ASTM_D_5240_-_D_5240M_-_20.pdf

Designation:D5240/D5240M20Standard Test Method forEvaluation of the Durability of Rock for Erosion ControlUsing Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5240/D5240M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers test procedures for evaluatingthe soundness of rock for erosion control by the effects of asodium or magnesium sulfate solution on slabs of rock.It is anaccelerated weathering test.The rock slabs,prepared in accor-dance with procedures in Practice D5121,are intended to berepresentative of erosion control sized materials and theirinherent weaknesses.The test is appropriate for breakwaterstone,armor stone,riprap and gabion sized rock materials.1.1.1 The limitations of this test are twofold.First the test isa simulation of freezing and thawing conditions using accel-erated life cycling techniques.The test evaluates the internalexpansive force derived from the rehydration of the salt uponre-immersion,an event that may not occur in some naturalenvironments,to simulate the expansion of water rather thanthe actual freezing of water.Secondly,the size of the cut rockslab specimens may eliminate some of the internal defectspresent in the rock structure.The test specimens may not berepresentative of the quality of the larger rock samples used inconstruction.Careful examination of the rock source andproper sampling are essential in minimizing this limitation.1.2 The use of reclaimed concrete and other materials forerosion control is beyond the scope of this test method.1.3 UnitsThe values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard.Thevalues stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,each system shall be used independently of the other.Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon-formance with the standard.Reporting of test results in unitsother than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance withthis standard.1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is usedwhen dealing with inch-pound units.In this system,the pound(lbf)represents a unit of force(weight),while the unit for massis slugs.The slug unit is not given unless dynamic(F=ma)calculations are involved.1.3.2 It is common practice in the engineering/constructionprofession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unitof mass(lbm)and of force(lbf).This practice implicitlycombines two separate systems of units;the absolute and thegravitational systems.It is scientifically undesirable to com-bine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within asingle standard.As stated,this standard includes the gravita-tional system of inch-pound units and does not use/present theslug unit for mass.However,the use of balances or scalesrecording pounds of mass(lbm)or recording density in lbm/ft3shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.1.3.3 Calculations are done using only one set of units;either SI or gravitational inch-pound.Other units arepermissible,provided appropriate conversion factors are usedto maintain consistency of units throughout the calculations,and similar significant digits or resolution,or both are main-tained.1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026,unless superseded by this standard.1.4.1 For purposes of comparing measured or calculatedvalue(s)with specified limits,the measured or calculatedvalue(s)shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significantdigits in the specified limits.1.4.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated,in this standard are regarded as theindustry standard.In addition,they are representative of thesignificant digits that generally should 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 analyticalmethods for engineering design.1.5 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,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for ErosionControl.Current edition approved Jan.1,2020.Published March 2020.Originallyapp