Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

September 28, 2016

EXPERIMENT#2

PERFORMANCE OF RELATIVE DENSITY TEST ON

GRANULAR SOILS
ASTM D4254, ASTM D4253

OBJECTIVES

To find relative density of the granular soils by maximum and minimum void
ratios.
Applications of relative density to geotechnical projects involving cohesion-less
soil.
Relative density and percent compaction are commonly used for evaluating the
state of compactness of a given soil mass. The engineering properties, such as
shear strength, compressibility, and permeability, of a given soil depend on the
level of compaction.

RELATED THEORY
This experiment is performed to determine the relative density of cohesion less, free
draining soils using a vibrating table.

Schematic Drawing of a Typical Mold Assembly

The University of Lahore

Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

September 28, 2016

RELATIVE DENSITY
Relative density or density index is the ratio of the difference between the void ratios
of a cohesion less soil in its loosest state and existing natural state to the difference
between its void ratio in the loosest and densest states.
The relative density of a soil is the ratio, expressed as a percentage
R =
R

e
e

100

(
(

)
)

Where

emax is the void ratio corresponding to the loosest density ( d min) of soil.
emin is the void ratio corresponding to the maximum density ( d max) soil.
ef is the void ratio corresponding to field density ( d f) of soil.

RELATIVE COMPACTION
Relative compaction is the percentage ratio of the field density to the maximum density
Relative compaction =

( )

VOID RATIO
Void ratio is the ratio between volumes of voids to the volume of soil solids.
It is denoted by e.
=
e=
MOULD SIZE SELECTION
Maximum size of
Mass of
soil particle
Soil (Kg)

Placement Device

Mould Volume

Surcharge
Weight (Kg)

3 (75mm)

34

Shower or Big scoop

0.5 ft3

86.2

1.5 (38mm)

34

Scoop

0.5ft3

86.2

0.75 (19mm)

34

Scoop

0.1 ft3

25.9

0.375 (9.5mm)

34

Funnel with spout

diameter of 1

0.1 ft3

25.9

0.187 (4.75mm)

34

Funnel with spout

diameter of 0.5

0.1 ft3

25.9

The University of Lahore

Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

September 28, 2016

PROCEDURE

Take sample of cohesion less soil in its loosest form.

Check the maximum size of the soil particle and accordingly select the mould
and placement device.
Weigh the empty mould.
Measure the dimensions of empty mould.
Place the soil in mould with the help of a funnel and level the top surface with
the help of the spatula.
Weigh the Mould when fill with soil.
Now take the mould and place it on the vibrating table and fix it.
Note initial height with the help of dial gage (height of sample in loosest state).
Put 25 Kg weight on the plate and clamp the whole instrument.
Now start the vibrating table at amplitude of 60Hz frequency for 8 minutes.
Measure the height of the compacted soil sample after compaction with the help
of the dial gage.

Calculate d min and d max

d min =

d max =

Calculate e max and e min.

The University of Lahore

Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

September 28, 2016

PRECAUTIONS

Funnel, through which the soil is to be placed, should be 0.5 to 1 above the
soil surface and there should be no contact between the lower-end of the funnel
with the soil surface.

The vibrating table should be operated at specified frequency conforming to

ASTM.
This experiment is applicable for soils containing up to 15% fine particles
(Passing #200) provided that the material is cohesion less and free draining.
Maximum particle size for this experiment is 3 (75mm).

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS

Diameter of Mould=d= 15.2 cm
Height of Mould=H=15.2 cm
Weight of Mould=

3.878 kg

Weight of Mould + Sand=

Weight of Sand=
Decreased Height
=

2.67

=8.234

kg

=8.234 3.878 = 4.356 kg

=12.7 cm
=1

= 1.72

Volume of sand when Mould is full=V=(

=

15.2
15.2
4

=2758.167 cm (Volume of loose soil)

The University of Lahore

Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

September 28, 2016

Minimum dry density

=
=

W
V (in loose state)

4.356 1000
2758.167

= 1.579

Volume of Mould after compaction

15.2
12.7 = 2304.521 cm
4

=
Maximum dry density

W
V (in compacted state)

4.356 1000
2304.521

= 1.890 gmcm
Minimum void ratio
=
=

2.67 1
1 = 0.69
1.579

Maximum void ratio

=

2.67 1
1 = 0.41
1.890
Field void ratio

2.67 1
1 = 0.55
1.72

The University of Lahore

Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

September 28, 2016

Relative density

100

=
=

0.69 0.55
100
0.69 0.41
= 49.63%

Relative compaction
=
=

100

1.72
100
1.890
= 91.00%

REFERENCE

ASTM D4253

Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a
Vibratory Table

ASTM D4254

Standard Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and
Calculation of Relative Density

COMMENTS
It is generally recognized that either relative density or percent compaction is a good
indicator of the state of compactness of a given soil mass. However, the engineering
properties, such as strength, compressibility, and permeability of a given soil,
compacted by various methods to a given state of compactness can vary considerably.
Therefore, considerable engineering judgment must be used in relating the
engineering properties of soil to the state of compactness
In our case we get Relative density 49.63% and the relative compaction is 91%

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