ASTM D5519-94(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D5519–94 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Particle Size Analysis of Natural and Man-Made Riprap
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5519; 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.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the particle size and mass 2.1 ASTM Standards:
analysis of natural and man-made riprap and related materials, C 136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
including filter stone or coarse bedding materials. Aggregates
1.2 This test method is applicable for graded riprap stone, D 422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
both naturally occurring and quarried. It is applicable for sizes D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
3 in. (75 mm) and above, with the upper size limited only by Fluids
equipment available for handling and weighing of the indi- D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
vidual particles. This test method is also applicable for evalu- Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
ation, sizing, and mass determinations of man-made riprap as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
materials, such as recycled broken concrete. D 4992 Practice for Evaluation of Rock to Be Used for
1.3 Three alternate procedures are provided. The procedure Erosion Control
used shall be as indicated in the specification for the material D 5240 Test Method for Testing Rock Slabs to Evaluate
being tested. If no procedure is specified, the choice should be Soundness of Riprap by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Mag-
selected and confirmed by the testing agency. The procedures nesium Sulfate
and referenced sections are: D 5312 Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock
1.3.1 Test Method A: Size-Mass Grading—Grading of the for Erosion Control Under Freezing and Thawing Condi-
material based on both the size and mass. See 9.2. tions
1.3.2 Test Method B: Size-Range Grading—Determination E 11 Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing
of the grading of the material based on the sizes of the Purposes
individual particles. See 9.3.
3. Terminology
1.3.3 Test Method C: Mass-Range Grading—Determination
of the grading of the material based on the mass of the 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Terminology used within this test method is in accor-
individual particles. See 9.4.
1.4 During the measurements using the methods in accor- dance with Terminology D 653 with the addition of the
following:
dance with 1.3.1, 1.3.2, or 1.3.3, other attributes, such as the
amount of slab pieces, can be determined during testing. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 bedding (riprap)—a layer of gravel, crushed stone, or
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The metric equivalents of inch-pound units filter materials placed on soil and under riprap to prevent soil
migration up through the riprap, and to prevent undermining of
given in parentheses may be approximate.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the the riprap due to erosion of the soil.
3.2.2 slab pieces—pieces of riprap that exhibit dimensional
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ratios of the thickness to width or width to length, or both, in
excess of a specified ratio. The specified ratios typically range
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau- from 1:4 to 1:3 or less.
tionary statements are given in Section 7.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for Erosion
Control. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Current edition approved March 15, 1994. Published May 1994.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5519
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The following three test methods for evaluating particle
size distribution are available.
4.1.1 Test Method A: Size-Mass Grading—A sample of the
material is obtained, individual particles are measured, and the
particlesaregroupedintosizerangesdesired.Thetotalmassof
particles in the desired size range is determined. Particle size
distribution percentages are then determined by calculation.
4.1.2 Test Method B: Size Range Grading—Asample of the
material is obtained, individual particles are measured,
counted, grouped into size ranges desired, and the distribution
bysizerangeisdetermined.The distribution in a sizerange,by
mass, retained or passing, can be estimated.
4.1.3 Test Method C: Mass-Range Grading—A sample of
the material is obtained, the mass of individual particles is
measured, counted, masses are summed into mass ranges
FIG. 1 Size Assuming Stone Shape Midway Between a Sphere
desired, and the distribution by mass ranges is determined.
and a Cube
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Riprap is commonly used to prevent erosion of under-
inferred from a consistent source, and abnormal shapes or
lying materials due to the effects of rain runoff, wind, flowing
characteristics of the rock are not of concern.
water, or wave action. The particle size distribution and mass
5.6 Calculation needs for Test Methods B and C depend on
of particles are two of the more important physical character-
the performance requirements specified for a particular project
istics of riprap, whether quarried or from naturally occurring
need. Requirements may be expressed in terms of percentage
deposits.
passing or retained for range of mass or size, or both. Test
5.2 The grading, particle mass, and other characteristics are
Method B determines the number of particles by size while
important to ensure that riprap and the underlying bedding
Test Method C is by mass.
stone and filter materials will perform as designed to prevent
5.7 Other characteristics of interest, such as average indi-
erosion. Particle size and shape are key to having a uniform vidual particle mass, presence of bedding planes of weakness,
and interlocked riprap layer that will resist wind, wave, and
angularity, or amount of slab material may be determined
water action. Poorly graded materials will result in either less during the performance of this test method.
than desired performance or the need to place additional riprap
5.8 The accuracy of this test method is limited by the
thickness. representativeness of the sample tested. Interpretation of test
results must consider the representativeness of the sample.
5.3 This test method can be used to determine the particle
5.9 For large sizes of riprap, large sample sizes are required.
size distribution of a sample of riprap or related materials, such
Performance of this test method is labor and equipment
as bedding, gabion, or riprap stone. It can be used during
intensive and therefore costly. The application of this test
evaluation of a potential source or later as a means of product
method should include considerations of the costs and time
acceptance.
involved.
5.4 If a complete gradation in terms of size and mass is
required, it will be necessary to perform testing in accordance
NOTE 1—The agency performing this test method can be evaluated in
withTestMethodA.Massandsizecanberelatedifthespecific
accordance with Practice D 3740. Not withstanding statements on preci-
gravity of the rock is known and the shapes generated during sion and bias contained in this test method: The precision of this test
methodisdependentonthecompetenceofthepersonnelperformingitand
production do not vary significantly. To obtain a complete
the suitability of the equipment and facilities used.Agencies that meet the
gradation in terms of both mass and size, the unknown
criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent
parameter may be estimated by calculation assuming that the
and objective testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that
clear square opening size is that of a particle midway between
compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself ensure reliable testing.
the size of sphere or cube, without significant amounts of
Reliable testing depends on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a
slab-type pieces. Fig. 1 can be used to estimate either the size
means of evaluating some of those factors.
or mass of a rock piece.
6. Apparatus
5.5 Of the three test methods available, Test Method A is
considered to provide the most quantitative description of the 6.1 Scales, of adequate capacity to determine the mass of
sample because both particle sizes and masses are determined. the sorted riprap pieces either individually or in whole. The
Test MethodAemploys a methodology similar to standard soil scale will be accurate to 1 % of the indicated mass. Calibrated
and aggregate particle size analysis tests (see Test Methods or certified commercial truck or quarry scales of adequate
D 422 and C 136). Test Method B can be used for periodic capacity are typically used. For individual particle measure-
product checks of particle sizes to ensure distribution meets ments using Test Method B, hoist line load cells have been
specifications. Test Method C can be used if size can be used successfully.
D5519
6.2 Sieves or Templates, meeting the requirements of Speci- 6.8 Miscellaneous Equipment, such as spray paints to mark
fication E 11 for sizes up to 5 in. (125 mm). For sizes above 5 pieces, rock hammers, cameras for photo documentation,
in.,single-openingtemplatesmaybefabricatedfortherequired sample bags, tags or signs, data-recording forms, heavy work
sizes. Templates may be fabricated from steel bar or other gloves,safetygogglesorglasses,respiratorsordustmasks,and
sufficiently rigid materials in the sizes required. For templates steel-toed boots or caps, as required for the work.
openings from 5 in. to 16 in. (125 to 400 mm), the openings
7. Hazards
will be within 62 % of the size, for templates greater than 16
in., the openings will be within 60.25 in. (6.35 mm). Sieves 7.1 Performance of this test method includes the moving,
and templates should be checked on a regular basis to verify
lifting, measurement, and transfer of large pieces of rock. This
squareness, straightness, and conformance to opening toler- presents the potential for personnel injury from crushing,
ances. Hand grips or handles should be considered for ease of
dropped or rolling of the riprap pieces. Whenever possible, the
use. For larger sizes, it has been found useful to fabricate sample should be spread to a single layer depth to reduce
templates in the form of a C-shaped caliper representing the
personnel hazard from rolling or falling pieces.
sieve opening and the diagonal of the sieve opening (see Fig. 7.2 Personnel performing this test method will be in the
2). vicinity of working heavy equipment and precautions should
6.3 Transport Vehicle, capable of conveying the individual
be taken to prevent injury from equipment.
or groups of the individual sorted riprap pieces from the 7.3 Working with and around the pieces may subject per-
sampling point to the test area, and from the test area to the
sonnel to dust, flying particles, falling pieces, and excessive
weighing station. If truck scales are used, the transport vehicle noise. Personnel should be adequately equipped and trained in
should be tared prior to and after determination of the masses.
the use of personal protective equipment.
6.4 Handling Equipment, such as forklifts, loaders, or like
8. Sampling
equipment for sampling, transporting, assisting in the sorting,
loading for transport, weighing, and other tasks involved in the
8.1 The precision and representativeness of this test method
physical performance of the test.
is directly related to the sampling process. The sampling
6.5 Tape Measures fordeterminingparticlesizedimensions
should be carefully planned and executed to achieve optimum
to estimate mass or determine slab pieces.
representativeness. All parties should be involved in the
6.6 TestArea,sufficientlylargetoallowtheplacementofthe
planning process. The sampling plan should be documented
test sample, areas or bins to place the sorted materials, and
and included as a part of the final report.
adequatetoallowtrucks,loaders,andotherrequiredequipment
8.2 The mass of the total test specimen should be large
to operate safely. The test area should have a smooth surface,
enough to ensure a representative gradation and should be such
preferably of concrete, to provide a suitable work surface and
that it provides test results to the desired level of accuracy. One
prevent loss of the fines.
analogy is to consider a test specimen size of such size that the
6.7 Proportional Calipers, fabricated in a sufficient size or
addition or loss of the largest expected piece will not change
sizes for use in determining if pieces meet or exceed dimen-
the results by more than a specified percentage. If the particle
sional ratios to be considered slab pieces (see Fig. 2).
mass is not known from experience, the particle mass may be
estimated using Fig. 1, with an assumed representative specific
gravity, or calculated using an assumed specific gravity and
volume of the largest expected piece.
NOTE 2—Example: For a test specimen size to achieve a 1 % accuracy,
assume that the largest individual piece mass is expected to be 150 lb (68
kg). For this piece to represent less than 1 %, the sample mass would be
15 000-lb (6 800-kg) minimum. For this piece to represent less than 5 %
accuracy, the sample size would be 3000-lb (1360-kg) minimum.
8.3 Take an adequate amount of sample to ensure that the
minimum test specimen mass is available, however sampling
will not be to a predetermined exact mass. Composite samples
will be allowed only when included in the sample plan.
8.4 Samplingfromthesourcematerialwillbeinaccordance
with the sampling plan with the emphasis on obtaining a
samplerepresentativeofthewholeinrespecttomass,size,and
shape.
8.5 Sample handling should be minimized to avoid unnec-
essary degradation and breakage. For materials that have been
submerged, allow the sample to freely drain. Moisture content
NOTE 1—The following figure illustrate typical apparatus that have
Howard, A. K., and Horz, R. C., “Minimum Test Specimen for Gradation
been fabricated for use in this test method.
Analysis,” Geotechnical Testing Journa
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