Standard Method of Test for Determining pH of Soil for Use in Corrosion Testing 1. SCOPE L.A This test method describes pro- cedures and apparatus for determining pH value for corrosion testing by use of pH meter, 1.2 The principal use of the test is to supplement soil-resistivity measure ments and thereby identify conditions under which the corrosion of metals in the soil may be sharply accentuated, This standard is divided into two parts, The first part involves obtaining and prepar- ing the sample to size for testing. The second part describes the test method for determining the pH of soil 13° The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 21 AASHTO Standards: T2 Sampling Aggregates 7248 Reducing Field Sam- ples of Aggregates to ‘Testing Size PART I INITIAL PREPARATION OF ‘TEST SAMPLES 3. SCOPE 3.1 This method covers the dry prep- aration of soil and soil-aggregate sam- ples, as received from the field, for de- termining a soil’s pH. 32. The following applies to all spec- iffed limits in this standard: For the pur- pose of determining conformance with these specifications, an observed value or calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right hhand place of figures used in expressing the limiting value, in accordance with the rounding-off method R. 11, Recom: AASHTO DESIGNATION T 289-91 mended Practice For Indicating Which Places Of Figures Are To Be Considered Significant In Specified Limiting Values. 4. APPARATUS. 4.1 Sieves—A series of sieves ofthe following sizes: 63 mm (‘4 in.), 4.75 mm (No. 4), 2.00 mm (No. 10) and 2 ppan. The sieve shall conform to M 92, Sieves for Testing Purposes (Note 1). 42. A scale, minimum capacity of 500 grams. The balance shall conform to the requirements of M 231, for the class of general purpose balance required for the principal sample. 43 Drying Apparatus—Any_ suit- able device capable of drying samples at a temperature not exceeding 60°C (40°F). 44 Pulverizing Apparatus—Either mortar and rubber-covered pestle or any device suitable for breaking up the aggre- gations of soil particles without reducing the size of the individual grains (Note 2). 45 Sample Spliter—A suitable rif- fle sampler or sample spliter for propor- tional splitting of the sample and capable of obtaining representative portions of the sample without appreciable loss of fines. The width of the container used to feed the rifle sampler spliter should be equal fo the total combined width of the riffle chutes. Proportional splitting fof the sample on a canvas cloth is also permitted. NOTE 1—The sieve sizes which have an opening size of 63 mm (¥, in) or lager Shall conform to the requirements specified in M 92 excluding column no. 7. The excl sion of column 7 permits the use of heavier soreens in nonstandard frames which are NOTE 2—Other types of apparatus are satisfactory if the aggregations of soll part les sre broken up without reducing the size ofthe indivigual rains 5S. SAMPLE SIZE SAA_ The amount of soil material re- quired to perform the testis as follows: Sieve Size Finer Than— 72.00 mm (No. 10) Test Approx. Mass (9) pu 100 6. INITIAL PREPARATION OF ‘TEST SAMPLES 6.1_The sample as received from the field may be dried in air or a drying apparatus not exceeding 60°C (140°F) prior to sample selection (Note 3). It is Fecommended thatthe soil be in a moist condition for pH testing purposes. A rep- resentative test sample to perform the pH test shall then be obtained with the sampler, or by splitting or quartering as per T 248, NOTE 3—Samples dried in an oven oF other drying apparatus at a temperate not exceeding 60°C (140°F) ae considered to be air dred. 62. The portion of the sample se- lected for pH testing shall be separated into fractions by one of the following methods: 62.1 Alternate Method Using 2.00- mm (No. 10) Sieve—The dried saraple shall be separated into two fractions us- ing a 2.00-mm sieve. The fraction re- tained on the sieve shall be ground with pulverizing apparatus until the aggrega- tions of soil particles are broken into Separate grains. The ground soil shall then be separated into two fractions using the 2.00-mm sieve, 622 Alternate Method Using 4.75- ‘mm and 2.00-mm (No. 4 and No. 10) Sieves—The dried sample shal first be separated into two fractions using a 4.75- ‘mm sieve, The fraction retained on this sieve shall be ground with a pulverizing ‘apparatus until the aggregations of soil 167768, panicles are broken into separate grains and again separated on the 4.75-mm sieve. The fraction passing the 4.75-mm sieve shall be mixed thoroughly and, by the use of the sampler or by splitting and quartering, a representative portion adequate for testing shall be obtained, ‘This split-off portion shall then be sepa- rated on the 2.00-mm sieve, and pro- ‘cessed as in Section 6.2.1 623 Altemate Method Using 63- ‘mm and 2.00-mm (‘/cin. and No. 10) Sieves—The dried sample shall first be separated into two fractions using a 6.3- mm sieve. The fraction retained on this sieve shall be ground with a pulverizing apparatus until the aggregations of soil panicles are broken into separate grains and again separated on the 6.3-mm sieve, ‘The fraction passing the 6.3-mm sieve shall be mixed thoroughly and, by the Use of the sampler or by splitting and quartering, a representative portion ade- ‘quate for testing shall be obtained. This splitoff portion shall then be separated fon the 2,00-man sieve, and processed as in Section 6.2.1, PART 2 DETERMINATION OF SOIL pH SCOPE 7A This section describes the proce- dure for determining soil pH, 8 APPARATUS 8.1 pH Meter—suitable for labora- {ory or field analysis, with either one oF two electrodes. 82 A -50-mL. wide-mouth glass bea- ker or other suitable container with a watch glass for cover. If lightweight ma- terial is to be tested, it may be necessary to increase the beaker size up to a maxi ‘mum of 250 mL, 83. Standard Buffer Solutions of Known pH Values—standards to be used are pH of 4.0, 7.0, 1000. METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING 84 Distilled water. 8S A teaspoon or small scoop. 8.6 A thermometer capable of read: ing 25 * 10°C, to the nearest 0.1°C. 8.7 Sieves—A 2.00-mm (No. 10) for preparing the sample and a pan. The sieve shall conform to M 92, Sieves for Testing Purposes. 88° A glass stirring rod, 89° A scale, minimum capacity of 500 grams. The balance shall conform to the requirements of M 231, for the class of general purpose balance required for the principal sample, PROCEDURE 9.1 Of the material selected for test- ing, place a mass of 30.0 * 0.1 grams of soil into the glass beaker or other suitable container. 9.2 Add 30.0 * 0.1 grams of dis- tilled water to the soil sample, Stir to ‘obtain a soil slurry and then cover with 2 watch glass, 9.3. The sample must stand for a min- ‘mum of one hour, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes. This is to allow the pH of the soil slurry to stabilize, 94 Measure the temperature of the sample and adjust the temperature con twoller of the pH meter to that of the sample temperature. This adjustment should be done just prior to testing. On ‘meters with an automatic temperature contol, follow the manufacturer's in- structions. 95 Standardize the pH meter by means of the standard solutions provided. ‘Temperature and adjustments must be performed as stated under Section 9.4 (See Note 4). 9.6 Immediately before immersing the electrode(s) into the sample, stir well with a glass rod. Place the electrode(s) into the soil slurry solution and gently tum the beaker or container to make {good contact between the solution and the electrode(s). DO NOT place the elec- twode(s) into the soil; only into the soil slurry solution, (See Note 5). 9.7 The electrode(s) require immer- sion 30 seconds or longer in the sample before reading to allow the meter to T 289 stabilize. If the meter has an auto read system, it will automatically signal When stabilized, 9.8 Read and record the pH value to the nearest tenth of a whole number. Wf the pH meter reads to the hundredth Place it is necessary to round off the result in accordance with the rounding. off method RIL 99 Rinse off the electrode(s) well with distilled water, then dab lightly with tissues to remove any film formed on the electrode(s). Caution: Do not wipe the electrode(s) as this may result in polarization of the electrode(s) and con- sequent slow response. (See Note 6) NOTE 4—To standardize the pH meter, tse the 7.0 pH buffer standard solution plus the other standard solution which is nearest the estimated pH value ofthe sample to be ‘ested, I the manufacturers instvetions indi ‘ate a method other than that noted above, then those instructions must be followed, NOTE $—When immersing electode(s) into the glass beaker or container car should bbe taken not to hit the Bottom or side, causing damage 10 electode(s), NOTE 6—1f polarization does occur, as indicated by a slow response, rinse the elee- lwode(s) and dab Tighuy spain 10. PRECAUTIONS 10.1 Periodically check for damage to electrode(s). 10.2 Electrode tip should be kept ‘moist during storage. Follow the manu- facturer’s instructions, 1. REPORT ALI As specified in Section 9.8, re- port the pH value to the nearest tenth of a whole number in accordance with the rounding-off method AASHTO R 11 12, PRECISION AND BIAS 121 Data is not available at this time,