D5239
D5239
D5239
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
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Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.15 on Stabilization 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 Nov. 1, 2004. Published December 2004. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D 5239 – 98. the ASTM website.
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D 5239 – 04
3.2.1 non self-cementing fly ash, n—fly ash produced from 6. Determination of Fly Ash Characteristics
the combustion of pulverized or crushed coal. This fly ash has 6.1 Determine loss on ignition, moisture, and major oxides
pozzolanic properties and no self-cementing properties. in accordance with Method C 311.
3.2.2 self-cementing fly ash, n—fly ash produced from the 6.2 Free Lime—Determine the free lime content in fly ash in
combustion of pulverized or crushed coal. This fly ash, in accordance with available Lime Index Method of Test Method
addition to having pozzolanic properties, sets and hardens by C 25 (Hydrated Lime Procedure).
chemical interaction with water and is capable of doing so 6.3 Fineness—Determine the amount retained when wet
under water. sieved on a 45 µm (No. 325) sieve in accordance with the
3.2.3 stabilizing admixtures, n—admixtures used to im- procedure described in Method C 311.
prove soil properties such as increased soil freeze-thaw dura- 6.4 Self-Cementing Properties—Determine the self-
bility, stiffness, and strength; reduction of permeability, plas- cementing properties of fly ash by the compressive strength
ticity, and swelling; increased control of soil compressibility method given in Test Method C 109/C 109M except use no
and moisture. sand nor Portland cement and mixtures shall contain fly ash
4. Significance and Use plus tap water at water-to-fly ash weight ratio of 0.35. Test
compressive strength at one and seven days. Mix the paste in
4.1 This practice is intended for use with fly ash that can be
accordance with Method C 305. Mixing time may have to be
used separately or along with other stabilizing admixtures to
modified for quick-setting fly ashes.
improve soil properties.
6.4.1 Very Self-Cementing Fly Ash—Compressive strengths
4.2 The characterization of the physical and chemical prop-
greater than (345 MPa) 500 psi at seven days.
erties of the fly ash shall assist in the evaluation of the fly ash
6.4.2 Moderately Self-Cementing Fly Ash—Compressive
for soil stabilization.
strengths greater than or equal to (70 MPa) 100 psi but less
4.3 This practice is not intended to limit the flexibility of
than or equal to (345 MPa) 500 psi at seven days.
design in soil stabilization. The degree of success attained in
6.4.3 Non Self-Cementing Fly Ash—Compressive strengths
soil stabilization is highly dependent on the particular combi-
less than (70 MPa) 100 psi at seven days.
nation of soil, fly ash, and other additives and the construction
6.5 Lime-Pozzolanic Activity—Determine the lime-
procedure used. Demonstrated sound engineering procedures
pozzolan strength development in accordance with Specifica-
that result in appropriate physical characteristics are accept-
tion C 593. For purposes of standardization, the lime must
able. The selection of appropriate materials, applicable tests,
meet Specification C 821.
acceptance criteria, and specification is the responsibility of the
6.6 Strength Activity Index with Portland Cement—
design engineer.
Determine the strength activity index with Portland Cement in
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is accordance with Method C 311.
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the 6.7 Setting Time—Determine the set of fly ash-water pastes
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the at water-to-fly ash weight ratio of 0.35 by vicat needle in
criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent
accordance with Test Method C 191.
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure 6.8 pH—Determine the pH of the fly ash by adding 20 g fly
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740 ash to 80 mL distilled water. Stir the mixture to disperse the fly
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors. ash. Leave the covered beaker undisturbed for 2 h and then
determine pH in accordance with Test Method D 1293.
5. Fly Ash Quality Assurance Program 6.9 Sulfates—Determine water-soluble sulfates in accor-
5.1 Pre-Qualification—A fly ash is pre-qualified if it is dance with Test Method C 265 except stir 1 g fly ash into 100
sampled in accordance with Method C 311 and a quality mL distilled water for 2 min and filter and wash the residue
history is made available consisting of six months of recent test thoroughly with 3 to 10 mL aliquots of room temperature water
results. The type of tests performed and their frequency shall be using a rapid-filtering, acid-washed filter paper folded inside a
acceptable to the purchaser. fine-textured acid-washed filter paper.
NOTE 2—The intent of the quality history is not to accept or reject the 6.9.1 Determine total sulfate in accordance with Method
fly ash with regard to specified limits but to provide an evaluation of the C 311.
fly ash and its uniformity.
5.2 Project—During the project, spot-checking of a pre- 7. Report
qualified fly ash shall occur at the sampling and testing 7.1 The report of the physical and chemical analysis of the
frequency established by the purchaser. A fly ash that is not fly ash shall include the sampling date and location, the identity
pre-qualified shall be sampled at the source at a minimum of tests performed, and shall provide a summary of the
frequency of one sample for each (91 mg) 100 tons made essential data as outlined in Section 6.
available for sale and be sampled at the job site at a minimum
frequency of one sample for every (23 mg) 25 tons. The type 8. Keywords
of tests performed and their frequency shall be acceptable to 8.1 fly ash; pozzolan, self-cementing fly ash; soil; soil
the purchaser. stabilization
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D 5239 – 04
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1.1 Non Self-Cementing Fly Ash Stabilization: X1.2.1 This fly ash is a better source of calcium and
X1.1.1 Non self-cementing fly ash, by itself, has little effect magnesium ions although not as good as lime or Portland
on soil stabilization. It is a poor source of calcium and cement. Self-cementing fly ash contains varying amounts of
magnesium ions. The particle size of fly ash may exceed that of free (uncombined) lime (0 to 7 % CaO by weight) that can
the voids in fine-grained soils, precluding its use as a filler. provide cation exchange and ion crowding to fine-grained soils
However, this fly ash in poorly graded sandy soils may be a when used in significant amounts. It has been used successfully
suitable filler and, as such, may aid in compaction, may to control swell potential of expansive soils. It has also been
increase density, and may decrease permeability. used to stabilize coarse-grained soils.
X1.1.2 Non Self-Cementing Fly Ash Mixed With Cement or NOTE X1.1—Though some fly ashes have up to 35 % CaO (elemental
Lime—The advantage of adding fly ash to fine-grained soils, chemical analysis), most of the calcium is combined as calcium alumi-
along with cement or lime, is for its pozzolanic properties and nates, calcium silicates, and calcium sulfate.
improved soil texture. Some clays are pozzolanic in nature and
only require lime to initiate the pozzolanic reaction. The use of X1.2.2 The retardation of some very self-cementing fly
this fly ash is suitable with clays requiring lime modification, ashes, using retardation agents, such as: sodium borate, sodium
provided lime is added to promote the pozzolanic reaction. If citrate, citric acid, or commercial retarding admixtures, may be
lime is required, it should be added to the soil 24 h prior to fly necessary to delay the hydration reactions sufficiently to obtain
ash addition. adequate mixing and compaction in the field. Since the effect
of retarders is variable, checks of strength and time of set
X1.2 Self-Cementing Fly Ash Stabilization: should be performed on trial batches for each fly ash.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
In accordance with Committee D18 policy, this section identifies the location of changes to this standard since
the last edition (1998) that may impact the use of this standard.
(1) Inserted new sections 1.2 and 1.2.1 regarding guidelines references to Practices D 3740 and D 6026.
for significant digits. Renumbered subsequent sections. (4) Revised Section 3 to reflect style and form of D18
(2) Inserted section 1.6 containing the ASTM policy statement Standards Preparation Manual.
on notes and footnotes. (5) Inserted Note 1 as per D18 Standards Preparation Manual.
(3) Revised section 2.1 to reflect correct titles of standards. Renumbered subsequent note.
Removed references that are not present in document. Inserted (6) Updated “Summary of Changes” section.
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