ASTM D558/D558M-19 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D558/D558M-19 — Standard Test Methods for Moisture‑Density (Unit Weight) Relations of Soil‑Cement Mixtures. These test methods establish procedures to determine the relationship between water content and density (unit weight) for soil‑cement mixtures compacted in the laboratory prior to cement hydration, to identify the optimum water content and the modified maximum dry unit weight for molding soil‑cement specimens.

Abstract

This standard specifies two laboratory compaction procedures (Test Method A and Test Method B) using a 0.0333 ft3 (944 cm3) mold and a 5.50 lbf (2.5 kg) rammer dropped 12.0 in (30.5 cm). Test Method A is for soils passing a No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve; Test Method B is for mixtures containing material retained on the No. 4 sieve (with limits on larger particles). The resulting compaction curve is used to determine optimum moisture content and the modified maximum dry unit weight for use in preparing soil‑cement specimens and quality control.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition).
• Publication date: Dec 1, 2019 (designation D558/D558M‑19; current edition approved Dec 1, 2019).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 93.020 — Earthworks; excavations; foundation construction; underground works.
• Edition / version: D558/D558M‑19 (2019 edition).
• Number of pages: 7 pages.

Scope

These test methods cover laboratory determination of the moisture‑density relation (water content versus dry unit weight) for soil‑cement mixtures compacted prior to cement hydration. The standard prescribes apparatus, specimen preparation, compactive effort, testing procedures and data reporting conventions for two test methods selected by gradation. It is intended to provide the maximum dry unit weight (modified) and the optimum moisture content used to prepare molded soil‑cement specimens and for mix-control and specification verification.

Key topics and requirements

• Apparatus: 0.0333 ft3 (944 cm3) cylindrical mold and a 5.50 lbf (2.5 kg) rammer with a free fall of 12.0 in (30.5 cm).
• Two test methods (A and B): Method A for material passing No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve; Method B for soils with some material retained on No. 4 up to specified limits (permits use on materials with ≤30% retained on 3/4‑in (19 mm) sieve).
• Specimen compaction in three equal layers with specified number of blows per layer (per method) to produce a compaction curve.
• Determination of optimum water content and modified maximum dry unit weight from the compaction curve.
• Units: inch‑pound and SI units are both provided; values in each system are to be treated as separate standards (D558/D558M dual‑unit designation).
• Procedural notes: allows reuse of material remaining after water‑content specimen is taken and permits scalp‑and‑replacement technique for certain coarse fractions (as specified); follows significant‑digit and rounding guidance per Practice D6026.
• Intended to be used in conjunction with related soil‑cement specimen methods such as D559/D559M and D560/D560M for specimen preparation and subsequent testing.
• Safety and laboratory competence: users must apply appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and follow relevant laboratory competence guidance (e.g., Practice D3740).

Typical use and users

Primary users are geotechnical and materials engineers, highway and infrastructure agencies, construction and earthwork contractors, materials testing laboratories, and researchers evaluating soil stabilization with cement admixtures. Typical uses include mix design and quality control of soil‑cement stabilization, specifying compaction and moisture requirements for molded specimens, laboratory mix verification, and research into treatability and compaction characteristics of stabilized soils.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced with or related to D558/D558M‑19 include ASTM D559/D559M (Wetting and Drying of Compacted Soil‑Cement Mixtures), ASTM D560/D560M (Freezing and Thawing of Compacted Soil‑Cement Mixtures), ASTM D698 and D1557 (compaction test methods for soils), Practice D6026 (significant digits and rounding), Practice D3740 (laboratory competence), D2168 (rammer calibration), ASTM C150/C150M (portland cement specification) and other D18 committee documents on stabilization and admixtures.

Keywords

moisture‑density, unit weight, soil‑cement, compaction, optimum moisture content, modified maximum dry unit weight, molding, Proctor, Test Method A, Test Method B, laboratory compaction, stabilization, admixture, quality control

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is ASTM D558/D558M‑19, the Standard Test Methods for Moisture‑Density (Unit Weight) Relations of Soil‑Cement Mixtures — a concise laboratory procedure to determine the compaction curve, optimum moisture content, and modified maximum dry unit weight for soil‑cement mixes.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers two compaction procedures (Test Method A and Test Method B) using a 944 cm3 mold and a 5.50 lbf (2.5 kg) rammer dropped 12 in (30.5 cm), specimen preparation, testing steps, data plotting and determination of optimum water content and maximum dry unit weight for soil‑cement mixtures prior to cement hydration.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical and materials engineers, testing laboratories, contractors and agency QC/QA personnel involved in soil stabilization, soil‑cement mix design, and laboratory validation of compacted soil‑cement specimens.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current edition is D558/D558M‑19 (approved Dec 1, 2019). It supersedes earlier editions, including D558‑11 (2011).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is used with related soil‑cement standards (for example, D559/D559M and D560/D560M for specimen conditioning and performance tests) and other D18 committee compaction and stabilization standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Compaction, moisture‑density, unit weight, soil‑cement, optimum moisture content, modified maximum dry density, Proctor, laboratory compaction, stabilization, admixture.