Designation: D4381 – 06
Standard Test Method for
Sand Content by Volume of Bentonitic Slurries1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4381; 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 covers the determination of the sand
content of bentonitic slurries used in slurry construction
techniques. This test method has been modified from API
Recommended Practice 13B.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to consult and
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Fluids
2.2 American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard:
API RP 13B Recommended Practice Standard Procedure
for Testing Drilling Fluids3
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to this test method, refer
to Terminology D653.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The glass measuring tube of the sand-screen set (Fig. 1)
is filled with bentonitic slurry and water to the appropriate
marks and is shaken. The mixture is poured through the wet
screen. The funnel is fitted over the top of the screen and the
assembly inverted, inserting the tip of the funnel into the glass
measuring tube. All material is washed from the screen and the
amount of sand read in the graduated tube, as percent by
volume.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.04 on Hydrologic
Properties and Hydraulic Barriers.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4381–84(2006).
DOI: 10.1520/D4381-06.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or NOTE 1—Photo courtesy of N. L. Baroid–N. L. Industries, Inc.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Houston, TX.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on FIG. 1 Sand-Content Set
the ASTM website.
3
Available from the American Petroleum Institute, 2101 L St., NW, Washington,
DC 20037.
Copyright. © ASTM International. 100 Barr Harbour Drive PO box C-700 West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, United States
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Thu Oct 6 20:53:31 EDT 2011
1
Downloaded/printed by
Enrique Martinez (Enrique Martinez) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
D4381 – 06
5. Significance and Use 7.7 Wash the sand retained on the sieve to clean any
5.1 This test method evaluates the amount of sand by remaining slurry.
volume in bentonitic slurry. The significance of this test 7.8 Attach the funnel upside down over the top of the sieve.
method mainly relates to bentonitic slurries used for concrete 7.9 Carefully invert the assembly and insert the tip of the
wall construction. The range of measurement is too limited for funnel into the mouth of the glass measuring tube.
use in cement bentonite wall construction. 7.10 With a fine spray of water, wash the sand retained on
the sieve back into the measuring tube.
6. Apparatus 7.11 Allow the sand to settle.
6.1 Sand-Content Set (see Fig. 1), consisting of the follow- 7.12 Read the volume of sand from the graduations on the
ing: glass tube as a percent of the volume of bentonitic slurry
6.1.1 Sieve, No. 200 mesh (75-µm), 2 in. (50 mm) in originally added in 7.1.
diameter. 7.13 Wash and dry all equipment thoroughly after each test.
6.1.2 Funnel, to fit screen and glass measuring tube.
6.1.3 Measuring Tube, glass tube should be marked from 0 8. Precision and Bias
to 20 % by volume. 8.1 Precision—Test data on precision is not presented due
NOTE 1—Volume of sand, including void spaces between grain, is
to the nature of this test method and the bentonite slurry-sand
measured and expressed as percent by volume of bentonitic slurry. mixture. Having ten or more agencies participate in an in situ
testing program at a given site is either not feasible or too
7. Procedure costly at this time.
7.1 Fill the glass measuring tube to the designated mark 8.1.1 Subcommittee D18.04 is seeking any data from the
with bentonitic slurry. users of this test method that might be used to make a limited
7.2 Add water to the next designated mark. statement on precision.
7.3 Close the mouth of the tube and shake vigorously. 8.1.2 The results of this test obtained at a given site by a
7.4 Pour the mixture into the clean, wet No. 200 (75-µm) single operator are usually within 1-2%.
mesh sieve. 8.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
7.5 Discard the liquid which passes through the sieve. method. Therefore, bias cannot be determined.
7.6 Add more water to the tube, shake, and pour into the
sieve. Repeat until the water which passes through the sieve is 9. Keywords
clear. 9.1 bentonite; sand; slurry
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Thu Oct 6 20:53:31 EDT 2011
2
Downloaded/printed by
Enrique Martinez (Enrique Martinez) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
