Standard Method of Test for Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates and Soils by Use of the Sand Equivalent Test AASHTO Designation: T 176-22 Technically Revised: 2022 Technical Subcommittee: 1a, Soil and Unbound Recycled Materials AASHIO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 555 12" Street NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20004Standard Method of Test for Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates and Soils by Use of the Sand Equivalent Test AASHTO Designation: T 176-22 AASHIO Technically Revised: 2022 Technical Subcommittee: 1a, Soil and Unbound Recycled Materials 1. SCOPE 1A. This test is intended to serve as @ rapid test to show the relative proportions of fine dust or elaylike ‘material in soils or graded aggregates. 12, The following applies to all specified limits inthis standard: For the purpose of determining conformance with these specifications, an abserved value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest uni in the last right-hand place of figures used in expressing the limiting value, in aecordanee with ASTM E29, Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications. 13, The values stated in $1 units are to be regarded as the standard, 14, This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address al! of the safety concerns associated with its use. It fs the responsibilty of the user ofthis standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use 15, The quality of the results produced by this standard are dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used. Agencies that meet the criteria of R 18 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection’ete. Users of tis standard are cautioned that compliance with R18 alone does not compleiely assure reliable results. Reliable results depend ‘on many factors; following the suggestions of R 18 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors. 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 24. AASHTO Standards: M231, Weighing Devices Used in the Testing of Materials -M339M/M 339, Thermometers Used in the Testing of Construction Materials = R18, Establishing and Implementing a Quality Management System for Construction Materials Testing Laboratoties R76, Reducing Samples of Agarcgate to Testing Size ‘90, Sampling Aggregate Products 22. ASTM Standards: TSta T1764 ‘AASHTO 22 by the American Associaton of State Highiay and Transportation Ocal, All igh reserved. Duplication sa violation of applicable lwEI, Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers EI], Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves £29, Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications Mm £230/E230M, Standard Specification for Temperature-Electromotive Force (emi) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples £2877, Standard Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers 23 International Electrotechnical Commission Standard TEC 6084-1: 2013 Thermocouples - Part 1: EMF Specifications and Tolerances 3. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3. ‘Thos test method is used to determine the proportion of detrimental fines inthe portion passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve of soils or graded aggregates. 4. APPARATUS a4 Sand Fquivaiens Appararus—A eradvated plastic cylinder, rubber stopper, ivigator tube, weighted foot assembly, and siphon assembly, all conforming to their respective specifications and dimensions shown in Figure 1, Fit the siphon assembly toa 4L (1-gal) bottle of working caleium chloride solution (see Section 2.8) placed on a shelf 915 + 25 mm (36 * | in.) above the work surface. In liu of the specified 4-L (1-gal) bottle a glass or plastic vat having a larger capacity may be used provided the liquid leve! of the working solution is maintained between 915 and 1170 mm (36 and 46 in.) above the work surface (see Figure 2). Sta T1762 AASHTO (© 2022 bythe American Assocation of Sate Highoay and Transporation Oficial All igh reserved. Duplication sa violation of applicable lwNa. Heat Assembly Rex. Description Swock Size Material ‘Treatment iA Siphon Assen 1 Siphoa ube Cada Copper ube 2 Siphon hose 4810120 Robber tube 3 Blow hose 4810508 Raber ue 4 Blow tube 64 dia x 508 Copper be 5 Tworhole stopper os Rubber 6 trigsorube {64 OD 059 wal 310 stan me, rp 316 TC Pincheoek, Day, BKH No, 21730 equivalent B CGeaduate Assembly - Tube 34100 «430 “Trans acl lose ase 127100 102 “rans acpie plastic S Weighted Foot Assemily TO Sand eing inicaor adi 150 Nylon 101 Typ=66—Amnaled Ro 4 dia 44 Bras 12 Weight 508 dia 52.78 Cold rolled ste, eguivaent 13 Rall in 0.6dia 127 Steel MA Root + exagonal top 30200 Bras 4B Foot-cicularbotom 28400 1S Sold stopper Not Rubbec Gatutons on grat toh 2m pad exe eth ko Be mmr desi ae ssi ie sol openly las rine es may be tesa mana pe rth oper pon and low th Tot cig of ot (144 and) he 17cm Figure 1—Sand Equivalent Apparatus (continued on the following twa pages) TSta T1763 ‘AASHTO (© 2022 bythe American Assocation of Sate Highoay and Transporation Oficial ‘Allsights tesevod. Duplication sa iolation oF applicable lwOLHSW rot g AlSWassv 12g nln @® ET camer CTE Siete cr wisa @) | wede .06. : i . aa ef | WP oo T a "once ane 1 o10n ses, rede aan +) < jones uonnjos Buy s6ipo 10 ni i 1 L ‘eqn, 1012614) 40) aypue} jeuondo —“aa qq Jo uonjots © opraqtn POMS SHIT ‘somo wonrvodsimy poe Sess as Jo woNePOSEy UPN oN M9 TZOE O Sound eLsL OLHSW (ponunuog) smavseddry woyvamby pues} aunB yg sep sp Sun a Us SL YX oMawassy 1004 @) pow jeurse— | * peo coun 4 Sse souszoar se :Figure 2—Graduated Cylinder, lrigator Tube, Weighted Foot Assembly, and Siphon Note 1—An older model of a weighted foot assembly has a guide cap that fits over the upper end. of the graduated cylinder and centers the rod in the cylinder; the foot of the assembly has a conical "upper surface and three centering screws to center it loosely in the cylinder. The older model does ‘not have the sand reading indicator affixed to the rod (Figure 1), but a slot in the eentering serews, of the weighted foot is used to indicate the sand reading. Apparatus with the sand reading indicator (Figure 1) is preferred for testing clayey materials. 42 Measure—A tinned measure, having a capacity of 85 + 5 mL (3 02), approximately $7 mm (2.25 in) in diameter. 43. Balance—The balance shall have sufficient capacity, be readable to not more than 0.1 percent of the sample mass, and conform to the requirements of M 231 4a, Funnel—A wide-mouth funnel approximately 100 mm (in) in diameter atthe mouth. 45. Timer—A clock or watch reading in minutes and seconds, 46, Mechanical Shaker—A mechanical shaker having a throw of 203.2 1.0 mm (8.00 0.04 in.) and operating at 175 = 2 epm (2.92 + 0.03 Hz) (Note 2), Prior to use fasten the mechanical sand equivalent shaker securely to fem and level mount. az. Manual Shaker—A manually operated shaker, capable of producing an oscillating motion at the rate of 100 complete cyeles in 45 + 5, with a hand-assiste half stroke length of 127 = S mm. (5.0 +022 in.). The shaker shall be fastened securely toa firm and level mount by bolts or clamps iff large number of determinations are to be made. Sta T1766 AASHTO (© 2022 bythe American Assocation of Sate Highoay and Transporation Oficial ‘All ight essed. Duplication sa ioation of applicable ln.Note 2—The mechanical shaker shall be used when performing reference sand equivalent determinations, Either the mechanical or manually operated shaker should be used in lieu of the hhand method whenever possible, 48. Stock Solution —The materials listed in Sections 4.8.1, 48.2, oF 4.8.3 may be used to prepare the stock solution. A fourth alternative is not to use any biocide, provided the time of storage of stock solution is not sufficient to promote the growth of fungi 48.4 Stock solution with formaldehyde. 4844 Anhydrous calcium chloride, 454 g (1.0 Ib) of technical grade. 48.4.2. USP glycerin, 2080 g (4.515 Ib). 48.1 Formaldehyde, (40 volume percent solution) 47 g (0.10 Ib) 48.14, Dissolve the 454 g (1.0 tb) of calcium chloride in 1.89 L (> gal) of distilled water. Cool and filter it through ready pleated rapid filtering paper. Add the 2080 g (4.515 Ib) of glycerin and the 47 g (0.10 1b) of formaldehyde to the filtered solution, mix well, and dilute to 3.78 L.(1 gal) 48.2, Stock solution with glutaraldehyde, 48.21, Calcium chloride diydrate, 977 g (1.27 Ib) of A.C. grade. Note 3—A.C'S.-grade calcium chloride dihydrate is specified for the stock solution prepared with slutaraldchyde because tests indicate that impurities in the technical grade anhydrous calcium chloride may react with the glutaraldehyde resulting in an unknown precipitate. 48.2.2, USP glycerin, 2080 g (4.515 Ib). 48.23, |.S-pentanedial (glutaraldehycde), 50 percent solution in water 59 g (0.13 Ib). 48.24, Dissolve the $77 g (1.27 Ib) of calcium chloride dihydrate in 1.89 L (“> gal) of distilled water Cool and add the 2050 g (4.515 Ib) of glycerin and the $9 (0.13 Ib) of glutaraldehyde to the solution, mix well, and dilute to 3.78 L.(1 gal) Note 4—.5-pentanedial, also known as glutaraldchyde, glutaric dialdehyde, and trade name UCARCIDE 250, may be obtained as glutaraldehyde solution 50 percent. 483. Stock solution with Kathon CGICP. 48.3.1. Calcium chloride dihydrate, 577 4 (1.27 Ib) of A.C.S. Grade. 48.32. USP alycerin, 2050 g (4.515 Ib). 48.33 Kathon CGACP, 63 (0.14 Ib) 48.34, Dissolve the $77 g (1.27 Ib) of calcium chloride dihydrate in 1.89 L (Y2 gal of distilled water Cool and add the 2050 g (4.515 Ib) of elycerin and the 63 x (0.14 Ib) of Kathon CGCP to the solution, mix well, and dilute to 3.78 L(1 gal)? 49. Working Solution—Working calcium chloride solution: Prepare the working calcium chloride solution by diluting one meusuring tin full (85 + 5 mL) of the stock calcium chloride solution with ‘water until it reaches a total volume of 3.8 L (1 gal). Thoroughly mix solution by filling the bottle with approximately 2 L ('s gal) of water. Adi the stock solution and agitate vigorously for It 2 min, Add the remainder ofthe water and repeat the agitation process. Use distilled or demineralized water for the normal preparation of the working solution. However, if itis Sta T1767 AASHTO (© 2022 bythe American Assocation of Sate Highoay and Transporation Oficial All igh reserved. Duplication sa violation of applicable lw4.10. 4at 412, 413, 414. determined that the local tap water is of such purity that it does not affect the test results itis permissible fo use in lieu of distilled or demineralized water except in the event of dispute. Discard working solutions more than 30 days old Siraightedge—A straightedge or spatula, suitable for striking off the excess soil from the tin Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying even capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 = 5°C (230 + 9°F), Oven(s) for heating and drying shall be capable of operation at the temperatures required, between 100 to 120°C (212 to 248°F), within 45°C (29°F), as corrected, if necessary, by standardization. More than one oven may be used, provided each is used within its proper operating temperature range, The thermometer used for monitoring the temperature of the oven, or for measuring the temperature of materials shall meet the requirements of M 339M/M 339 with a temperature range of atleast 90 10 130°C (194 to 266°F), and an accuracy of 41.25°C (42.25°F) (see Note 5), Note 5—Thermometer types suitable for use include ASTM E1 mercury thermometers; ASTM. £2877 digital metal stem thermometer; ASTM E230/E230M thermocouple thermometer, Type J or K, Special Class, Type T any Class; IEC 60584 thermocouple thermometer, Type J or K, Class 1, Type T any Class; or dial gauge metal stem (bi-metal) thermometer Quartering Cloth—Quartering oF spliting cloth, approximately 600 mm (2 f) square nonabsorbent material such as plastic or oil cloth. Sieve—A 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve conforming to the requirements of ASTM 11 Optional Handle for lrigation Tube—A 25-mm diameter wooden dowel to aid in pushing the irrigation tube into firm materials. See Figure 1, Assembly B. 54. TEMPERATURE CONTROL The temperature of the working solution should be maintained at 22+ 3°C (72 + 5°F) during the performance of this test If field conditions preclude the maintenance of the temperature range, frequent reference samples should be submitted to a laboratory where proper temperature control is possible. Iti also possible to establish temperature correction curves for each material being tested where proper temperature control is not possible. However, no general correction curve should be utilized for several materials even within a narrow range of sand equivalent values. ‘Samples that meet the minimums and equivalent requirement at @ working solution temperature below the recommended range need not be subject to reference testing. The thermometer for ‘measuring working solution temperature shall meet the requirements of M 339MM 339 with a temperature range of at least 16 10 34°C (61 to 93°F) and an aceuracy of 20.75°C (=1.35°F) (see Note 6) Note 6 Thermometer iypes suitable for use include ASTM E1 mercury thermometers; ASTM. E230/E230M thermocouple thermometer, Type T. Class Special; IEC 60584 thermocouple thermometer, Type T, Class 1; ASTM £2877 digital metal stem thermometer; or dial gauge metal stem (bimetal) thermometer. 64. 62. ‘SAMPLING Obtain a sample of the material to be tested in accordance with R 90 Reduce the sample according to R 76, TSta T1768 ‘AASHTO (© 2022 bythe American Assocation of Sate Highoay and Transporation Oficial All igh reserved. Duplication sa violation of applicable lw63. 64. Sieve the sample over a 4,75-mm (No. 4) sieve. All aggregations of fine-grained soil material shall be pulverized to pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, and all fines shall be cleaned from the particles retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve and included with the material passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve Split or quarter the material passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve to yield 1000 10 1500 ¢ (2.2 1 3.3 Ib) of material, Use extreme care to obtain a truly representative portion of the original sample (Note 7). Note 7—Experiments show that as the amount of material being reduced by splitting or quartering is decreased. the accuracy of providing representative portions is reduced, It is imperative that the sample be split or quartered carefully. When it appears necessary, dampen the material before splitting or quartering, o avoid segregation or loss of fines. TAMA TAZA 7122. 71.23. SAMPLE PREPARATION Prepare the desired number of test samples by one of the following methods: Alternate Method No. 1—Aie Dry: Split or quarter enough material from the portion passing the 4,75-mm (No. 4) sieve to fill the 85-mL 3-02) tin measure so itis slightly rounded above the brim. While filling the measure, tap the bottom edge of the tin on the work table or other hard surface to cause consolidation of the ‘material and allow the maximum amount to be placed in the tin. Strike off the tin with the spatula of straightedge so the material is level with the top of the measuring tin, Alternate Method No. 2—Pro-Wet ‘The sample must be in the proper moisture condition to achieve reliable results. This condition is determined by tightly squeezing a small portion ofthe thoroughly mixed sample in the palm of the hhand. Ifthe cast that is formed permits careful handling without breaking, the correct moisture range has been obtained, 1 the material is too dry, the east will crumble and it will be necessary to add water, remix, and retest until the material forms a cast [fhe material shows any free water it is too wet to test and must be drained and air dried, mixing it frequently to ensure uniformity. This overly wet material will form a good east when checked initially, so the drying process should continue until a squeeze check on the drying material gives-a cast that is moro fragile and delicate to handle than the original, Ifthe moisture content of the original sample prepared in Section 6.2 is, within the limits described above, the test sample may be obtained immediately. Ifthe moisture content is altered to meet these limits, the altered sample should be placed in a pan, covered with 2 Tid or with a damp cloth that does not touch the material, and allowed to stand for a minimum of 1 minutes. Afier the minimut 15-minute tempering period, place the sample on the splitting cloth and imix by alternately lifting each comer ofthe cloth and pulling it over the sample toward the diagonally opposite corner, causing the material to be rolled. When the material appears homogeneous, finish the mixing with the sample ina pile near the center ofthe cloth, Fill the 85-mL (3-02) tin measure by pushing it through the base of the pile while exerting pressure with the hand against the pile on the side opposite the measure. As the tin is moved through the pile, hold enough pressure with the hand to cause the material to fill the tin to overflowing. Press firmly with the palm ofthe hand, compacting the material and allowing the ‘maximum amount to be plaved in the tin, Strike off the tin with the spatula or straightedge so the ‘material is level withthe top of the measuring tin, Note 8 Moist test specimens produce lower sand equivalent values than the corresponding over- dry specimens with almost no exceptions: therefore, ifa dual specification encompassing both the TSta T1768 ‘AASHTO (© 2022 bythe American Assocation of Sate Highoay and Transporation Oficial All igh reserved. Duplication sa violation of applicable lw‘wet and dry methods of sample preparation is utilized, it will be necessary to determine the appropriate correction for each material because a standard correction does not appear possible Either method can be employed with equal confidence, however. 7413 Reference Method (Mechanical Shaker)—Obsain the 85-ml. (3-02) tn measure of material by one of the altemate methods, Seetion 7.1.1 or 7.1.2, above; then dry the test sample to constant mass at 110 5°C (230+ 9°F) and cool to room temperature before testing. 8. PROCEDURE at. Star the siphon by forcing air into the top of the solution botle through the bent capper, glass, oF stainless steel blow tube while the pinch clamp is open. The apparatus is now ready for use. 82. Siphon 101.6 2.5 mm (4.0 = 0.1 in.) of working ealeium chloride solution into the plastic cylinder. Pour the prepared test sample from the measuring tin ito the plastic eylinder using the funnel to avoid spillage (sce Figure 3). Tap the bottom of the cylinder sharply on the heel of the hhand several times to release air bubbles and to promote tharough wetting of the sample. Figure 3—Transfer of Sample from Measuring Tin to Cylinder 83. Allow the wetted sample to stand undisturbed for 10 I min, At the end of the 10-min soaking period, stopper the cylinder, then loosen the material from the bottom by partially inverting the cylinder and shaking it simultaneously. a4. Afier loosening the material from the bottom of the eylinder, shake the cylinder and contents by. any one of the following methods: TSta T 176-10 ‘AASHTO (© 2022 bythe American Assocation of Sate Highoay and Transporation Oficial ‘All ight essed. Duplication sa ioation of applicable ln.