ASTM D5268-19e1
(Specification)Standard Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Construction Purposes
Standard Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Construction Purposes
ABSTRACT
This specification covers the physical evaluation of an inorganic soil containing a limited amount of organic material, relative to its use as topsoil for landscaping and horticultural purposes in construction. Though the presence of the correct nutrients and pH status in the soil is necessary for healthy plant growth, this specification, however, does not address either the determination or the availability of such properties. When physically evaluating soil relative to its suitability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must be made to determine the presence and the amount of organic matter, inorganic matter (sand, silt, and clay), and deleterious materials (rocks, gravel, slag, cinder, roots, and sod). The apparatuses required here are sieves and containers, balances, and a muffle furnace.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a physical evaluation of a soil containing organic material, relative to its use as a topsoil for vegetative growth purposes in landscaping and construction. For classification, a full agricultural textural classification may be used. Soils being evaluated for use as a topsoil must meet the requirements in Table 1.
1.2 When physically evaluating a soil, relative to its suitability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must be made to determine the presence and the amount of organic matter, moisture content, inorganic matter (sand, silt and clay), pH, salt content, cation exchange capacity percentages and deleterious materials.
1.3 The presence in the soil of the correct nutrients, salts, and pH is necessary for healthy plant growth. This specification does not cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their availability.
1.4 Typical ranges of topsoil composition are presented in Table 1. Soils falling within these ranges will generally form a suitable topsoil. Soils being used as a topsoil with organic matter contents between 10 and 90 %, may need to be amended prior to use. It must, however, be recognized that in some geographic regions, achieving the values in Table 1 could be difficult. In such cases, alternative specifications may need to be considered, or an engineered soilamendment meeting the requirements in Table 1 excluding the sand, silt, and clay content as those materials will come from the subsurface soil being amended. When using an engineered soil amendment, the organic matter values need to be >75 % to help rebuild the subsoil layers.
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.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the 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 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 these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.
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, 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 is...
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´1
Designation:D5268 −19
Standard Specification for
1
Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Construction Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5268; 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
ε NOTE—Table 1 was editorially corrected in October 2020.
1. Scope* 1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
1.1 This specification covers a physical evaluation of a soil
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
containing organic material, relative to its use as a topsoil for
1.6.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
vegetative growth purposes in landscaping and construction.
recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the
For classification, a full agricultural textural classification may
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
be used. Soils being evaluated for use as a topsoil must meet
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
the requirements in Table 1.
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
1.2 When physically evaluating a soil, relative to its suit-
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
ability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
be made to determine the presence and the amount of organic
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
matter, moisture content, inorganic matter (sand, silt and clay),
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
pH, salt content, cation exchange capacity percentages and
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
deleterious materials.
analysis methods for engineering data.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.3 The presence in the soil of the correct nutrients, salts,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and pH is necessary for healthy plant growth. This specifica-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tion does not cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
availability.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 Typical ranges of topsoil composition are presented in
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
Table 1. Soils falling within these ranges will generally form a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
suitable topsoil. Soils being used as a topsoil with organic
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
mattercontentsbetween10and90 %,mayneedtobeamended
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
prior to use. It must, however, be recognized that in some
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
geographic regions, achieving the values in Table 1 could be
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
difficult. In such cases, alternative specifications may need to
be considered, or an engineered soilamendment meeting the
2. Referenced Documents
requirements in Table 1 excluding the sand, silt, and clay
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
content as those materials will come from the subsurface soil
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
being amended. When using an engineered soil amendment,
Fluids
the organic matter values need to be >75 % to help rebuild the
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
subsoil layers.
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
D2974 Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture)
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and
standard.
Other Organic Soils
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for
2
Plant Growth. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5268 – 13. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5268-19E01. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Co
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation: D5268 − 19 D5268 − 19
Standard Specification for
1
Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Construction Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5268; 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
ε NOTE—Table 1 was editorially corrected in October 2020.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers a physical evaluation of a soil containing organic material, relative to its use as a topsoil for
vegetative growth purposes in landscaping and construction. For classification, a full agricultural textural classification may be
used. Soils being evaluated for use as a topsoil must meet the requirements in Table 1.
1.2 When physically evaluating a soil, relative to its suitability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must be made
to determine the presence and the amount of organic matter, moisture content, inorganic matter (sand, silt and clay), pH, salt
content, cation exchange capacity percentages and deleterious materials.
1.3 The presence in the soil of the correct nutrients, salts, and pH is necessary for healthy plant growth. This specification does
not cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their availability.
1.4 Typical ranges of topsoil composition are presented in Table 1. Soils falling within these ranges will generally form a suitable
topsoil. Soils being used as a topsoil with organic matter contents between 10 and 90 %, may need to be amended prior to use.
It must, however, be recognized that in some geographic regions, achieving the values in Table 1 could be difficult. In such cases,
alternative specifications may need to be considered, or an engineered soilamendment meeting the requirements in Table 1
excluding the sand, silt, and clay content as those materials will come from the subsurface soil being amended. When using an
engineered soil amendment, the organic matter values need to be >75 % to help rebuild the subsoil layers.
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.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the 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
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 these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for Plant
Growth.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5268 – 13. DOI:
10.1520/D5268-19.10.1520/D5268-19E01.
*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
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D5268 − 19
TABLE 1 Specification for Topsoil & Engineered Soil Amendment
Property Test Method or Technique Requirement
Topsoil Engineered Soil Amendment
pH D4972 5.5-7.5 5.5-7.5
Organic Matter D2974 (Method C) 3-10 % $75 %
Moisture Content D2216 (Method A) #20 % #20 %
Material retained on 2.00 mm (No.10) D6913/D6913M (Method A) <5 % <5 %
sieve
Sand Content (Material passing 2.00 D6913/D6913M (Method A) 20-60 % .
mm (No. 10) and retained on 0.075
mm (No. 200) sieve
Fines (silt and clay) Content (Material D6913/D6913M (Method A) 35-70 % .
passing 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve)
Total Dissolved Soils (TDS) Saturated Paste Extract <960 ppm <960 ppm
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Saturated Paste Extract <960 ppm <960 ppm
Soluble Salt Concentration Saturated Paste Extract <2.5 mmhos/cm <2.5 mmhos/cm
Potassium (K) Ammonium Aceta
...
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