ASTM D421-85(2007)

Standard Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Constants (Withdrawn 2016)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice can be used to prepare samples for particle-size and plasticity tests where it is desired to determine test values on air-dried samples, or where it is known that air drying does not have an effect on test results relative to samples prepared in accordance with Practice D 2217.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the dry preparation of soil samples as received from the field for particle-size analysis and the determination of the soil constants.
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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This practice covers the dry preparation of soil samples as received from the field for particle-size analysis and the determination of the soil constants.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, this practice was withdrawn in January 2016 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2007
• Withdrawal Date: 10-Jan-2016
• ICS: 13.080.01 - Soil quality and pedology in general
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.03 - Texture, Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D421-85(2002) - Standard Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Constants
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6836-16 - Standard Test Methods for Determination of the Soil Water Characteristic Curve for Desorption Using Hanging Column, Pressure Extractor, Chilled Mirror Hygrometer, or Centrifuge
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6276-19 - Standard Test Method for Using pH to Estimate the Soil-Lime Proportion Requirement for Soil Stabilization
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D1241-15 - Standard Specification for Materials for Soil-Aggregate Subbase, Base, and Surface Courses (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3282-15 - Standard Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-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: D421 − 85 (Reapproved2007)
Standard Practice for
Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for Particle-Size Analysis
and Determination of Soil Constants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D421; 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 4.3 Sieves—A series of sieves, of square mesh woven wire
cloth, conforming to Specification E11.The sieves required are
1.1 This practice covers the dry preparation of soil samples
as follows:
as received from the field for particle-size analysis and the
No. 4 (4.75-mm)
determination of the soil constants.
No. 10 (2.00-mm)
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
No. 40 (425-µm)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.4 Sampler—A riffle sampler or sample splitter, for quar-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tering the samples.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Sampling
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Expose the soil sample as received from the field to the
2. Referenced Documents
air at room temperature until dried thoroughly. Break up the
aggregations thoroughly in the mortar with a rubber-covered
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pestle. Select a representative sample of the amount required to
D2217 Practice for Wet Preparation of Soil Samples for
perform the desired tests by the method of quartering or by the
Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Con-
use of a sampler. The amounts of material required to perform
stants
the individual tests are as follows:
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
5.1.1 Particle-Size Analysis—For the particle-size analysis,
Sieves
material passing a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve is required in
amounts equal to 115 g of sandy soils and 65 g of either silt or
3. Significance and Use
clay soils.
3.1 This practice can be used to prepare samples for
5.1.2 Tests for Soil Constants—For the tests for soil
particle-size and plasticity tests where it is desired to determine
constants, material passing the No. 40 (425-µm) sieve is
test values on air-dried samples, or where it is known that air
required in total amount of 220 g, allocated as follows:
dryingdoesnothaveaneffectontestresultsrelativetosamples
Test Grams
prepared in accordance with Practice D2217.
Liquid limit 100
Plastic limit 15
4. Apparatus
Centrifuge moisture equivalent 10
Volumetric shrinkage 30
4.1 Balance, sensitive to 0.1 g.
Check tests 65
4.2 Mortar and Rubber-Covered Pestle , suitable for break-
6. Preparation of Test Sample
ing up the aggregations of soil particles.
6.1 Select that portion of the air-dried sample selected for
purposeoftestsandrecordthemassasthemassofthetotaltest
sample uncorrected for hygroscopic moisture. Separate the test
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
sample by sieving with a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve. Grind that
Rock and is the direct res
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