ASTM D4829-95

Standard Test Method for Expansion Index of Soils

SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides an index to the expansion potential of compacted soils when inundated with distilled water.  
1.2 This test method controls variables that influence the expansive characteristics of soils and still retains a relatively simple test for practical engineering applications.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approximate.
1.4 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: 31-Dec-1994
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.05 - Strength and Compressibility of Soils

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D4829-03 - Standard Test Method for Expansion Index of Soils
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D4829–95
Standard Test Method for
Expansion Index of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4829; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* E11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
poses
1.1 This test method provides an index to the expansion
potential of compacted soils when inundated with distilled
3. Terminology
water.
3.1 Refer to Terminology D653 for standard definitions of
1.2 This test method controls variables that influence the
terms. Additional terms are as follows:
expansive characteristics of soils and still retains a relatively
3.2 expansionindex,EI—1000timesthedifferencebetween
simple test for practical engineering applications.
final and initial height of the specimen divided by the initial
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
height.
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approxi-
mate.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The specimen is compacted into a metal ring so that the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
degree of saturation is between 40 and 60% and the specimen
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and the ring are placed in a consolidometer. A vertical
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
confining pressure of 6.9 kPa (1 lbf/in. ) is applied to the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
specimen and then the specimen is inundated with distilled
2. Referenced Documents water.The deformation of the specimen is recorded for 24 h or
until the rate of deformation becomes less than 0.0005 mm/h
2.1 ASTM Standards:
(0.0002 in./h), whichever occurs first. A minimum recording
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
3 time of3his required.
Fluids
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
5. Significance and Use
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft lbf/ft (600
3 3 5.1 The expansion index, EI, is used to measure a basic
kN-m/m ))
index property of soil and therefore, the EI is comparable to
D854 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils
other indices such as the liquid limit, plastic limit, and
D2216 TestMethodforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
plasticity index of soils, as in Test Method D4318.
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock
5.2 The EI is not used to duplicate any particular field
D2435 Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation
conditionssuchassoildensity,watercontent,loading,in-place
Properties of Soils
soil structure or soil water chemistry. However, the test
D3877 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Expansion,
procedure keeps all conditions constant allowing direct corre-
Shrinkage, and Uplift Pressure of Soil-Lime Mixtures
lation of data between organizations. All organizations can
D4318 Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
benefit from these collective experiences.
Plasticity Index of Soils
5.3 Theclassificationofapotentiallyexpansivesoilisbased
D4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
on the following table:
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock
Expansion Index, EI Potential Expansion
and Related Construction Materials Testing
0–20 Very Low
21–50 Low
51–90 Medium
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil 91–130 High
>130 Very High
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Structural
Properties of Soils.
Current edition approved April 15, 1995. Published August 1995.
Refer to Anderson, J. N., and Lade, P. V., “The Expansion Index Test,’’
Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol 4, No. 2, ASTM, 1981, pp. 58–67.
3 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. 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.
D4829–95
6. Apparatus for measuring the change in height of the specimen. The
consolidometer ring must be as specified in 6.1.
6.1 Mold—The mold shall be cylindrical in shape, made of
6.9 Porous Disks—The disks shall be smooth ground and
metal, and have the capacity and dimensions indicated in Fig.
fine enough to minimize intrusion of soil into the disks and
1. It shall have a detachable collar inscribed with a mark 5.08
shall reduce false displacements caused by seating of the
mm (2.00 in.) above the base.The lower section of the mold is
specimen against the surface of porous disks (Note 2). Such
designed to retain a removable stainless steel ring 2.54 mm (1
displacements may be significant, especially if displacements
in.)inheight,10.19mm(4.01in.)ininternaldiameter,andnot
and applied vertical pressures are small.
less than 0.31 mm (0.120 in.) in wall thickness.
6.2 Rammer—Ametal rammer having a 5.08 mm (2.00 in.)
NOTE 2—A suitable pore size is 10 µm.
diameter circular face and weighing 2.5 kg (5.5 lbf) shall be
6.9.1 Porous disks shall be air dry.
equipped with a suitable arrangement to control height of drop
6.9.2 Porous disks shall fit close to the consolidometer ring
to a free fall of 30.5 mm (12 in.) above the top of the soil. See
to avoid extrusion or punching. Suitable disk tolerances are
Test Methods D698 for specification of a suitable rammer.
described in 6.3 of Test Method D2435.
6.3 Balance—Abalance of at least 1000 g capacity meeting
the requirments of Specification D4753, Class GP2.
7. Sample Preparation
NOTE 1—For further information refer to Specification D4753.
7.1 Preparation for Sieving—If the soil sample is damp
when received from the field, dry it until it becomes friable
6.4 Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying
under a trowel. Drying may be in air or by the use of drying
oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 6 5°C
apparatus, such that the temperature of the sample does not
(2306 9°F) for drying moisture samples.
exceed 60°C (140°F). Then thoroughly break up the aggrega-
6.5 Straight Edge—Steel straight edge 30.5 mm (12 in.) in
tions in such a manner as to avoid reducing the natural size of
length and having one bevelled edge.
individual particles.
6.6 Sieves—A 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve conforming to the
requirements of SpecificationE11.
NOTE 3—If particles larger than 0.6 mm (0.25 in.) are potentially
6.7 Mixing Tools—Miscellaneous tools such as mixing
expansive, such as claystone, shale, or weathered volcanic rock, they may
pans, spoons, trowels, spatula, and so forth, or a suitable
be broken down so as to pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve if this is
mechanical device for thoroughly mixing the sample of soil consistent with use of the soil.
with increments of water.
7.2 Sieving—Sieve an adequate quantity of the representa-
6.8 Loading Device—Aconsolidometer or equivalent load-
tivepulverizedsoiloverthe4.75-mm(No.4)sieve.Recordthe
ing device as described in Test Method D2435 for supporting
percentage of coarse material retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
andsubmergingthespecimen,forapplyingaverticalload,and
sieve and discard.
7.3 Sample—Select a representative sample of the soil with
amassofapproximately1kg(2lbf)ormorepreparedasin7.1
and 7.2.
8. Specimen Preparation
8.1 Adjust Water Content—Thoroughly mix the selected
representativesamplewithsufficientdistilledwatertobringthe
soil to approximately optimum water content as determined in
accordance with Test Method D698. The actual test method
need not be run, but experience and judgement should be used
to estimate that water content. After mixing, take a represen-
tative sample of the material for moisture determination and
sealtheremainderofthesoilinaclose-fittingairtightcontainer
for a period of at least 16 h (or overnight).Weigh the moisture
sample immediately, and dry in an oven at 110 6 5°C (230 6
9°F) for at least 12 h, or in accordance with Test Method
Le
...