ASTM_D_4943_-_08.pdf

Designation:D494308Standard Test Method forShrinkage Factors of Soils by the Wax Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4943;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determiningthe shrinkage limit of soils.1.2 The data obtained using this test method may also beused to calculate shrinkage ratio,volumetric shrinkage,andlinear shrinkage.1.3 This test method is applicable only for cohesive soils.1.4 Since this test method is performed only on that portionof a soil which passes the No.40(425-m)sieve,the relativeconsistency of this portion of the soil to the properties of thesample as a whole must be considered when using theseprocedures to evaluate the properties of a soil.1.5 The shrinkage limit along with the liquid limit andplastic limit of soils are often collectively referred to as theAtterberg limits in recognition of their formation by Swedishsoil scientist,A.Atterberg.These limits distinguish the bound-aries of the several consistency states of cohesive soils.1.6 All recorded and calculated values shall conform to theguide for significant digits and rounding established in PracticeD6026.1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as theindustry standard.In addition,they are representative of thesignificant digits that should generally be retained.The proce-dures used do not consider material variation,purpose forobtaining the data,special purpose studies,or any consider-ations for the users objectives;and it is common practice toincrease or reduce significant digits of reported data to becommensurate with these considerations.It is beyond the scopeof this standard to consider significant digits used in analysismethods for engineering design.1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specific safetyhazards,see Section 7 and Note 4.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statementsfor Test Methods for Construction MaterialsC702 Practice for Reducing Samples ofAggregate to TestingSizeD75 Practice for Sampling AggregatesD420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering Designand Construction Purposes(Withdrawn 2011)3D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byWater PycnometerD3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit,Plastic Limit,andPlasticity Index of SoilsD4753 Guide for Evaluating,Selecting,and Specifying Bal-ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil,Rock,andConstruction Materials TestingD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalDataE2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-eters with Low-Hazard Precision LiquidsE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and TestSieves3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsAll definitions are in accordance with Ter-minology D653.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,Plasticityand Density Characteristics of Soils.Current edition approved June 1,2008.Published July 2008.Originally approvedin 1989.Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D4943 02.DOI:10.1520/D4943-08.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.Summary of Test Method4.1 A sample of fine-grained soil is thoroughly remoldedwith water to form a paste that is at approximately the liquidlimit consistency.This paste is used to fill a small dish to forma soil pat.The initial moisture content of the wet soil pat isdetermined.The soil pat is slowly dried to constant mass.Thevolume of the dry soil is determined using a water submersiontechnique.Acoating of wax is used to prevent water absorptionby the dry soil pat.Then the moisture-co