ASTM D4427-23
(Classification)Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing
Standard Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this classification is to standardize the naming of peat materials so that the peat-producer can better identify the product and the peat-consumer can better select peat materials to meet requirements. This system may also be used for peat resource evaluations, environmental impact reports, and preliminary engineering studies. The parameters selected for use in this classification are ones which have been determined to relate to the agricultural/horticultural, geotechnical, and energy uses of peats.
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. 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 This classification is a system for subdividing and assigning nomenclature to peat samples through laboratory tests.
1.2 Peat is considered to be a naturally occurring organic soil primarily derived from decomposing plant material that has sedentarily accumulated in water-saturated, anaerobic environments. It is found in peatlands, bogs, mangroves, mires, moors, and muskegs and is generally composed of mosses, grasses, leaves, sedges, and shrubs. Changes in depositional environment can create subsurface peat deposits underlying inorganic soils. Typically, peat has a low density, high water content, and is quite compressible when compared to other types of soil
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4427 − 23
Standard Classification of
1
Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4427; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* D2974 Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture)
Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and
1.1 This classification is a system for subdividing and
Other Organic Soils
assigning nomenclature to peat samples through laboratory
D2976 Test Method for pH of Peat Materials
tests.
D2980 Test Method for Saturated Density, Moisture-
1.2 Peat is considered to be a naturally occurring organic
Holding Capacity, and Porosity of Saturated Peat Materi-
soil primarily derived from decomposing plant material that
als
has sedentarily accumulated in water-saturated, anaerobic en-
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
vironments. It is found in peatlands, bogs, mangroves, mires,
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
moors, and muskegs and is generally composed of mosses,
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
grasses, leaves, sedges, and shrubs. Changes in depositional
D5715 Practice for Estimating the Degree of Humification
environment can create subsurface peat deposits underlying
of Peat and Other Organic Soils (Visual/Manual Method)
inorganic soils. Typically, peat has a low density, high water
content, and is quite compressible when compared to other
3. Terminology
types of soil
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.1 absorbency—the amount of water by mass that can be
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
held by the peat. This amount is expressed in terms of the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
water-holding capacity as measured using Test Method D2980.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.2.2 acidity—expressed as the pH of the peat in water as
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- measured using Test Method D2976.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.3 ash content—the percentage by dry mass of material
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
remaining after the oven dry peat is burned, using the methods
described in Test Methods D2974.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.4 botanical composition—the dominant plant genus,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
genera, or informal plant group identified by visual observation
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
as comprising a portion of the fiber in the peat.
Fluids
3.2.5 fiber content—the dry mass of fibers remaining after
D1997 Test Method for Laboratory Determination of the
wet sieving over a No. 100 (150-μm) sieve. Fiber content is
Fiber Content of Peat and Organic Soils by Dry Mass
expressed as a percentage of the original dry mass, using the
method described in Test Method D1997.
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
4. Significance and Use
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification
and Classification of Soils.
4.1 The purpose of this classification is to standardize the
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
naming of peat materials so that the peat-producer can better
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D4427 – 18. DOI:
10.1520/D4427-23.
identify the product and the peat-consumer can better select
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
peat materials to meet requirements. This system may also be
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
used for peat resource evaluations, environmental impact
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. reports, and preliminary engineering studies. The parameters
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International
...
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.
Designation: D4427 − 18 D4427 − 23
Standard Classification of
1
Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4427; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This classification is a system for subdividing and assigning nomenclature to peat samples through laboratory tests.
1.2 Peat is considered to be a naturally occurring organic soil primarily derived from decomposing plant material that has
sedentarily accumulated in water-saturated, anaerobic environments. It is found in peatlands, bogs, mangroves, mires, moors, and
muskegs and is generally composed of mosses, grasses, leaves, sedges, and shrubs. Changes in depositional environment can create
subsurface peat deposits underlying inorganic soils. Typically, peat has a low density, high water content, and is quite compressible
when compared to other types of soil
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1997 Test Method for Laboratory Determination of the Fiber Content of Peat and Organic Soils by Dry Mass
D2974 Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other
Organic Soils
D2976 Test Method for pH of Peat Materials
D2980 Test Method for Saturated Density, Moisture-Holding Capacity, and Porosity of Saturated Peat Materials
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D5715 Practice for Estimating the Degree of Humification of Peat and Other Organic Soils (Visual/Manual Method)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.07 on Identification and
Classification of Soils.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018April 1, 2023. Published February 2018April 2023. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20172018 as
D4427 – 13D4427 – 18.(2017). DOI: 10.1520/D4427-13R17.10.1520/D4427-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
1
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D4427 − 23
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 absorbency—the amount of water by mass that can be held by the peat. This amount is expressed in terms of the
water-holding capacity as measured using Test Method D2980.
3.2.2 acidity—expressed as the pH of the peat in water as measured using Test Method D2976.
3.2.3 ash content—the percentage by dry mass of material remaining after the oven dry peat is burned, using the methods
described in Test Methods D2974.
3.2.4 botanical composition—the dominant plant genus, genera, or informal plant group identified by visual observation as
comprising a portion of the fiber in the peat.
3.2.5 fiber content—the dry mass of fibers remaining after wet sieving over a No. 100 (150-μm) sieve. Fiber content is expressed
as a percentage of the original dry mass, using the method described in Test Method D1997.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The purpose of th
...
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