analysis; jugging; particle size;
10. Report piping
10.1 Report results as percent dispersion of the 5-µm (5
micron) fraction.
REFERENCES
(1) Decker, R. S., and Dunnigan, L. P.,“ Development and Use of the Soil Performance of Earth Supported Structures, American Society of Civil
Conservation Service Dispersion Test,” Dispersive Clays, Related Engineers, 1972.
Piping, and Erosion in Geotechnical Projects, ASTM STP 623, 1977, (5) Holmgram, G.C.S., and Flanagan, C.P., “Factors Affecting Spontane-
pp. 94–109. ous Dispersion of Soil Materials as Evidenced by the Crumb Test,”
(2) Ryker, N. L., “Encountering Dispersive Clays on Soil Conservation Symposium on Dispersive Clays, Related Piping, and Erosion in
Service Projects in Oklahoma,” Dispersive Clays, Related Piping, Geotechnical Projects, ASTM STP 623, ASTM, 1977, p. 218-239.
and Erosion in Geotechnical Projects, ASTM STP 623 , 1977, pp. (6) Bell, J.G., and Maude, R.R., “Dispersive Soils: A Review from the
370–389. South Africa Perspective,” Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geol-
(3) Volk, G. M., “Method of Determination of Degree of Dispersion of the ogy, Vol 27, 1994, pp. 195-210.
Clay Fraction of Soils,” Proceedings, Soil Science Society of (7) Sherard, J. L., Dunnigan, L. P., and Decker, R. S., “Some Engineering
America, Vol II, 1937, p. 561. Problems with Dispersive Clay,” Dispersive Clays, Related Piping,
(4) Sherard, J. L., Decker, R. S., and Ryker, N. L., “Piping in Earth Dams and Erosion in Geotechnical Projects, ASTM STP 623, 1977, pp. 3–12.
of Dispersive Clay,” Proceedings of the Speciality Conference on
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