ASTM D4221-11

Standard Test Method for Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Dispersive clays are those which normally deflocculate when exposed to water of low-salt concentration, the opposite of aggregated clays that would remain flocculated in the same soil-water system  (3, 4, 7). Generally, dispersive clays are highly erosive, possibly subject to high shrink-swell potential, may have lower shear strength, and have lower permeability rates than aggregated clays.
Available data (1) indicates that the test method has about 85 % reliance in predicting dispersive performance (85 % of dispersive clays show more than 35 % dispersion).
Since this test method may not identify all dispersive clays, design decisions based solely on this test method may not be conservative. It is often run in conjunction with the crumb test (4, 7), the pinhole test given in Test Method D4647, or the analysis of the pore water extract (4, 7), or combination thereof, to identify possible dispersive clay behavior.
Note 1—Notwithstanding the statement on precision and bias contained in this test method; the precision of this test method is dependent on the competence of the personal 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 test method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method, when used in conjunction with a test performed by Test Method D422 on a duplicate soil sample, provides an indication of the natural dispersive characteristics of clay soils (1).  
1.2 This test method is applicable only to soils with a plasticity index greater than 4 as determined in accordance with Test Method D4318 and more than 12 % of the soil fraction finer than 5-μm as determined in accordance with Test Method D422 (2).  
1.3 This test method is similar to Test Method D422, except that this method covers the determination of percent of soil particles smaller than 5-μm in diameter in a soil-water suspension without mechanical agitation and to which no dispersing agent has been added.  
1.4 The amount of particles smaller than 5-μm determined by this method compared with the total amount of particles smaller than 5-μm determined by Test Method D422 is a measure of the dispersive characteristics of the soil.
1.5 This test method may not identify all dispersive clay soils. Pinholes (Test Method D4647 and crumb tests, or both, (3-5)or the analysis of pore water extract (4-7) may be performed to help verify dispersion.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2011
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.06 - Physical-Chemical Interactions of Soil and Rock

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4221-99(2005) - Standard Test Method for Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM D4221-17 - Standard Test Method for Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D4647/D4647M-13(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Identification and Classification of Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6572-21 - Standard Test Methods for Determining Dispersive Characteristics of Clayey Soils by the Crumb Test
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011

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: D4221 − 11
Standard Test Method for
Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double
1
Hydrometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4221; 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* priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method, when used in conjunction with a test
performed by Test Method D422 on a duplicate soil sample,
2. Referenced Documents
provides an indication of the natural dispersive characteristics
3
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of clay soils (1).
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
1.2 This test method is applicable only to soils with a
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
plasticity index greater than 4 as determined in accordance
Fluids
with Test Method D4318 and more than 12 % of the soil
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
fraction finer than 5-µm as determined in accordance with Test
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
Method D422 (2).
D2251 Test Method for Metal Corrosion by Halogenated
1.3 This test method is similar toTest Method D422, except Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
that this method covers the determination of percent of soil
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
particles smaller than 5-µm in diameter in a soil-water suspen- Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
sion without mechanical agitation and to which no dispersing Used in Engineering Design and Construction
agent has been added. D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
Plasticity Index of Soils
1.4 The amount of particles smaller than 5-µm determined
D4647 Test Method for Identification and Classification of
by this method compared with the total amount of particles
Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test
smaller than 5-µm determined by Test Method D422 is a
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
measure of the dispersive characteristics of the soil.
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.5 This test method may not identify all dispersive clay
Construction Materials Testing
soils. Pinholes (Test Method D4647 and crumb tests, or both,
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
(3-5)or the analysis of pore water extract (4-7) may be
Data
performed to help verify dispersion.
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Sieves
Practice D6026. E100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Ventilation Ovens
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
3. Terminology
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 dispersive clays—soils that disperse (deflocculate)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
easily and rapidly without significant mechanical assistance in
water of low-salt concentration.
3.1.1.1 Such soils usually have a high proportion of their
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
adsorptive capacity saturated with sodium cation although
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysical-Chemical
Interactions of Soil and Rock.
Current edition approved March 1, 2011. Published March 2011. Originally
3
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D4221–99(2005). For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
DOI: 10.1520/D4221-11. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4221 − 11
adsorbed lithium and magnesium may also play a role (6). 6.5 Vacuum Pump, for evacuating entrapped air from the
Such soils also generally have a high shrink-swell potential, samples, and capable of pulling at least 20 to 25 in. Hg. Check
havelowresistancetoerosion,andhavelowpermea
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D 4221–99 Designation:D4221–11
Standard Test Method for
Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double
1
Hydrometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4221; 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 (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1This test method, when used in conjunction with a test performed by Test Method D 422D 422 *
1.1 Thistest method, when used in conjunction withatest performedbyTest MethodD422onaduplicatesoil sample, provides
2
an indication of the natural dispersive characteristics of clay soils (1).
1.2 This test method is applicable only to soils with a plasticity index greater than 4 as determined in accordance with Test
Method D 4318D4318 and more than 12 % of the soil fraction finer than 5-µm as determined in accordance with Test Method D
422D422 (2).
1.3 This test method is similar to Test Method D 422D422, except that this method covers the determination of percent of soil
particles smaller than 5-µm in diameter in a soil-water suspension without mechanical agitation and to which no dispersing agent
has been added.
1.4 The amount of particles smaller than 5-µm determined by this method compared with the total amount of particles smaller
than 5-µm determined by Test Method D 422D422 is a measure of the dispersive characteristics of the soil.
1.5 This test method may not identify all dispersive clay soils. Pinholes (Test Method D 4647D4647 and crumb tests, or both,
(3-5)or the analysis of pore water extract (4-7) may be performed to help verify dispersion.
1.6
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
3
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1193Specification for Reagent Water Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3
D2216 Test Method for Laboratory Determination ofWater (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock Test Methods for Laboratory
Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2251 Test Method for Metal Corrosion by Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used
in Engineering Design and Construction
D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
D4647 Test Method for Identification and Classification of Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test
D4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock, and Related
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD-18D18onSoilandRockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysico-Chemical
Properties of Soils and Rocks.
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published September 1999. Originally published as D 4421–83. Last previous edition D 4221–90.on Physical-Chemical
Interactions of Soil and Rock.
Current edition approved March 1, 2011. Published March 2011. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D4221–99(2005). DOI:
10.1520/D4221-11.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to this standard.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 04.08.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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4221–11
3
Construction Materials Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for
...