D

FIELD DENSITY DETERMINATION

Equipment/Apparatus needed

(a) Sand Cone Apparatus

(b) guide plate

(c) brush, scooper, chisel, hammer

Figure 1.1 Equipment/Apparatus needed for Field Density Test (FDT)

Procedure
01

Weigh and number the air tight container for excavated soil

02
Fill density apparatus with calibrated sand. Weigh apparatus plus sand and
record initial weight.

(a)

(b)

Figure 1.2 Preparing the Sand Cone Apparatus.

03

Clear off the surface where density is to be determined

(a)

(b)
Figure 1.3 Preparing the surface for FDT.

04
Place the guide plate on the cleared soil surface and see to it that the guide
plate touches the soil evenly all around.

(a)

(b)
Figure 1.4 Guide plate installation.

05
Dig a hole using the plate as the guide to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Recover all
soil removed from the hole and place inside the air tight container.

(a)

(b)
Figure 1.5 Digging the hole.

06
After clearing the hole of all loose soil, place the density apparatus and open
valve. The apparatus shall not be vibrated while the valve is open.

(a)

(b)
Figure 1.6 Filling the hole with sand.

07
When the sand ceases to flow, close the valve and weigh the apparatus plus
the remaining sand. Record as final weight.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 1.7 Closing and Final weight of Sand Cone Apparatus.

08

Weigh container with excavated soil from hole.

Figure 1.8 Mass of excavated soil.

09
Dry entire sample and determine moisture content. In case the oven cannot
accommodate entire sample, just obtain not less than 100 grams for water content
determination or depending on the type of soil.

(a)

(b)

Figure 1.9 Soil for water content determination.