ASTM D4546-21
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
Standard Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The wetting-induced swell/collapse strains measured from Test Methods A and B can be used to develop estimates of heave or settlement of a confined soil profile (1-4).4 They can also be used to estimate the magnitudes of the swell pressure (Fig. 3) and the free swell strain (percent swell under a pressure of 1 kPa (20 lbf/ft2)). The load-induced strains after wetting from Test Method C can be used to estimate stress-induced settlement following wetting-induced heave or settlement. Selection of test method, loading, and inundation sequences should, as closely as possible, simulate field conditions because relatively small variations in density and water content, or sequence of loading and wetting can significantly alter the test results (1, 5 and 6).
FIG. 3 Stress Versus Wetting-Induced Swell/Collapse Strain, Test Method A
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 depends on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of these factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers two laboratory test methods for measuring the magnitude of one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse of unsaturated soils and one method for measuring load-induced compression subsequent to wetting-induced deformation.
1.1.1 Test Method A is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression (collapse) of reconstituted specimens simulating field condition of compacted fills. The magnitude of swell pressure (the minimum vertical stress required to prevent swelling), and free swell (percent swell under a pressure of 1 kPa or 20 lbf/ft2) can also be determined from the results of Test Method A.
1.1.2 Test Method B is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation of intact specimens obtained from a natural deposit or from an existing compacted fill. The magnitude of swell pressure and free swell can also be determined from the results of Test Method B.
1.1.3 Test Method C is a procedure for measuring load-induced strains on a reconstituted or intact specimen after the specimen has undergone wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation.
1.2 In Test Method A, a series of reconstituted specimens duplicating compaction condition of the fine fraction of the soil in the field (excluding the oversize particles) are assembled in consolidometer units. Different loads corresponding to different fill depths are applied to different specimens and each specimen is given access to free water until the process of primary swell or collapse is completed (Fig. 1) under a constant vertical total stress (Fig. 2). The resulting swell or collapse deformations are measured. This test method can be referred to as wetting-after-loading tests on multiple reconstituted specimens. The data from these tests can be used to estimate one-dimensional ground surface heave or settlement that can occur due to full wetting after fill construction. In addition, the magnitude of swell pressure and the magnitude of free swell can be interpreted from the test results.
FIG. 1 Time-Swell Curve
FIG. 2 Deformation Versus Vertical Stress, Test Method A
1.3 Test Method B is commonly used for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression of individual intact samples. This method can be referred to as single-point wetting-after-loading test. The vertical pressure at wetting for the specimen is chosen equal to the vertical in-situ stress (overburden stress plus structural stress, if any) corresponding to the sampling depth. The test result ind...
General Information
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
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: D4546 − 21
Standard Test Methods for
1
One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4546; 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* addition, the magnitude of swell pressure and the magnitude of
free swell can be interpreted from the test results.
1.1 This standard covers two laboratory test methods for
1.3 Test Method B is commonly used for measuring one-
measuring the magnitude of one-dimensional wetting-induced
dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression of
swell or collapse of unsaturated soils and one method for
individual intact samples. This method can be referred to as
measuring load-induced compression subsequent to wetting-
single-point wetting-after-loading test. The vertical pressure at
induced deformation.
wetting for the specimen is chosen equal to the vertical in-situ
1.1.1 Test Method A is a procedure for measuring one-
stress (overburden stress plus structural stress, if any) corre-
dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression (col-
sponding to the sampling depth. The test result indicates the
lapse) of reconstituted specimens simulating field condition of
amount of heave or hydrocompression that can result when the
compacted fills. The magnitude of swell pressure (the mini-
soil at a given fill depth is wetted from the current moisture
mum vertical stress required to prevent swelling), and free
2
condition to full inundation condition. If intact specimens from
swell (percent swell under a pressure of 1 kPa or 20 lbf/ft ) can
various depths are tested, the swell or collapse strain data can
also be determined from the results of Test Method A.
be used to estimate heave or settlement of the ground surface.
1.1.2 Test Method B is a procedure for measuring one-
If the objective of the test is to measure swell pressure for an
dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation of
expansive soil, a series of intact specimens from a given depth
intact specimens obtained from a natural deposit or from an
zone can be wetted under a range of pressures (similar to Test
existing compacted fill. The magnitude of swell pressure and
Method A) and the results interpreted to determine the magni-
free swell can also be determined from the results of Test
tude of the swell pressure.
Method B.
1.1.3 Test Method C is a procedure for measuring load-
1.4 Test Method C is for measuring load-induced strains
induced strains on a reconstituted or intact specimen after the after wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation has oc-
specimen has undergone wetting-induced swell or collapse
curred.This method can be referred to as loading-after-wetting
deformation.
test. The test can be performed on either intact or reconstituted
specimens, and can be on one specimen or a series of
1.2 In Test Method A, a series of reconstituted specimens
specimens. The results would apply to situations where new
duplicatingcompactionconditionofthefinefractionofthesoil
fill, additional structural loads, or both, are applied to the
in the field (excluding the oversize particles) are assembled in
ground that has previously gone through wetting-induced
consolidometer units. Different loads corresponding to differ-
heave or settlement. The first part of the test is the same as in
ent fill depths are applied to different specimens and each
Test Method A or B. After completion of the swell or collapse
specimen is given access to free water until the process of
under a given vertical load, additional vertical load increments
primary swell or collapse is completed (Fig. 1) under a
are applied to the specimen in the same manner as in a
constant vertical total stress (Fig. 2). The resulting swell or
consolidation test (Test Methods D2435/D2435M) and the
collapse deformations are measured. This test method can be
load-induced strains are measured.
referred to as wetting-after-loading tests on multiple reconsti-
tuted specimens. The data from these tests can be used to 1.5 It shall be the responsibility of the agency requesting
estimate one-dimensional ground surface heave or settlement this test to specify the magnitude of each load for Test Method
that can occur due to full wetting after fill construction. In A and Test Method B. For Test Method C, the agency
requesting the test should specify the magnitude of the stress
under which the specimen is wetted, and the magnitudes of the
additiona
...
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.
´1
Designation: D4546 − 14 D4546 − 21
Standard Test Methods for
1
One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4546; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially updated units of measurement statement in April 2018.
1. Scope*
1.1 This standard covers two laboratory test methods for measuring the magnitude of one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or
collapse of unsaturated soils and one method for measuring load-induced compression subsequent to wetting-induced deformation.
1.1.1 Test Method A is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression (collapse) of
reconstituted specimens simulating field condition of compacted fills. The magnitude of swell pressure (the minimum vertical
2
stress required to prevent swelling), and free swell (percent swell under a pressure of 1 kPa or 20 lbf/ft ) can also be determined
from the results of Test Method A.
1.1.2 Test Method B is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation of intact
specimens obtained from a natural deposit or from an existing compacted fill. The magnitude of swell pressure and free swell can
also be determined from the results of Test Method B.
1.1.3 Test Method C is a procedure for measuring load-induced strains on a reconstituted or intact specimen after the specimen
has undergone wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation.
1.2 In Test Method A, a series of reconstituted specimens duplicating compaction condition of the fine fraction of the soil in the
field (excluding the oversize particles) are assembled in consolidometer units. Different loads corresponding to different fill depths
are applied to different specimens and each specimen is given access to free water until the process of primary swell or collapse
is completed (Fig. 1) under a constant vertical total stress (Fig. 2). The resulting swell or collapse deformations are measured. This
test method can be referred to as wetting-after-loading tests on multiple reconstituted specimens. The data from these tests can be
used to estimate one-dimensional ground surface heave or settlement that can occur due to full wetting after fill construction. In
addition, the magnitude of swell pressure and the magnitude of free swell can be interpreted from the test results.
1.3 Test Method B is commonly used for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression of individual
intact samples. This method can be referred to as single-point wetting-after-loading test. The vertical pressure at wetting for the
specimen is chosen equal to the vertical in-situ stress (overburden stress plus structural stress, if any) corresponding to the sampling
depth. The test result indicates the amount of heave or hydrocompression that can result when the soil at a given fill depth is wetted
from the current moisture condition to full inundation condition. If intact specimens from various depths are tested, the swell or
collapse strain data can be used to estimate heave or settlement of the ground surface. If the objective of the test is to measure swell
pressure for an expansive soil, a series of intact specimens from a given depth zone can be wetted under a range of pressures
(similar to Test Method A) and the results interpreted to determine the magnitude of the swell pressure.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
Compressibility of Soils.
Current edition approved March 1, 2014April 1, 2021. Published April 2014April 2021. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
ɛ1
D4546 – 08.D4546 – 14 . DOI: 10.1520/D4546-14E01.10.1520/D4546-21.
*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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4546 − 21
FIG. 1 Time-Swell Curve
1.4 Test Method C is for measuring load-induced strains after wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation has occurred. This
method can be referred to as loading-after-wetting test. The test can be performed on either intac
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.