scope:

This standard is intended for use in earthwork and foundation engineering. It specifies a method of determining the water absorption capacity of fine soil. The water absorption capacity is a function of the specific surface area of the fines and the activity of clay minerals. The method provides a parameter that can be correlated with soil mechanics parameters such as the liquid limit and the plastic limit, and the swelling and shrinkage characteristics, of the soil and is thus suitable for use in civil engineering applications for assessing mineral building materials (such as bentonites) which are used for sealing purposes.