kSIST FprEN 17542-4:2026
(Main)Earthworks - Geotechnical laboratory tests - Part 4: Test method for measurement of collapse potential of soils
Earthworks - Geotechnical laboratory tests - Part 4: Test method for measurement of collapse potential of soils
This document specifies the test method for the determination of the magnitude of one-dimensional collapse that occurs when unsaturated soils are inundated with water. This method is used to determine two parameters related to the collapsibility of a soil: the collapse index and the collapse potential.
This test method specifies the technique for specimen preparation, the apparatus and the procedure for quantifying the amount of height change associated with collapse and procedures for reporting test results.
The procedure given in this test method is applicable to both undisturbed samples or remolded specimens. It is a one single sample test procedure.
Erdarbeiten - Geotechnische Laborversuche - Teil 4: Prüfmethode zur Messung des Einsturzpotentials von Böden
Dieses Dokument legt das Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung des Ausmaßes eines eindimensionalen Kollapses fest, der auftritt, wenn ungesättigte Böden mit Wasser überflutet werden. Dieses Verfahren dient zur Bestimmung von zwei Kenngrößen, die mit der Kollabierbarkeit eines Bodens zusammenhängen: dem Kollapsbeiwert und dem Kollapspotential.
Dieses Prüfverfahren legt die Technik für die Probenvorbereitung, die Prüfgeräte und das Verfahren zur Quantifizierung der mit dem Kollaps verbundenen Höhenänderung sowie die Verfahren zur Angabe der Prüfergebnisse fest.
Das in diesem Prüfverfahren beschriebene Verfahren ist sowohl auf ungestörte Proben als auch auf wiederaufbereitete Probekörper anwendbar. Es handelt sich um ein Prüfverfahren mit einer einzigen Probe.
Terrassements - Essais géotechniques en laboratoire - Partie 4: Méthode d'essai pour le mesurage du potentiel d'effondrement des sols
Zemeljska dela - Geotehnični laboratorijski preskusi - 4. del: Preskusna metoda za merjenje potenciala zrušitve tal
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 18-Dec-2025
- Technical Committee
- ZEM - Earthworks
- Current Stage
- 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 24-Jun-2026
- Due Date
- 12-Aug-2026
Overview
kSIST FprEN 17542-4:2026, developed by SIST, defines the standardized laboratory test method for measuring the collapse potential of soils in geotechnical engineering. The document establishes a reliable procedure for quantifying one-dimensional collapse in unsaturated soils upon inundation with water. This standardized test method enables the determination of two key parameters: collapse index and collapse potential. These values play a critical role in assessing soil behavior under loading and wetting, particularly for earthworks, foundation design, and site investigations.
This standard ensures consistent procedures for specimen preparation, apparatus configuration, testing steps, and reporting, making it valuable across a wide range of geotechnical laboratory environments. The method is applicable to both undisturbed soil samples and remolded specimens, providing flexibility for various project needs.
Key Topics
- Collapse Potential of Soils: Definition and significance of soil collapse behavior during saturation, crucial for geotechnical risk assessment.
- Collapse Index and Collapse Potential: Quantitative measures providing insight into settlement risks when unsaturated soils are wetted under constant vertical load.
- Test Specimen Preparation: Guidelines for preparing undisturbed or remolded soil specimens to ensure accurate, repeatable results.
- Apparatus Requirements: Compliance with EN ISO 17892-5, ensuring consistency in testing equipment and procedures.
- Testing Procedure: Step-by-step instructions on seating, loading, inundation, data collection, and calculation of collapse parameters.
- Reporting Requirements: Comprehensive test reporting, including site and sample identification, test conditions, results, and relevant plots (e.g., compression vs. time, void ratio vs. stress).
Applications
This geotechnical laboratory test method is applied in various practical scenarios within civil engineering and construction, especially where unsaturated soils may be exposed to water. Key applications include:
- Site Investigation: Determining the suitability of soils for foundation support and identifying risks of excessive settlement post-construction.
- Foundation Design: Assessing collapse potential to inform engineering decisions and prevent structural damage or failure due to unexpected ground movement.
- Earthworks Design: Evaluating the stability and performance of embankments, roadbeds, and other earth structures built over collapsible soils.
- Remediation Planning: Guiding soil improvement or stabilization measures in areas with identified collapsible soils.
- Water Infiltration Risk Assessment: Predicting ground behavior in regions prone to heavy rainfall or changes in groundwater conditions.
By standardizing this test, kSIST FprEN 17542-4:2026 enhances comparability between projects, supports regulatory compliance, and underpins safe, cost-effective engineering solutions.
Related Standards
- EN ISO 17892-1: Laboratory testing of soil - Determination of water content.
- EN ISO 17892-2: Laboratory testing of soil - Determination of bulk density.
- EN ISO 17892-5: Oedometer test for soil compressibility - Reference for apparatus and loading procedures.
- EN ISO 22475-1: Sampling methods and groundwater measurements in geotechnical investigations.
- UNE 103406: Collapse test in soils (reference standard).
- ASTM D4546: Standard Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Collapse of Soils.
kSIST FprEN 17542-4:2026 is part of a wider suite of geotechnical laboratory testing standards aimed at uniformity, reliability, and practical value for earthworks and construction projects.
Keywords: collapse potential, collapse index, soil testing, geotechnical laboratory test, earthworks, undisturbed soil, remolded specimen, foundation design, standardization, EN 17542-4, soil collapse, SIST, water infiltration, settlement risk, oedometer test
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Frequently Asked Questions
kSIST FprEN 17542-4:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Earthworks - Geotechnical laboratory tests - Part 4: Test method for measurement of collapse potential of soils". This standard covers: This document specifies the test method for the determination of the magnitude of one-dimensional collapse that occurs when unsaturated soils are inundated with water. This method is used to determine two parameters related to the collapsibility of a soil: the collapse index and the collapse potential. This test method specifies the technique for specimen preparation, the apparatus and the procedure for quantifying the amount of height change associated with collapse and procedures for reporting test results. The procedure given in this test method is applicable to both undisturbed samples or remolded specimens. It is a one single sample test procedure.
This document specifies the test method for the determination of the magnitude of one-dimensional collapse that occurs when unsaturated soils are inundated with water. This method is used to determine two parameters related to the collapsibility of a soil: the collapse index and the collapse potential. This test method specifies the technique for specimen preparation, the apparatus and the procedure for quantifying the amount of height change associated with collapse and procedures for reporting test results. The procedure given in this test method is applicable to both undisturbed samples or remolded specimens. It is a one single sample test procedure.
kSIST FprEN 17542-4:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
kSIST FprEN 17542-4:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025
01-december-2025
Zemeljska dela - Geotehnični laboratorijski preskusi - 4. del: Preskusna metoda za
merjenje potenciala zrušitve tal
Earthworks - Geotechnical laboratory tests - Part 4: Test method for measurement of
collapse potential of soils
Erdarbeiten - Geotechnische Laborversuche - Teil 4: Prüfmethode zur Messung des
Einsturzpotentials von Böden
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 17542-4
ICS:
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 17542-4
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 93.020
English Version
Earthworks - Geotechnical laboratory tests - Part 4: Test
method for measurement of collapse potential of soils
Erdarbeiten - Geotechnische Laborversuche - Teil 4:
Prüfmethode zur Messung des Einsturzpotentials von
Böden
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 396.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 17542-4:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025
prEN 17542-4:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Apparatus . 6
5 Specimen specification . 6
6 Test method . 7
6.1 Description of the method . 7
6.2 Procedure . 7
7 Test report . 7
Annex A (informative) Measurement of collapse of soils according to prEN 17542-4 – Test report
............................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Annex B (informative) Evaluation of the degree of collapse . 13
Bibliography . 14
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025
prEN 17542-4:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 17542-4:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee
CEN/TC 396 “Earthworks”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025
prEN 17542-4:2025 (E)
Introduction
The collapse of a soil is the decrease of height that can occur when unsaturated soils are immersed. This
document defines the collapse index and the collapse potential that qualifies this phenomenon.
NOTE A collapsible soil can withstand relatively large applied vertical stress with small settlement while it has
a low water content and degree of saturation, but this soil will exhibit settlement (that could be large) after wetting
with no additional increase in stress.
oSIST prEN 17542-4:2025
prEN 17542-4:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies the test method for the determination of the magnitude of one-dimensional
collapse that occurs when unsaturated soils are inundated with water. This method is used to determine
two parameters related with the collapsibility of a soil: the collapse index and the collapse potential.
This test method specifies the technique for specimen preparation, the apparatus and the procedure for
quantifying the amount of height change associated with collapse and procedures for reporting test
results.
The procedure given in this test method is applicable to both undisturbed samples or remolded
specimens. It is a one single sample test procedure.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN ISO 17892-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 1:
Determination of water content (ISO 17892-1)
EN ISO 17892-2, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 2:
Determination of bulk density (ISO 17892-2)
EN ISO 17892-5, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 5: Incremental
loading œdometer test (ISO 17892-5)
EN ISO 22475-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Sampling methods and groundwater
measurements — Part 1: Technical principles for the sampling of soil, rock and groundwater (ISO 22475-1)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
collapse
decrease in height of a confined soil with a given water content and a given dry unit weight after wetting
at a constant applied vertical stress
Note 1 to entry: This stress is to be determined as appropriate for the design situation.
3.2
collapse index
I
sc
decrease in height of a specimen consolidated to a given vertical stress after flooding, ex
...