ASTM E2399-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Maximum Media Density for Dead Load Analysis of Green Roof Systems
Standard Test Method for Maximum Media Density for Dead Load Analysis of Green Roof Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method describes simple laboratory methods that provide reproduceable measurements of critical media properties, and permit direct comparisons to be made between different media materials.
The density of mixed media materials will vary depending on the degree to which they are subjected to compaction and the length of time that the material is allowed to hydrate and subsequently drain. Most green roof media materials have a large capacity to absorb and retain moisture. Furthermore, moisture will drain gradually from the media following a hydration cycle. The maximum media density measured in this procedure approaches the density at the theoretical saturation point.
Existing methods for measuring the capillary-moisture relationship for soils (Test Method D 2325) rely on sample preparation procedures (Test Methods D 698) that are not consistent with the conditions associated with the placement of green roof media materials. This procedure is intended to provide a reproducible laboratory procedure for predicting the maximum media density, moisture content, and water permeability under conditions that more closely replicate field conditions on green roofs.
The value of this test method to the green roof designer is that it provides an objective measure of maximum probable media density (under drained conditions) for estimating structural loads. It also provides a method for estimating the lower limit for the water permeability of the in-place media. This latter value is important when considering drainage conditions in green roofs. Finally, the maximum media water retention has been shown to be a useful indicator of the moisture retention properties of green roof media.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the maximum media density for purposes of estimating the maximum dead load for green roof assemblies. The method also provides a measure of the moisture content and the water permeability measured at the maximum media density.
1.2 This procedure is suitable for green roof media that contain no more than 30% organic material as measured using the loss on ignition procedure Test Methods F 1647, Method A.
1.3 The maximum media density and associated moisture content measured in this procedure applies to drained conditions near the saturation point.
1.4 The test method is intended to emulate vertical percolation rates for water in green roofs.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E2399–05
Standard Test Method for
Maximum Media Density for Dead Load Analysis of Green
Roof Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2399; 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.
1. Scope E2114 Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Per-
formance of Buildings
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the
F1647 Test Methods for Organic Matter Content of Putting
maximum media density for purposes of estimating the maxi-
Green and Sports Turf Root Zone Mixes
mum dead load for green roof assemblies. The method also
provides a measure of the moisture content and the water
3. Terminology
permeability measured at the maximum media density.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 This procedure is suitable for green roof media that
3.1.1 For terms related to building construction, refer to
contain no more than 30 % organic material as measured using
Terminology E631.
the loss on ignition procedure Test Methods F1647, MethodA.
3.1.2 For terms related to sustainability relative to the
1.3 The maximum media density and associated moisture
performance of buildings, refer to Terminology E2114.
content measured in this procedure applies to drained condi-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tions near the saturation point.
3.2.1 maximum media density—the density of a mixed
1.4 The test method is intended to emulate vertical perco-
media material determined after it has been subjected to a
lation rates for water in green roofs.
specific amount of compaction and hydrated by immersion to
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
simulate prolonged exposure to both foot traffic and rainfall.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The maximum media density applies
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
to drained conditions.
and are not considered standard.
3.2.2 maximum media water retention—the quantity of
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
water held in a media at the maximum media density.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2.1 Discussion—This is useful measure of the capacity
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of a media to hold water under drained conditions.
priate safety and health practices and to determine the
3.2.3 saturation point—the moisture content at which the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
soil tension in the mixed media is zero, but a free water surface
2. Referenced Documents has not developed.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—The saturation point represents the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
theoretical maximum moisture content that a material can
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
contain in a drained state.
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3.2.4 water permeability—the coefficient, which when mul-
kN-m/m ))
tiplied by the hydraulic gradient will yield the apparent
D2325 Test Method for Capillary-Moisture Relationships
velocity with which water, at 68°F (20°C) will move through a
for Coarse- and Medium-Textured Soils by Porous-Plate
cross-section of media.
Apparatus
3.2.4.1 Discussion—The conditions created in this method
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
apply to freely-drained media where the free water surface is
level with the upper surface of the media layer (such as,
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E60 on
impending accumulation of water above the surface of the
Sustainability and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E60.01 on Buildings
media).
and Construction.
Current edition approved July 1, 2005. Published July 2005. DOI: 10.1520/
4. Summary of Test Method
E2399-05.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.1 This test method involves compressing a moist sample
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
of a media into a perforated mold using specified compaction
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
developedusingaProctorhammer.Thesampleissubsequently
the ASTM website.
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2399–05
immersed in a water bath for 24 hours to promote full 6.1.7 Plastic water immersion bath with minimum immer-
hydration of the material. After allowing the sample to drain sion depth of 8 in. (20.3 cm),
briefly, its density and moisture content are determined using 6.1.8 Drain stand,
standard gravimetric procedures. This procedure also includes 6.1.9 Filter fabric disk, 5.8-in. (14.7-cm) diameter, for
a method for estimating the water permeability using a covering the upper surface of the sample within the test
pseudo-constant head procedure. cylinder,
4.2 This test method involves measuring the density of the 6.1.10 4-in. (10-cm) concrete cubes (for use as weights),
media after the sample has been allowed to drain for 2 h. This 6.1.11 Measuring scale, supported by a circular wire stand,
measurement is the maximummedia density.The 2-h measure- with marks at 1.5 and 2.0 in. (3.8 and 5.0 cm), and
ment is valuable to the green roof designer, since it is directly 6.1.12 Thermometer.
comparable to media densities determined using the most
7. Conditioning
common international procedures for establishing green roof
7.1 The procedure requires a damp sample. If the sample is
dead load values.
received in a dry condition, it must be moistened. Add water
5. Significance and Use
and incorporate by gently mixing. After moistening, allow the
5.1 This test method describes simple laboratory methods sample to stand in an airtight container for 3 hours before
that provide reproduceable measurements of critical media continuing the procedure.
properties, and permit direct comparisons to be made between
8. Procedure
different media materials.
8.1 General:
5.2 The density of mixed media materials will vary depend-
8.1.1 Establish the weight of the cylinder together with the
ing on the degree to which they are subjected to compaction
bottom sieve. Cover the perforations with the sieve disc, and
and the length of time that the material is allowed to hydrate
fill the cylinder with the sample material to a height of 4.75 to
and subsequently drain. Most green roof media materials have
a large capacity to absorb and retain moisture. Furthermore, 5.5 in. (12 to 14 cm). The quantity of material added should be
sufficienttoproduceasampleheightofapproximately4in.(10
moisture will drain gradually from the media following a
hydration cycle. The maximum media density measured in this cm) after being compressed.
8.1.2 Cover the contained material with the steel plate and
procedure approaches the density at the theoretical saturation
compress with 6 blows of the Proctor hammer. Remove the
point.
steel plate. Determine the sample height, H, in the compressed
5.3 Existing methods for measuring the capillary-moisture
i
condition, by measuring the depth from the top of the upper
relationship for soils (Test Method D2325) rely on sample
cylinder edge to the upper surface of the sample. Subtract this
preparation procedures (Test Methods D698) that are not
measurement and the thickness of the steel plate from the
consistent with the conditions associated with
...
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