ASTM D4404-10
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Pore Volume and Pore Volume Distribution of Soil and Rock by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry
Standard Test Method for Determination of Pore Volume and Pore Volume Distribution of Soil and Rock by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is intended for use in determining the volume and the volume distribution of pores in soil and rock with respect to the apparent diameter of the entrances of the pores. In general, both the size and volume of the pores affects the performance of soil and rock. Thus, the pore volume distribution is useful in understanding soil and rock performance and in identifying a material that can be expected to perform in a particular manner (1, 2).
The intrusion process to determine the volume of a pore proceeds from the outside of a specimen toward its center. Comparatively large interior pores can exist that have smaller outside openings as the only means of access. Mercury intrusion porosimetry will incorrectly register the entire volume of these “ink-bottle” pores as having the apparent diameter of the smaller access pores. In a test specimen, exterior specimen pores can exist in addition to intra-specimen pores (see Section 3 for definitions). The inter-fragment pores will vary in size and volume depending on the size and shape of the soil or rock fragments and on the manner in which the fragments are packed together. It is possible that some exterior specimen pores can have the same apparent diameter as some intra-specimen pores. When this occurs, this test method cannot distinguish between them. Thus, the test method yields an intruded pore volume distribution that is in part dependent upon the packing of multifragment specimens. However, most soils and rocks have intra-fragment pores much smaller than the inter-fragment pores. This situation leads to a bi-modal pore size distribution and the distinction between the two classes of pores can then be made (see Figs. 1 and 2).
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 personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies which meet the criteria ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the pore volume and the pore volume distributions of soil and rock by the mercury intrusion porosimetry method. The range of apparent diameters of pores for which this test method is applicable is fixed by the operating pressure range of the testing instrument. This range is typically between apparent pore entrance diameters of about 100 μm and 2.5 nm (0.0025 μm). Larger pores must be measured by another method.
1.2 Mercury intrusion porosimetry is useful only for measuring pores open to the outside of a soil or rock fragment; mercury intrusion porosimetry will not give the volume of any pores completely enclosed by surrounding solids. This test method will give only the volume of intrudable pores that have an apparent diameter corresponding to a pressure within the pressurizing range of the testing instrument.
1.3 Mercury intrusion may involve the application of high pressures to the specimen. This may result in a temporary or permanent alteration or both in the pore geometry. Generally, soils and rocks are composed of comparatively strong solids and are less subject to these alterations than certain other materials. However, the possibility remains that the use of this test method may alter the natural pore volume distribution that is being measured.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.5 WarningMercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be...
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Designation: D4404 − 10
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Pore Volume and Pore Volume Distribution
1
of Soil and Rock by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4404; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional informa-
tion. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the pore
containing products or both into your state may be prohibited
volume and the pore volume distributions of soil and rock by
by state law.
the mercury intrusion porosimetry method. The range of
apparent diameters of pores for which this test method is 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
applicable is fixed by the operating pressure range of the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
testing instrument. This range is typically between apparent standard.
pore entrance diameters of about 100 µm and 2.5 nm (0.0025
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
µm). Larger pores must be measured by another method.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to consult and
1.2 Mercury intrusion porosimetry is useful only for mea-
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
suring pores open to the outside of a soil or rock fragment;
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mercury intrusion porosimetry will not give the volume of any
For specific precaution statements, see Section 8.
pores completely enclosed by surrounding solids. This test
methodwillgiveonlythevolumeofintrudableporesthathave
2. Referenced Documents
an apparent diameter corresponding to a pressure within the
2
pressurizing range of the testing instrument.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 Mercury intrusion may involve the application of high
Fluids
pressures to the specimen. This may result in a temporary or
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
permanent alteration or both in the pore geometry. Generally,
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
soils and rocks are composed of comparatively strong solids
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
and are less subject to these alterations than certain other
D6026Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
materials. However, the possibility remains that the use of this
Data
test method may alter the natural pore volume distribution that
is being measured.
3. Terminology
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
3.1 For definitions of terms used in the test method, refer to
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Terminology D653.
Practice D6026.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and
3.2.1 apparent pore diameter—thediameterofaporethatis
many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause
assumed to be cylindrical and that is intruded at a pressure, P,
central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or
given by the equation in 13.1.
its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to
3.2.2 inter-specimen pores—those pores between particles
materials.Cautionshouldbetakenwhenhandlingmercuryand
when they are packed together and that are intruded during the
mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Ma-
test.
terial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website
3.2.3 intra-specimen pores—those pores lying within the
exterior outlines of the individual soil and rock fragments.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysical-Chemical
2
Interactions of Soil and Rock. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D4404–84(2004). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D4404-10. 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
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D4404 − 10
3.2.4 intruded pore volume—the corrected volume of mer- mance and in identifying a mat
...
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.
ϵ1
Designation:D 4404–84 (Reapproved 1992) Designation:D4404–10
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Pore Volume and Pore Volume Distribution
1
of Soil and Rock by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4404; 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
1
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval. ϵ NOTE—Section 16 was added editorially in
November 1992.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the pore volume and the pore volume distributions of soil and rock by the
mercury intrusion porosimetry method. The range of apparent diameters of pores for which this test method is applicable is fixed
bytheoperantoperatingpressurerangeofthetestinginstrument.Thisrangeistypicallybetweenapparentporeentrancediameters
of about 100 µm and 2.5 nm (0.0025 µm). Larger pores must be measured by another method.
1.2 Mercury intrusion porosimetry is useful only for measuring pores open to the outside of a soil or rock fragment; mercury
intrusionporosimetrywillnotgivethevolumeofanyporescompletelyenclosedbysurroundingsolids.Thistestmethodwillgive
only the volume of intrudable pores that have an apparent diameter corresponding to a pressure within the pressurizing range of
the testing instrument.
1.3Theintrusionprocessproceedsfromtheoutsideofafragmenttowarditscenter.Comparativelylargeinteriorporescanexist
that have smaller pores as the only means of access. Mercury intrusion porosimetry will incorrectly register the entire volume of
these“ink-bottle”poresashavingtheapparentdiameterofthesmalleraccesspores.Inatestsample,inter-fragmentporescanexist
inadditiontointra-fragmentpores(seeSection3fordefinitions).Theinter-fragmentporeswillvaryinsizeandvolumedepending
on the size and shape of the soil or rock fragments and on the manner in which the fragments are packed together. It is possible
that some inter-fragment pores can have the same apparent diameter as some intra-fragment pores. When this occurs this test
method cannot distinguish between them. Thus, the test method yields an intruded pore volume distribution that is in part
dependent upon the packing of multifragment samples. However, most soils and rocks have intra-fragment pores much smaller
than the inter-fragment pores.This situation leads to a bi-modal pore size distribution and the distinction between the two classes
of pores can then be made (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
1.4Mercuryintrusionmayinvolvetheapplicationofhighpressurestothesample.Thismayresultinatemporary,orpermanent,
or temporary and permanent alteration in the pore geometry. Generally, soils and rocks are composed of comparatively strong
solidsandarelesssubjecttothesealterationsthancertainothermaterials.However,thepossibilityremainsthattheuseofthistest
method may alter the natural pore volume distribution that is being measured.
1.5This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 Mercury intrusion may involve the application of high pressures to the specimen. This may result in a temporary or
permanentalterationorbothintheporegeometry.Generally,soilsandrocksarecomposedofcomparativelystrongsolidsandare
less subject to these alterations than certain other materials. However, the possibility remains that the use of this test method may
alter the natural pore volume distribution that is being measured.
1.4 AllobservedandcalculatedvaluesshallconformtotheguidelinesforsignificantdigitsandroundingestablishedinPractice
D6026.
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central
nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution
should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware
that selling mercury or mercury-containing products or both into your state may be prohibited by state law.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD-18onSoilan
...
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