ASTM D560/D560M-16

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: D560/D560M − 15 D560/D560M − 16
Standard Test Methods for
Freezing and Thawing Compacted Soil-Cement Mixtures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D560/D560M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining the soil-cement losses, water content changes, and volume changes
(swell and shrinkage) produced by repeated freezing and thawing of hardened soil-cement specimens. The specimens are
compacted in a mold, before cement hydration, to maximum density at optimum water content using the compaction procedure
described in Test Methods D558.
1.2 Two test methods, depending on soil gradation, are covered for preparation of material for molding specimens and for
molding specimens as follows:
Sections
Test Method A, using soil material passing a 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieve.
This method shall be used when 100 % of the soil sample passes 7
the 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieve.
Test Method B, using soil material passing a [0.75-in.] 19.0-mm sieve.
This method shall be used when part of the soil sample is retained
on the 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieve. This test method may be used only 8
on those materials that have 30 % or less retained on the 19.0 mm
[0.75-in.] sieve
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected /recorded and calculated in the 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 these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
standard. The values stated in each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
result in non-conformance with the standard. Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. The
alternative designation given in parentheses is for information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
1.4.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf)
represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F =
ma) calculations are involved.
1.4.2 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and
of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate systems of unit; that is, the absolute system and the gravitational system. It
is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. As stated, this
standard includes the gravitational system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug unit for mass. However, the use
of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft shall not be regarded as nonconformance with
this standard.
1.5 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.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.15 on Stabilization With
Admixtures.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2015Nov. 1, 2016. Published December 2015November 2016. Originally approved in 1939. Last previous edition approved in 19962015
as D560D560/D560M–96, which was withdrawn July 2012 and reinstated in November 2015. DOI: 10.1520/D0560_D0560M-15.–15. DOI: 10.1520/D0560_D0560M-16.
*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
D560/D560M − 16
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
C595/C595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
D558 Test Methods for Moisture-Density (Unit Weight) Relations of Soil-Cement Mixtures
D559/D559M Test Methods for Wetting and Drying Compacted Soil-Cement Mixtures
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3 3
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
D2168 Practices for Calibration of Laboratory Mechanical-Rammer Soil Compactors
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D3282 Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction
Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
2.2 AASHTO Standards:
M 145 Classifications of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
3. Terminology
3.1 For common definitions of technical terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are used to determine the resistance of compacted soil-cement specimens to repeated freezing and
thawing. These test methods were developed to be used in conjunction with Test Methods D559/D559M and criteria given in the
Soil-Cement Laboratory Handbook to determine the minimum amount of cement required in soil-cement to achieve a degree of
hardness adequate to resist field weathering.
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/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results.
Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Mold, Rammer, and Sample Extruder—Refer to Test Methods D698 for detailed specifications.
5.2 Balances—A balance or scale conforming to the requirements of Class GP5 with a readability of 1 g in Specification D4753,
except that a Class GP2 balance of 0.1 g readability is required for water content determination.
5.3 Drying Oven—Thermostatically controlled, preferably of the forced-draft type, meeting the requirements of Specification
E145 and capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C [230 6 9°F] throughout the drying chamber.
5.4 Freezing Cabinet—A freezing cabinet capable of maintaining temperatures of −23°C [−10°F] or lower.
5.5 Moist Room—A moist room or suitable covered container room, or curing environment, capable of maintaining a
temperature of 2123 6 2°C [70[73.5 6 3°F]3.5°F] and a relative humidity of 100 % for seven-day storage of compacted specimens
and for thawing frozen specimens.
5.6 Wire Scratch Brush—A wire scratch brush made of 50-mm [2-in.] long by 1.6-mm [0.06 in.] wide by 0.5-mm [No. 26 gage]
thick flat wire bristles assembled in 50 groups of 10 bristles each and mounted to form five longitudinal rows and ten transverse
rows of bristles on a 190 by 65-mm [7.5- by 2.5-in.] hardwood block.
5.7 Straightedge—A stiff metal straightedge of any convenient length but not less than 250 mm [10-in.]. The total length of the
straightedge shall be machined straight to a tolerance of 6 0.1-mm [60.004-in.]. The scraping edge shall be beveled if it is thicker
than 3-mm [0.12-in.].
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.
Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
http://www.transportation.org.
Soil-Cement Laboratory Handbook, Portland Cement Assn., 1992.
D560/D560M − 16
5.8 Sieves—75-mm [3-in.], 19.0-mm [0.75-in.], and 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieves conforming to the requirements of Specification
E11.
5.9 Mixing Tools—Miscellaneous tools such as mixing pan, and trowel, or a suitable mechanical device for thoroughly mixing
the soil with cement and water.
5.10 Butcher Knife—A butcher knife approximately 250 mm [10 in.] in length for trimming the top of the specimens.
5.11 Scarifier—A six-pronged ice pick or similar apparatus to remove the smooth compaction plane at the top of the first and
second layers of the specimen.
5.12 Container—A flat, round pan, for initial preparation of heavy textured clayey material to facilitate moisture absorption by
the soil-cement mixtures, about 300 mm [12 in.] in diameter and at least 50 mm [2 in.] deep.
5.13 Measuring Device—A measuring device suitable for accurately measuring the heights and diameters of test specimens to
the nearest 0.25 mm [0.01 in.].
5.14 Pans and Carriers—Suitable pans for handling materials and carriers or trays for handling test specimens.
5.15 Absorptive Pads—6-mm [0.25-in.] thick felt pads, blotters, or similar absorptive material for placing between specimens
and specimen carriers.
5.16 Graduate—A graduated cylinder of 250-mL [8.4 oz] capacity for measuring water.
5.17 Water Content Containers—Suitable containers made of material resistant to corrosion and change in mass upon repeated
heating, cooling, exposure to materials of varying pH, and cleaning. Unless a desiccator is used, containers with close filling lids
shall be used for testing specimens having a mass of about 200 g [0.4 lbf]; while for specimens having a mass greater than about
200 g, containers without lids may be used. One container is needed for each water content determination.
6. Standardization/Verification
6.1 Perform verifications of molds and rammers in accordance with Test Method D698 before initial use, after repairs or other
occurrences that might affect the test results, at intervals not exceeding 500 test specimens, or annually, whichever occurs first.
6.1.1 Balance—Evaluate in accordance with Guide D4753 as required by Test Method D698.
7. Test Method A—Using Soil Material Passing a 4.75-mm [No. 4] Sieve
7.1 Preparation of Material for Molding Specimens:
7.1.1 Collect a soil sample that is visually representative of the project material.
7.1.2 Prepare the soil sample in accordance with Test Method A of Test Methods D558.
7.1.3 Select a sufficient quantity of the soil prepared as described in 7.1.2 to provide two (Note 2) compacted specimens and
required water content samples.
NOTE 2—(Optional)—Usually only one specimen (identified as No. 2) is required for routine testing. The other specimen (identified as No. 1) is made
for research work and for testing unusual soils.
7.1.4 Add to the soil the required amount of cement conforming to Specification C150/C150M or Specification C595/C595M.
Mix the cement and soil thoroughly to a uniform color.
7.1.5 Add sufficient potable water to raise the soil-cement mixture to optimum water content at time of compaction and mix
thoroughly.
7.1.6 When the soil used is a heavy textured clayey material transfer the mixture to the flat round pan and lightly tamp the
mixture until firm using the rammer described in 5.1 or a cylinder about 50-mm [2-in.] in diameter. Cover the mixture and allow
to stand for not less than 5 min, but not more than 10 min, to aid dispersion of the moisture and to permit more complete absorption
by the soil-cement.
7.1.7 After the absorption period, thoroughly break up the mixture, without reducing the natural size of individual particles, until
it will pass a 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieve, as judged by eye, and then remix.
7.2 Molding Specimens:
7.2.1 Form a specimen by immediately compacting the soil-cement mixture in the mold, with the collar attached, and later
trimming the specimen in the same manner as directed for Test Method A of Test Methods D558, and in addition scarify the tops
of the first and second layers to remove smooth compaction planes before placing and compacting the succeeding layers. This
scarification shall form grooves at right angles to each other, approximately 3 mm [0.12 in.] in width and 3 mm [0.12 in.] in depth
and approximately 6 mm [0.2 in.] apart.
7.2.2 During compaction, take a representative sample from the batch of soil-cement mixture, that has a mass of at least 100
g. Determine and record the mass. Immediately, dry the specimen in a drying oven at 110 6 5°C [230 6 9°F] for at least 12 h
or to a constant mass. Determine and record the oven-dry mass of the specimen to four significant digits. Calculate the water
content in accordance with Test Methods D2216 and D698, and check against design water content. (Note 6)
D560/D560M − 16
7.2.3 Determine and record the mass of the compacted specimen to four significant digits and remove it from the mold.
3 3
Calculate the dry unit weight in kg/m [lbf/ft ] in accordance with Test Methods D558 to check against the design dry density.
(Note 6).
7.2.3.1 If the dry unit weight obtained is within the design tolerances specified, identify the specimen with a metal tag (or other
suitable device) as No. 1, together with any other needed identification marks. This specimen will be used to obtain data on water
content and volume changes during the test.
7.2.3.2 If the dry unit weight obtained does not meet the tolerances specified, then another specimen will need to be compacted.
7.2.4 Form a second specimen as rapidly as possible and determine the water content and oven-dry mass as described in 7.2.1
– 7.2.3. Identify this specimen as No. 2, together with other needed identification marks and use to obtain data on soil-cement
losses during the test.
7.2.5 Determine the average diameter and height of the No. 1 specimen and calculate its volume.
7.2.6 Place the specimens on suitable carri
...