ASTM D4609-94e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating Effectiveness of Chemicals for Soil Stabilization
Standard Guide for Evaluating Effectiveness of Chemicals for Soil Stabilization
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes laboratory techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of admixtures for improving the engineering properties of fine-grained soils.
1.2 Effectiveness is assessed by comparing the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), moisture susceptibility, and moisture-density relationships (MD) of treated and untreated soils.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units 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.
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e1
Designation: D 4609 – 94
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Effectiveness of Chemicals for Soil Stabilization
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4609; 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.
e NOTE—Paragraph 1.5 was added editorially in October 1998.
1. Scope * Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures Using 5.5-lb (2.49-kg)
Rammer and 12-in. (305-mm) Drop
1.1 This guide describes laboratory techniques for evaluat-
D 2166 Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength
ing the effectiveness of chemicals for improving the engineer-
of Cohesive Soil
ing properties of fine-grained soils.
D 2216 Method for Laboratory Determination of Water
1.2 Effectiveness is assessed by comparing the unconfined
(Moisture) Content of Soil, Rock, and Soil-Aggregate
compressive strength (UCS), moisture susceptibility, and
Mixtures
moisture-density relationships (MD) of treated and untreated
D 2217 Practice for Wet Preparation of Soil Samples for
soils.
Particle Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Con-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
stants
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
D 3877 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Expansion,
information only.
Shrinkage, and Uplift Pressure of Soil-Lime Mixtures
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D 4318 Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Plasticity Index of Soils
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2.2 AASHTO Documents:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
SPEL Special Products Evaluation List
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
T 88 Particle Size Analysis of Soils
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information
T 89 Determining the Liquid Limit of Soils
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
T 90 Determining the Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
Soils
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
T 99 Moisture-Density Relations of Soils, Using a 5.5-lb
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
(2.5-kg) Rammer and a 12-in. (305-mm) Drop
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
T 208 Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
T 265 Laboratory Determination of Moisture Content of
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
Soils
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
3. Summary of Guide
document means only that the document has been approved
3.1 Chemical soil stabilizers are screened by comparing the
through the ASTM consensus process.
results of a suite of engineering soil tests conducted on
2. Referenced Documents untreated soil and the same soil treated at appropriate amounts
of the material being evaluated. Effectiveness is assessed by
2.1 ASTM Standards:
comparing the Atterberg limits, MD, USC, and resistance to
D 421 Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for
moisture of treated and untreated soil samples.
Particle Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Con-
stants
4. Significance and Use
D 422 Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
4.1 This guide is intended to assist users and producers of
D 698 Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of
chemicals, soil modifiers, and stabilizers in the evaluation of a
product’s potential for improving a soil’s engineering proper-
1 ties (such as, deformation under load, shear strength, and
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil and
volume stability).
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.15 on Stabilization with
Admixtures.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 1994. Published November 1994. Originally
published as D 4609 – 86. Last previous edition D 4609 – 86. Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. Officials, 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 225, Washington, DC 20001.
*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.
D 4609
4.2 The results of these tests can be used to make a decision 7.2.2 Particle-Size Analysis of Soils—Method D 422 or
to continue experimentation to assess longevity, durability, and T 88.
practical value, and establish appropriate rates of application 7.2.3 Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index—Test
for field trials. Method D 4318 or T 89.
7.2.4 Moisture-Density Relations—Test Methods D 698
5. Apparatus
(Method A) or T 99 (Method A) (see Note 3).
5.1 Harvard Miniature Compaction Apparatus, or apparatus 7.2.5 Volume Change—Test Methods D 3877 (see Note 4).
for preparing remolded specimens for UCS as described in 7.2.6 Unconfined Compressive Strength (see Note 5)—Test
Section 4 of Test Method D 2166. For instructions on calibra- Method D 2166 or T 208.
tion, see Annex A1.
NOTE 3—The sample may be reused and water added for successive
points on the moisture-density curve if the soil material is not fragile and
6. Sampling and Test Specimens
will not reduce in particle size due to repeated compaction or is not a
6.1 Obtain a 150-kg (300-lb) supply or have easy access to
heavy-textured clay into which it is difficult to incorporate water.
NOTE 4—Although this test method is for soil-lime mixtures, other
four or five soil and soil-aggregate materials as reference
stabilizing admixtures may be used.
materials for stabilizer evaluations. These samples should
NOTE 5—Specimen preparation and determination of moisture absorp-
represent two or more fine-grained soils of different clay
tion are described in Annex A2. The moisture absorption specimens are
mineralogy that are widely distributed and would be likely
also used for determining unconfined compressive strength, which is
candidates for stabilization. One or two of the samples could
determined in accordance with the methods indicated in 7.2.1-7.2.6.
represent the minus No. 10 fraction of plentiful marginal
7.3 On approximately 3 kg (7 lb), determine optimum
aggregates in need of beneficiation.
moisture and maximum density in accordance with Test
6.2 Review literature and test results provided by the
Methods D 698.
material manufacturer or supplier.
7.4 On approximately 1 kg (2.2 lb), as described in the
6.3 Consult publications such as Special Products Evalua-
calibration procedure given in Annex A1, determine with the
tion List (SPEL) or other product evaluation or qualified
Harvard apparatus the number of tamps and the spring pressure
products lists maintained by state highway agencies.
required to duplicate the standard density obtained by Test
6.4 If background search demonstrates that the subject
Methods D 698.
material has promise, proceed with testing program.
7.5 Prepare a 500-g (1-lb) batch at optimum moisture
content. As soon as the mixing is completed, divide the mixture
7. Procedure
into three approximately equal portions. Perform liquid and
7.1 Obtain 20-kg (45-lb) portions of two or more soil
plastic limit tests on one portion after air-drying overnight, on
samples selected in 6.1 for an evaluation program. This
another after overnight storage at high-humidity, and on the
quantity of soil will provide sufficient material for tests on the
other after 7 days of curing at high humidity.
untreated soil and for soil-chemical mixtures at three rates of
7.6 On approximately 3600 g, determine expansion in
application: the amount recommended by the supplier, and
accordance with Test Methods D 3877.
amounts more and less than recommended.
7.7 On approximately 1 kg (2.2 lb), with the Harvard
NOTE 1—All the tests recommended in 7.2 do not need to be conducted
apparatus, prepare six five-layer specimens (required for ac-
at all four rates of application (raw soil or zero rate, recommended rate, a
ceptable homogeneity) compacted to Test Methods D 698
rate more than recommended, a rate less than recommended.)
density, and determine moisture absorption and unconfined
NOTE 2—The 20-kg recommended sample size is from the following
compressive strength as described in Annex A2.
scenario:
Two compaction tests (untreated and optimum rate) 6 kg
8. Interpretations of Results
Calibration of Harvard Apparatus 1 kg
Atterberg limits (untreated and of optimum rate) 1 kg 8.1 The recommendations in 8.1.1-8.1.5 are provided to
Expansion (untreated and optimum rates) 2 kg
evaluate whether a chemical additive has improved the engi-
Unconfined Compressive Strength (untreated and three 4kg
neering properties of fine-grained soils. Changes in one or
rates of treatment)
Reserve for rerun of any test 6 kg
more, but not necessarily all, of the properties in 8.1.1-8.1.5
____
may be used to judge effectiveness. The results of these tests
20 kg
may or may not be useful for determining the cost-
7.2 Test each untreated soil by the several test methods
effectiveness or practical value of the chemical treatment; that
listed in 7.2.1 through 7.2.6. Perform the same tests on
decision will most probably need to be made after additional
soil-chemical mixtures. For each rate of additive, five batches
testing and data analysis.
of soil-chemical mixture are required. Prepare a batch by
8.1.1 Particle-Size Analysis—For chemical stabilizers
combining in a mechanical mixer carefully weighed portions of
whose mechanism is through cementing fine particles together,
soil, additive, and water. Blend thoroughly (normally for about
a shift in the particle-size distribution curve demonstrating a
5 min) to produce a high degree of homogeneity. Prepare each
coarsening or granulation of the soil may be interpreted as an
batch and test separately as follows:
improvement in engineering properties. Particle-size analysis
7.2.1 Moisture Content—Method D 2216 or T 265.
should be performed on the treated material after an appropri-
ate curing period has elapsed.
Illinois, Louisiana, and New Jersey are three states that publish such lists. NOTE 6—If mechanical pulverization using Practice D 421 is too severe
D 4609
for treated samples, Practice D 2217 may be used.
have been established for soil-stabili
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