ASTM D25-99

Standard Specification for Round Timber Piles

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the physical characteristics of unused round timber piles to be used either treated or untreated.  
1.2 This specification is not intended for preused piles unless the piles have the quality specified by this specification and design stresses equal to or greater than those derived from Test Method D2899.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-1999
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.04 - Pole and Pile Products

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D25-99e1 - Standard Specification for Round Timber Piles
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D3957-09(2020) - Standard Practices for Establishing Stress Grades for Structural Members Used in Log Buildings
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D7381-07(2021)e1 - Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Stresses for Round Timbers for Piles from Tests of Full-Size Material
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D3200-74(2022) - Standard Specification and Test Method for Establishing Recommended Design Stresses for Round Timber Construction Poles
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D2899-12(2017) - Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Stresses for Round Timber Piles
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 25 – 99
Standard Specification for
Round Timber Piles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 25; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 5. Quality Requirement (All Piles)
1.1 This specification covers the physical characteristics of 5.1 Piles shall be of sound wood, free of decay, insect
unused round timber piles to be used either treated or un- attack, marine borer attack, and Limnoria damage, except as
treated. herein allowed in 13.2 and 14.1.
1.2 This specification is not intended for preused piles 5.2 Piles shall be cut above the ground swell and have a
unless the piles have the quality specified by this specification taper from butt to tip.
and design stresses equal to or greater than those derived from 5.3 Piles shall have an average rate of growth measured in
Method D 2899. the outer 50 % of the radius at the pile tip of not less than 6
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded rings per inch and shall have an average summerwood content
as the standard. of not less than 33.3 % in the outer 50 % of the tip radius.
Exception: Piles with less than 6 rings per inch are acceptable
2. Referenced Documents
if the average is 50 % or more summerwood present in the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
outer 50 % of the pile tip radius.
D 9 Terminology Relating to Wood 5.4 Piles that cannot be adequately inspected for the physi-
D 2555 Test Methods for Establishing Clear Wood Strength
cal requirements specified in this specification due to adhering
Values barnacles or other material shall not be permitted.
D 2899 Method for Establishing Design Stresses for Round
6. Lengths
Timber Piles
6.1 All piles shall be furnished in lengths specified, except
3. Species of Wood
that tolerances shall be allowed as follows:
3.1 Piles shall be of any species of wood for which clear 6.1.1 Piles 40 ft (12.2 m) and shorter—plus 1 ft (0.3 m),
wood strength values are given in Test Methods D 2555.
minus 6 in. (152 mm).
6.1.2 Piles 41 ft (12.5 m) or longer—plus 2 ft (0.6 m), minus
4. Classification
6 in. (152 mm).
4.1 Timber piles are commonly used to transfer structural
7. Sizes
loads to sub surface soil bearing strata by way of friction or tip
end bearing forces, or both. 7.1 Pile sizes are specified according to nominal circumfer-
4.2 Method D 2899 provides a basis for specifying the pile
ence 3 ft from the butt or at the tip. Tables are provided in
size. This standard gives a procedure for estimating the design Appendix X1.1 to facilitate the selection of pile dimensions.
stress at any location along the pile length. As design stress
7.2 The “out-of-round” ratio (maximum to minimum diam-
must always exceed that imposed under service conditions, the eter) at the butt or the tip shall not exceed 1.2.
quotient of the structural loads divided by the design stress
7.3 All circumference measurements shall be taken under
gives an estimate of the minimum section property required at the bark.
any location.
7.4 Circumference at the butt shall not exceed circumfer-
4.3 Under this specification, pile size requirements esti- ence 3 ft (0.9 m) from the butt by more than 8 in. (203 mm).
mated at a critical location are extrapolated to either the tip or
7.5 Circumferences given in Table X1.2 and Table X1.4 are
butt end assuming a linear taper. For this specification, piles are minimum values except that not more than 10 % of the piles in
classified by nominal circumference and length.
any shipment may have circumferences up to 2 in. less than the
tabulated minimum values.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-7 on Wood
8. Sapwood
and is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D07.04 on Pole and Pile Products.
Current edition approved April 10, 1999. Published August 1999. Originally
8.1 Wood piles for preservative treatment shall have suffi-
published as D 25 – 15. Last previous edition D 25 – 91.
cient sapwood to meet minimum penetration requirements.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.10.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D25
9. Cutting and Trimming circumference of the pile located where the knot occurs.
Cluster knots shall be considered as a single knot, and the
9.1 Butts and tips of piles shall be sawed square with the
entire cluster cannot be greater in size than permitted for a
axis of the piles and shall not be out of square by more than ⁄10
single knot. The sum of knot diameters in any 1-ft (304-mm)
in./in. (100 mm/m) of diameter.
length of pile shall not exceed one third of the circumference
9.2 All knots and limbs shall be cut flush with the surface of
at the point where they occur. Knots shall be measured in
the pile, except that knots may be hand-trimmed flush with the
accordance with Terminology D 9, and at a right angle to the
surface of the swell surrounding the knot.
length of the pile.
10. Peeling (Shaving)
13.2 Piles may have unsound knots not exceeding half the
permitted size of a sound knot, provided that the unsoundness
10.1 Piles are classified according to the extent of bark
extends to not more than a 1 ⁄2-in. (38-mm) depth, and that the
removal as clean-peeled, rough-peeled, or unpeeled.
adjacent areas of the trunk are not affected.
10.1.1 Clean-peeled piles require the removal of all outer
bark. In addition, at least 80 % of the inner bark, well-
14. Holes and Scars
distributed over the surface of the pile, shall be removed. Piles
14.1 Holes less than ⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) in average diameter
for preservative treatment shall have no strip of inner bark
shall be permitted in the external tangential surface of piles,
larger than 1 by 6 in. (25 by 152 mm).
provided that the sum of the average diameters of all holes in
10.1.2 Rough-peeled piles require the complete removal of
any square foot of pile surface does not exceed 1 ⁄2 in. (38
all outer bark.
mm), and the depth of any hole does not extend to more than
10.1.3 Unpeeled piles require no bark removal.
1 ⁄2in. (38 mm) and provided that the holes are not caused by
11. Straightness
decay, marine borer attack, or Limnoria damage.
14.2 Internal holes or damage to the cross-section (bearing)
11.1 A straight line from the center of the butt to the center
surfaces caused by decay, marine borers (shipworms or
of the tip shall lie entirely within the body of the pile.
pholads), or insects are not permitted.
11.2 Piles shall be free from short crooks that deviate more
14.3 Piles having sound turpentine scars undamaged by
than 2 ⁄2 in. (64 mm) from straightness in any 5-ft (1.5-m)
insects shall be permitted.
length (see Fig. 1).
15. Checks, Shakes, and Splits
12. Twist of Grain
15.1 A check shall not extend any deeper than to the pith.
12.1 Spiral grain shall not exceed 180 deg of twist when
There shall not be any two or more checks extending to the pith
measured over any 20-ft (6.1-m) section of the pile.
which become contiguous at the pith, except as modi-fied by
13. Knots
15.3. A check is defined as a lengthwise separation of the wood
13.1 Sound knots shall be no larger than one sixth the across the rings of normal growth, extending from the surface
The three cases shown are typical, and are intended to establish the principle of measuring shorty crooks. There may be other cases not exactly like those illustrated.
NOTE 1—5 ft 5 1.5 m
FIG. 1 Measurement of Short Crook
D25
toward the pith, but not extending through the piece. 15.3 Splits shall not be longer than the butt diameter. A split
15.2 The length of any shake or combination of shakes in is defined as a lengthwise separation of the wood across the
the outer one half of the radius of the butt of the pile, when rings of normal growth, extending from one surface through
measured along the curve of the annual ring, shall not exceed the piece to the opposite surface.
one third of the circumference of the butt of the pile. A shake
16. Keywords
is defined as a circumferential separation of the rings of normal
growth. 16.1 piles; round timber piles; timber
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. PILE SIZE OPTIONS
TABLE X1.1 Specified Minimum Butt and Tip Sizes for Class A
X1.1 Two pile classification systems have evolved along
and Class B Piles
with Specification D 25 since its adoption in 1937. The original
Pile Circumference (in.)
version of the standard referenced three pile “Classes” (A, B
Diameter (in.) given in brackets
and C). These classes targeted different end uses: “A” was
A
Class A Class B
Length (ft)
designated for use in railway trestles and bridges,“ B” was for
8 in.
3 ft from butt 3 ft from butt
use in docks, wharves and highway work and “C” was for use
min min
tip
tip tip
min max min max
in submerged foundations, cofferdams falsework and tempo-
rary structures. The main difference between classes A and B
Douglas Fir, Southern Pine
Under 40 25 25
was in the size cap they would support (minimum of 14 in. for
57 28 38 [8] [8]
class A and 12 in. for class B). Class C was of lower quality. In
40-54, incl. [18] [9] [12]
1970 the 3-Class system table of sizes was replaced with two
55-74, incl. 44 57 25 63 [7]
tables giving common round timber dimensions arranged to
[14] [20] [8] [20]
facilitate the selection of piles according to a required mini-
75-90, incl. 22 41 19
mum butt dimension (“friction” piles) or a required minimum
63 [7] [13] [6]
Over 90 [20] 19 16
tip dimension (“end-bearing” piles). In 1991, the two table
[6] [6]
system was replaced with four tables, reflecting the difference
Oak
in shape of southern pine piles and Class A and B were
Under 30 28 38 57 22
44 57 [9] [12] [18] [7]
referenced in a footnote to the required minimum butt tables.
30-40, incl. [14] [18] 41 63 19
X1.1.1 In 1998, it was voted to place greater emphasis on
[13] [20] [6]
Over 40 25 16
class A and B pile sizes and add an “eight inch tip, natural
[8] [5]
taper” classification. The class A and B sizes shown in Table
A
For Class B piles a minimum circumference of 34 in. (864 mm) or a diameter
X1.1 are the same as those presented in the original 1937
of 11 in. (279 mm) at a point 3 ft (1 m) from the butt may be specified for lengths
edition of Specification D 25. The “8 inch tip” class adopted by
of 25 ft (7.6 m) and under.
New York City in the 1960s is a replacement for class C and
applies for piles up to 40 ft in length.
between Tables X1.2 and X1.3 and Tables X1.4 and X1.5
X1.2 Tables X1.2-X1.5 provide options for major pile
reflect the difference between southern pine and the predomi-
species specified according to either a minimum nominal butt
nate west coast species. Southern pine generally has a linear
or a minimum nominal tip circumference. When the butt
taper of roughly 0.2 in./ft from the butt to the tip. The
circumference is specified, the tip circumference shall not be
predominant west coast pile species exhibit a smaller taper
less than that shown in Tables X1.2 and X1.3. When the top
below 20 ft from the butt, giving them larger tips for a given
circumference is specified, the butt circumference shall not be
butt size.
less than that shown in Tables X1.4 and X1.5. The differences
D25
TABLE X1.2 Specified Butt Circumferences with Corresponding Minimum Tip Circumferences for Coast Douglas Fir Piles and Other
A,B
Species, Except Southern Yellow Pine
[Approximate Diameters in Brackets]
Required Minimum 22 25 28 31 35 38 41 44 47 50 57
Circumference, in. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [18]
3 ft from Butts
Length (ft) Minimum Tip Circumferences, in.
20 16.0 16.0 16.0 18.0 22.0 25.0 28.0 . . . .
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.7] [7.0] [8.0] [8.9]
25 16.0 16.0 16.0 17.0 20.5 23.5 26.5 29.5 . . .
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.4] [6.5] [7.5] [8.4] [9.4]
30 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 19.0 22.0 25.0 28.0 . . .
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [6.0] [7.0] [8.0] [8.9]
35 . . . 16.0 18.0 21.0 24.0 27.0 30.0 . .
[5.1] [5.7] [6.7] [7.6] [8.6] [9.5]
40 . . . 16.0 17.0 20.0 23.0 26.0 29.0 . .
[5.1] [5.4] [6.4] [7.3] [8.3] [9.2]
45 . . . . 16.5 18.5 21.0 24.0 27.0 30.0 .
[5.3] [5.9] [6.7] [7.6] [8.6] [9.5]
50 . . . . 16.0 17.0 19.0 22.0 25.0 28.0 .
[5.1] [5.4] [6.0] [7.0] [8.0] [8.9]
55 . . . . . 16.5 17.5 20.3 23.3 26.3 31.3
[5.3] [5.6] [6.5] [7.4] [8.4] [10.0]
60 . . . . . 16.0 16.0 18.6 21.6 24.6 31.6
[5.1] [5.1] [5.9] [6.9] [7.8] [10.0]
65 . . . . . 16.0 16.0 17.3 18.9 21.9 28.9
[5.1] [5.1] [5.5] [6.0] [7.0] [9.2]
70 . . . . . 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.2 19.2 26.2
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.2] [6.1] [8.3]
75 . . . . . . 16.0 16.0 16.1 17.6 24.0
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.6] [7.6]
80 . . . . . . 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 21.8
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [6.9]
85 . . . . . . 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 20.6
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [6.6]
90 . . . . . . 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 19.5
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [6.2]
95 . . . . . . 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 18.8
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [6.0]
100 . . . . . . 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 18.0
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [5.7]
105 . . . . . . . . . 16.0 17.0
[5.1] [5.4]
110 . . . . . . . . . 16.0 16.0
[5.1] [5.1]
115 . . . . . . . . . . 16.0
[5.1]
120 . . . . . . . . . . 16.0
[5.1]
A
Where the taper applied to the butt circumferences calculate to a circumference at the tip of less than 16 in., the individual values have been increasedto16in. to
ensure a minimum of 5-in. tip for purposes of driving.
B
To convert to metric dimensions, 1 in. 5 25.4 mm.
D25
A,B,C,D,E
TABLE X1.3 Specified Butt Circumferences with Corresponding Minimum Tip Circumferences for Southern Yellow Pine Piles
Required Minimum 22 25 28 31 35 38 41 44 47 50 57
Circumference, in. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [18]
3 ft from Butts
Length (ft) Minimum Tip Circumferences, in.
20 16 16 18 21 25 28 31 34 37 40 47
[5.1] [5.1] [5.7] [6.7] [8.0] [8.9] [9.9] [10.8] [11.8] [12.7] [15.0]
25 16 16 17 20 24 27 30 33 36 39 46
[5.1] [5.1] [5.4] [6.4] [7.6] [8.6] [9.5] [10.5] [11.4] [12.4] [14.6]
30 16 16 16 19 23 26 29 32 35 38 45
[5.1] [5.1] [5.1] [6.0] [7.3] [8.3] [9.2] [10.2] [11.1] [12.1] [14.3]
35 . . . 18 22 25 28 31 34 37 44
[5.7] [7.0] [8.0] [8.9] [9.9] [10.8] [11.8] [14.0]
40 . . . 17 21 24 27 30 33 36 43
...