ASTM D4829-11

Standard Test Method for Expansion Index of Soils

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The expansion index, EI, provides an indication of swelling potential of a compacted soil.  
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 between organizations.
Note 1—Qualitative classification of potential expansion in a soil based on EI is provided in Table 1.
Note 2—Notwithstanding the statements 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 of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not ensure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on several factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
TABLE 1 Classification of Potential Expansion of Soils Using EI  Expansion Index, EIPotential
Expansion 0–20Very Low 21–50Low 51–90Medium 91–130High >130Very High
SCOPE
1.1 This test method allows for determination of expansion potential of compacted soils when inundated with distilled water.  
1.2 This test method provides a simple yet sensitive method for determination of expansion potential of compacted soils for practical engineering applications using an index parameter.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approximate.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D 6026.
1.4.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this standard is beyond its scope.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2011
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.05 - Strength and Compressibility of Soils

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4829-08a - Standard Test Method for Expansion Index of Soils
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011

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:D4829 −11
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.
1. Scope* D2216Test Methods for Laboratory Determination ofWater
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
1.1 This test method allows for determination of expansion
2 D2435Test Methods for One-Dimensional Consolidation
potential of soils when inundated with distilled water.
Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
1.2 Thistestmethodprovidesasimpleyetsensitivemethod
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
for evaluation of expansion potential of soils for practical
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
engineering applications using an index parameter.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D3877 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Expansion,
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approxi- Shrinkage, and Uplift Pressure of Soil-Lime Mixtures
D4546Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Col-
mate.
lapse of Soils
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
D4753Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
Practice D6026.
Construction Materials Testing
1.4.1 The method used to specify how data are collected,
D6026Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
calculated,orrecordedinthisstandardisnotdirectlyrelatedto
Data
theaccuracytowhichthedatacanbeappliedindesignorother
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this
Sieves
standard is beyond its scope.
E145Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Ventilation Ovens
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1 For common definitions of other terms used in this Test
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Method, refer to Terminology D653.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2 Definitions:
3
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.2.1 scarification—scratching the surface of a compacted
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
layertofacilitatebondingwiththenextlayertoavoidpotential
Fluids separation between compacted layers.
D698Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3.3.1 expansion index (EI), n—1000 times the difference
3
kN-m/m ))
between final and initial height of the specimen divided by the
D854Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
initial height.
Water Pycnometer
4. Summary of Test Method
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
4.1 Aspecimen is prepared by compacting a test soil into a
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
Compressibility of Soils.
metalringatadegreeofsaturationof50 62%.Thespecimen
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published December 2011. Originally
and the ring are then placed in a consolidometer. A vertical
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4829–08a. DOI:
2
confining pressure of 6.9 kPa (1 lbf/in. ) is applied to the
10.1520/D4829-11.
2
specimen and the specimen is then inundated with distilled
Refer to Anderson, J. N., and Lade, P. V., “The Expansion Index Test,”
Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol 4, No. 2, ASTM, 1981, pp. 58–67.
water.The deformation of the specimen is recorded for 24 h or
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
until the rate of deformation becomes less than 0.005 mm/h
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
(0.0002 in./h), whichever occurs first. A minimum recording
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. time of3his required.
*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 ----------------------
D4829−11
5. Significance and Use 6.5 Straight Edge—Steel straight edge at least 150 mm (6
in.) in length with one beveled edge.
5.1 The expansion index, EI, provides an indication of
swelling
...

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.
Designation:D4829–08a Designation: D4829 – 11
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.
1. Scope*
2
1.1 This test method allows for determination of expansion potential of compacted soils when inundated with distilled water.
1.2 This test method provides a simple yet sensitive method for determinationevaluation of expansion potential of compacted
soils for practical engineering applications using an index parameter.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approximate.
1.4 AllobservedandcalculatedvaluesshallconformtotheguidelinesforsignificantdigitsandroundingestablishedinPractice
D6026.
1.4.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the
accuracytowhichthedatacanbeappliedindesignorotheruses,orboth.Howoneappliestheresultsobtainedusingthisstandard
is beyond its scope.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3 3
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2435 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D3877 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Expansion, Shrinkage, and Uplift Pressure of Soil-Lime Mixtures
D4546 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Cohesive Soils
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction
Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
3. Terminology
3.1 For common definitions of other terms used in this Test Method, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions:
3.2.1 scarification—scratching the surface of a compacted layer to facilitate bonding with the next layer to avoid potential
separation between compacted layers.
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.3.1 expansion index (EI), n—1000 times the difference between final and initial height of the specimen divided by the initial
height.
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 Dec.Nov. 1, 2008.2011. Published January 2009.December 2011. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as
D4829–08.D4829–08a. DOI: 10.1520/D4829-08A.10.1520/D4829-11.
2
Refer to Anderson, J. N., and Lade, P. V., “The Expansion Index Test,” Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol 4, No. 2, ASTM, 1981, pp. 58–67.
3
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] 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 ----------------------
D4829 – 11
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A specimen is prepared by compacting a test soil into a metal ring at a degree of saturation of 50 6 2 %. The specimen
2
and the ring are then placed in a consolidometer. A vertical confining pressure of 6.9 kPa (1 lbf/in. ) is applied to the specimen
and the specimen is then
...