Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ASTM D6276
ASTM D6276
for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6276 − 19
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
2
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.15 on Stabilization With For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Admixtures. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2019. Published February 2019. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6276 – 99a(2006), the ASTM website.
3
which was withdrawn July 2015 and reinstated in February 2019. DOI: 10.1520/ The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
D6276-19. www.astm.org.
1
D6276 − 19
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical 5.2 Performance tests are normally conducted in a labora-
Data tory to verify the results of this test method.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test 5.3 This test method will not provide reliable information
Sieves relative to the potential reactivity of a particular soil, nor will
it provide information on the magnitude of increased strength
3. Terminology to be realized upon treatment of this soil with the indicated
3.1 Definitions: percentage of lime.
3.2 For definitions of common technical terms used in this 5.4 This test method can be used to estimate the percentage
standard, refer to Terminology D653. of lime as hydrated lime or quicklime needed to produce a lime
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: stabilized soil. Common candidate soils contain clay minerals
3.3.1 buffer solution, n—a solution of specific pH value used and have a Plasticity Index ≥10.
to calibrate the pH meter. 5.5 Agricultural lime (crushed limestone) will not stabilize
3.3.2 free lime, n—lime in a soil-lime mixture that has not soil.
dissociated into calcium and hydroxyl ions. NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
3.3.3 hydrated lime, n—lime that is predominately calcium dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the
hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) or a mixture of calcium hydroxide and suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
magnesium oxide (MgO) or magnesium hydroxide and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
(Mg(OH)2). cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
3.3.4 lime content, n—the ratio expressed as a percentage of reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
the mass of lime to the dry mass of soil.
3.3.5 lime stabilization, n—addition of lime to a soil in 6. Apparatus
sufficient quantities to promote long-term pozzolanic reactions
6.1 Balance or Scale—A balance or scale for determining
that result in strength gain and permanent improvement in
the mass of soil and lime having a minimum capacity of 600 g
stability.
and meeting the requirements of Specification D4753 for a
3.3.5.1 Discussion—Textural improvement alone, such as
balance or scale of 0.01 g readability.
reduced plasticity, is often referred to as “modification.”
Modification can be effected by lime addition rates less than 6.2 Sieve—A 425µm (No. 40) sieve, conforming to the
those required for stabilization and may not be permanent. requirements of Specification E11.
3.3.6 quicklime, n—lime that is predominately calcium ox- 6.3 Glass or Plastic Bottles—Six 150-mL (or larger) bottles
ide (CaO) or calcium oxide in association with magnesium with tight-fitting screw caps.
oxide (MgO). 6.4 pH Meter—A pH meter equipped with reference elec-
3.3.7 stabilization, n—a process to improve the engineering trode and low-sodium error glass pH-sensitive electrodes (or
properties of soils at a site or in the laboratory. combination electrode) and a meter capable of displaying 0.01
units pH at 0.02 pH accuracy over a range from 0 to 14. The
4. Summary of Test Method meter must have a pH set-point of 12 or allow for “user
4.1 A series of specimens is prepared containing a range of selectable” calibration.
percentages of lime content in soil. Measurements of pH are NOTE 3—The electrode used with the pH meter should incorporate a
made on slurries of the specimens to determine the lime clog resistant junction designed for “dirty” suspended solids solutions to
content of the soil-lime mixture to obtain a pH of at least 12.4. prevent clogging.
4.2 The pH of at least 12.4 achieved in this test method 6.5 Drying Oven—Oven conforming to requirements of
results from free lime remaining in the soil-lime mixture. Specification D2216.
Normally, the pH of the specific lime being used for soil 6.6 Miscellaneous Equipment—An airtight, moisture-proof
stabilization should be determined and used as the indicator container for preserving the moisture content of the soil;
pH. mixing tools and scoops for use in preparing test specimens.
2
D6276 − 19
with Test Methods D1293. A saturated solution made from solution described in Test Methods D1293 may also be used as
hydrated lime and water may also be used. a calibration standard.
7.3 Hydrated Lime and/or Quicklime—Only fresh lime
12. Procedure
meeting the requirements of Specification C977 may be used.
12.1 Specimen Preparation—Using the air-dried sample in
7.4 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
accordance with Section 10, obtain five specimens, each
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
equivalent to 25.00 g 6 0.01 g of oven-dried soil. Splitting or
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
other appropriate means should be used to obtain each of the
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where
five specimens.
such specifications are available.
12.1.1 Determine the mass of each air-dried equivalent to
25.00 6 0.01 g of oven-dried soil as follows:
8. Safety Hazards
8.1 Quicklime becomes hot when mixed with water. Use
protective gloves when handling containers of soil-quicklime-
S
M a 5 25 3 1.01
W
100 D (1)
3
D6276 − 19
is slightly less (pH ≥ 12.3 or > 12.4). If this occurs, select the where:
percentage of lime where the average pH change for three LH = percentage of hydrated lime, %,
successive test samples is no more than 0.04 at increasing lime LQ = percentage of quicklime, %,
percentages. 74 = molecular weight Ca(OH)2, and
13.2 If the highest measured pH is less than 12.3, then 56 = molecular weight CaO.
prepare and test additional test samples using higher percent- 15. Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)
ages of lime.
15.1 The methodology used to specify how data are re-
13.3 If the highest measured pH is 12.3 and at least two corded on test data sheet(s)/form(s) is covered in 1.6 and in
successive specimens at increasing lime percentages yield Practice D6026.
values of 12.3 the middle percentage of lime to give a pH of
12.3 is the approximate optimum lime percentage for stabiliz- 15.2 Report as a minimum the following information:
ing the soil. 15.2.1 Date, project name, technician, sample number, and
percentage passing the 425µm (no. 40) sieve.
13.4 If the highest measured pH is less than 12.3, the test is 15.2.2 Type of lime used for test and source.
invalid due to equipment or material error, or due to insufficient 15.2.3 Table and/or graph listing % lime vs. pH reading
lime having been added. Check the pH electrode in the pH 12 15.2.4 Estimated percent lime selected for use, and conver-
buffer solution and the lime-water solution for possible equip- sion to equivalent quicklime or hydrated lime as appropriate.
ment error or repeat the test using higher percentages, or both.
NOTE 7—There may be some soils where the pH of the soil-lime 16. Precision and Bias
mixture will not go above 12.3. This phenomenon is thought to occur with
soil (that is, clays) that are holding univalent ions such as sodium in
16.1 Precision—The test data on precision is not presented
exchange positions. As these ions are exchanged with calcium ions from due to the nature of the soil materials tested by this test method.
the lime, the pH electrode becomes sensitive to the sodium ions as well as It is either not feasible or too costly at this time to have ten or
he hydrogen ions. more laboratories participate in a round-robin testing program.
14. Calculation 16.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
method, therefore, bias cannot be determined.
14.1 Convert percentage of lime as hydrated lime
[Ca(OH)2] to a percentage of lime as quicklime (CaO) as 17. Keywords
follows: 17.1 lime content; lime proportion; pH; soil-lime; soil
L Q 5 L H 3 56/74 (2) stabilization
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
In accordance with Committee D18 policy, this section identifies the location of changes to this standard since
the last edition that may impact the use of this standard. (February 1, 2019)
(1) Parentheses were substituted for brackets around U.S. sieve (6) Note 3 was relocated below 6.4 for clarity.
sizes. (7) Page numbers were added to reference 3.
(2) Note 1 was relocated below 1.3 for clarity. (8) Significant digits were clarified in Section 12.
(3) Standard E145 was deleted in favor using Standard D2216 (9) The Report section was modified by the addition of sample
to specify ovens (see also 6.5). number, percentage passing the 425µm sieve, and lime source.
(4) Parts of speech were added to all Terms Specific to This (10) Sections were renumbered from number 7 to the end.
Standard. (11) Syntax was modified where needed for clarity.
(5) The definition for lime stabilization was modified to in-
clude a discussion.
4
D6276 − 19
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/