Standard Specification
for
Materials for Embankments and Subgrades
AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 57-80 (1990)
1. SCOPE
LA This specification covers materi-
als for use in the construction of embank-
‘ments and subgrades.
1.2. The values stated in SI units are
to be regarded as the standard,
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1. Definitions of these materials are
‘given in Standard Definitions of Terms
Relating to Subgrade, Soil-Aggregate,
and Fill Materials (AASHTO M 146)
3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Materials shall be free from det-
imental quantities of organic materia,
such as leaves, grass, roots, and sewage.
3.2 Materials obtained from cuts or
borrow areas shall conform to one of
the following requirements:
NOTE 1—See Standard. Recommended
Practice for the Classification of Soils and
Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Con-
struction Purposes (AASHTO M 145).
Embankments—Materials
classified in the A-l, A-2-4, A-2-5, of
‘A-3 groups as in AASHTO M 145 shall
be used when available and shall be
compacted to the depth specified to not
less than 95 percent of the maximum
density per AASHTO T 99. If material
of this character is not available and
materials from the A-2-6, A-2-7, A-4,
A-S, A-6, or A-7 groups must be used,
special attention should be given to the
design and construction of the embank-
ment. Materials from these groups shall
bbe compacted to not less than 95 percent
of the maximum density and within two
percentage points of the optimum mois-
ture content per AASHTO T 99,
32.2 In subgrades—Materals clas
sified in the A-1, A-2-4, A-2-5, or A-3,
‘groups as shown in AASHTO M 145,
shall be used when available and shall
be compacted to the depth specified to
not less than 95 percent of the maximum
density per AASHTO T 99. Materials in
the A-2-6, A-2-7, Ad, AS, A-6, oF A:
7 groups may be used if compacted to
the depth specified to not less than 95,
percent of the maximum density and
‘within two perceatage points of the opt
mum moisture content per AASHTO
99.
33. Local shale may be used in em-
bankment or subgrade construction ifthe
AASHTO Standard Methods
Soll preparation (dry method) Ts
Soil preparation (wet method) T6
Materia! passing 0.07S-mm (No, 200) sieve eee Tu
Sieve analysis ced
Mechanics) analysis of sols 188
Ligui fii, 18
Plastic init 1%
Moisture—density relationship (434-kp (1041) hamme:} : 180
Moistre—densty relationship (2.5 (35-1) hammer} 19
Density of sail i place 191. T 208, T 205, 233, and T 238
Moisture in place by nuclear methods 139
Course particle conection 124
condition of existing pavements and em-
bankments indicate satisfactory results.
Appropriate special specifications shall
be prepared for such material
4. DENSITY REQUIREMENTS
4.1. Density percentage requirements
may be specified in terms of AASHTO
TT 180, provided the resultant density and
optimum moisture content are compara-
ble with AASHTO T 99 under the
above conditions.
5, METHODS OF TESTING
S.1_ Methods of testing materials for
embankments and subgrades shall be in
accordance with the standard methods
of the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials
(see table entitled “AASHTO Standard
Methods")
NOTE 2—Either Method T 88 of T 11
and T 27 will be used to determine the particle
‘ize diseibution as a basis for classification,
37