FIELD DENSITY TEST

Introduction Quality control of soil compaction in the field is to ensure that properties of soil conforms to the specification. In-place density of soil and water content are commonly used as compaction quality control parameters. Field density test by sand-cone method is widely used to determine these parameters. Volume of compacted soil is measured indirectly by replacement of standard sand into the test hole. Soil density then calculated by dividing the weight of soil removed by volume of the hole. Standard of Test Method The test is done in accordance with ASTM method D1556. Test Equipment and Apparatus 1. Density Apparatus consist of 1-gallon jar (4 Lt) mounted to a detachable metal funnel. There is a cylindrical valve with an orifice of in (12 mm) between the jar and the funnel. 2. Sand should be clean, dry, uncemented, freeflowing sand, having few, if any, particles passing No.200 or retained on the No.10 sieves. Ottawa sand is widely used in this test. 3. Balance, oven and other miscellaneous equipment. Table 1. Temperature correction factor
0C

12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Temperature 0F 53.6 57.2 60.8 64.4 68.0 71.6 75.2 78.8 82.4 86.0 89.6

CT (ml/g) 1.00048 1.00073 1.00103 1.00138 1.00177 1.00221 1.00268 1.00320 1.00375 1.00435 1.00497

Determination of bulk Density of the Sand

Empty jar W1, gm Bulk density of Sand, where W3

Jar with sand W3, gm

S =

(w 3 w 1 ) v

= Weight of jar, funnel and sand, gm.

Empty jar W1, gm

Water-filled Jar W2, gm

Preparation Volume of the jar and density of the sand should be predetermined before the field test as follow. Determination of Volume of the Jar Volume of the jar, V = (w2 w1)CT where w1 = weight of jar and funnel, gm w2 = weight of water-filled jar and funnel, gm CT = water temperature- volume correction shown in Table 1.
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Test Procedure - Prepare surface of test location so that it is a level plane - Dig a hole with diameter smaller than the funnels diameter. Place all the dug soil in a container. - Seat the inverted apparatus over the test hole. Open the valve. - After the sand stop flowing, close the valve and measure the weight of apparatus and the remaining sand (W4, gm) - Weigh the soil that was removed from the hole (W6, gm) - Determine amount of moisture in the removed soil with oven-dry method.

FIELD DENSITY TEST

w6

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Dig hole then remove and weigh the soil, place inverted apparatus over the hole

Weigh apparatus and the remaining sand, w4

Determination of Wet and Dry Density of Compacted Soil Wet density where: w4 w5 w6 = = =

W6 s t = w -w - w 3 4 5

Recommendation for the Test Consideration for minimum test hole volume and minimum moisture content samples should depend on maximum particle size of compacted materials. Shown in Table 2 Number of test location depends on the uniformity of the compaction and other factor. Design engineer should determine number of test location and review the results. The test should give inplace wet density, dry density and degree of compaction. Limitation of the test The test can determine density of the upper layer of compacted soil only Not appropriate to test for material with particle size over 2 inches (50.8 mm). Advantages of the test Fast and easy to carry out Parameters obtained from the test can also be used for other purposes.

weight of jar, funnel. and remaining sand, g weight of the sand in funnel, g moist weight of the material from the test hole, g

From the dry weight of sample material, determine moisture content of the sample, equal to w% Dry density of material = where w = Finally, Degree of compaction =

1 + w/100

percentage of moisture in material from test hole.

d (lab) x 100%

where d (lab)

= maximum dry density from laboratory test.

Table 2. Minimum test hole volumes and minimum moisture content sample based on maximum particle size.

Maximum Particle Size

Minimum Test Hole Volume, ft3 0.025 0.050 0.075 0.100

Minimum Moisture Content Sample, g 100 250 500 1000

No. 4 Sieve (4.75 mm) in. (12.5 mm) 1 in. (25 mm) 2 in. (50 mm)

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For more information, please contact: STS Instrument Co., Ltd. Quality Assurance Division 196/10-11 Soi Pradipat 14, Pradipat Road, Samsennai, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400 Tel. : 0-2618-4288 (10 lines) ext. 265 Fax : 0-2279-8507, 0-2618-6373 http://www.sts.co.th