ASTM D8459-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Detecting Water Soluble Sulfates in Construction Soils
Standard Test Methods for Detecting Water Soluble Sulfates in Construction Soils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Where sulfates are suspected, subgrade soils should be tested as an integral part of a geotechnical evaluation because the possibility that sulfate induced heave may occur if calcium containing stabilizers are used to improve the soils and sulfate reactions may also cause deterioration in concrete structures. When planning to treat a soil used in construction with lime, testing the soil for water soluble sulfates prior to treatment becomes very important (Note 2).
5.2 When sulfate containing cohesive soils are treated with calcium-based stabilizers for foundation improvements, sulfates and free alumina in natural soils react with calcium and free hydroxide to form crystalline minerals, such as ettringite and thaumasite.4 Thaumasite forms when ettringite undergoes changes in the presence of carbonates at low temperatures.5 The sulfate minerals expand considerably when they are hydrated.
Note 2: For more information on the effect of treating soils containing water soluble sulfates, refer to the following publication: Little, D.N., Stabilization of Pavement Subgrades and Base Course with Lime, Kendal/Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, IA, 1995.
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 means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These methods determine the water soluble sulfate content of cohesive soils used in construction by using the colorimetric technique. Two methods are presented in this standard. Method A is for use in the field and Method B is for use in the laboratory. The colorimetric technique involves measuring the scattering of a light beam through a solution that contains suspended particulate matter. Measurements of sulfate concentrations in construction soils can be used to guide professionals in the selection of appropriate stabilization methods and to assist in assessment of potential deterioration in concrete structures.
Note 1: These test methods are partially based on the research conducted by Texas A & M University.
1.2 The field method, Method A, is used as a screening test for the presence of sulfates and their concentration. The laboratory method, Method B, provides better resolution than the field method.
1.3 Ion chromatography is also an acceptable alternative method that can be used to evaluate results, however, it is outside the scope of this standard.
1.4 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 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the 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 these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.
1.6 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 appropri...
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
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: D8459 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
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Detecting Water Soluble Sulfates in Construction Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8459; 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 increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
1.1 These methods determine the water soluble sulfate
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
content of cohesive soils used in construction by using the
analysis methods for engineering data.
colorimetric technique. Two methods are presented in this
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
standard. Method A is for use in the field and Method B is for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
use in the laboratory. The colorimetric technique involves
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measuring the scattering of a light beam through a solution that
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
contains suspended particulate matter. Measurements of sulfate
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
concentrations in construction soils can be used to guide
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
professionals in the selection of appropriate stabilization meth-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ods and to assist in assessment of potential deterioration in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
concrete structures.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 1—These test methods are partially based on the research
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
conducted by Texas A & M University.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 The field method, Method A, is used as a screening test
for the presence of sulfates and their concentration. The
2. Referenced Documents
laboratory method, Method B, provides better resolution than 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the field method.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 Ion chromatography is also an acceptable alternative Fluids
method that can be used to evaluate results, however, it is
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
outside the scope of this standard.
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
(Visual-Manual Procedures)
standard.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
D4220/D4220M Practices for Preserving and Transporting
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ 3
Soil Samples (Withdrawn 2023)
recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
Construction Materials Testing
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
cords in Geotechnical Data
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.06 on Physical-Chemical Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Interactions of Soil and Rock. the ASTM website.
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Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2023. Published March 2023. DOI: 10.1520/
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
D8459-23. www.astm.org.
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