ASTM D4829-21
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Expansion Index of Soils
Standard Test Method for Expansion Index of Soils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The expansion index, EI, value is used by engineers and other professionals as an indicator of the soil’s swelling potential. It may also be used to determine the suitability of a soil to satisfy requirements set by specifying agencies.
5.2 The EI test is not used to duplicate any particular field conditions such as soil density, water content, loading, in-place soil structure, or soil water chemistry. However, consistent test conditions are used in preparation of compacted specimens such that direct correlation of data can be made.
5.3 Based on experience with expansive soils, the recommended qualitative classification of potential expansion in a soil based on EI is provided in Table 1.
5.4 The measurement of the magnitude of one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse (hydrocompression) under different vertical (axial) pressures, as well as the magnitude of swell pressure and the magnitude of free swell, and also the determination of data for stress-induced compression following wetting-induced swell or collapse are covered by Test Methods D4546. The ability to test intact specimens for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse is also covered in Methods D4546.
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/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method allows for determination of expansion potential of soils when inundated with distilled water.2 This test method measures a qualitative index property of the soil rather than a design parameter to be used for calculation of the actual amount of expansion. The expansion index, EI, provides an indication of swelling potential of a soil.
1.2 This test method provides a simple, yet sensitive, method for evaluation of expansion potential of soils for practical engineering applications using an index parameter.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In the system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the units for mass is slugs. The slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are involved.
1.3.2 The SI units presented for apparatus are substitutions of the inch-pound units, other similar SI units should be acceptable providing they meet the technical requirements established by the inch-pound apparatus.
1.3.3 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and of force (lbf). This practice implicitly combines two separate systems of units; the absolute and the gravitational systems. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. As stated, this standard includes the gravitational system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug unit of mass. However, the use of balances and scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft3 shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.3.4 The terms density and unit weight are often used interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume, whereas unit weight is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is given o...
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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:D4829 −21
Standard Test Method for
1
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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
3
1. Scope* recordingpoundsofmass(lbm)orrecordingdensityinlbm/ft
shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.1 This test method allows for determination of expansion
2
1.3.4 The terms density and unit weight are often used
potentialofsoilswheninundatedwithdistilledwater. Thistest
interchangeably.Densityismassperunitvolume,whereasunit
method measures a qualitative index property of the soil rather
weight is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is
than a design parameter to be used for calculation of the actual
given only in SI units. After the density has been determined,
amount of expansion. The expansion index, EI, provides an
the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
indication of swelling potential of a soil.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
1.2 This test method provides a simple, yet sensitive,
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
method for evaluation of expansion potential of soils for
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
practical engineering applications using an index parameter.
1.4.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculated
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal of significant
informationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.Reportingof
digits in the specified limit.
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
1.4.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
nonconformance with this standard.
recorded or calculated in the standard are regarded as the
1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
when dealing with inch-pound units. In the system, the pound
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
(lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the units for
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
mass is slugs. The slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F =
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
ma) calculations are involved.
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
1.3.2 The SI units presented for apparatus are substitutions
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
of the inch-pound units, other similar SI units should be
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
acceptable providing they meet the technical requirements
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
established by the inch-pound apparatus.
methods for engineering data.
1.3.3 It is common practice in the engineering/construction
profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
of mass (lbm) and of force (lbf). This practice implicitly
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
combines two separate systems of units; the absolute and the
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
gravitational systems. It is scientifically undesirable to com-
as requirements of the standard.
bine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
single standard. As stated, this standard includes the gravita-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tional system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
slug unit of mass. However, the use of balances and scales
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Compressibility of Soils.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published January 2021. Originally
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
approved in 1995.
...
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.
Designation: D4829 − 19 D4829 − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
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. 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*
2
1.1 This test method allows for determination of expansion potential of soils when inundated with distilled water. This test
method measures a qualitative index property of the soil rather than a design parameter to be used for calculation of the actual
amount of expansion. The expansion index, EI, provides an indication of swelling potential of a soil.
1.2 This test method provides a simple, yet sensitive, method for evaluation of expansion potential of soils for practical
engineering applications using an index parameter.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
nonconformance with this standard.
1.3.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In the system, the pound (lbf)
represents a unit of force (weight), while the units for mass is slugs. The slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma)
calculations are involved.
1.3.2 The SI units presented for apparatus are substitutions of the inch-pound units, other similar SI units should be acceptable
providing they meet the technical requirements established by the inch-pound apparatus.
1.3.3 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass
(lbm) and of force (lbf). This practice implicitly combines two separate systems of units; the absolute and the gravitational systems.
It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. As stated, this
standard includes the gravitational system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug unit of mass. However, the use
3
of balances and scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft shall not be regarded as nonconformance
with this standard.
1.3.4 The terms density and unit weight are often used interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume, whereas unit weight is
force per unit volume. In this standard, density is given only in SI units. After the density has been determined, the unit weight
is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
Compressibility of Soils.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2019Jan. 1, 2021. Published September 2019January 2021. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20112019
as D4829–11.–19. DOI: 10.1520/D4829-19.10.1520/D4829-21.
2
Anderson, J. N., and Lade, P. V., “The Expansion Index Test,” Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol 4, No. 2, ASTM, 1981, pp. 58–67.
*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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D4829 − 21
1.4.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculated value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated value(s) shall
be rounded to the nearest decimal of significant digits in the specified limit.
1.4.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in the standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering dat
...
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