ASTM D558-96
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of Soil-Cement Mixtures
Standard Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of Soil-Cement Mixtures
SCOPE
1.1 These methods cover the determination of the relationship between the water content and the density of soil-cement mixtures when compacted before cement hydration as prescribed.
1.2 A 1/30-ft (944-cm ) mold and a 5.5-lb (2.49-kg) rammer dropped from a height of 12 in. (304.8 kg) are used and two methods, depending on soil gradation, are covered, as follows: Sections Method A, using soil material passing a No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. This method shall be used when 100% of the soil sample passes the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve 5 Method B, using soil material passing a 3/4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve. This method shall be used when part of the soil sample is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve 6
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: D 558 – 96
Standard Test Methods for
Moisture-Density Relations of Soil-Cement Mixtures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 558; 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 (e) 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 * Mechanical-Rammer Soil Compactors
D 3740 Practice for the Minimum Requirements for Agen-
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
cies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and
relationship between the water content and the density of
Rock Used in Engineering Design and Construction
soil-cement mixtures when compacted before cement hydra-
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
tion as prescribed.
3 3
1 poses
1.2 A ⁄30-ft (944-cm ) mold and a 5.5-lb (2.49-kg) rammer
dropped from a height of 12 in. (304.8 kg) are used and two
3. Significance and Use
methods, depending on soil gradation, are covered, as follows:
3.1 These tests determine the optimum water content and
Sections
maximum density to be used for molding soil-cement speci-
Test Method A, using soil material passing a No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.
This method shall be used when 100 % of the soil sample passes the
mens in accordance with Methods D 559 and D 560.
No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve 5
Test Method B, using soil material passing a ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve.
NOTE 1—Since these tests are used in conjunction with Methods D 559
This method shall be used when part of the soil sample is retained on
and D 560 and the criteria referenced therein, the test differs in several
the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. This test method may be used only on ma- 6
aspects from Test Methods D 698.
terials with 30 % or less retained on the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve
NOTE 2—The agency performing these test methods can be evaluated in
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded accordance with Practice D 3740. Not withstanding statements on preci-
sion and bias contained in these test methods: the precision of these test
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
methods is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it
information only.
and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
competent and objective testing. Users of these test methods are cautioned
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not, in itself, ensure reliable
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
testing. Reliable testing depends on many factors; Practice D 3740
provides a means of evaluating some of these factors.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 Mold—A cylindrical metal mold having a capacity of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3 3
2 1
⁄30 6 0.0004 ft (944 6 11 cm ) with an internal diameter of
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
4.0 6 0.016 in. (101.60 6 0.41 mm) and conforming to Fig. 1
C 595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
to permit preparing compacted specimens of soil-cement
D 559 Test Methods for Wetting-and-Drying Tests of Com-
mixtures of this size. The mold shall be provided with a
pacted Soil-Cement Mixtures
detachable collar assembly approximately 2 ⁄2 in. (63.5 mm) in
D 560 Test Methods for Freezing-and-Thawing Tests of
height. The mold may be of the split type consisting of two
Compacted Soil-Cement Mixtures
half-round sections or section of pipe with one side split
D 698 Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of
perpendicular to the pipe circumference and that can be
Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures Using 5.5-lb (2.49-kg)
securely locked in place to form a closed cylinder having the
Rammer and 12-in. (305-mm) Drop
dimensions described above. The mold and collar assembly
D 2168 Test Methods for Calibration of Laboratory
shall be so constructed that it can be fastened firmly to a
detachable base (Fig. 1).
4.2 Rammer:
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on
Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.15 on
4.2.1 Manual Rammer—A manually operated metal ram-
Stabilization of Additives.
mer having a 2.0 6 0.005-in. (50.80 6 0.13-mm) diameter
Current edition approved May 10, 1996. Published June 1996. Originally
e1
published as D 558 – 38. Last previous edition D 558 – 82 (1990) .
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vols 04.01 and 04.02.
3 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vols 04.01, 04.06, and 14.02.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D558–96
Metric Equivalents
in. mm
0.016 0.41
0.026 0.66
⁄32 0.80
⁄16 1.6
⁄8 3.2
⁄4 6.4
⁄32 8.7
⁄8 9.5
⁄2 12.7
⁄8 15.9
2 50.8
2 ⁄2 63.5
4 101.6
4 ⁄4 108.0
4 ⁄2 114.3
4.584 116.43
6 152.4
6 ⁄2 165.1
8 203.2
ft cm
⁄30 944
0.004 11
⁄13.333 2124
0.0009 25
NOTE 1—(a)—The tolerance on the height is governed by the allowable volume and diameter tolerances.
NOTE 2—(b)—The methods shown for attaching the extension collar to the mold and the mold to the base plate are recommended. However, other
methods are acceptable, providing the attachments are equally as rigid as those shown.
FIG. 1 Cylindrical Mold
circular face and weighing 5.5 6 0.02 lb (2.49 6 0.01 kg). The ⁄16 in. (19.0 6 1.6 mm) from each end and shall provide
rammer shall be equipped with a suitable guidesleeve to sufficient clearance that free-falls of the rammer shaft and head
control the height of drop to a free fall of 12.0 6 ⁄16 in. (304.8 will not be restricted.
6 1.6 mm) above the elevation of the soil-cement. The 4.2.2 Mechanical Rammer—A mechanically operated metal
guidesleeve shall have at least four vent holes not smaller than rammer having a 2.0 6 0.005-in. (50.80 6 0.13-mm) diameter
3 3
⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) spaced 90° apart and located with centers ⁄4 6 face and a manufactured mass of 5.5 6 0.02 lb (2.49 6 0.01
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D558–96
kg). The operating mass of the rammer shall be determined 5.2.2 When needed, add sufficient potable water to dampen
from a calibration in accordance with Methods D 2168. The the mixture to approximately four to six percentage points
rammer shall be equipped with a suitable arrangement to below the estimated optimum water content and mix thor-
control the height of drop to a free-fall of 12.0 6 ⁄16 in. (304.8 oughly. At this moisture content, plastic soils, tightly squeezed
6 1.6 mm) above the elevation of the soil-cement. in the palm of the hand, will form a cast that will fracture with
4.2.3 Rammer Face—A sector face may be substituted with only slight pressure applied by the thumb and fingertips;
mechanical rammers provided the report shows that a sector nonplastic soils will bulk noticeably.
face rammer was used. The sector face shall be a sector of a 4.0
5.2.3 When the soil is a heavy-textured clayey material,
6 0.016-in. (101.60 6 0.41-mm) diameter circle and shall
compact the mixture of soil, cement, and water in the container
have an area equal to that of the circular face rammer.
to a depth of about 2 in. (50 mm) using the rammer described
in 4.2 or a similar hand tamper. Cover, and allow to stand for
NOTE 3—The sector face rammer shall not be used to compact test
not less than 5 min but not more than 10 min to aid dispersion
specimens in accordance with Methods D 559 and D 560, unless previous
of the moisture and to permit more complete absorption by the
tests on like soils show strength and resistance to wetting-and-drying and
freezing-and-thawing of specimens compacted with this rammer are
soil-cement.
similar to that of specimens compacted with the circular face rammer.
5.2.4 After the absorption period, thoroughly break up the
mixture, without reducing the natural size of individual par-
4.3 Sample Extruder—A jack, lever frame, or other device
ticles, until it will pass a No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve and then remix.
adapted for the purpose of extruding compacted specimens
5.2.5 Form a specimen by compacting the prepared soil-
from the mold. Not required when a split-type mold is used.
cement mixture in the mold, with the collar attached, in three
4.4 Balances—A balance or scale of at least 25-lb (11.3-kg)
equal layers so as to give a total compacted depth of about 5 in.
capacity sensitive to 0.01 lb (0.005 kg) and a balance of at least
(130 mm). Compact each layer by 25 blows from the rammer
1000-g capacity sensitive to 0.1 g.
dropping free from a height of 12 in. (304.8 mm) above the
4.5 Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying
elevation of the soil-cement when a sleeve-type rammer is
oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 230 6 9°F
used, or from 12 in. (304.8 mm) above the approximate
(1106 5°C) for drying water content samples.
elevation of each finally compacted layer when a stationary-
4.6 Straightedge—A rigid steel straight-edge 12 in. (305
mounted type rammer is used. The blows shall be uniformly
mm) in length and having one beveled edge.
distributed over the surface of the layer being compacted.
4.7 Sieves—3-in. (75-mm), ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm), and No. 4
During compaction, the mold shall rest on a uniform, rigid
(4.75-mm) sieves conforming to the requirements of Specifi-
foundation such as provided by a cylinder or a cube of concrete
cation E 11.
weighing not less than 200 lb (91 kg).
4.8 Mixing Tools—Miscellaneous tools such as mixing pan,
5.2.6 Following compaction, remove the extension collar,
spoon, trowel, and spatula, or a suitable mechanical device for
carefully trim the compacted mixture even with the top of the
thoroughly mixing the sample of soil with cement and with
mold by means of the knife and straightedge, and weigh.
increments of water.
4.9 Container—A flat, round pan for moisture absorption by 5.2.7 Multiply the mass of the compacted specimen and
mold, minus the mass of the mold, by 30 (or divide by 942.95);
soil-cement mixtures, about 12 in. (305 mm) in diameter and 2
in. (50 mm) deep. record the result as the wet unit mass, g , in pounds per cubic
m
foot or grams per cubic centimetre, of the compacted soil-
4.10 Moisture Cans—Suitable containers for moisture
samples. cement mixture.
4.11 Butcher Knife—A butcher knife approximately 10 in. 5.2.8 Remove the material from the mold and slice verti-
(250 mm) in length for trimming the top of the specimens.
cally through the center. Take a representative sample of the
material, weighing not less than 100 g, from the full height of
5. Test Method A, Using Soil Material Passing a No. 4 one of the cut faces, weigh immediately, and dry in an oven at
(4.75-mm) Sieve 230 6 9°F (110 6 5°C) for at least 12 h or to constant mass.
5.2.9 Calculate the water content of the sample as directed
5.1 Sample:
in Section 7. Record the result as the moisture content, w,of
5.1.1 Prepare the sample for testing by breaking up the soil
the compacted soil-cement mixture.
aggregations to pass the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve in such a
5.2.10 Thoroughly break up the remainder of the material as
manner as to avoid reducing the natural size of the individual
before until it will pass a No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve, as judged by
particles. When necessary, first dry the sample until it is friable
eye, and add all other material remaining after obtaining the
under a trowel. Drying may be accomplished by air drying or
moisture sample.
by the use of drying apparatus such that the temperature of the
sample does not exceed 140°F (60°C). 5.2.11 Add water in sufficient amount to increase the water
content of the soil-cement mixture by one or two percentage
5.1.2 Select a representative sample, weighing approxi-
mately 6 lb (2.7 kg) or more, of the soil prepared as described points, mix, and repeat the procedure given in 5.2.5-5.2.10 for
each increment of water added.
in 5.1.1.
5.2 Procedure: 5.2.12 Continue this series of determinations until there is
5.2.1 Add to the soil the required amount of cement either a decrease or no change in the wet unit mass, g ,in
m
conforming to Specification C 150 or Specification C 595. Mix pounds per cubic foot or grams per cubic centimetre of the
the cement and soil thoroughly to a uniform color. compacted soil-cement mixture.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D558–96
NOTE 4—This procedure has been found satisfactory in most cases.
6.2.4 Multiply the mass of the compacted specimen and
However, in instances where the soil material is fragile in character and
mold, minus the mass of the mold, by 30 (or divide by 942.95);
will reduce significantly in grain size due to repeated compaction, a
record the result as the wet unit mass, g , in pounds per cubic
m
separate and new sample shall be used for each moisture-density deter-
foot or grams per cubic centimetre of the compacted soil-
mination.
cement mixture.
NOTE 5—To minimize the effect of cement hydration, perform the test
6.2.5 Remove the material from the mold and take a sample
expeditiously and continuously to completion.
for determining the water content as described for Method A in
5.2.8 and 5.2.9 except that the moisture sample shall weigh not
6. Test Method B, Using Soil Material Passing a ⁄4-in.
less than 500 g. Record the result as the water content, w,ofthe
(19.0-mm) Sieve
compacted soil-cement mixture.
6.1 Sample:
6.2.6 Thoroughly break up the remainder of the material as
6.1.1 Prepare the sample for testing by segregating the
before until it will pass a ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve and at least
aggregate retained on a No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve and breaking up
90 % of the soil particles smaller than a No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve
the remaining soil aggregations to pass the No. 4 (4.75-mm)
will pass a No. 4 sieve, as judged by
...
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