ASTM D4546-14e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
Standard Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The wetting-induced swell/collapse strains measured from Test Methods A and B can be used to develop estimates of heave or settlement of a confined soil profile (1 and 2).4 They can also be used to estimate the magnitudes of the swell pressure and the free swell strain. The load-induced strains after wetting from Test Method C can be used to estimate stress-induced settlement following wetting-induced heave or settlement. Selection of test method, loading, and inundation sequences should, as closely as possible, simulate field conditions because relatively small variations in density and water content, or sequence of loading and wetting can significantly alter the test results (3 and 4).
Note 1: 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. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depends on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of these factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers two laboratory test methods for measuring the magnitude of one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse of unsaturated soils and one method for measuring load-induced compression subsequent to wetting-induced deformation.
1.1.1 Test Method A is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression (collapse) of reconstituted specimens simulating field condition of compacted fills. The magnitude of swell pressure (the minimum vertical stress required to prevent swelling), and free swell (percent swell under a pressure of 1 kPa or 20 lbf/ft2) can also be determined from the results of Test Method A.
1.1.2 Test Method B is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation of intact specimens obtained from a natural deposit or from an existing compacted fill. The magnitude of swell pressure and free swell can also be determined from the results of Test Method B.
1.1.3 Test Method C is a procedure for measuring load-induced strains on a reconstituted or intact specimen after the specimen has undergone wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation.
1.2 In Test Method A, a series of reconstituted specimens duplicating compaction condition of the fine fraction of the soil in the field (excluding the oversize particles) are assembled in consolidometer units. Different loads corresponding to different fill depths are applied to different specimens and each specimen is given access to free water until the process of primary swell or collapse is completed (Fig. 1) under a constant vertical total stress (Fig. 2). The resulting swell or collapse deformations are measured. This test method can be referred to as wetting-after-loading tests on multiple reconstituted specimens. The data from these tests can be used to estimate one-dimensional ground surface heave or settlement that can occur due to full wetting after fill construction. In addition, the magnitude of swell pressure and the magnitude of free swell can be interpreted from the test results.
FIG. 1 Time-Swell Curve
FIG. 2 Deformation Versus Vertical Stress, Test Method A
1.3 Test Method B is commonly used for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression of individual intact samples. This method can be referred to as single-point wetting-after-loading test. The vertical pressure at wetting for the specimen is chosen equal to the vertical in-situ stress (overburden stress plus structural stress, if any) corresponding to the sampling depth. The test result indicates the amount of heave or hydrocompression that can result when the soil at a given fill depth is wetted from the current moisture condi...
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´1
Designation: D4546 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
1
One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4546; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially updated units of measurement statement in April 2018.
1. Scope* that can occur due to full wetting after fill construction. In
addition, the magnitude of swell pressure and the magnitude of
1.1 This standard covers two laboratory test methods for
free swell can be interpreted from the test results.
measuring the magnitude of one-dimensional wetting-induced
swell or collapse of unsaturated soils and one method for
1.3 Test Method B is commonly used for measuring one-
measuring load-induced compression subsequent to wetting-
dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression of
induced deformation.
individual intact samples. This method can be referred to as
1.1.1 Test Method A is a procedure for measuring one-
single-point wetting-after-loading test. The vertical pressure at
dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression (col-
wetting for the specimen is chosen equal to the vertical in-situ
lapse) of reconstituted specimens simulating field condition of
stress (overburden stress plus structural stress, if any) corre-
compacted fills. The magnitude of swell pressure (the mini-
sponding to the sampling depth. The test result indicates the
mum vertical stress required to prevent swelling), and free
amount of heave or hydrocompression that can result when the
2
swell (percent swell under a pressure of 1 kPa or 20 lbf/ft ) can
soil at a given fill depth is wetted from the current moisture
also be determined from the results of Test Method A.
condition to full inundation condition. If intact specimens from
1.1.2 Test Method B is a procedure for measuring one-
various depths are tested, the swell or collapse strain data can
dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation of
be used to estimate heave or settlement of the ground surface.
intact specimens obtained from a natural deposit or from an
If the objective of the test is to measure swell pressure for an
existing compacted fill. The magnitude of swell pressure and
expansive soil, a series of intact specimens from a given depth
free swell can also be determined from the results of Test
zone can be wetted under a range of pressures (similar to Test
Method B.
Method A) and the results interpreted to determine the magni-
1.1.3 Test Method C is a procedure for measuring load-
tude of the swell pressure.
induced strains on a reconstituted or intact specimen after the
specimen has undergone wetting-induced swell or collapse
1.4 Test Method C is for measuring load-induced strains
deformation.
after wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation has oc-
curred.This method can be referred to as loading-after-wetting
1.2 In Test Method A, a series of reconstituted specimens
duplicatingcompactionconditionofthefinefractionofthesoil test. The test can be performed on either intact or reconstituted
in the field (excluding the oversize particles) are assembled in specimens, and can be on one specimen or a series of
consolidometer units. Different loads corresponding to differ- specimens. The results would apply to situations where new
ent fill depths are applied to different specimens and each fill, additional structural loads, or both, are applied to the
specimen is given access to free water until the process of
ground that has previously gone through wetting-induced
primary swell or collapse is completed (Fig. 1) under a
heave or settlement. The first part of the test is the same as in
constant vertical total stress (Fig. 2). The resulting swell or
Test Method A or B. After completion of the swell or collapse
collapse deformations are measured. This test method can be
under a given vertical load, additional vertical load increments
referred to as wetting-after-loading tests on multiple reconsti-
are applied to the specimen in the same manner as in a
tuted specimens. The data from these tests can be used to
consolidation test (Test Methods D2435) and the load-induced
estimate one-dimensional ground surface heave or settlement
strains are measured.
1.5 It shall be the responsibility of the agency requesting
1 this test to specify the magnitude of each load for Test Method
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
A and Test Method B. For Test Method C, the agency
Compressibility of Soils.
requesting the test should specify
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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.
´1
Designation: D4546 − 14 D4546 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
1
One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4546; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially updated units of measurement statement in April 2018.
1. Scope*
1.1 This standard covers two laboratory test methods for measuring the magnitude of one-dimensional wetting-induced swell
or collapse of unsaturated soils and one method for measuring load-induced compression subsequent to wetting-induced
deformation.
1.1.1 Test Method A is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression (collapse) of
reconstituted specimens simulating field condition of compacted fills. The magnitude of swell pressure (the minimum vertical
2
stress required to prevent swelling), and free swell (percent swell under a pressure of 1 kPa or 20 lbf/ft ) can also be determined
from the results of Test Method A.
1.1.2 Test Method B is a procedure for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation of intact
specimens obtained from a natural deposit or from an existing compacted fill. The magnitude of swell pressure and free swell can
also be determined from the results of Test Method B.
1.1.3 Test Method C is a procedure for measuring load-induced strains on a reconstituted or intact specimen after the specimen
has undergone wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation.
1.2 In Test Method A, a series of reconstituted specimens duplicating compaction condition of the fine fraction of the soil in
the field (excluding the oversize particles) are assembled in consolidometer units. Different loads corresponding to different fill
depths are applied to different specimens and each specimen is given access to free water until the process of primary swell or
collapse is completed (Fig. 1) under a constant vertical total stress (Fig. 2). The resulting swell or collapse deformations are
measured. This test method can be referred to as wetting-after-loading tests on multiple reconstituted specimens. The data from
these tests can be used to estimate one-dimensional ground surface heave or settlement that can occur due to full wetting after fill
construction. In addition, the magnitude of swell pressure and the magnitude of free swell can be interpreted from the test results.
1.3 Test Method B is commonly used for measuring one-dimensional wetting-induced swell or hydrocompression of individual
intact samples. This method can be referred to as single-point wetting-after-loading test. The vertical pressure at wetting for the
specimen is chosen equal to the vertical in-situ stress (overburden stress plus structural stress, if any) corresponding to the sampling
depth. The test result indicates the amount of heave or hydrocompression that can result when the soil at a given fill depth is wetted
from the current moisture condition to full inundation condition. If intact specimens from various depths are tested, the swell or
collapse strain data can be used to estimate heave or settlement of the ground surface. If the objective of the test is to measure swell
pressure for an expansive soil, a series of intact specimens from a given depth zone can be wetted under a range of pressures
(similar to Test Method A) and the results interpreted to determine the magnitude of the swell pressure.
1.4 Test Method C is for measuring load-induced strains after wetting-induced swell or collapse deformation has occurred. This
method can be referred to as loading-after-wetting test. The test can be performed on either intact or reconstituted specimens, and
can be on one specimen or a series of specimens. The results would apply to situations where new fill, additional structural loads,
or both, are applied to the ground that has previously gone through wetting-induced heave or settlement. The first part of the test
is the same as in Test Method A or B. After completion of the swell or collapse under a given vertical load, additional vertical load
increments are applied to the specimen in the same manner as in a consolidation test (Test Methods D2435) and the load-induced
strains are measured.
1.5 It shall be the responsibility of the agency requesting this test to specify the magnitude of each load for Te
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