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ASTM Selected Technical Papers
Dispersive Clays, Related Piping, and Erosion in Geotechnical Projects
By
JL Sherard
JL Sherard
1
Consulting engineer, Devonshire,
Bermuda
;
editor
.
Search for other works by this author on:
RS Decker
RS Decker
2
Senior soil engineer
,
Hoskins-Western-Sonderegger, Inc.
,
Lincoln, Nebr. 68508
;
editor
.
Search for other works by this author on:
ISBN-10:
0-8031-0192-9
ISBN:
978-0-8031-0192-0
No. of Pages:
355
Publisher:
ASTM International
Publication date:
1977

This paper presents information from and experience with a test developed by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) to identify dispersive clay soil. Background information on erosion and piping problems, which led to the development of the test, are reviewed. Comparisons of the SCS dispersion test with field performance and pinhole test data are made.

1.
Kelly
,
W. P.
and
Aarny
,
A.
, “
The Chemical Effects of Gypsum, Sulfur, Iron Sulfate and Alum on Alkali Soils
,”
Hilgardia
 0073-2230, Vol.
3
, No.
14
,
1928
.
2.
Gedroiz
,
K. K.
,
Zhurnal Opytnoi Agronomii
, Vol.
13
,
1912
pp. 363-412, (English translation by Waksman).
3.
Isaak
,
P.
,
Soil Science
 0038-075X, Vol.
37
, No.
3
,
03
1934
, pp. 157-165.
4.
Middleton
,
H. E.
, “
Properties of Soils Which Influence Soil Erosion
,” Technical Bulletin No. 178,
U.S. Department of Agriculture
,
1930
.
5.
Volk
,
G. M.
, “
Abnormal Soil Characteristics Which Must be Considered in Construction of Retention and Detention Dams in Region Eight of the Soil Conservation Service
,” report,
Soil Conservation Service
, Albuquerque, N. Mex.,
30
07
1937
.
6.
Sherard
,
J. L.
,
Dunnigan
,
L. P.
,
Decker
,
R. S.
, and
Steele
,
E. F.
, “
The Pinhole Test for Identifying Dispersive Soils
,”
Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division
 0093-6405, American Society of Civil Engineers, Vol.
102
, No.
GT1
,
01
1976
, pp. 69-85.
7.
Volk
,
G. M.
,
Proceedings
,
Soil Science Society of America
, Vol.
II
,
1937
, p. 561.
8.
Olmstead
,
L. B.
 et al
, “
A Pipet Method of Mechanical Analysis of Soils
,” Technical Bulletin, No.
170
,
U.S. Department of Agriculture
.
9.
Sherard
,
J. L.
,
Decker
,
R. S.
, and
Ryker
,
N. L.
, “
Piping in Earth Dams of Dispersive Clay
,”
Proceedings
,
Specialty Conference on Performance of Earth and Earth-Supported Structures
,
American Society of Civil Engineers
,
06
1972
.
10.
Ritchie
,
J. A.
,
Journal of the Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales
, Vol.
19
, No.
3
,
07
1963
, pp. 111-129.
11.
Sherard
,
J. L.
, “
Study of Piping Failures and Erosion Damage from Rain in Clay Dams in Oklahoma and Mississippi
,” report prepared for the
Soil Conservation Service
,
Washington, D.C.
,
30
07
1971
.
12.
Sherard
,
J. L.
,
Decker
,
R. S.
, and
Ryker
,
N. L.
, “
Hydraulic Fracturing in Low Dams of Dispersive Clay
,”
Proceedings
,
Specialty Conference on Performance of Earth and Earth-Supported Structures
,
American Society of Civil Engineers
,
06
1972
.
13.
Sherard
,
J. L.
,
Dunnigan
,
L. P.
, and
Decker
,
R. S.
, “
Identification and Nature of Dispersive Soils
,” paper submitted for publication in the
Geotechnical Journal
, American Society of Civil Engineers,
1976
.
14.
Decker
,
R. S.
,
Proceedings
,
Seepage Symposium
, ARS 41-90,
U.S. Department of Agriculture
,
02
1963
, pp. 112-131.
15.
Lambe
,
T. W.
and
Anderson
,
O.
, “
The Impermeabilization of the Lagoon at the International Paper Company, Chisholm, Maine
,”
Tappi
, Vol.
38
, No.
1
,
1955
.
16.
Trouble with Leaky Ponds?
,
Grass Roots
, Vol.
3
, No. 2,
Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District
,
Mt. Vernon, Mo.
,
05
1970
.
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