ASTM D422-63(2007)

Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils

ABSTRACT
This test method covers the quantitative determination of the distribution of particle sizes in soils. The distribution of particle sizes larger than 75 micrometers (retained on the No. 200 sieve) is determined by sieving, while the distribution of particle sizes smaller than 75 micrometers is determined by a sedimentation process using a hydrometer. The balances, stirring apparatus, hydrometer, sedimentation cylinder, thermometer, sieves, water bath or constant-temperature room, beaker, and timing device used in the method are specified. Sieve analysis, hydrometer analysis, and hygroscopic moisture analysis shall be performed on the sample soil.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of the distribution of particle sizes in soils. The distribution of particle sizes larger than 75 μm (retained on the No. 200 sieve) is determined by sieving, while the distribution of particle sizes smaller than 75 μm is determined by a sedimentation process, using a hydrometer to secure the necessary data (Note 1 and Note 2). Note 1
Separation may be made on the No. 4 (4.75 μm), No. 40 (425 μm), or No. 200 (75 μm) sieve instead of the No. 10. For whatever sieve used, the size shall be indicated in the report.Note 2
Two types of dispersion devices are provided: (1) a high-speed mechanical stirrer, and (2) air dispersion. Extensive investigations indicate that air-dispersion devices produce a more positive dispersion of plastic soils below the 20-m size and appreciably less degradation on all sizes when used with sandy soils. Because of the definite advantages favoring air dispersion, its use is recommended. The results from the two types of devices differ in magnitude, depending upon soil type, leading to marked differences in particle size distribution, especially for sizes finer than 20 m.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Oct-2007
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.03 - Texture, Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D422-63(2002)e1 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D5567-94(2018) - Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Conductivity Ratio (HCR) Testing of Soil/Geotextile Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D4647/D4647M-13(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Identification and Classification of Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F2747-19 - Standard Guide for Construction of Sand-based Rootzones for Golf Putting Greens and Tees
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D7664-10(2018)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM C1746/C1746M-19 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Suspended Sediment Removal Efficiency of Hydrodynamic Stormwater Separators and Underground Settling Devices
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D546-17 - Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Mineral Filler for Asphalt Paving Mixtures
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D5101-12(2017) - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Filtration Compatibility of Soil-Geotextile Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D4767-11(2020) - Standard Test Method for Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Compression Test for Cohesive Soils
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E2243-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Use of Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) for Surface Mine Reclamation: Re-contouring and Highwall Reclamation
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E2278-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Use of Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) for Surface Mine Reclamation: Revegetation and Mitigation of Acid Mine Drainage
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM C1733-21 - Standard Test Method for Distribution Coefficients of Inorganic Species by Batch Method
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F2107-08(2020) - Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas on Baseball and Softball Fields
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E2277-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Design and Construction of Coal Ash Structural Fills
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D2850-23 - Standard Test Method for Unconsolidated-Undrained Triaxial Compression Test on Cohesive Soils
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2007

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D422 − 63(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Test Method for
1
Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D422; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Apparatus
3.1 Balances—A balance sensitive to 0.01 g for weighing
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination
of the distribution of particle sizes in soils. The distribution of the material passing a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve, and a balance
sensitive to 0.1 % of the mass of the sample to be weighed for
particle sizes larger than 75 µm (retained on the No. 200 sieve)
isdeterminedbysieving,whilethedistributionofparticlesizes weighing the material retained on a No. 10 sieve.
smaller than 75 µm is determined by a sedimentation process,
3.2 Stirring Apparatus—Either apparatus A or B may be
using a hydrometer to secure the necessary data (Note 1 and
used.
Note 2).
3.2.1 Apparatus A shall consist of a mechanically operated
stirringdeviceinwhichasuitablymountedelectricmotorturns
NOTE 1—Separation may be made on the No. 4 (4.75-mm), No. 40
(425-µm), or No. 200 (75-µm) sieve instead of the No. 10. For whatever a vertical shaft at a speed of not less than 10 000 rpm without
sieve used, the size shall be indicated in the report.
load. The shaft shall be equipped with a replaceable stirring
NOTE 2—Two types of dispersion devices are provided: (1) a high-
paddle made of metal, plastic, or hard rubber, as shown in Fig.
speed mechanical stirrer, and (2) air dispersion. Extensive investigations
1. The shaft shall be of such length that the stirring paddle will
indicate that air-dispersion devices produce a more positive dispersion of
3 1
operate not less than ⁄4 in. (19.0 mm) nor more than 1 ⁄2 in.
plastic soils below the 20-µm size and appreciably less degradation on all
sizes when used with sandy soils. Because of the definite advantages (38.1 mm) above the bottom of the dispersion cup. A special
favoring air dispersion, its use is recommended. The results from the two
dispersion cup conforming to either of the designs shown in
types of devices differ in magnitude, depending upon soil type, leading to
Fig. 2 shall be provided to hold the sample while it is being
marked differences in particle size distribution, especially for sizes finer
dispersed.
than 20 µm.
3.2.2 Apparatus B shall consist of an air-jet dispersion cup
3
(See drawing)(Note 3) conforming to the general details
2. Referenced Documents
shown in Fig. 3 (Note 4 and Note 5).
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 3—The amount of air required by an air-jet dispersion cup is of
D421 Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for
3
the order of 2 ft /min; some small air compressors are not capable of
Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Con-
supplying sufficient air to operate a cup.
stants
NOTE 4—Another air-type dispersion device, known as a dispersion
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
tube, developed by Chu and Davidson at Iowa State College, has been
shown to give results equivalent to those secured by the air-jet dispersion
Sieves
cups. When it is used, soaking of the sample can be done in the
E100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
sedimentation cylinder, thus eliminating the need for transferring the
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
slurry. When the air-dispersion tube is used, it shall be so indicated in the
3
report.
Air-Jet Dispersion Cup for Grain-Size Analysis of Soil
NOTE 5—Water may condense in air lines when not in use. This water
must be removed, either by using a water trap on the air line, or by
blowing the water out of the line before using any of the air for dispersion
1
purposes.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
3.3 Hydrometer—An ASTM hydrometer, graduated to read
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
in either specific gravity of the suspension or grams per litre of
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2007. Published October 2007. Originally
ε1
approved in 1935. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D422 – 63 (2002) .
suspension, and conforming to the requirements for hydrom-
DOI: 10.1520/D0422-63R07.
eters 151H or 152H in Specifications E100. Dimensions of
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
both hydrometers are the same, the scale being the only item of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
difference.
Standards volum
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation:D422–63 (Reapproved 2002) Designation: D 422 – 63 (Reapproved 2007)
Standard Test Method for
1
Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 422; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1
´ NOTE—Adjunct references were corrected editorially in July 2006.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of the distribution of particle sizes in soils. The distribution of
particle sizes larger than 75 µm (retained on the No. 200 sieve) is determined by sieving, while the distribution of particle sizes
smaller than 75 µm is determined by a sedimentation process, using a hydrometer to secure the necessary data (Note 1 and Note
2).
NOTE 1—Separation may be made on the No. 4 (4.75-mm), No. 40 (425-µm), or No. 200 (75-µm) sieve instead of the No. 10. For whatever sieve used,
the size shall be indicated in the report.
NOTE 2—Two types of dispersion devices are provided: (1) a high-speed mechanical stirrer, and (2) air dispersion. Extensive investigations indicate
that air-dispersion devices produce a more positive dispersion of plastic soils below the 20-µm size and appreciably less degradation on all sizes when
used with sandy soils. Because of the definite advantages favoring air dispersion, its use is recommended.The results from the two types of devices differ
in magnitude, depending upon soil type, leading to marked differences in particle size distribution, especially for sizes finer than 20 µm.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 421 Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Constants
E11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
E 100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Air-Jet Dispersion Cup for Grain-Size Analysis of Soil
3. Apparatus
3.1 Balances—Abalancesensitiveto0.01gforweighingthematerialpassingaNo.10(2.00-mm)sieve,andabalancesensitive
to 0.1 % of the mass of the sample to be weighed for weighing the material retained on a No. 10 sieve.
3.2 Stirring Apparatus—Either apparatus A or B may be used.
3.2.1 Apparatus A shall consist of a mechanically operated stirring device in which a suitably mounted electric motor turns a
vertical shaft at a speed of not less than 10 000 rpm without load. The shaft shall be equipped with a replaceable stirring paddle
made of metal, plastic, or hard rubber, as shown in Fig. 1. The shaft shall be of such length that the stirring paddle will operate
3 1
not less than ⁄4 in. (19.0 mm) nor more than 1 ⁄2 in. (38.1 mm) above the bottom of the dispersion cup. A special dispersion cup
conforming to either of the designs shown in Fig. 2 shall be provided to hold the sample while it is being dispersed.
3
3.2.2 Apparatus B shall consist of an air-jet dispersion cup (SeeADJD0422drawing ) (Note 3) conforming to the general details
shown in Fig. 3 (Note 4 and Note 5).
3
NOTE 3—The amount of air required by an air-jet dispersion cup is of the order of 2 ft /min; some small air compressors are not capable of supplying
sufficient air to operate a cup.
NOTE 4—Another air-type dispersion device, known as a dispersion tube, developed by Chu and Davidson at Iowa State College, has been shown to
give results equivalent to those secured by the air-jet dispersion cups. When it is used, soaking of the sample can be done in the sedimentation cylinder,
thus eliminating the need for transferring the slurry. When the air-dispersion tube is used, it shall be so indicated in the report.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved July 27, 2006. Published March 2003Originally published in 1935. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D422–63 (1998).
´1
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2007. Published October 2007. Originally approved in 1935. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 422 – 63 (2002) .
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]
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