ASTM D8281/D8281M-21

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: D8281/D8281M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Presence of Expanding Clays in Rock for
Erosion Control Using Ethylene Glycol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8281/D8281M; 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 conformance with the standard. Reporting of test results in
units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance
1.1 This test method covers the testing for and quantitative
with this standard.
determination of the presence of swelling clays of the smectite
1.5.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
group in rock for erosion control. The test particles are
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
intended to be representative of erosion control rock and its
(lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass
durability. The test is appropriate for breakwater stone, armor
is slugs. The slug unit is not given unless dynamic (F=ma)
stone, riprap and gabion sized rock materials.
calculations are involved.
1.2 Ethylene glycol is one of the materials that react with
1.5.2 The SI units presented for apparatus are substitutions
swelling clays to form an organoclay complex having a larger
of the inch-pound units, other similar SI units should be
basal spacing than that of the clay mineral itself. Rock
acceptable providing they meet the technical requirements
containing swelling clay of the smectite group will be expected
established by the inch-pound apparatus.
to undergo expansive breakdown upon soaking in ethylene
1.5.3 It is common practice in the engineering/construction
glycol. If the amount, distribution, state of expansion, and
profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit
ability to take up glycol is such as to cause such breakdown to
of mass (lbm) and force (lbf). This practice implicitly com-
occur, it may be expected that similar breakdown may occur of
bines two separate systems of units: the absolute and the
similar rock samples exposed, for longer times, to wetting and
gravitational systems. It is scientifically undesirable to com-
drying or freezing and thawing in a water-soaked condition in
bine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a
service.
single standard. As stated, this standard includes the gravita-
tional system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the
1.3 The prepared size of the rock specimens may eliminate
slug unit for mass. However, the use of balances or scales
some of the internal features present in the gross structure.The
recording pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft
test specimens may not be representative of the quality of the
shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
larger rock samples used in construction. Careful examination
of the rock source and proper sampling are essential in 1.5.4 Calculations are done using only one set of units;
either SI or gravitational inch pound. Other units are permis-
minimizing this limitation.
sible provided appropriate conversion factors are used to
1.3.1 The test is time intensive and requires over two weeks
maintain consistency of units throughout the calculations, and
to complete the sample preparation, testing and analysis
similar significant digits or resolution, or both are maintained.
portions of the procedure.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
1.4 The use of reclaimed concrete and materials other than
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
natural rock is beyond the scope of this test method.
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
1.6.1 For purposes of comparing measured or calculated
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
digits in the specified limits.
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
1.6.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.17 on Rock for Erosion
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
Control.
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. DOI: 10.1520/
D8281_D8281M-21. ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8281/D8281M − 21
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be percent loss by mass for each grading is determined. A visual
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope examination of the specimen particles is performed throughout
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical and at the end of testing. The type of deterioration is recorded.
methods for engineering design.
5. Significance and Use
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 Rock for erosion control consists of individual pieces of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
natural quarried stone or large boulders and cobbles. The
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ability of these individual pieces of stone to resist deterioration
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
due to weathering action affects the stability of the integral
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
placementofrockforerosioncontrolandhence,thestabilityof
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
construction projects, structures, shorelines, and stream banks.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.2 Deterioration of stone in this test is one indicator that
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
similarsamplesexposedtowet/dryandfreeze/thawcyclesmay
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
break down in a water-soaked environment condition in
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
service.
5.3 This test method was developed to be used in conjunc-
2. Referenced Documents
tion with additional test methods listed in Practice D4992.This
2.1 ASTM Standards:
test method provides a quantitative value indicating potential
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
resistance to weathering; however, the results of this test
Fluids
method are not to be used as the sole basis for the determina-
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
tion of rock durability.
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
D2693 SpecificationforEthyleneGlycol(Withdrawn2021)
dependent upon the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal- cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
provides a means of evaluation some of those factors.
Construction Materials Testing
D4992 Practice for Evaluation of Rock to be Used for
6. Apparatus
Erosion Control
6.1 Immersion Containers—Containers with tight-fitting
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
lids, of sufficient size to hold the specimens fully immersed to
Data
a depth of not less than 12.5 mm [ ⁄2 in.] in ethylene glycol. It
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
is advised that these containers be non-reactive, resistant to
Sieves
breakage and resistant to deformation and degradation when
2.2 USACE Standards:
exposed to ethylene glycol.
CRD-C 148-69 Method of Testing Stone for Expansive
6.2 Drying Containers shall conform with ASTM D2216,
Breakdown on Soaking in Ethylene Glycol
subsection 6.3.
3. Terminology
6.3 Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled oven, ca-
3.1 Definitions:
pable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C [230
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
6 9°F] throughout the drying chamber. These requirements
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
typically require the use of a forced-draft type oven. The oven
shall be vented outside the building.
4. Summary of Test Method
6.4 Balance—Abalance capable of determining the mass of
4.1 Erosion control rock samples are prepared by sieving,
the specimen to the nearest 0.1 % of the total mass meeting the
crushing, or breaking pieces to pass a minus 75.0 mm [3 in.]
requirements of Specification D4753.
size sieve. The specimens are then washed and built to a
6.5 Sieves, 75 mm [3 in.], 63 mm, [2 ⁄2 in.], 50 mm [2 in.],
specific grading. The test specimens are exposed to ethylene
1 3
37.5 mm [1 ⁄2 in.], 25.0 mm [1 in.] and 19.0 mm [ ⁄4 in.]
glycolforaperiodof15days.Atthecompletionofthetest,the
conforming to the requirements of Specification E11.
6.6 Camera—A video or still camera capable of producing
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
good quality, color images for “before testing” and “after
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
testing” photographs.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on 7. Reagents and Materials
www.astm.org.
7.1 Ethylene Glycol—The reagent used in this method shall
For referenced USACE Standards, visit the USACE website, http://
www.wbdg.org/ffc/army-
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