ASTM D5121-15

Standard Practice for Preparation of Rock Slabs for Durability Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is used to prepare rock specimens for durability testing and to evaluate any internal defects, such as cracks, that may not be apparent on the surfaces of broken blocks of rock. Such evaluation can also aid in the selection and location of slabs for testing as outlined in Practice D4992. In some cases, the need for further testing or evaluation may be eliminated.  
4.2 The sawing of rock samples will reduce them to a suitable specimen size and quantity for testing and, in many cases, preserve the natural structure of the internal defects so the samples can be evaluated by the various durability tests.  
4.3 Durability tests specimens should be 65 ± 5 mm (2.5 ± 0.25 in) thick normal to bedding or any potential planes of weakness which may be observed in the samples. In no case will the size of the slab be less than 125 mm (5 in.) on a side, excluding the thickness Ideally, a test specimen size equal to the proposed design size would provide the ultimate in correlation between laboratory tests and actual field performance. However, in most cases, this is neither practical nor economically feasible.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of rock slabs for various tests and any visual inspections used to evaluate the durability of rock for erosion control. These tests include, but are not limited to, Test Methods D5240, D5312, and D5313. This practice is appropriate for the assessment of breakwater stone, armor stone, riprap, and gabion sized rock materials.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 All observed and measured values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard.  
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.  
1.5 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 a specific hazards statement, see Section 7.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2015
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.17 - Rock for Erosion Control

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: D5121 − 15
Standard Practice for
1
Preparation of Rock Slabs for Durability Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5121; 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. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of rock slabs for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
various tests and any visual inspections used to evaluate the D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
durability of rock for erosion control. These tests include, but Fluids
are not limited to, Test Methods D5240, D5312, and D5313. D4992 Practice for Evaluation of Rock to be Used for
This practice is appropriate for the assessment of breakwater Erosion Control
stone, armor stone, riprap, and gabion sized rock materials. D5240 Test Method for Testing Rock Slabs to Evaluate
Soundness of Riprap by Use of Sodium Sulfate or
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
Magnesium Sulfate
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
D5312 Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock for
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
Erosion Control Under Freezing and Thawing Conditions
tion only and are not considered standard.
D5313 Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock for
1.3 All observed and measured values shall conform to the
Erosion Control Under Wetting and Drying Conditions
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard.
Data
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
3. Terminology
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of common technical terms
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
3.2.1 rock saw, n—a saw capable of cutting rock. The term
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
“rock saw” shall include the blade which saws the rock, any
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
components that control or power the sawing process or both,
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
and framework on which the blade and any other associated
title of this document means only that the document has been
components are mounted.
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
3.2.2 slab, n—a section of rock having two smooth, ap-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
proximately parallel faces, produced by two saw cuts. The
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
thickness of the slab is generally less than the other dimensions
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of the rock. The slab will be the specimen of a rock which will
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
subsequently undergo durability tests.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific
3.2.3 slice, n—in rock testing, the smooth surface of rock
hazards statement, see Section 7.
piece produced by the cutting of the rock by a rock saw.
3.2.4 gabion-fill stone, n—stone generally less than 25 kg
(50 lb) and placed in baskets of wire or other suitable material.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for Erosion
2
Control. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5121–10. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D5121-15. 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5121 − 15
These baskets are then tied together to form an integral the system has a precision to one millimetre, make sure the
structure designed to resist erosion along stream banks and scale used is accurate and precise to at least one millimetre
...

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: D5121 − 10 D5121 − 15
Standard Practice for
1
Preparation of Rock Slabs for Durability Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5121; 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 This practice covers the preparation of rock slabs for various tests and any visual inspections used to evaluate the durability
of rock for erosion control. These tests include, but are not limited to, Test Methods D5240, D5312, and D5313. This practice is
appropriate for the assessment of breakwater stone, armor stone, riprap, and gabion sized rock materials.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 All observed and measured values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026., unless superseded by this standard.
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be
applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s
many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through
the ASTM consensus process.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns 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 a specific hazards statement, see Section 7.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D4992 Practice for Evaluation of Rock to be Used for Erosion Control
D5240 Test Method for Testing Rock Slabs to Evaluate Soundness of Riprap by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
D5312 Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock for Erosion Control Under Freezing and Thawing Conditions
D5313 Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock for Erosion Control Under Wetting and Drying Conditions
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—TheFor definitions of common technical terms used in this practice shall be in accordance with standard, refer
to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 rock saw, n—a saw capable of cutting rock. The term “rock saw” shall include the blade which saws the rock, any
components that control or power the sawing process or both, and framework on which the blade and any other associated
components are mounted.
3.2.2 slab, n—a section of rock having two smooth, approximately parallel faces, produced by two saw cuts. The thickness of
the slab is generally less than the other dimensions of the rock. The slab will be the specimen of a rock which will subsequently
undergo durability tests.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for Erosion Control.
Current edition approved July 1, 2010July 1, 2015. Published August 2010July 2015. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as
D5121–06.–10. DOI: 10.1520/D5121-10.10.1520/D5121-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5121 − 15
3.2.3 slice, n—in rock testing, the smooth surface of rock piece produced by the cutting of the rock by
...