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ASTM Procedures Required for Testing
Putting Green Materials
by James Francis Moore,
Director Construction Education Program Section
The USGA Green Section's Recommendations for a Method of Putting
Green Construction rely heavily on the use of proper construction
materials. The only accurate means of determining whether or not
materials meet the criteria outlined in the guidelines is to submit
them to a physical soil-testing laboratory for analysis.
The laboratory performs a number of different tests on the materials.
To ensure consistency in test results, laboratories should utilize
testing procedures as outlined by the American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) (phone 610-832-9585; FAX 610-832-9555). Each
of the following documents can be purchased in full by visiting
the ASTM web site at www.astm.org
The following ASTM documents describe the major tests performed
in the evaluation of construction materials for greens built in
accordance with the USGA method.
ASTM F1632-95 Standard Test Method for Particle Size Analysis
and Sand Shape Grading of Golf Course Putting Green and Sports Field
Rootzone Mixes
Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of particle size distribution
of putting green and other sand based root zone mixes. Particles
larger than 0.05 mm (retained on a No. 270 sieve) are determined
by sieving. The silt and clay percentages are determined by a sedimentation
process, using the pipet method. This procedure was developed for
putting green rootzone mixes; those assumed to have sand contents
of 80% by weight or greater. Particle size analysis of soils may
be performed by this or other test methods described in Section
2. This test method also describes a qualitative evaluation of sand
particle shape.
ASTM F1647-98 Standard Test Method for Organic Matter Content
of Putting Green and Sports Turf Rootzone Mixes
Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the percent organic
matter of a putting green root zone mixture using a loss on ignition
method or the Walkley Black method. These test methods are useful
for quantifying the organic matter content of volume ratio mixed
root zone mixes. Test Method D 2974 is recommended for peat and
other organic soils.
ASTM F 1815-97 Standard Test Method for Saturated Hydraulic
Conductivity, Water Retention, Porosity, Particle Density, and Bulk
Density of Putting Green and Sports Turf Rootzone Mixes
Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of saturated hydraulic
conductivity, water retention, porosity (including distribution
of capillary and air-filled porosity at a known matrix potential)
and particle and bulk density to be used for construction and topdressing
of golf course putting greens including United States Golf Association
(USGA) recommended greens or other highly trafficked turfgrass areas.
1.2 Water retention is not a required measurement for USGA recommended
greens. Its inclusion in this standard is for the benefit of those
who wish to obtain such data. Likewise, bulk density is no longer
a physical parameter required in the evaluation of USGA rootzone
mixes, but it must be determined for the calculation of total and
capillary porosity.
1.3 the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
the inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
Note: This standard is designed for testing sand-based rootzone
mixes used for the construction of USGA and other high-sand greens
and sports fields. It is not intended for use on medium and fine
textured soils, e.g. loams.
ASTM C 136-96a Standard Test Method for C136-96a Sieve Analysis
of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle size
distribution of fine and coarse aggregates by sieving.
1.2 Some specifications for aggregates which reference this method
contain grading requirements including both coarse and fine fractions.
Instructions are included for sieve analysis of such aggregates.
ASTM D 854- 98 Standard Test Method for D854-92e1 Specific
Gravity of Soils
Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specific gravity
of soils that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, by means of a pycnometer.
When the soil contains particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve,
Test Method C127 shall be used for the material retained on the
4.75-mm sieve and this test method shall be used for the material
passing the 4.75-mm sieve.
1.1.1 Two procedures for performing the specific gravity are provided
as follows:
1.1.1.1 Method A -Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, described in
9.1.
1.1.1.2 Method B -Procedure for Moist Specimens, described in 9.2.
The procedure to be used shall be specified by the requesting authority.
For specimens of organic soils and highly plastic, fine-grained
soils, Procedure B shall be the preferred method.
1.2 When the specific gravity value is to be used in calculations
in connection with the hydrometer portion of Test Method D422, it
is intended that the specific gravity test be made on that portion
of the sample which passes the 2.00-mm (No. 10) sieve.
ASTM D 2974-87 Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash,
and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
Scope
1.1 This test method cover the measurement of moisture content,
ash content, and organic matter in peats and other organic soils,
such as organic clays, silts, and mucks.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
ASTM C-88-90 Standard Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates
by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the testing of aggregates to estimate
their soundness when subjected to weathering action in concrete
or other applications. This is accomplished by repeated immersion
in saturated solutions of sodium or magnesium sulfate followed by
oven drying to partially or completely dehydrate the salt precipitated
in permeable pore spaces. The internal expansive force, derived
from the rehydration of the salt upon re-immersion, simulates the
expansion of water on freezing. This test method furnishes information
helpful in judging the soundness of aggregates when adequate information
is not available from service records of the material exposed to
actual weathering conditions.
ASTM C-131-96 Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation
of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los
Angeles Machine
Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for testing sizes of coarse
aggregate smaller than 37.5 mm (1 1/2 in.) for resistance to degradation
using the Los Angeles testing machine.
Note: 1-A procedure for testing coarse aggregate larger than 19.0
mm (3/4 in.) is covered in Test Method C535.
ASTM D2976-71
Standard Test Method for pH of Peat Materials
Scope
1.1 This test method covers the electrometric measurement of the
pH of peat materials. It is a means of expressing the degree of
acidity or alkalinity of peat material suspended in water and 0.01
M calcium chloride solution.
ASTM D4972- 95a
Standard Test Method for pH of Soils
Scope
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the pH of soils for
uses other than for corrosion testing. Such measurements are used
in the agricultural, environmental, and natural resources fields.
This measurement determines the degree of acidity or alkalinity
in soil materials suspended in water and a 0.01 calcium chloride
solution. Measurements in both liquids are necessary to fully define
the soil's pH. This variable is useful in determining the solubility
of soil minerals and the mobility of ions in the soil and assessing
the viability of the soil-plant environment. A more detailed discussion
of the usefulness of this parameter is not warranted here; however,
it can be found in many discussions of the subject. A few such discussions
are given as Refs (1) through (6) at the end of the text.
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
ASTM D 75 - 97
Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates
Scope
1.1 This practice covers sampling of coarse and fine aggregates
for the following purposes:
1.1.1 Preliminary investigation of the potential source of supply.
1.1.2 Control of the product at the source of supply.
1.1.3 Control of the operations at the site of use, and
1.1.4 Acceptance or rejection of the materials.
Updated 5/26/99
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