Prevents structural cracking, pavement failure, and utility line ruptures.

The soil specimen is loaded to a specific target stress. Water is introduced, but vertical movement is strictly prevented by adjusting the applied load. The force required to maintain a constant sample height represents the "swell pressure" of the soil. Method C: Loading After Wetting

Method B is designed to estimate the maximum swell pressure. The specimen is inundated with water at a very low seating pressure. As the soil tries to expand, the technician adds vertical load incrementally to prevent the soil from swelling.

Positioned at the top and bottom of the sample to allow uniform water flow while preventing soil migration.

Using high-quality, intact specimens to reflect in-situ behavior.

The test procedure involves:

Note: Positive values indicate swelling (expansion), while negative values indicate collapse. Swell Pressure ( Pscap P sub s

ASTM D4546-21 is the current industry standard for laboratory measurement of one-dimensional swell or collapse potential in cohesive soils, providing methods for testing reconstituted and intact samples. Released in April 2021, this update refines unit systems and terminology for evaluating ground heave and hydrocompression. Purchase the full standard directly from the ASTM International Store ANSI Webstore ASTM International

Your software implementation should automate the following standard calculations:

Once the deformation stabilizes under load, the sample is inundated with water.

: Primarily used for reconstituted (compacted) specimens to simulate field conditions of engineered fills.