Lab Services: Soil testing

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Test Method Title

Standard Test Method for Expansion Index of Soils

Reference Number

ASTM D4829

Material

Soil

Test Property

Expansion Index

Description of Test

A specimen is prepared by compacting a test soil into a metal ring at a degree of saturation of 50 6 2 %. The specimen and the ring are then placed in a consolidometer. A vertical confining pressure of 6.9 kPa (1 lbf/in.2) is applied to the specimen and the specimen is then inundated with distilled water. The deformation of the specimen is recorded for 24 h or until the rate of deformation becomes less than 0.005 mm/h (0.0002 in./h), whichever occurs first. A minimum recording time of 3 h is required.

Preferred Test Sample Size

Number of Test Specimens

1

Test Specimen Size

4" diameter x 1" high (starts 2" high)

Keywords

clays; expansive soils; index tests; laboratory tests; soil