ASTM C1580-20

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
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Designation: C1580 − 15 C1580 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Water-Soluble Sulfate in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1580; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method is for the determination of water-soluble sulfate in soils.
1.2 This test method was developed for concentrations of water-soluble sulfate in soils between 0.02 and 3.33 % sulfate by mass.
1.3 This test method does not determine sulfur in any form except as sulfate.
1.4 Some governing bodies regulate the movement of soils from one area to another. It is up to the sampler and laboratory to
comply with all regulations.
1.5 The text of this test method refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and to determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Spectrophotometry
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.69 on
Miscellaneous Tests.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015Dec. 15, 2020. Published December 2015February 2021. Originally approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as
ε1
C1580 – 09C1580 – 15. . DOI: 10.1520/C1580-15.10.1520/C1580-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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C1580 − 20
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C125.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method can be used to determine if soils could have an adverse reaction with hydraulic cement concrete.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Photometer—One of the following, given in order of preference:
5.1.1 Nephelometer or turbidimeter,
5.1.2 Spectrophotometer for use at 420 nm with light path of 4 to 5 cm, and
5.1.3 Filter photometer with a violet filter having a maximum near 420 nm and a light path of 4 to 5 cm. Filter photometers and
photometric practices prescribed in this test method shall conform to Practice E60; spectrophotometer practices shall conform to
Practice E275.
5.2 Stopwatch, readable to 0.1 minutes.
5.3 Measuring Spoon, capacity 0.2 to 0.3 mL.
5.4 Drying oven, capable of continuously heating at 110 6 5 ºC.
5.5 Balance, shall be capable of reproducing results within 0.0002 g with an accuracy of 60.0002 g. Direct-reading balances shall
have a sensitivity not exceeding 0.0001 g. Conventional two-pan balances shall have a maximum sensibility reciprocal of 0.0003
g. Any rapid weighing device that may be provided, such as a chain, damped motion, or heavy riders, shall not increase the basic
inaccuracy by more than 0.0001 g at any reading and with any load within the rated capacity of the balance.
5.6 Stirrer, magnetic variable speed, with a TFE-fluorocarbon coated magnetic stirring rod or an overhead stirrer with a propeller.
6. Reagents and Materials
6.1 Purity of Reagents—All reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American
Chemical Society.
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, reference to water shall be understood to mean reagent water conforming to
Specification D1193, Type I. Other reagent water types (See Note 1) may be used, provided it is first ascertained that the water
is of sufficiently high purity to permit its use without adversely affecting the precision and bias of the test method.
NOTE 1—Type II water was specified at the time of round robin testing of this test method.
6.3 Barium Chloride—Crystals of barium chloride (BaCl ·2H O) screened to 850 to 600 μm. To prepare in the laboratory, spread
2 2
crystals over a large watch glass, desiccate for 24 h, screen to remove any crystals that are not 850 to 600 μm, and store in a clean,
dry jar.
6.4 Conditioning Reagent—Place 30 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl, sp gr 1.19), 300 mL reagent water, 100 mL 95 %
ethanol or isopropanol and 75 g sodium chloride (NaCl) in a container. Add 50 mL glycerol and mix.
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not listed by
the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia and National
Formulary, U.S. Pharmaceutical Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville, MD.
C1580 − 20
6.5 Sulfate Solution, Standard (1 mL = 0.100 mg SO )—Dissolve 0.1479 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na SO ) in water, and
4 2 4
dilute with water to 1 L in a volumetric flask.
6.6 pH paper, readable to at least 0.5 pH units.
6.7 Sodium Hydroxide, (0.1N)—Dissolve 4 g of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in water and dilute with water to 1L
6.8 Hydrochloric Acid (0.1N)—Dilute 8.6 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl sp gr 1.19) to 1L with water
7. Permissible Variations
7.1 Both the referee method and qualified methods as described in Test Methods C114 are permissible as alternatives to the
turbidimetric procedure.
8. Calibration and Standardization
8.1 Prepare standards by diluting 0.0,
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