COMMON ASTM SOIL & AGGREGATE TESTS

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  ASTM D6913 - Particle-Size Distribution Using Sieve Analysis

  Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soil Using Sieve Analysis is used to separate particles into size ranges and to determine quantitatively the mass of particles in each range. This test method uses a square opening sieve criterion in determining the gradation of soil between the 3-in. (75-mm) and No. 200 (75-µm) sieves.

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  ASTM D854 - Test Method Specific Gravity of Soil using a Pycnometer

  The specific gravity (GS) of a soil refers to the ratio of the solid particles' unit weight to the unit weight of water. GS should not be confused with the soil density since it is a dimensionless unit and expresses the ratio of two particular densities.

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  ASTM D1883 - Test for California Bearing Ratio of Laboratory Compacted Soil

  This test method is used to evaluate the potential strength of subgrade, subbase, and base course materials, including recycled materials for use in the design of road and airfield pavements.The stiffness, in force per unit displacement, is determined by imparting a small measured force to the surface of the ground, measuring the resulting surface velocity and calculating the stiffness.

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  ASTM D698 -Test for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil

  A soil at a selected molding water content is placed in three layers into a mold of given dimensions, with each layer compacted by 25 or 56 blows of a 5.50-lbf (24.47-N) rammer dropped from a distance of 12.00 in. (304.8 mm), subjecting the soil to a total compactive effort of about 12 400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3). The resulting dry unit weight is determined.

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  ASTM D3080 - Test Method Direct Shear of Soils Under Drained Conditions

  This test method covers the determination of the consolidated drained shear strength of one specimen of a soil material under direct shear boundary conditions. The specimen is deformed at a controlled rate on or near a single shear plane determined by the configuration of the apparatus.

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  ASTM D2435 - Test for Consolidation Properties of Soil

  The data from the consolidation test are used to estimate the magnitude and rate of both differential and total settlement of a structure or earthfill. Estimates of this type are of key importance in the design of engineered structures and the evaluation of their performance.

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  ASTM D6938 - Testing Density and Water Content of Soil by Nuclear Methods

  This test method describes the procedures for measuring in-place density and moisture of soil and soil-aggregate by use of nuclear equipment (hereafter referred to as “gauge”). The density of the material may be measured by direct transmission, backscatter, or backscatter/air-gap ratio methods.