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D 1241 07
TABLE 1 Gradation Requirements for Soil-Aggregate Materials
Weight Percent Passing Square Mesh Sieves
Sieve Size Type I Type II
(Square Openings)
Gradation Gradation Gradation Gradation Gradation Gradation
A B C D E F
2-in. (50-mm) 100 100 ... ... ... ...
1-in. (25.0-mm) ... 75 to 95 100 100 100 100
38-in. (9.5-mm) 30 to 65 40 to 75 50 to 85 60 to 100 ... ...
No. 4 (4.75-mm) 25 to 55 30 to 60 35 to 65 50 to 85 55 to 100 70 to 100
No. 10 (2.00-mm) 15 to 40 20 to 45 25 to 50 40 to 70 40 to 100 55 to 100
No. 40 (425-m) 8 to 20 15 to 30 15 to 30 25 to 45 20 to 50 30 to 70
No. 200 (75-m) 2 to 8 5 to 15 5 to 15 8 to 15 6 to 15 8 to 15
Test Methods C 117 and C 136. The fraction passing the No. 40 Gradation C or D; or for Type II Gradation E or F. The type and
(425-m) sieve shall have a liquid limit not greater than 25 and grading shall be specified.
a plasticity index not greater than 6 as determined by Test
Method D 4318. NOTE 4When materials are being used for surface courses, the
Engineer may give consideration to the permeability characteristics of the
5.3 The composite material of Types I and II shall be free of
materials used (that is, material type, grading, etc.).
organic matter and clay lumps and shall conform to the grading
requirements of Table 1. 9. Test Methods
6. Subbase Materials 9.1 Sample the material and determine the properties enu-
6.1 Materials for subbase shall conform to the requirements merated in this specification in accordance with the following
of Section 5 and Table 1for Type I, Gradation A, B, C, or D, or ASTM standards:
for Type II, Gradation E or F. The type and grading desired 9.1.1 SamplingPractice D 75.
shall be specified.
9.1.2 Sieve AnalysisTest Method C 117 and Test Method
NOTE 2Where local experience (performance history, material prop- C 136.
erties, etc.) has shown that, in order to prevent damage by frost action, it
is necessary to have lower percentages of the subbase materials passing 9.1.3 Abrasion LossTest Method C 131.
the No. 200 (75-m) sieve than are required by Table 1, the engineer may 9.1.4 Surveying and Sampling Soils for Highway
specify lower percentages. The engineer may also specify tighter grada- SubgradesGuide D 420.
tion requirements when local experience suggests it to be appropriate.
9.1.5 Preparing Soil SamplesMethod D 421.
7. Base-Course Materials 9.1.6 Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity IndexTest
7.1 Materials for base course shall conform to the require- Method D 4318.
ments of Section 5 and Table 1 for Type I, Gradation A, B, C,
or D, or for Type II, Gradation E or F. The type and grading NOTE 5The precision of these test methods is dependent on the
competence of the personnel performing them and the suitability of the
desired shall be specified.
equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice
NOTE 3Where local experience (performance history, material prop- D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
erties, etc.) has shown that, in order to prevent damage by frost action, it testing. Users of these test methods are cautioned that compliance with
is necessary to have lower percentages of the base-course materials Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing
passing the No. 200 (75-m) sieve than are required by Table 1, the depends on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating
engineer may specify lower percentages. The engineer may also specify some of those factors.
tighter gradation requirements when local experience suggests it to be
appropriate. 10. Keywords
8. Surface-Course Materials 10.1 coarse aggregate; crushed stone; fine aggregate; grada-
8.1 Soil-aggregate materials for surface course shall con- tion; granular materials; gravels; soilaggregate subbase, base,
form to the requirements of Section 5 and Table 1 for Type I, and surface courses
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D 1241 07
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D 1241 00) that may impact the use of this standard (approved July 1, 2007).
(1) Editorial changes were made to conform to Form and Style (3) Changed No. 10 (2.00 mm) to No. 4 (4.75 mm) in
for ASTM Standards. Sections 5.1 and 5.2.
(2) Revised Section 4 pertaining to Type I and II gradings. (4) Revised Note 4.
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