ASTM D4531-15

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.
Designation: D4531 − 86 (Reapproved 2008) D4531 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
1
Bulk and Dry Density of Peat and Peat Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4531; 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 Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk and dry density of both peat in its natural state and peat products
(Note 1). These test methods consist of defining a volume of peat and determining the mass of that specific volume. The difference
in the respective methods is in the procedures employed to determine the peat volume.
NOTE 1—Test Method D2978 is used for specifying the volume represented by a quantity of loose processed peat or the volume of a peat bale.
1.2 Method A—This method, the core method,The core method covers the determination of the bulk density of an undisturbed
a core of peat taken with a piston sampler or other suitable core sampler (Sections 6 and 7).
1.3 Method B—This method, the The paraffin wax method, covers the determination of the bulk density of undisturbed clods
or irregular pieces of wet peat and compressed peat products (Sections 8 and 9).
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 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 evaluating
some of those factors.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated, in this 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 this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2974D653 Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic SoilsTerminology Relating to Soil,
Rock, and Contained Fluids
D2978 Test Methods for Volume of Processed Peat Materials
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium
for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2008July 15, 2015. Published February 2008July 2015. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20022008 as
D4531 – 86 (2002).(2008). DOI: 10.1520/D4531-86R08.10.1520/D4531-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
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D4531 − 15
3. Terminology
3.1 For definition
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D4531 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
1
Bulk and Dry Density of Peat and Peat Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4531; 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* dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
and dry density of both peat in its natural state and peat
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
products (Note 1). These test methods consist of defining a
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
volume of peat and determining the mass of that specific
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
volume. The difference in the respective methods is in the
methods for engineering design.
procedures employed to determine the peat volume.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NOTE 1—Test Method D2978 is used for specifying the volume
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
represented by a quantity of loose processed peat or the volume of a peat
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
bale.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.2 Method A—The core method covers the determination
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of the bulk density of a core of peat taken with a piston sampler
or other suitable core sampler (Sections 6 and 7).
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Method B—The paraffin wax method, covers the deter-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mination of the bulk density of clods or irregular pieces of wet
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
peat and compressed peat products (Sections 8 and 9).
Fluids
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
D2978 Test Methods for Volume of Processed Peat Materials
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
standard.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.5 The quality of the result produced by this standard is
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it,
Data
and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used.
Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally
3. Terminology
considered capable of competent and objective testing/
sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned
3.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors;
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Practice D3740 provides a evaluating some of those factors.
3.2.1 bulk density, ρ—as used for peat products is the total
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
mass (solids plus water) per unit of total volume of a peat at a
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
given moisture condition.
Practice D6026.
3.2.2 dry density, ρ —mass of dry organic and mineral
d
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
matter per unit of total volume of a peat at a given moisture
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
condition.
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
NOTE 2—In many peat science applications and publications, the term
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
defined here as “dry density” in accordance with common geotechnical
engineering usage is referred to as “bulk density”. Care is necessary to
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a
2
Medium for Plant Growth. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 15, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4531 – 86(2008). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D4531-15. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Con
...