Standard Test Methods for Bulk Density of Peat and Peat Products

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods provide uniform procedures for determining the bulk density of in situ peat and processed peat products. 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.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk 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 D 2978 is used for specifying the volume represented by a quantity of loose processed peat or the volume of a peat bale.  
1.2 Method A—This method, the core method, covers the determination of the bulk density of an undisturbed core of peat taken with a piston sampler or other suitable core sampler (Sections 6 and 7).
1.3 Method B—This method, the paraffin wax method, covers the determination of the bulk density of undisturbed clods or irregular pieces of wet peat and compressed peat products (Sections 8 and 9).
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.

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Publication Date
31-Dec-2007
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ASTM D4531-86(2008) - Standard Test Methods for Bulk Density of Peat and Peat Products
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D4531 − 86 (Reapproved2008)
Standard Test Methods for
Bulk 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 3.1.1 bulk density, ρ—total mass (solids plus water) per unit
of total volume of a peat at a given moisture condition.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk
density of both peat in its natural state and peat products (Note 3.1.2 dry density, ρ —mass of dry organic and mineral
d
1).These test methods consist of defining a volume of peat and
matter per unit of total volume of a peat at a given moisture
determining the mass of that specific volume.The difference in condition.
the respective methods is in the procedures employed to
NOTE 2—In many peat science applications and publications, the term
determine the peat volume.
defined here as “dry density” in accordance with common geotechnical
engineering usage is referred to as “bulk density”. Care is necessary to
NOTE 1—Test Method D2978 is used for specifying the volume
distinguish which definition is being used when such a term is encoun-
represented by a quantity of loose processed peat or the volume of a peat
tered.
bale.
1.2 Method A—This method, the core method, covers the
4. Significance and Use
determinationofthebulkdensityofanundisturbedcoreofpeat
4.1 These test methods provide uniform procedures for
taken with a piston sampler or other suitable core sampler
determining the bulk density of in situ peat and processed peat
(Sections 6 and 7).
products. The bulk density is of use in the calculation of in situ
1.3 Method B—This method, the paraffin wax method,
stresses for engineering analysis and in quantifying the amount
covers the determination of the bulk density of undisturbed
of material present when considering peat as a resource. In the
clods or irregular pieces of wet peat and compressed peat
lattercase,itisnecessarytoconsiderthemoistureconditionfor
products (Sections 8 and 9).
which the bulk density was determined; a more useful param-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
eter to consider may well be the dry density, ρ .
d
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Apparatus
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
oven maintained at a temperature of 105 6 5°C.
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Balances—Balances sensitive to 0.01 g for samples less
than 100 g, sensitive to 0.1 g for samples between 100 g and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1000 g, or sensitive to 1 g for samples over 1000 g.
D2974 Test Methods for Moisture,Ash, and Organic Matter
of Peat and Other Organic Soils
5.3 Moisture Content Containers—Suitable containers for
D2978 Test Method for Volume of Processed Peat Materials
laboratory moisture content determinations.
5.4 Plastic Sample Bags or Sampling Jars.
3. Terminology
5.5 Sampler—Piston sampler or other suitable coring device
3.1 Definitions:
which will give a reasonably undisturbed cylindrical sample.
NOTE 3—Samples taken with the Macaulay type peat sampler are
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil semicylindrical in shape and relatively undisturbed. They may also be
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a used in this method of determination.
Medium for Plant Growth.
5.6 Sharp Knife—An electric knife or barber’s razor will be
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2008. Published February 2008. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D4531 – 86 (2002). best for laboratory work.
DOI: 10.1520/D4531-86R08.
5.7 Paraffın Wax, maintained at a temperature between 60
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and 70°C, for use in Method B only.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.8 Graduated Cylinder, for use in Method B only.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4531 − 86 (2008)
METHOD A—CORE METHOD 8.4 Submerge the coated sample in water in a graduated
cylinder and determine the volume of the paraffin coated
6. Procedure sample, V by observing the volume of water displaced.
pc
6.1 Take a representative reasonably undisturbed core of
8.5 Remove the paraffin coating from the peat sample using
peat with a piston sampler or other coring device.
a sharp knife.
6.2 With a sharp knife, cut specimens of no less than 50 mm
8.6 Place the remainder of the sample in a moisture content
in length f
...

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