ASTM D2419

Sand Equivalent Value of Soils and Fine Aggregate

Applicability: Applies to soils and fine aggregate fractions passing the No. 4 sieve (4.75 mm), including materials used in pavement base and subbase construction, concrete, and asphalt. Most commonly applied during aggregate acceptance testing for highway projects where a minimum sand equivalent value is specified to control deleterious clay content. Not applicable to materials with high organic content that could interfere with the test solution.

Purpose: Measures the relative proportion of clay-like or plastic fines to sand-size particles by agitating the sample in a standardized calcium chloride solution, allowing it to settle, and reading the heights of the sand and clay fractions in graduated cylinders. The sand equivalent (SE) value is calculated as the ratio of the sand reading to the clay reading, expressed as a percentage. Higher SE values indicate cleaner, less plastic material better suited for use in pavement construction and concrete production.