ASTM E2277-14(2019)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2277 − 14 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Guide for
Design and Construction of Coal Ash Structural Fills
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2277; 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 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This guide covers procedures for the design and con-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
struction of engineered structural fills using coal combustion
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
products (CCPs) including but not limited to fly ash, bottom
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ash, boiler slag or other CCPs that can meet the requirements
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of an engineered fill as described herein. CCPs may be used
alone or blended with soils or other suitable materials to
2. Referenced Documents
achieve desired geotechnical properties.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This guide describes the unique design and construction
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
considerations that may apply to engineered structural fills
C188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
constructed of with CCPs that have been adequately charac-
C311 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Fly Ash or
terized as being suitable for this beneficial use.
Natural Pozzolans for Use in Portland-Cement Concrete
1.3 Beneficial utilization of CCPs consistent with this stan- C593 Specification for FlyAsh and Other Pozzolans for Use
dard conserves land, natural resources, and With Lime for Soil Stabilization
C595/C595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
1.4 This guide applies only to CCPs produced primarily by
C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
the combustion of coal.
Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
1.5 The testing, engineering, and construction practices for
C1157 Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
coal ash fills are similar to generally accepted practices for
C1600 Specification for Rapid Hardening Hydraulic Cement
natural soil fills. Coal ash structural fills should be designed
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
using generally accepted engineering practices. However,
D422 Test Method for Particle-SizeAnalysis of Soils (With-
when CCPs are used in saturated conditions such as ponds or
drawn 2016)
impoundments, the potential for liquefaction may need to be
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
considered.
Fluids
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
1.6 Laws and regulations governing the use of coal ash vary
by state. The user of this guide has the responsibility to istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600
kN-m/m ))
determine and comply with applicable requirements.
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Water Pycnometer
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
D1195/D1195M Test Method for Repetitive Static Plate
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Load Tests of Soils and Flexible Pavement Components,
and are not considered standard.
for Use in Evaluation and Design ofAirport and Highway
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Pavements
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D1196/D1196M Test Method for Nonrepetitive Static Plate
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Load Tests of Soils and Flexible Pavement Components,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
for Use in Evaluation and Design ofAirport and Highway
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Pavements
1 2
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ity of Subcommittee E50.03 on Beneficial Use. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E2278–14. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/E2277-14R19. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2277 − 14 (2019)
D1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling byAuger G57 Test Method for Field Measurement of Soil Resistivity
Borings Using the Wenner Four-Electrode Method
D1556 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
2.2 AASHTO Standards:
Place by Sand-Cone Method
T 288 Determining Minimum Laboratory Soil Resistivity
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
T 289 Determining pH of Soil for Use in Corrosion Testing
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
T 290 Determining Water Soluble Sulfate Ion Content in
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
Soil
D1586 Test Method for Standard PenetrationTest (SPT) and
T 291 Determining Water Soluble Chloride Ion Content in
Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
Soil
D1883 Test Method for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of 5
2.3 U.S. EPA Standard:
Laboratory-Compacted Soils
SW 846 Test Methods for Evaluationg Solid Waste:
D2166 Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength
Physical/Chemical Methods
of Cohesive Soil
2.4 OSHA Standard:
D2167 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
29 CFR Part 1910.1200 Hazard Communication
Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
2.5 AASHOTO Standard:
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
PP059–09–UL Standard Practice for Coal Combustion Fly
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
Ash for Embankments
D2435 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Consolidation
Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
3. Terminology
D2844 Test Method for Resistance R-Value and Expansion
3.1 Definitions—For definitions related to coal combustion
Pressure of Compacted Soils
products (CCPs), see Terminology E2201. For definitions
D2850 Test Method for Unconsolidated-Undrained Triaxial
related to geotechnical properties see Terminology D653.
Compression Test on Cohesive Soils
D2922 Test Methods for Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
in Place by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth) (With-
3.2.1 beneficial use, n—projects that use CCPs in a manner
drawn 2007)
that meets the design specification, conserves natural resources
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
and energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and protects
Drive Sampling of Soils
human health and the environment.
D3877 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Expansion,
3.2.2 CCP engineered structural fill, n—engineered fill with
Shrinkage, and Uplift Pressure of Soil-Lime Mixtures
a projected beneficial end use that is typically constructed in
(Withdrawn 2017)
layers of CCPs with uniform thickness or blended with other
D3987 Practice for Shake Extraction of Solid Waste with
materials and compacted to a desired unit weight (density) in a
Water
manner to control the compressibility, strength, and hydraulic
D4253 Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit
conductivity of the fill and used in lieu of unconfined natural
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
soils or aggregate.
D4254 Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Engineered structural fills do not in-
Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
clude base course, subbase, subgrade, utility trench backfill,
D4429 Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of
and other unconfined geotechnical applications. See Terminol-
Soils in Place (Withdrawn 2018)
ogy D653 for definitions of base course, subbase, and sub-
D4767 Test Method for Consolidated Undrained Triaxial
grade.
Compression Test for Cohesive Soils
3.2.3 pozzolans, n—siliceous or siliceous and aluminous
D4959 Test Method for Determination of Water Content of
materials that in themselves possess little or no cementitious
Soil By Direct Heating
value but will, in finely divided form and in the presence of
D4972 Test Methods for pH of Soils
moisture, chemically react with calcium hydroxide at ambient
D5084 Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Con-
temperatures to form compounds possessing cementitious
ductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible
properties.
Wall Permeameter
D5239 Practice for Characterizing Fly Ash for Use in Soil
Stabilization
Interim Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling
D5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
and Testing, Part II, American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Gas Pycnometer Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
http://www.transportation.org.
D5759 Guide for Characterization of Coal Fly Ash and
AvailablefromUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),William
Clean Coal Combustion Fly Ash for Potential Uses
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004,
D7181 Test Method for Consolidated DrainedTriaxial Com-
http://www.epa.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 200
pression Test for Soils
Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20210.
E2201 Terminology for Coal Combustion Products
Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
G51 Test Method for Measuring pH of Soil for Use in
Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
Corrosion Testing http://www.transportation.org.
E2277 − 14 (2019)
3.2.4 stabilized CCPs, n—CCPs that are self-cementing determine any local or state guidance, policies, or regulations
alone or blended with calcium hydroxide or cementitious pertaining to the use of CCPs.
binder to induce or enhance a pozzolanic reaction and increase
5. Environmental Aspects and Considerations
strength; use of a cementitious binder can also reduce, but will
not eliminate, leaching of trace metals.
5.1 General—As part of the design phase, it is incumbent
3.2.4.1 Discussion—See also Specification C593 and Prac- upon the designer or registered professional to evaluate the
tice D5239 for additional guidance.
CCPs and to assess the site specific characteristics of a project
to include appropriate measures to address potential environ-
3.2.5 registered professional, n—a person licensed, or oth-
mental impacts. In addition to state or local guidance, screen-
erwise approved by the state or local government, to manage
ing procedures or analysis techniques should be employed as
and certify engineering or environmental projects.
appropriate to determine, what, if any potential environmental
3.2.5.1 Discussion—Thisprofessionalmayinclude,butmay
risks need to be considered when using CCPs for engineered
not be limited to, a Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional
structural fills. Evaluation should include consideration of
Geologist (PG).
materials, geography, topography, hydrology, climatology,
habitat, existing site conditions, and end use of the land. Fig. 1
4. Significance and Use
and Table 1, depict a decision flow diagram that illustrates the
4.1 General:
potential steps for the project geotechnical and environmental
4.1.1 Many CCPs are suitable materials for the construction
evaluation.
of engineered structural fills. CCPs may be used as: structural
5.2 Materials Characterization—Many CCP materials have
fill for building sites and foundations; embankments for
been effectively used for beneficial reuse in engineered struc-
highways and railroads, road bases, dikes, and levees; and in
tural fills and have been shown to have little or no potential for
any other application requiring a compacted fill material.Their
releasing constituents to the environment when placed and
low unit weight, relatively high shear strength, ease of
compacted at the proper moisture content and with suitable
handling, and compaction make CCPs useful as fill material.
engineering controls. CCPs contain constituents that may have
However, the specific engineering and environmental proper-
the potential to leach into the environment if not properly
ties of these materials can vary from source to source and must
managed. Factors that affect the potential of CCPs to impact
be evaluated for each material, or combination of materials, to
the environment are the presence of constituents of concern,
be used for an engineered structural fill. Information contained
potential for these constituents to become available in the
in Guide D5759 may be applicable to some CCPs to be used in
environment and the presence of complete exposure pathways
engineered structural fills.AASHTO Standard Practice PP059-
for human or ecological receptors, or both.
09-UL also addresses the use of coal combustion fly ash in
5.2.1 Safety Classification—In consideration of the different
embankments. The requirements for the type of CCPs that can
types of CCPs that may be used in the construction of
be used for specific engineered structural fills may also vary
engineered structural fills the project owner and designer
because of local site conditions or the intended use of the fill,
should prepare or obtain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) based on
or both. Environmental considerations are addressed in Section
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA’s)
5.
Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR Part 1910.1200 and
4.1.2 CCPs can be a cost-effective fill material. In many
consider the latest OSHAguidance. If the SDS identifies raises
areas, they are available in bulk quantities at a reasonable cost.
areas of human health or environmental concern, then the
The use of CCPs conserves other resources and reduces the
project owner or designer may need to consider additional
expenditures required for the purchase, permitting, and opera-
worker safety precautions, conduct additional site specific
tion of a soil borrow pit. CCPs often can be delivered to a job
environmental and human health investigation, or additional
site at near optimum moisture content and generally do not
testing, or a combination thereof, t
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