ASTM D5918-13e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Frost Heave and Thaw Weakening Susceptibility of Soils (Withdrawn 2022)
Standard Test Methods for Frost Heave and Thaw Weakening Susceptibility of Soils (Withdrawn 2022)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These test methods can be used to determine the relative frost-susceptibility of soils used in pavement systems. Both the frost heave susceptibility and the thaw weakening susceptibility can be determined.
5.2 These test methods should be used only for seasonal frost conditions and not for permanent or long-term freezing of soil. These test methods also have not been validated for anything other than pavement systems.
5.3 These test methods cannot be used to predict the amount of frost heave or thaw weakening in the field. Its purpose is to determine the relative frost-susceptibility classification for use in empirical pavement design methods for seasonal frost regions.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These laboratory test methods cover the frost heave and thaw weakening susceptibilities of soil that is tested in the laboratory by comparing the heave rate and thawed bearing ratio2 with values in an established classification system. This test was developed to classify the frost susceptibility of soils used in pavements. It should be used for soils where frost-susceptibility considerations, based on particle size such as the limit of 3 % finer than 20 mm in Specification D2940, are uncertain. This is most important for frost-susceptibility criteria such as those used by the Corps of Engineers,3 that require a freezing test for aggregates of inconclusive frost classification. The frost heave susceptibility is determined from the heave rate during freezing. The thaw weakening susceptibility is determined with the bearing ratio test (see Test Method D1883).
1.2 This is an index test for estimating the relative degree of frost-susceptibility of soils used in pavement systems. It cannot be used to predict the amount of frost heave nor the strength after thawing, nor can it be used for applications involving long-term freezing of permafrost or for foundations of refrigerated structures.
1.3 The test methods described are for one specimen and uses manual temperature control. It is suggested that four specimens be tested simultaneously and that the temperature control and data taking be automated using a computer.
1.4 All recorded and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.4.2 Measurements made to more significant digits or better sensitivity than specified in this standard shall not be regarded a nonconformance with this standard.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf) repr...
General Information
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
´1
Designation: D5918 − 13
Standard Test Methods for
1
Frost Heave and Thaw Weakening Susceptibility of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5918; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Editorially updated units of measurement statement in April 2018.
1. Scope* 1.4.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
1.1 These laboratory test methods cover the frost heave and
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
thaw weakening susceptibilities of soil that is tested in the
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
laboratory by comparing the heave rate and thawed bearing
2 dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
ratio with values in an established classification system. This
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
test was developed to classify the frost susceptibility of soils
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
used in pavements. It should be used for soils where frost-
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
susceptibility considerations, based on particle size such as the
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
limit of 3% finer than 20 mm in Specification D2940, are
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
uncertain. This is most important for frost-susceptibility crite-
3 methods for engineering design.
ria such as those used by the Corps of Engineers, that require
1.4.2 Measurements made to more significant digits or
a freezing test for aggregates of inconclusive frost classifica-
better sensitivity than specified in this standard shall not be
tion. The frost heave susceptibility is determined from the
regarded a nonconformance with this standard.
heave rate during freezing. The thaw weakening susceptibility
is determined with the bearing ratio test (see Test Method
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D1883).
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
providedforinformationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.
1.2 Thisisanindextestforestimatingtherelativedegreeof
frost-susceptibilityofsoilsusedinpavementsystems.Itcannot
1.5.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
be used to predict the amount of frost heave nor the strength when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
after thawing, nor can it be used for applications involving
(lbf)representsaunitofforce(weight),whiletheunitformass
long-term freezing of permafrost or for foundations of refrig- isslugs.Therationalizedslugunitisnotgiven,unlessdynamic
erated structures.
(F=ma) calculations are involved.
1.5.2 It is common practice in the engineering/ construction
1.3 The test methods described are for one specimen and
profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit
uses manual temperature control. It is suggested that four
of mass (lbm) and of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two
specimens be tested simultaneously and that the temperature
separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the
control and data taking be automated using a computer.
gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine
1.4 All recorded and calculated values shall conform to the
theuseoftwoseparatesetsofinch-poundunitswithinasingle
guideforsignificantdigitsandroundingestablishedinPractice
standard. As stated, this standard includes the gravitational
D6026.
system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug
unitformass.However,theuseofbalancesorscalesrecording
3
pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft shall not
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoil
be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
andRockandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.19onFrozenSoils
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and Rock.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2013. Published March 2013. Originally
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5918 – 06. DOI:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
10.1520/D5918-13E01.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
2
Sometimes called California Bearing Ratio (CBR).
3
The Army Corps of Engineers uses a frost susceptibility classification proce- mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
dure(TM5-818-2)basedonparticlesizecriteriaandtheUnifiedSoilClassification
1.7 This interna
...









Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.