ASTM D3282-15
Standard Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes

Standard No.

ASTM D3282-15

Release Date

2015

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D3282-15

Scope

4.1 The practice described classifies soils from any geographic location into groups (including group indexes) based on the results of prescribed laboratory tests to determine the particle-size characteristics, liquid limit, and plasticity index.

4.2 The assigning of a group symbol and group index can be used to aid in the evaluation of the significant properties of the soil for highway and airfield purposes.

4.3 The various groupings of this classification system correlate in a general way with the engineering behavior of soils. Also, in a general way, the engineering behavior of a soil varies inversely with its group index. Therefore, this practice provides a useful first step in any field or laboratory investigation for geotechnical engineering purposes.

Note 3: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent upon the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluation some of those factors.

1.1 This practice covers a procedure for classifying mineral and organomineral soils into seven groups based on laboratory determination of particle-size distribution, liquid limit, and plasticity index. It may be used when a precise engineering classification is required, especially for highway construction purposes. Evaluation of soils within each group is made by means of a group index, which is a value calculated from an empirical formula.

Note 1: The group classification, including the group index, should be useful in determining the relative quality of the soil material for use in earthwork structures, particularly embankments, subgrades, subbases, and bases. However, for the detailed design of important structures, additional data concerning strength or performance characteristics of the soil under field conditions will usually be required.

1.2 Units—The sieve designations are identified using the “standard” system in accordance with Specification E11, such as 75-mm and 75-μm, followed by the “alternative” system of 3-in. and No. 200, respectively.

1.3  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

ASTM D3282-15 Referenced Document

• ASTM D1140 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Amount of Material Finer than 75-&x3bc;m (No. 200) Sieve in Soils by Washing*， 2024-04-20 Update
• ASTM D1452 Standard Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by Auger Borings
• ASTM D1586 Standard Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
• ASTM D1587 Standard Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D421 Standard Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Constants
• ASTM D422 Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
• ASTM D4318 Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
• ASTM D4700 Standard Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM D6913 Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis
• ASTM E11 Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes

ASTM D3282-15 history

• 2015 ASTM D3282-15 Standard Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
• 2009 ASTM D3282-09 Standard Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
• 1993 ASTM D3282-93(2004)e1 Standard Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
• 1993 ASTM D3282-93(1997)e1 Standard Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes