ASTM_D_422-632007.pdf

Designation:D422-63(Reapproved 2007)e2INTERNATIONALStandard Test Method forParticle-Size Analysis of Soils1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D422;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(s)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.NOTE-Editorial changes made throughout in February 2014.2 NOTE-Further editorial corrections made in July 2014.1.Scope3.Apparatus1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination3.1 Balances-A balance sensitive to 0.01 g for weighingof the distribution of particle sizes in soils.The distribution ofthe material passing a No.10(2.00-mm)sieve,and a balanceparticle sizes larger than 75 um(retained on the No.200 sieve)sensitive to 0.1%of the mass of the sample to be weighed foris determined by sieving,while the distribution of particle sizesweighing the material retained on a No.10 sieve.smaller than 75 um is determined by a sedimentation process,using a hydrometer to secure the necessary data(Note 1 and3.2 Stirring Apparatus-Either apparatus A or B may beNote 2).used.3.2.1 Apparatus A shall consist of a mechanically operatedNoTE 1-Separation may be made on the No.4(4.75-mm),No.40(425-m),or No.200(75-m)sieve instead of the No.10.For whateverstirring device in which a suitably mounted electric motor turnssieve used,the size shall be indicated in the report.a vertical shaft at a speed of not less than 10 000 rpm withoutNoTE 2-Two types of dispersion devices are provided:(J)a high-load.The shaft shall be equipped with a replaceable stirringspeed mechanical stirrer,and(2)air dispersion.Extensive investigationspaddle made of metal,plastic,or hard rubber,as shown in Fig.indicate that air-dispersion devices produce a more positive dispersion of1.The shaft shall be of such length that the stirring paddle willplastic soils below the 20-um size and appreciably less degradation on allsizes when used with sandy soils.Because of the definite advantagesoperate not less than 4 in.(19.0 mm)nor more than 1%in.favoring air dispersion,its use is recommended.The results from the two(38.1 mm)above the bottom of the dispersion cup.A specialtypes of devices differ in magnitude,depending upon soil type,leading todispersion cup conforming to either of the designs shown inmarked differences in particle size distribution,especially for sizes finerFig.2 shall be provided to hold the sample while it is beingthan 20 um.dispersed.2.Referenced Documents3.2.2 Apparatus B shall consist of an air-jet dispersion cup2.1 ASTM Standards:2(see drawing in 2.23)(Note 3)conforming to the general detailsD421 Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples forshown in Fig.3(Note 4 and Note 5).Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Con-NoTE 3-The amount of air required by an air-jet dispersion cup is ofstantsthe order of 2 ft/min;some small air compressors are not capable ofE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Testsupplying sufficient air to operate a cup.SievesNoTE 4-Another air-type dispersion device,known as a dispersionE100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometerstube,developed by Chu and Davidson at lowa State College,has beenshown to give results equivalent to those secured by the air-jet dispersion2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:cups.When it is used,soaking of the sample can be done in theAir-Jet Dispersion Cup for Grain-Size Analysis of Soil3sedimentation cylinder,thus eliminating the need for transferring theslurry.When the air-dispersion tube is used,it shall be so indicated in thereport.This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil andNoTE 5-Water may condense in air lines when not in use.This waterRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,Plasticitymust be removed,either by using a water trap on the air line,or byand Density Characteristics of Soils.blowing the water out of the line before using any of the air for dispersionCurrent edition approved Oct.15,2007.Published October 2007.Originallypurposes.approved in 1935.Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D422-63(2002).DOI:10.1520/D0422-63R07E02.3.3 Hydrometer-An ASTM hydrometer,graduated to read2 For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orin either specific gravity of the suspension or grams per litre ofcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMsuspension,and conforming to the requirements for hydrom-Standards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.eters 151H or 152H in Specifications E100.Dimensions of3 Available from ASTM International Headquarters.Order Adjunct No.both hydrometers are the same,the scale being the only item ofADJD0422.difference.Copyright ASTM Intenational,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesD422-63(2007)234No.18 8W Ga=0.049Chrome PlatedPunch0.2030.001(a)(b)Metric Equivalentsin.0.0010.0490.203mm0.031.245.1612.719.0FIG.1 Detail of Stirring Paddles3.75diam.3.75diam.3-in.(75-mm)No.10(2.00-mm)2-in.(50-mm)No.20(850-um)1-in.(37.5-mm)No.40(425-um)1-in.(25.0-mm)No.60(250-um)4-in.(19.0-mm)No.140(106-um)PermanentRemovable-in.(9.5-mm)No.200(75-um)BaffleBaffleNo.4(4.75-mm)RodsRodsNoTE 6-A set of sieves giving uniform spacing of points for the graph,s required in Section 17,may be used if desired.This set consists of theollowing sieves:3-in.(75-mm)No.16(1.18-mm)B1-in.(37.5-mm)No.30(600-um)Baffle4-in.(19.0-mm)No.50(300-um)Location-in.(9.5-mm)No.100(150-um)PlanNo.4(4.75-mm)No.200(75-um)tH60No.8(2.36-mm)3.7 Water Bath or Constant-Temperature Room-A waterLong1.3rad.ath or constant-temperature room for maintaining the soiluspension at a constant temperature during the hydrometerShortBrass Basenalysis.A satisfactory water tank is an insulated tank thatnaintains the temperature of the suspension at a convenient2.6diam.onstant temperature at or near 68F(20C).Such a device isllustrated in Fig.4.In cases where the work is performed in aroom at an automatically controlled constant temperature,theMetric Equivalents3.75water bath is not necessary.in.1.32.6mm336695.23.8 Beaker-A beaker of 250-mL capacity.FIG.2 Dispersion Cups of Apparatus3.9 Timing Device-A watch or clock with a second hand.4.Dispersing Agent4.1 A solution of sodium hexametaphosphate(sometimes3.4 Sedimentation Cylinder-A glass cylinder essentially 18called sodium metaphosphate)shall be used in distilled orin.(457 mm)in height and 2 in.(63.5 mm)in diameter,anddemineralized water,at the rate of 40 g of sodiummarked for a volume of 1000 mL.The inside diameter shall behexametaphosphate/litre of solution(Note 7).such that the 1000-mL mark is 36 2 cm from the bottom onthe inside.NorE 7-Solutions of this salt,if acidic,slowly revert or hydrolyzeback to the orthophosphate form with a resultant decrease in dispersive3.5 Thermometer-A thermometer accurate to 1F(0.5C).action.Solutions should be prepared frequently(at least once a month)oradjusted to pH of 8 or 9 by means of sodium carbonate.Bottles containing3.6 Sieves-A series of sieves,of square-mesh woven-wiresolutions should have the date of preparation marked on them.cloth,conforming to the requirements of Specification E11.A4.2 All water used shall be either distilled or demineralizedfull set of sieves includes the following(Note 6):water.The water for a hydrometer test shall be brought to theD422-63(2007)2only particles retained on the No.10(2.00-mm)sieve while theHYDROMETER AND SIEVE ANALYSIS OF PORTIONother portion contains only particles passing the No.10 sieve.PASSING THE NO.10(2.00-mm)SIEVEThe mass of air-dried soil selected for purpose of tests,asprescribed in Practice D421,shall be sufficient to yield7.Determination of Composite Correction forquantities for mechanical analysis as follows:Hydrometer Reading5.1.1 The size of the portion retained on the No.10 sieve7.1 Equations for percentages of soil remaining inshall depend on the maximum size of particle,according to thesuspension,as given in 14.3,are based on the use of distilledfollowing schedule:or demineralized water.A dispersing agent is used in the water,Nominal Diameter ofApproximate Minimumhowever,and the specific gravity of the resulting liquid isLargest Particles,Mass of Portion,gappreciably greater than that of distilled or demineralizedin.(mm)(9.5)500water.34(19.0)10007.1.1 Both soil hydrometers are calibrated at 68F(20C).1(25.4)2000and variations in temperature from this standard temperature1(38.1)30002(50.8)4000produce inaccuracies in the actual hydrometer readings.The3(76.2)5000amount of the inaccuracy increases as the variation from the5.1.2 The size of the portion passing the No.10 sieve shallstandard temperature increases.be approximately 115 g for sandy soils and approximately 657.1.2 Hydrometers are graduated by the manufacturer to beg for silt and clay soils.read at the bottom of the meniscus formed by the liquid on thestem.Since it is not possible to secure readings of soil5.2 Provision is made in Section 5 of Practice D421 forsuspensions at the bottom of the meniscus,readings must beweighing of the air-dry soil selected for purpose of tests,thetaken at the top and a correction applied.separation of the soil on the No.10 sieve by dry-sieving and7.1.3 The net amount of the corrections for the three itemswashing,and the weighing of the washed and dried fractionenumerated is designated as the composite correction,and mayretained on the No.10 sieve.From these two masses thebe determined experimentally.percentages retained and passing the No.10 sieve can becalculated in accordance with 12.1.7.2 For convenience,a graph or table of composite correc-tions for a series of 1 temperature differences for the range ofNorE 8-A check on the mass values and the thoroughness ofexpected test temperatures may be prepared and used aspulverization of the clods may be secured by weighing the portion passingthe No,10 sieve and adding this value to the mass of the washed andneeded.Measurement of the composite corrections may beoven-dried portion retained on the No.10 sieve.made at two temperatures spanning the range of expected testtemperatures,and corrections for the intermediate temperaturesSIEVE ANALYSIS OF PORTION RETAINED ON NO.calculated assuming a straight-line relationship between the10(2.00-mm)SIEVEtwo observed values.6.Procedure7.3 Prepare 1000 mL of liquid composed of distilled or6.1 Separate the portion retained on the No.10(2.00-mm)demineralized water and dispersing agent in the same propor-sieve into a series of fractions using the 3-in.(75-mm),2-in.tion as will prevail in the sedimentation(hydrometer)test.(50-mm),1-in.(37.5-mm),1-in.(25.0-mm),34-in.(19.0-Place the liquid in a sedimentation cylinder and the cylinder inmm),s-in.(9.5-mm),No.4(4.75-mm),and No.10 sieves,orthe constant-temperature water bath,set for one of the twoas many as may be needed depending on the sample,or upontemperatures to be used.When the temperature of the liquidthe specifications for the material under test.becomes constant,insert the hydrometer,and,after a shortinterval to permit the hydrometer to come to the temperature of6.2 Conduct the sieving operation by means of a lateral andthe liquid,read the hydrometer at the top of the meniscusvertical motion of the sieve,accompanied by a jarring action informed on the stem.For hydrometer 151H the compositeorder to keep the sample moving continuously over the surfacecorrection is the difference between this reading and one;forof the sieve.In no case turn or manipulate fragments in thehydrometer 152H it is the difference between the reading andsample through the sieve by hand.Continue sieving until notzero.Bring the liquid and the hydrometer to the other tempera-more than 1 mass%of the residue on a sieve passes that sieveture to be used,and secure the composite correction as before.during 1 min of sieving.When mechanical sieving is used,testthe thoroughness of sieving by using the hand method of8.Hygroscopic Moisturesieving as described above.8.1 When the sample is weighed for the hydrometer test,6.3 Determine the mass of each fraction on a balanceweigh out an auxiliary portion of from 10 to 15 g in a smallconforming to the requirements of 3.1.At the end of weighing,metal or glass container,dry the sample to a constant mass inthe sum of the masses retained on all the sieves used shouldan oven at 230 9F(110 5C),and weigh again.Recordequal closely the original mass of the quantity sieved.the masses.