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Description: This publication provides data on water-soluble sulfates in soils measured using four commonly referenced test methods (USBR, CSA A23.2-3B, Caltrans 417, and ASTM C1580). These data were used to evaluate the potential assignment of exposure class based on the test method used. Five soil samples were evaluated. For a given soil, the range of results found by the four methods varied significantly relative to specified soluble sulfate limits, such that the same soil could be assigned a different exposure class based on the test method used. This confirms that specification of sulfate requirements (such as in ACI 318) should include reference to a standard test for soluble sulfates in the soil. It is recommended that ASTM C1580 “Test Method for Water-Soluble Sulfate in Soil” be adopted as the reference test method. Based on the findings in this test program, suggested improvements to ASTM C1580 are outlined.
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