ASTM D8459-23

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: D8459 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
Detecting Water Soluble Sulfates in Construction Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8459; 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 increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
1.1 These methods determine the water soluble sulfate
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
content of cohesive soils used in construction by using the
analysis methods for engineering data.
colorimetric technique. Two methods are presented in this
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
standard. Method A is for use in the field and Method B is for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
use in the laboratory. The colorimetric technique involves
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measuring the scattering of a light beam through a solution that
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
contains suspended particulate matter. Measurements of sulfate
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
concentrations in construction soils can be used to guide
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
professionals in the selection of appropriate stabilization meth-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ods and to assist in assessment of potential deterioration in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
concrete structures.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 1—These test methods are partially based on the research
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
conducted by Texas A & M University.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 The field method, Method A, is used as a screening test
for the presence of sulfates and their concentration. The
2. Referenced Documents
laboratory method, Method B, provides better resolution than 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the field method.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 Ion chromatography is also an acceptable alternative Fluids
method that can be used to evaluate results, however, it is
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
outside the scope of this standard.
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
(Visual-Manual Procedures)
standard.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
D4220/D4220M Practices for Preserving and Transporting
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ 3
Soil Samples (Withdrawn 2023)
recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
Construction Materials Testing
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
cords in Geotechnical Data
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.06 on Physical-Chemical Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Interactions of Soil and Rock. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2023. Published March 2023. DOI: 10.1520/
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
D8459-23. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8459 − 23
NOTE 2—For more information on the effect of treating soils containing
3. Terminology
water soluble sulfates, refer to the following publication: Little, D.N.,
3.1 Definitions:
Stabilization of Pavement Subgrades and Base Course with Lime,
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
Kendal/Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, IA, 1995.
NOTE 3—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
3.2.1 colorimetric technique, n—the process of measuring criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
the light transmission of a liquid and translating it into
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
concentration using a reagent (in this standard, barium chlo-
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
ride) combined with a specimen.
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Colorimetry is the measurement of the
wavelength and the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in
6. Interferences
the visible region of the spectrum. Colorimetry can help find
6.1 The readings from the device can be affected if the
the concentration of substances, since the amount and color of
cuvette is scratched or has dirty or smeared surfaces. Care
the light that is absorbed or transmitted depends on properties
should be taken to make sure the cuvette surfaces are clean and
of the solution, including the concentration of particles in it.
free of debris and that the filtration has sufficiently removed the
3.2.2 filtrate, n—a substance, usually a solution, that has
larger particulates.
been passed through a filter.
6.2 The presence of aggressive sulfate reducing bacteria
4. Summary of Test Method
could lead to an under reporting of the sulfate content.
4.1 These test methods are used to determine the average
7. Apparatus
water soluble sulfate concentration in cohesive soils using the
colorimetric technique. Method A is performed in the field
7.1 Colorimeter—A hand held or benchtop/desktop device
using a hand-held device, whereas Method B is performed in capable of measuring up to 8,000 ppm.
the laboratory using a benchtop/desktop device under con-
NOTE 4—A colorimeter is an instrument that compares the amount of
trolled conditions.
light passing through a solution with the amount that can pass through a
sample of pure solvent. A colorimeter contains a photocell that is able to
4.2 In both methods a sample is dried and processed over
detect the amount of light which passes through the solution under
specific sieves to obtain three representative specimens. Each
evaluation. The more light that hits the photocell, the larger the current it
specimen is then diluted with distilled or demineralized water
produces, hence showing the absorbance of light. A colorimeter takes 3
to an initial ratio of 1:20 and then vigorously shaken prior to a
wideband readings along the visible light spectrum to obtain a rough
estimate of a color sample.
conditioning period. After conditioning, the soil suspension is
filtered and the filtrate is transferred to a cuvette where the
7.2 Balance—Balances shall conform to the requirements of
barium chloride reagent is added. A minimum of three readings
Guide D4753.
per specimen are obtained and the results are corrected and
7.2.1 The balance shall have readability without estimation
averaged to yield the average water soluble sulfate concentra-
of 0.01 g or better. The capacity of this balance will need to
tion in ppm of the sample.
exceed the mass of the representative soil and its container.
5. Significance and Use 7.3 Drying Oven—Vented, thermostatically controlled oven
capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 60 6 5°C
5.1 Where sulfates are suspected, subgrade soils should be
throughout the drying chamber. These requirements typically
tested as an integral part of a geotechnical evaluation because
require the use of a forced-draft oven.
the possibility that sulfate induced heave may occur if calcium
containing stabilizers are used to improve the soils and sulfate 7.4 Sieves—4.75-mm (No. 4) and 425-μm (No. 40) sieves
reactions may also cause deterioration in concrete structures. used to split and separate the sample, respectively. These sieves
When planning to treat a soil used in construction with lime, are subjected to rough operation and shall not be used for
testing the soil for water soluble sulfates prior to treatment quantitative grain size analysis.
becomes very important (Note 2).
7.5 Desiccator—A desiccant containing device of suitable
5.2 When sulfate containing cohesive soils are treated with size used to prevent moisture gain during cooling of the
calcium-based stabilizers for foundation improvements, sul- oven-dried specimen.
fates and free alumina in natural soils react with calcium and
7.6 Cuvette—A 10-mL glass vial with alignment markings
free hydroxide to form crystalline minerals, such as ettringite
to hold the filtrate and reagent.
and thaumasite. Thaumasite forms when ettringite undergoes
5 7.7 Mortar and Rubber-Tipped Pestle—Apparatus suitable
changes in the presence of carbonates at low temperatures.
for breaking up aggregations of air-dried soil particles without
The sulfate minerals expand considerably when they are
breaking individual particles.
hydrated.
7.8 Sample Splitter—A device capable of adequately split-
Mitchell, J.K., “Practical Problems from Surprising Soil Behavior,” ASCE ting the sample.
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 112, No. 3, 1986, pp. 259-289.
7.9 Beakers—Two, glass or plastic; with a minimum capac-
Hunter, D., “Lime Induced Heave in Sulfate Bearing Clays,” ASCE Journal of
Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 114, No. 2, 1988, pp. 150-167. ity of 500 mL.
D8459 − 23
7.10 Graduated Cylinders—Two, glass or plastic; one each meet those requirements (Note 6). In which case, the water
with capacities of 10 mL and 100 mL. content of the material does not have to be maintained.
7.11 Bottles—Two, wide-mouth round high-density poly- 10.2 The sample can be from a variety of sources. Typically,
ethylene bottles; one each with capacities of 250 mL and samples for water soluble sulfate testing are obtained in the
500 mL. following forms: large bags or buckets, small bags, jar
samples, or tube samples.
7.12 Pipets—2 to 10 mL capacity disposable pipets.
10.3 Samples should be obtained at the specified sampling
7.13 Permeable Membrane Filter—150 mm diameter circle
frequency. For Method A, the sample mass must be greater
filter paper having a pore diameter of 10-μm (Note 5).
than 300 g and for Method B, the sample mass must be greater
7.14 Funnel—A glass or plastic, ~80 mm diameter funnel
than 1500 g in order to obtain representative specimens for
having a short, wide stem.
testing.
7.15 Plate—A clean, nonporous, smooth, solid surface that
NOTE 6—To reduce the potential for growth of sulfate reducing bacteria
is large enough to hold the representative soil while it air dries.
it is recommended for sulfate testing to be carried out within 28 days of
The plate can also be used when the sample is split. sampling and for the samples to be stored at or below 40°C.
7.16 Miscellaneous Items—Items such as a wash/rinse
11. Preparation of Test Specimens
bottle (squirt bottle), latex gloves, pans, brushes, spatulas,
delicate task wipes, and band stirring rods may be useful. 11.1 Preparation for Method A (Field):
11.1.1 Obtain from the sample approximately 300 g of
NOTE 5—The use of a permeable membrane filter with a pore diameter
6 representative soil.
of 10-μm is recommended by Puppala et al. to give reproducible results.
11.1.2 Place the representative soil on the plate or other
8. Reagents
smooth, nonporous surface and allow it to air dry to a constant
mass.
8.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
11.1.3 Process the entire representative soil over the 425-μm
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
(No. 40) sieve being careful to dislodge material adhering to
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee of
the aggregate particles and avoid breaking down the natural
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemistry Society where
size of the particles.
such specifications are available.
11.1.4 Split the representative soil passing the 425-μm
8.2 Test Water—Distilled or demineralized water is the only
(No. 40) sieve using the sample splitter and obtain three
permissible test fluid. The use of tap water is not permitted.
10 6 0.1 g specimens. Determine and record the mass of each
Specification D1193 provides information regarding distilled
specimen to the nearest 0.1 g.
or demineralized water.
11.2 Preparation for Method B (Laboratory):
8.3 Barium Chloride (BaCl )—Reagent grade.
11.2.1 Dry the entire sample in the 60 6 5°C drying oven to
8.4 Standard Sulfate Solution (SO )—Reagent grade,
a constant mass. Then, remove from the oven and place the
1000 ppm where 1 mL = 1 mg of SO . sample in the desiccator. Allow the sample to cool to
25 6 3°C.
9. Hazards
11.2.2 Remove the sample from the desiccator and process
9.1 Warning—All soluble barium salts are poisonous, for the entire sample over the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve being careful
instance, barium carbonate will dissolve in stomach acid. The to dislodge material adhering to the aggregate particles and
antidote to barium poisoning is epsom salts (magnesium avoid breaking down the natural size of the particles.
sulfate) which immediately precipitates harmless barium sul- 11.2.3 Split the processed sample passing the 4.75-mm
fate if taken quickly enough. (No. 4) sieve to obtain approximately 1,500 g of representative
soil.
9.2 Care should be taken to avoid contact with the skin,
11.2.4 Process the 1,500 g representative soil using a rubber
eyes, and should not be ingested. Use latex gloves when
tipped pestle over the 425-μm (No. 40) sieve being careful to
handling barium chloride. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for
dislodge material adhering to the aggregate particles and avoid
more information.
breaking down the natural size of the particles.
10. Sampling 11.2.5 Split the representative soil passing the 425-μm
(No. 40) sieve using the sample splitter and obtain three
10.1 General—These test methods do not address, in any
20 6 0.1 g specimens. Determine and record the mass of each
detail, procurement of the sample. It is assumed the sample is
specimen to the nearest 0.1 g.
obtained using appropriate methods and is representative of the
soil under evaluation. However, the testing agency shall
12. Calibration/Preparation of Apparatus
preserve all samples
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