Designation: D6572 − 13´1

Standard Test Methods for

Determining Dispersive Characteristics of Clayey Soils by
the Crumb Test1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6572; 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.

ε1 NOTE—Editorial corrections made throughout in February 2014.

1. Scope* 1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
1.1 Two test methods are provided to give a qualitative guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
indication of the natural dispersive characteristics of clayey Practice D6026.
soils: Method A and Method B. 1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
1.1.1 Method A—Procedure for Natural Soil Crumbs de-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
scribed in 10.2.
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
1.1.2 Method B—Procedure for Remolded Soil Crumbs
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
described in 10.3.
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
1.2 The crumb test, while a good, quick indication of ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
dispersive soil, should usually be run in conjunction with a increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
pinhole test and a double hydrometer test, Test Methods D4647 commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
and D4221, respectively. of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical
1.3 The crumb test has some limitations in its usefulness as methods for engineering design.
an indicator of dispersive soil. A dispersive soil may sometimes 1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
give a non-dispersive reaction in the crumb test. Soils contain- as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ing kaolinite with known field dispersion problems, have standard.
shown non-dispersive reactions in the crumb test (1).2 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
However, if the crumb test indicates dispersion, the soil is safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
probably dispersive. responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.4 These test methods are not applicable for soils with 12 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
% or less of the particles passing 0.005 mm and having a bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
plasticity index less than or equal to 8, as determined by Test
Method D4318. 2. Referenced Documents
1.5 Oven-dried soil should not be used to prepare crumb test 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
specimens, as irreversible changes could occur to the soil D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
pore-water physicochemical properties responsible for disper- Fluids
sion (2). D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
NOTE 1—In some cases, the results of the pinhole, crumb, and (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
double-hydrometer test methods may disagree. The crumb test is a better D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
indicator of dispersive soils than of non-dispersive soils (3).
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D4221 Test Method for Dispersive Characteristics of Clay
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil Soil by Double Hydrometer
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.06 on Physical-
Chemical Interactions of Soil and Rock
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2013. Published November 2013. Originally
3
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D4186 – 12. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D6572-13E01. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D6572 − 13´1
D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and indicator of the presence of dispersive properties in a soil. The
Plasticity Index of Soils crumb test, however, is not a completely reliable negative
D4647 Test Method for Identification and Classification of indicator that soils are not dispersive. The crumb test can
Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test seldom be relied upon as a sole test method for determining the
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical presence of dispersive clays. The double-hydrometer test (Test
Data Method D4221) and pinhole test (Test Method D4647) are test
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers methods that provide valuable additional insight into the
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test probable dispersive behavior of clay soils.
Sieves NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by these test methods is
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom- dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
3. Terminology and objective testing. Users of these test methods are cautioned that
compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results.
3.1 Definitions: Reliable results depends on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this means of evaluating some of those factors.
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 6. Interferences
3.2.1 dispersive clays—a type of soil that disaggregates 6.1 Oven-dried soil shall not be used in performing the
easily and rapidly, without significant mechanical assistance, in crumb test as irreversible changes could occur to the soil
water of low-salt concentration. pore-water physicochemical properties responsible for disper-
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Such soils usually have a high propor- sion (2).
tion of their adsorptive capacity saturated with sodium cations 6.2 The use of water other than Type IV in accordance with
although adsorbed lithium and magnesium may also play a role Specification D1193, can interfere with dispersion of the
(4). Such soils also generally have a high shrink-swell colloidal clay particles.
potential, have low resistance to erosion, and have low
permeability in an intact state. 6.3 The cube or crumb shall be carefully placed directly on
the bottom of the dish when submerging the crumb. Dropping
4. Summary of Test Method the crumb from the water surface can cause excessive slaking
and may result in erroneous interpretation of the dispersion
4.1 A cube of remolded soil with approximately 15 6 5 mm
grade.
on each side (about the size of a single die in a pair of dice) or
a natural soil crumb of approximately similar volume is placed 6.4 Jarring or moving the soil specimen or container once
on the bottom of a 300-mL container containing 250 mL of the test method has begun can cause excessive turbidity and
Type IV water. may result in erroneous interpretation of the dispersion grade.
4.2 The temperature of the water is recorded and visual 6.5 The use of a single, natural, irregular-shaped soil crumb
determinations of the dispersion grade are made and recorded may result in a specimen that is not representative of the total
at 2 min 6 15 s, 1 h 6 8 min, and 6 h 6 45 min. Determination sample. Therefore, several crumb test specimens should be
of grade is based on the formation, extent, and turbidity of a selected to make sure that representative test results are
dense “cloud” or halo of colloidal-sized particles extending obtained. The total number of test specimens should be
from the soil crumb. determined during the test program and will depend on the
degree of agreement of individual test results.
4.3 Determinations consist of: Grade 1 (Non-Dispersive),
Grade 2 (Intermediate), Grade 3 (Dispersive), and Grade 4 6.6 These test methods are not applicable to soils with 12 %
(Highly Dispersive). or less of the particles passing 0.005 mm and having a
plasticity index less than or equal to 8, as determined by Test
5. Significance and Use Method D4318.
5.1 The crumb test provides a simple, quick method for field
or laboratory identification of a dispersive clayey soil. The 7. Apparatus
internal erosion failures of a number of homogeneous earth 7.1 Specimen Container—A white or clear, non-porous,
dams, erosion along channel or canal banks, and rainfall glass or equivalent inert container with a minimum capacity of
erosion of earthen structures have been attributed to colloidal 300 mL and having a flat bottom of at least 85-mm across. The
erosion along cracks or other flow channels formed in masses container shall be large enough to allow for the specimen to be
of dispersive clay (5). fully immersed when placed in the container.
5.2 The crumb test, as originally developed by Emerson (6), 7.2 Thermometer—0 to 50°C range, 0.1°C divisions, con-
was called the aggregate coherence test and had seven different forming to the requirements of Specification E1. Temperature
categories of soil-water reactions. Sherard (5) later simplified measuring devices, such as RTDs, thermistors, or liquid-in-
the test by combining some soil-water reactions so that only glass thermometers (for example, Specification E2251) con-
four categories, or grades, of soil dispersion are observed forming to Specification E1 and the temperature range and
during the test. The crumb test is a relatively accurate positive accuracy, may be used.

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 D6572 − 13´1
7.3 Sieve(s), 4.75-mm (No. 4) and 2-mm (No. 10) sieve, in Record the test specimen identification information and begin
accordance with Specification E11. the test as soon as practicable after obtaining the test speci-
7.4 Timing Device—A clock, stopwatch, digital timer, or men(s).
alike readable to 1 second or better. 10.4 If the crumb test is performed in conjunction with the
pinhole test (Test Method D4647), the cube can be prepared
8. Reagents and Materials from material cured to the moisture content desired for
compacting the pinhole specimen. Alternatively, air-dried soil
8.1 Purity of Water—Type IV water in accordance with
or soil at the natural moisture can be passed through a 2-mm
Specification D1193 or distilled water with a pH between 5.5
(No. 10) sieve and formed into the cube. If additional moisture
and 7.0 should be used for conducting the test methods and
is needed to form the cube, Type IV or distilled water can be
preparing remolded specimens. Distilled water is preferred.
added until the cube can be formed.
9. Sampling
11. Procedure
9.1 Sampling—Obtain a representative, homogenous soil
11.1 For either Method, place the specimen container de-
sample passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve. Depending on the
scribed in 7.1 on a horizontal working surface, which will be
percentage of coarse sand in the material, approximately 25 to
relatively free of vibration for the next 6 h 6 45 min.
75 g of material is needed to perform a crumb test. If using
Method A, more material may be needed in order to make sure 11.2 Pour approximately 250-mL of Type IV or distilled
representative test results are obtained. Material for the crumb water into the container and allow the water temperature to
test should be selected as soon as possible after obtaining the equalize to 21 6 6°C. This temperature shall be maintained
representative sample as discussed in 10.1. throughout the test.
NOTE 3—Approximately 400 to 500 g of material is needed to preform 11.3 Verify the water temperature has equalized prior to
the crumb, pinhole, and double hydrometer tests. placing the specimen in the water. Record the temperature to
the nearest 0.1°C.
9.1.1 Determine the water content of the sample prior to
specimen(s) preparation according to Test Method D2216 and 11.4 Record the specimen container identification along
record to the nearest 0.1 %. Record the qualitative state used in with the test specimen that is placed in that container.
the determination such as, in situ, as-received or air-dried.
NOTE 4—Placing the container(s) on the top edge of the test form
facilitates easy identification of a number of specimens and reduces the
10. Test Specimen(s) potential for misidentification.
10.1 Preserve the test specimen(s) at the in situ or as- 11.5 Carefully place the specimen in the water and gently
received water content, if possible, or allowed to air-dry. Do release it only after placing it directly on the bottom of the
not oven dry the test specimen(s). container. Do not move or vibrate the container or stir the water
from specimen placement until the end of this test.
10.2 Method A—Natural Soil Crumbs:
10.2.1 Select one or more natural, irregularly shaped, soil 11.6 Record the time of specimen placement and start the
crumbs from the sample obtained in Section 9 with an timing device.
abundance of aggregated soil lumps suitable for crumb test 11.7 As the soil crumb begins to absorb water, observe the
specimens. This soil crumb should be approximately the same tendency for colloidal-sized particles to deflocculate and go
volume as a cube with 15 6 5 mm on each side (about the size into suspension.
of a single die of a pair of dice). If no one crumb is equivalent
to this size cube, a series of smaller cubes can be used. The NOTE 5—The colloidal-sized particles are visible in the form of a dense
“cloud” or halo that extends from the soil crumb. The extent and turbidity
crumb volume should not be less than equivalent to a cube with of the suspended clay particle “cloud” is visually interpreted. The colloidal
7 6 3 mm on each side. Record the test specimen identification “cloud” is influenced by soil color; that is, dark soils produce a darker,
information and begin the test as soon as practicable after more distinctly visible “cloud.”
obtaining the test specimen(s). 11.8 Determine and record the dispersion grade, in accor-
10.2.2 Use of natural soil crumbs may result in a specimen dance with the following criteria (Fig. 1), and temperature at 2
that is not representative of the total sample; therefore, it is min 6 15 s, 1 hour 6 8 min, and 6 hours 6 45 min. Be careful
recommended that several crumb specimens be tested to make to submerge the thermometer bulb without touching or disturb-
sure the total sample is represented. The number chosen is ing the test specimen.
dependent on the homogeneity of the total sample.
11.9 Carefully place the specimen in the water and gently
10.3 Test Method B—Remolded Soil Crumbs: release it only after placing it directly on the bottom of the dish.
10.3.1 Process the sample over a 2-mm (No. 10) sieve and Do not move or vibrate the dish or stir the water from specimen
retain the material passing the 2-mm (No. 10) sieve. placement until the end of this test method.
10.3.2 Prepare a test specimen from the material passing the 11.9.1 Grade 1 (Non-dispersive)—No reaction; the soil may
2-mm (No. 10) sieve by lightly compressing a moist soil crumble, slake, diffuse, and spread out, but there is no turbid
sample into a cube approximately 15 6 5 mm on each side. water created by colloids suspended in the water. All particles
Use the thumbs and index finger to gently form the cube. settle during the first hour.

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 D6572 − 13´1

FIG. 1 Soil Crumb Specimens and Assigned Dispersion Grades (7)

11.9.2 Grade 2 (Intermediate)—Slight reaction; Grade 2 is 12.2 If the dispersive grade changed during the test, the 1
the transition grade. A faint, barely visible colloidal suspension hour 6 8 min reading is normally used for the overall test
causes turbid water near portions of the soil crumb surface. If evaluation. However, if the grade changes from 2 to 3 or from
the cloud is easily visible, assign Grade 3. If the cloud is faintly 3 to 4 between the 1 hour 6 8 min and 6 hours 6 45 min
seen in only one small area, assign Grade 1. readings, use the 6 hours 6 45 min reading.
11.9.3 Grade 3 (Dispersive)—Moderate reaction; an easily
visible cloud of suspended clay colloids is seen around the 13. Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)
outside of the soil crumb surface. The cloud may extend up to 13.1 The methodology used to specify how data are re-
10 mm away from the soil crumb mass along the bottom of the corded on the test data sheet(s)/form(s) as given below, is
dish. covered in 1.6 and Practice D6026.
11.9.4 Grade 4 (Highly Dispersive)—Strong reaction; a
dense, profuse cloud of suspended clay colloids is seen around 13.2 Record as a minimum the following general informa-
the entire bottom of the dish. Occasionally, the soil crumb tion (data):
dispersion is so extensive that it is difficult to determine the 13.2.1 Project name and, if known, the location of project.
interface of the original soil crumb and the colloidal suspen- 13.2.2 Boring number, sample number, depth, color, and
sion. Often, the colloidal suspension is easily visible on the visual estimated classification of the material type.
sides of the dish. 13.2.3 Name or initials of the person performing the test and
11.10 If a permanent record is desired, photograph the test date of testing.
specimen after the 6 hours 6 45 min reading. 13.3 Record as a minimum the following test specimen
data:
12. Interpretation of Results 13.3.1 Method used, A or B.
12.1 Use the following criteria to classify crumb test results: 13.3.2 Water content of the sample in % and the qualitative
12.1.1 Grade 1—Nondispersive. state (in situ, as-received, or air-dried).
12.1.2 Grade 2—Intermediate. 13.3.3 If any additional water was added to form the cube as
12.1.3 Grade 3—Dispersive. described in Method B.
12.1.4 Grade 4—Highly Dispersive. 13.3.4 Test Specimen identification.

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 D6572 − 13´1
13.3.5 Specimen container identification, if any. more laboratories participate in a round-robin testing program.
13.3.6 Type of water used for testing: distilled or Type IV. Also, it is either not feasible or too costly to produce multiple
13.3.7 Initial temperature of the water. specimens that have uniform physical properties. Any variation
13.3.8 Start time of the test (hh:mm:ss). observed in the data is just as likely to be due to specimen
13.3.9 Grade number, temperature, and time readings. variation as to operator or laboratory testing variation.
13.3.10 Dispersive classification of the test specimen(s) as: 14.1.1 Subcommittee D18.06 is seeking any data from the
nondispersive, intermediate, dispersive, or highly dispersive. users of this test method that might be used to make a limited
13.3.11 If desired, photographs of the test specimen(s) taken statement on precision.
at the different time readings or just at the 6 hours 6 45 min
14.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
reading.
method, therefore, bias cannot be determined.
14. Precision and Bias
14.1 Precision—Test data on precision is not presented due 15. Keywords
to the nature of the soil materials tested by this test method. It 15.1 clay (dispersive); colloidal erodibility; crumb test;
is either not feasible or too costly at this time to have ten or dispersibility; dispersion; dispersive clays; erosion

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. EXAMPLE TEST DATA SHEET/FORM

X1.1 General—Two example data sheets are presented. Fig. some instances it may be necessary or reasonable to take
X1.1 presents a blank data sheet that may be used to record the additional water content determinations. Those additional wa-
crumb test data. This data sheet was designed to accommodate ter content values should also be recorded. Fig. X1.2 presents
one sample with multiple specimens; therefore there is only a completed example test data sheet.
one water content value representing the single sample. In

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 D6572 − 13´1

FIG. X1.1 Example of a Crumb Test Data Sheet

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 D6572 − 13´1

FIG. X1.2 Example of a Completed Crumb Test Data Sheet

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 D6572 − 13´1
REFERENCES

(1) Kinney, James L., “Laboratory Procedures for Determining the (5) Sherard, J.L., et al., “Identification and Nature of Dispersive Soils,”
Dispersibility of Clayey Soils,” Bureau of Reclamation Report No. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Division, ASCE, Vol 102, No.
REC-EERC 70-10, 1979, 20 pp. GT-4, 1976, pp. 287–301.
(2) Holgren, G.C.S., and Flanagan, C. P., “Factors Affecting Spontaneous (6) Emerson, W.W., “A Classification of Soil Aggregates Based on Their
Dispersion of Soil Materials As Evidenced by the Crumb Test,” ASTM Coherence in Water,” Australian Journal of Soil Research, Vol 2,
Proceeding son Symposium on Dispersive Clays, STP 623, Chicago, 1964, pp. 211–217.
IL, 1976, pp. 218–239. (7) Bureau of Reclamation, “Procedure for Determining Dispersibility of
(3) Acciardi, Raymond, “Pinhole Test Equipment Design and Test Result Clayey Soils by the Crumb Test Method,” United States Department
Evaluation,” Bureau of Reclamation, Report No. REC-ERC-85-3, of Interior, Part 2, 1990, pp. 414–418.
1985, 76 pp.
(4) Bell, F.G., and Maud, R. R., “Dispersive Soils: A review from a South
Africa Perspective,” Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology, Vol
27, 1994, pp. 195–210.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D4186 – 12) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Nov. 1, 2013.)

(1) Added Section 1. (4) Rewrote Sections 9, 11, and 13.

(2) Revised units statement in 1.7 and units throughout. (5) Added Section 10 and Appendix X1.
(3) Revised Section 3 to conform to D18 policy.

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