ASTM D4531-23

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4531 − 15 D4531 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
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*
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 The water content of a peat/peat product influences the bulk density. When using the bulk density for quantifying the amount
of peat for use as a resource evaluation, the water content value needs to accompany the bulk density value.
NOTE 1—Test Method D2978 is used for measuring the volume of uncompacted loose peat materials and compacted baled peat materials.
1.3 Method A—The core method covers the determination of the bulk density of a core of peat taken with a piston sampler or other
suitable core sampler (Sections 67 and 78).
1.4 Method B—The paraffin wax method, covers the determination of the bulk density of clods or irregular pieces of wet peat and
compressed peat products (Sections 89 and 910).
1.5 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
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
Media for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved July 15, 2015Nov. 1, 2023. Published July 2015November 2023. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20082015 as
D4531 – 86D4531 – 15.(2008). DOI: 10.1520/D4531-15.10.1520/D4531-23.
*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
D4531 − 23
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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2978 Test Method for Volume of Peat and Peat-Based Growing Media
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 and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of common technical terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 bulk density, ρ—ρ, n—as used for peat productsfor peat/peat products, is the total mass (solids plus water) per unit of total
volume of a peat at a given moisture condition.
3.2.2 dry density, ρ —, n—for peat/peat products, mass of dry organic and mineral matter per unit of total volume of a peat at a
d
given moisture condition.
NOTE 2—In many peat science applications and publications, the term defined here as “dry density” in accordance with common geotechnical engineering
usage is referred to as “bulk density”.density.” Care is necessary to distinguish which definition is being used when such a term is encountered.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Method A—A core of peat is obtained and is extruded either in the field or the laboratory. Representative specimens of the
sample are taken. The dimensions of the specimen are measured and recorded. The moist and dry masses of the peat are measured
and recorded. Using the masses and the dimensions the bulk and dry densities are calculated for a given water content.
4.2 Method B—A representative specimen is taken from a representative sample of peat/peat product that is obtained from a bulk
sample. The moist mass of the specimen is measured and recorded and is then dipped in paraffin wax. The mass of the specimen
plus wax is measured and recorded and is then submerged in water to obtain the volume. The wax is then removed from the
specimen and the mass of the remaining specimen is measured and recorded. The dry mass of the specimen is then measured and
recorded. The bulk and dry densities are then calculated.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 These test methods provide uniform procedures for determining the bulk density of in situ peat and processed peat products.
The bulk density is of use in the calculation of in situ stresses for engineering analysis and in quantifying the amount of material
present when considering peat as a resource. In the latter case, it is necessary to consider the moisture condition for which the bulk
density was determined; a more useful parameter to consider may well be the dry density, ρ .
d
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
D4531 − 23
NOTE 3—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.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying oven maintained at a temperature of 105 6 5°C.
6.2 Balances—Balances sensitive to shall conform to the requirements of Guide D4753 and be readable to 0.01 g for
specimenspecimens less than 100 g, sensitivereadable to 0.1 g for specimenspecimens between 100 g and 1000 g, or sensitiveand
readable to 1 g for specimenspecimens over 1000 g.
6.3 Moisture Content Containers—Suitable containers for laboratory moisture content determinations.
6.4 Plastic Sample Bags or Sampling Jars.
6.5 Sampler—Piston sampler or other suitable coring device which will give a cylindrical sample.
NOTE 4—Samples taken with the Macaulay type peat sampler are semicylindrical in shape. They may also be used in this method of determination.
6.6 Sharp Knife—An electric knife or barber’s razor will be best for laboratory work.
6.7 Paraffın Wax, maintained at a temperature between 60 and 70°C, for use in Method B only.
6.8 Graduated Cylinder, Cylinder (Method B)—for use in Method B only.A glass or plastic 1000 mL graduated cylinder with 10
mL gradations between t
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