ASTM D5883-96(2008)

Standard Guide for Use of Rotary Kiln Produced Expanded Shale, Clay or Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment in Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Related Purposes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
When physically evaluating a soil, relative to its suitability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must be performed to determine the presence and amount of solid matter (organic and inorganic) compatibility that can determine potential air-void content and water-holding ability, and finally, deleterious materials.
Typical general ranges of soil content for suitable topsoils are presented in Specification D 5268. It should be recognized, however, that in some geographic regions, concurrence with the values in the referenced table would be difficult. In such situations, locally acceptable specifications need to be developed.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate for the designation of the material as a mineral amendment.
1.2 The presence in the topsoil of the correct nutrient and pH level is necessary for healthy plant growth. This guide does not, however, cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their availability.
Note 1—The nutrient content of topsoil is important and the chemicals usually evaluated are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Nutrient deficiencies may be corrected by using fertilizers. Excess soluble salts should be examined as to their desirability. The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is also important. Excess acidity may be corrected by the application of lime dust. Excess alkalinity may be corrected by the application of sulfur or other suitable acidifying compounds. The latter item, in addition to lowering pH, also could be considered as an aggregate when considering the particle size distribution.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2007
• ICS: 65.020.40 - Landscaping and silviculture
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.22 - Media for Plant Growth

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5883-96(2002) - Standard Guide for Use of Rotary Kiln Produced Expanded Shale, Clay or Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment in Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Related Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D5883-12 - Standard Guide for Use of Rotary Kiln Produced Expanded Shale, Clay or Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment in Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Related Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F2107-08(2020) - Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas on Baseball and Softball Fields
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2788/E2788M-18 - Standard Specification for Use of Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Component in the Growing Media and the Drainage Layer for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2008

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: D5883 − 96(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Use of Rotary Kiln Produced Expanded Shale, Clay or Slate
(ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment in Topsoil Used for
Landscaping and Related Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5883; 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 sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
1.1 This guide covers the material characteristics, physical
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
requirements, and sampling appropriate for the designation of
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
the material as a mineral amendment.
document means only that the document has been approved
1.2 The presence in the topsoil of the correct nutrient and
through the ASTM consensus process.
pH level is necessary for healthy plant growth.This guide does
not, however, cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their
2. Referenced Documents
availability.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—The nutrient content of topsoil is important and the chemicals
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”)
usually evaluated are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Nutrient defi-
and Voids in Aggregate
ciencies may be corrected by using fertilizers. Excess soluble salts should
C566 Test Method forTotal Evaporable Moisture Content of
be examined as to their desirability. The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is
Aggregate by Drying
also important. Excess acidity may be corrected by the application of lime
dust. Excess alkalinity may be corrected by the application of sulfur or
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
other suitable acidifying compounds. The latter item, in addition to
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
lowering pH, also could be considered as an aggregate when considering
Fluids
the particle size distribution.
D1140 Test Methods for Amount of Material in Soils Finer
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
than No. 200 (75-µm) Sieve
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D4972 Test Method for pH of Soils
only.
D5268 Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping Pur-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
poses
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Sieves
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
specification, refer to Terminology D653.
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
3.2.1 amendment, physical—any substance, such as sand,
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
calcined clay, peat, or sawdust, added to the soil to alter its
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
physical properties.
3.2.2 slit trench drain—a narrow trench (usually 5 to 10
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
centimeters wide) back-filled to the surface with a material,
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium for
such as sand, gravel, or crushed rock, to facilitate surface or
Plant Growth.
substance drainage.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2008. Published February 2008. Originally
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D5883 – 96 (2002).
DOI: 10.1520/D5883-96R08.
Nutrient testing procedures are found in the state Agricultural Experiment
Station recommendations from the state within which the landscape is located, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
“Methods of Soil Analysis” Editor-in-Chief: C. A. Black, Agronomy No. 9, Vol 2, contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
American Society ofAgronomy, Inc., Madison, WI, and Hesse, P.R., A Textbook of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Soil Chemical Analysis, Chemical Publishing Co., New York, NY 1972. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5883 − 96 (2008)
3.2.3 soil amendment (physical), n—any substance, such as 5.2 Material—ESCS, is a rotary kiln produced vesicular
sand, calcined clay, shale or slate, peat or sandust, added to the amorphous silicate particulate material. It is a highly porous,
soil to alter its physical properties. low density material with an apparent specific gravity of
approximately 0.8 to 2.4, and a dry/loose unit weight of
3.2.4 soil modification, n—alteration of soil characteristics
3 3
approximately 35 to 70 lb/ft , (561 to 1121 kg/m ). The
by addition of physical amendments: commonly used to
pre-sized raw shale, clay or slate used to produce ESCS is fired
improve physical conditions of soils.
in the kiln at a temper
...