ASTM D4943-02
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Shrinkage Factors of Soils by the Wax Method
Standard Test Method for Shrinkage Factors of Soils by the Wax Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The term shrinkage limit, expressed as a moisture content in percent, represents the amount of water required just to fill all of the voids of a given cohesive soil at its minimum void ratio obtained by ovendrying. The shrinkage limit can be used to evaluate the shrinkage potential, crack development potential, and swell potential of earthwork involving cohesive soils.
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 D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/and the like. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the shrinkage limit of soils.
1.2 The data obtained using this test method may also be used to calculate shrinkage ratio, volumetric shrinkage, and linear shrinkage.
1.3 This test method is applicable only for cohesive soils.
1.4 Since this test method is performed only on that portion of a soil which passes the No. 40 (425-μm) sieve, the relative consistency of this portion of the soil to the properties of the sample as a whole must be considered when using these procedures to evaluate the properties of a soil.
1.5 The shrinkage limit along with the liquid limit and plastic limit of soils are often collectively referred to as the Atterberg limits in recognition of their formation by Swedish soil scientist, A. Atterberg. These limits distinguish the boundaries of the several consistency states of cohesive soils.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 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. For specific safety hazards, see Section 7, Note 2, and Note X1.1.
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Designation:D4943–02
Standard Test Method for
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Shrinkage Factors of Soils by the Wax Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4943; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Giventheconcernthatmercuryisahazardoussubstance,thistestmethodisofferedasanalternative
to Test Method D 427, which is used to determine the shrinkage limit and other shrinkage factors of
soils using mercury (see Caution statement in Test Method D 427). Since this test method has been
performedbyonlyafeworganizationstodate,othersareencouragedtoperformbothtestmethodsand
toreporttheirfindingstoSubcommitteeD18.03.(SeeAppendixX1forarationaleofthistestmethod.)
1. Scope * C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
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for Test Methods for Construction Materials
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
C 702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to
the shrinkage limit of soils.
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Testing Size
1.2 The data obtained using this test method may also be
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D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
used to calculate shrinkage ratio, volumetric shrinkage, and
D 420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, De-
linear shrinkage.
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sign, and Construction Purposes
1.3 This test method is applicable only for cohesive soils.
D 427 Test Method for Shrinkage Factors of Soil by the
1.4 Since this test method is performed only on that portion
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Mercury Method
of a soil which passes the No. 40 (425-µm) sieve, the relative
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
consistency of this portion of the soil to the properties of the
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Fluids
sample as a whole must be considered when using these
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D 854 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils
procedures to evaluate the properties of a soil.
D 2726 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density
1.5 The shrinkage limit along with the liquid limit and
of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Saturated
plastic limit of soils are often collectively referred to as the
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Surface-Dry Specimens
Atterberg limits in recognition of their formation by Swedish
D 3740 Practice forAgencies Engaged in theTesting and/or
soil scientist,A.Atterberg. These limits distinguish the bound-
Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used Ingineering Design
aries of the several consistency states of cohesive soils.
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and Construction
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
D 4318 Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
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Plasticity Index of Soils
only.
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
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Related Construction Materials
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
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E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific safety
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poses
hazards, see Section 7, Note 2, and Note X1.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
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Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.
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and Density Characteristics of Soils. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
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Current edition approved July 10, 2002. Published September 2002. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
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published as D 4943 – 89. Last previous edition D 4943 – 95. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
*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.
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D4943–02
3. Terminology 6.11 Water Bath—Of sufficient size to allow the soil pat to
be submerged when determining mass in water.
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
6.12 Wax Warmer—Sufficient temperature control to avoid
minology D 653.
overheating.
6.13 Thermometer (optional)—A thermometer, 0 to 50°C
4. Summary of Test Method
range, 0.5° gradations, conforming to the requirements of
4.1 The moisture content of a pat of wet soil is determined.
Specification E 1.
Then the moisture-content loss to dry the soil to a constant
6.14 Glass or Clear Plastic Plate, used for calibrating the
volume
...
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