ASTM D4531-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Bulk and Dry Density of Peat and Peat Products
Standard Test Methods for Bulk and Dry Density of Peat and Peat Products
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The bulk density is of use in the calculation of in situ stresses for engineering analysis and in quantifying the amount of material present when considering peat as a resource. In the latter case, it is necessary to consider the moisture condition for which the bulk density was determined; a more useful parameter to consider may well be the dry density, ρd.
Note 3: 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 evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk and dry density of both peat in its natural state and peat products (Note 1). These test methods consist of defining a volume of peat and determining the mass of that specific volume. The difference in the respective methods is in the procedures employed to determine the peat volume.
1.2 The water content of a peat/peat product influences the bulk density. When using the bulk density for quantifying the amount of peat for use as a resource evaluation, the water content value needs to accompany the bulk density value.
Note 1: Test Method D2978 is used for measuring the volume of uncompacted loose peat materials and compacted baled peat materials.
1.3 Method A—The core method covers the determination of the bulk density of a core of peat taken with a piston sampler or other suitable core sampler (Sections 7 and 8).
1.4 Method B—The paraffin wax method, covers the determination of the bulk density of clods or irregular pieces of wet peat and compressed peat products (Sections 9 and 10).
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated, in this 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 design.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 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.
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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: D4531 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
1
Bulk and Dry Density of Peat and Peat Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4531; 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* 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and dry density of both peat in its natural state and peat
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
products (Note 1). These test methods consist of defining a
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
volume of peat and determining the mass of that specific
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
volume. The difference in the respective methods is in the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
procedures employed to determine the peat volume.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 The water content of a peat/peat product influences the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
bulk density. When using the bulk density for quantifying the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
amount of peat for use as a resource evaluation, the water
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
content value needs to accompany the bulk density value.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 1—Test Method D2978 is used for measuring the volume of
2
uncompacted loose peat materials and compacted baled peat materials.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 Method A—The core method covers the determination
Fluids
of the bulk density of a core of peat taken with a piston sampler
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
or other suitable core sampler (Sections 7 and 8).
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
1.4 Method B—The paraffin wax method, covers the deter-
D2978 Test Method for Volume of Peat and Peat-Based
mination of the bulk density of clods or irregular pieces of wet
Growing Media
peat and compressed peat products (Sections 9 and 10).
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
standard.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Construction Materials Testing
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
Practice D6026.
cords in Geotechnical Data
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
3. Terminology
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of common technical terms
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
3.2.1 bulk density, ρ, n—for peat/peat products, the total
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
mass (solids plus water) per unit of total volume of a peat at a
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
given moisture condition.
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
3.2.2 dry density, ρ , n—for peat/peat products, mass of dry
d
methods for engineering design.
organic and mineral matter per unit of total volume of a peat at
a given moisture condition.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for
2
Plant Growth. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D4531 – 15
...
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: D4531 − 15 D4531 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
1
Bulk and Dry Density of Peat and Peat Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4531; 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*
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk and dry density of both peat in its natural state and peat products (Note
1). These test methods consist of defining a volume of peat and determining the mass of that specific volume. The difference in
the respective methods is in the procedures employed to determine the peat volume.
NOTE 1—Test Method D2978 is used for specifying the volume represented by a quantity of loose processed peat or the volume of a peat bale.
1.2 The water content of a peat/peat product influences the bulk density. When using the bulk density for quantifying the amount
of peat for use as a resource evaluation, the water content value needs to accompany the bulk density value.
NOTE 1—Test Method D2978 is used for measuring the volume of uncompacted loose peat materials and compacted baled peat materials.
1.3 Method A—The core method covers the determination of the bulk density of a core of peat taken with a piston sampler or other
suitable core sampler (Sections 67 and 78).
1.4 Method B—The paraffin wax method, covers the determination of the bulk density of clods or irregular pieces of wet peat and
compressed peat products (Sections 89 and 910).
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.5 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 evaluating
some of those factors.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated, in this 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
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium
Media for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved July 15, 2015Nov. 1, 2023. Published July 2015November 2023. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20082015 as
D4531 – 86D4531 – 15.(2008). DOI: 10.1520/D4531-15.10.1520/D4531-23.
*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
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D4531 − 23
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 design.
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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D221
...
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