ASTM D5883-12

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Designation: D5883 − 96 (Reapproved 2008) D5883 − 12
Standard Guide for
Use of Rotary Kiln Produced Expanded Shale, Clay or Slate
(ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment in Topsoil Used for
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Landscaping and Related Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5883; 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 Scope*
1.1 This guide covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate for the designation of the
material as a mineral amendment.
1.2 The presence in the topsoil of the correct nutrient and pH level is necessary for healthy plant growth. This guide does not,
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however, cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their availability.
NOTE 1—The nutrient content of topsoil is important and the chemicals usually evaluated are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Nutrient deficiencies
may be corrected by using fertilizers. Excess soluble salts should be examined as to their desirability. The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is also important.
Excess acidity may be corrected by the application of lime dust. Excess alkalinity may be corrected by the application of sulfur or other suitable acidifying
compounds. The latter item, in addition to lowering pH, also could be considered as an aggregate when considering the particle size distribution.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course
of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment.
Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace
the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied
without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the
document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
C566 Test Method for Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1140 Test Methods for Amount of Material in Soils Finer than No. 200 (75-μm) Sieve
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4972 Test Method for pH of Soils
D5268 Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium for Plant
Growth.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2008Nov. 1, 2012. Published February 2008December 2012. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20022008
as D5883 – 96 (2002).(2008). DOI: 10.1520/D5883-96R08.10.1520/D5883-12.
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Nutrient testing procedures are found in the state Agricultural Experiment Station recommendations from the state within which the landscape is located, “Methods of
Soil Analysis” Editor-in-Chief: C. A. Black, Agronomy No. 9, Vol 2, American Society of Agronomy, Inc., Madison, WI, and Hesse, P.R., A Textbook of Soil Chemical Analysis,
Chemical Publishing Co., New York, NY 1972.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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