ASTM D4531-86(2002)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D4531–86(Reapproved2002)
Standard Test Methods for
Bulk Density of Peat and Peat Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4531; 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.
NOTE 2—In many peat science applications and publications, the term
1. Scope
defined here as “dry density” in accordance with common geotechnical
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the bulk
engineering usage is referred to as “bulk density”. Care is necessary to
density of both peat in its natural state and peat products (Note
distinguish which definition is being used when such a term is encoun-
1).These test methods consist of defining a volume of peat and
tered.
determining the mass of that specific volume.The difference in
4. Significance and Use
the respective methods is in the procedures employed to
determine the peat volume.
4.1 These test methods provide uniform procedures for
determining the bulk density of in situ peat and processed peat
NOTE 1—Test Method D 2978 is used for specifying the volume
products. The bulk density is of use in the calculation of in situ
represented by a quantity of loose processed peat or the volume of a peat
stresses for engineering analysis and in quantifying the amount
bale.
of material present when considering peat as a resource. In the
1.2 Method A—This method, the core method, covers the
lattercase,itisnecessarytoconsiderthemoistureconditionfor
determinationofthebulkdensityofanundisturbedcoreofpeat
which the bulk density was determined; a more useful param-
taken with a piston sampler or other suitable core sampler
eter to consider may well be the dry density, r .
d
(Sections 6 and 7).
1.3 Method B—This method, the paraffin wax method,
5. Apparatus
covers the determination of the bulk density of undisturbed
5.1 Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying
clods or irregular pieces of wet peat and compressed peat
oven maintained at a temperature of 105 6 5°C.
products (Sections 8 and 9).
5.2 Balances—Balances sensitive to 0.01 g for samples less
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
than 100 g, sensitive to 0.1 g for samples between 100 g and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1000 g, or sensitive to 1 g for samples over 1000 g.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.3 Moisture Content Containers—Suitable containers for
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
laboratory moisture content determinations.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.4 Plastic Sample Bags or Sampling Jars.
5.5 Sampler—Pistonsamplerorothersuitablecoringdevice
2. Referenced Documents
which will give a reasonably undisturbed cylindrical sample.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 2974 Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Mat- NOTE 3—Samples taken with the Macaulay type peat sampler are
semicylindrical in shape and relatively undisturbed. They may also be
ter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
used in this method of determination.
D 2978 Test Method for Volume of Processed Peat Materi-
als 5.6 Sharp Knife—An electric knife or barber’s razor will be
best for laboratory work.
3. Terminology
5.7 Paraffın Wax, maintained at a temperature between 60
3.1 Definitions:
and 70°C, for use in Method B only.
3.1.1 bulk density, r—total mass (solids plus water) per unit
5.8 Graduated Cylinder, for use in Method B only.
of total volume of a peat at a given moisture condition.
METHOD A—CORE METHOD
3.1.2 dry density, r —mass of dry organic and mineral
d
matter per unit of total volume of a peat at a given moisture
6. Procedure
condition.
6.1 Take a representative reasonably undisturbed core of
peat with a piston sampler or other coring device.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil
6.2 With a sharp knife, cut specimens of no less than 50 mm
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a
in length from the various layers included in the core. Measure
Medium for Plant Growth.
and record the specimen length to the nearest millimetre.
Current edition approved Feb. 24, 1986. Published May 1986.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
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D4531–86 (2002)
6.3 For samples extruded in the field, place the specimen 8.7 Dry the sample in an oven at 105°C until a constant
into a plastic bag or sampling jar and seal to prevent moisture mass is reached. Record the mass of dry peat, M .
s
loss.
6.4 Transfer the whole specimen and any free water to a 9.
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