ASTM D698-12(2021)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3))
Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft<sup>3</sup> (600 kN-m/m<sup>3</sup>))
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Soil placed as engineering fill (embankments, foundation pads, road bases) is compacted to a dense state to obtain satisfactory engineering properties such as, shear strength, compressibility, or permeability. In addition, foundation soils are often compacted to improve their engineering properties. Laboratory compaction tests provide the basis for determining the percent compaction and molding water content needed to achieve the required engineering properties, and for controlling construction to assure that the required compaction and water contents are achieved.
5.2 During design of an engineered fill, shear, consolidation, permeability, or other tests require preparation of test specimens by compacting at some molding water content to some unit weight. It is common practice to first determine the optimum water content (wopt) and maximum dry unit weight (γd,max) by means of a compaction test. Test specimens are compacted at a selected molding water content (w), either wet or dry of optimum (wopt) or at optimum (wopt), and at a selected dry unit weight related to a percentage of maximum dry unit weight (γd,max). The selection of molding water content (w), either wet or dry of optimum (wopt) or at optimum (wopt) and the dry unit weight (γd,max) may be based on past experience, or a range of values may be investigated to determine the necessary percent of compaction.
5.3 Experience indicates that the methods outlined in 5.2 or the construction control aspects discussed in 5.1 are extremely difficult to implement or yield erroneous results when dealing with certain soils. 5.3.1 – 5.3.3 describe typical problem soils, the problems encountered when dealing with such soils and possible solutions for these problems.
5.3.1 Oversize Fraction—Soils containing more than 30 % oversize fraction (material retained on the 3/4-in. (19-mm) sieve) are a problem. For such soils, there is no ASTM test method to control their compaction and very few laboratories are equip...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory compaction methods used to determine the relationship between molding water content and dry unit weight of soils (compaction curve) compacted in a 4 or 6-in. (101.6 or 152.4-mm) diameter mold with a 5.50-lbf (24.5-N) rammer dropped from a height of 12.0 in. (305 mm) producing a compactive effort of 12 400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3).
Note 1: The equipment and procedures are similar as those proposed by R. R. Proctor (Engineering News Record—September 7, 1933) with this one major exception: his rammer blows were applied as “12 inch firm strokes” instead of free fall, producing variable compactive effort depending on the operator, but probably in the range 15 000 to 25 000 ft-lbf/ft3 (700 to 1200 kN-m/m3). The standard effort test (see 3.1.4) is sometimes referred to as the Proctor Test.
1.1.1 Soils and soil-aggregate mixtures are to be regarded as natural occurring fine- or coarse-grained soils, or composites or mixtures of natural soils, or mixtures of natural and processed soils or aggregates such as gravel or crushed rock. Hereafter referred to as either soil or material.
1.2 These test methods apply only to soils (materials) that have 30 % or less by mass of particles retained on the 3/4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve and have not been previously compacted in the laboratory; that is, do not reuse compacted soil.
1.2.1 For relationships between unit weights and molding water contents of soils with 30 % or less by mass of material retained on the 3/4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve to unit weights and molding water contents of the fraction passing 3/4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve, see Practice D4718/D4718M.
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided. The method used shall be as indicated in the specification for the material being tested. If no method is specified, the choice should be based on the material gradation.
1.3.1 Method A:
1.3.1.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
1.3.1.2 Material—Pa...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D698 − 12 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using
3 3 1
Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D698; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.3.1.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
1.3.1.2 Material—Passing No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory compaction meth-
1.3.1.3 Layers—Three.
ods used to determine the relationship between molding water
1.3.1.4 Blows per Layer—25.
content and dry unit weight of soils (compaction curve)
1.3.1.5 Usage—May be used if 25% or less (see 1.4)by
compacted ina4or 6-in. (101.6 or 152.4-mm) diameter mold
mass of the material is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.
witha5.50-lbf(24.5-N)rammerdroppedfromaheightof12.0
1.3.1.6 Other Usage—If this gradation requirement cannot
in. (305 mm) producing a compactive effort of 12400 ft-lbf/
3 3 be met, then Method C may be used.
ft (600 kN-m/m ).
1.3.2 Method B:
NOTE 1—The equipment and procedures are similar as those proposed
1.3.2.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
by R. R. Proctor (Engineering News Record—September 7, 1933) with
1.3.2.2 Material—Passing ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve.
thisonemajorexception:hisrammerblowswereappliedas“12inchfirm
1.3.2.3 Layers—Three.
strokes”insteadoffreefall,producingvariablecompactiveeffortdepend-
1.3.2.4 Blows per Layer—25.
ing on the operator, but probably in the range 15000 to 25000
3 3
ft-lbf/ft (700 to 1200 kN-m/m ). The standard effort test (see 3.1.4)is
1.3.2.5 Usage—May be used if 25% or less (see 1.4)by
sometimes referred to as the Proctor Test. 3
mass of the material is retained on the ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve.
1.1.1 Soilsandsoil-aggregatemixturesaretoberegardedas 1.3.2.6 Other Usage—If this gradation requirement cannot
naturaloccurringfine-orcoarse-grainedsoils,orcompositesor be met, then Method C may be used.
mixtures of natural soils, or mixtures of natural and processed 1.3.3 Method C:
soils or aggregates such as gravel or crushed rock. Hereafter 1.3.3.1 Mold—6-in. (152.4-mm) diameter.
referred to as either soil or material. 1.3.3.2 Material—Passing ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve.
1.3.3.3 Layers—Three.
1.2 These test methods apply only to soils (materials) that
1.3.3.4 Blows per Layer—56.
have 30% or less by mass of particles retained on the ⁄4-in.
1.3.3.5 Usage—May be used if 30% or less (see 1.4)by
(19.0-mm) sieve and have not been previously compacted in
mass of the material is retained on the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve.
the laboratory; that is, do not reuse compacted soil.
1.3.4 The6-in.(152.4-mm)diametermoldshallnotbeused
1.2.1 For relationships between unit weights and molding
with Method A or B.
water contents of soils with 30% or less by mass of material
retained on the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve to unit weights and
NOTE 2—Results have been found to vary slightly when a material is
tested at the same compactive effort in different size molds, with the
molding water contents of the fraction passing ⁄4-in. (19.0-
smaller mold size typically yielding larger values of density/unit weight
mm) sieve, see Practice D4718/D4718M.
(1, pp. 21+).
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided. The method
1.4 If the test specimen contains more than 5% by mass of
used shall be as indicated in the specification for the material
oversize fraction (coarse fraction) and the material will not be
being tested. If no method is specified, the choice should be
included in the test, corrections must be made to the unit mass
based on the material gradation.
and molding water content of the specimen or to the appropri-
1.3.1 Method A:
ate field-in-place density test specimen using Practice D4718/
D4718M.
1 1.5 This test method will generally produce a well-defined
These Test Methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on
SoilandRockandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.03onTexture,
maximum dry unit weight for non-free draining soils. If this
Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils.
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2021.PublishedJuly2021.Originallyapproved
ε2
in 1942. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D698 – 12 . DOI: 10.1520/ Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
D0698-12R21. this standard.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D698 − 12 (2021)
test method is used for free-draining soils the maximum unit C136/C136MTest Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
weight may not be well defined, and can be less than obtained Coarse Aggregates
using Test Methods D4253. D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Fluids
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
D854Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Water Pycnometer
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard.
D2168Practices for Calibration of Laboratory Mechanical-
1.6.1 For purposes of comparing measured or calculated
Rammer Soil Compactors
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
D2216Test Methods for Laboratory Determination ofWater
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
digits in the specified limits.
D2487Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
1.6.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
D2488Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
(Visual-Manual Procedures)
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
D4253Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
D4718/D4718MPractice for Correction of Unit Weight and
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical
Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
methods for engineering design.
D4753Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
1.7 The values in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
standard. The values stated in SI units are provided for
Construction Materials Testing
information only, except for units of mass. The units for mass
D4914/D4914MTest Methods for Density of Soil and Rock
are given in SI units only, g or kg.
in Place by the Sand Replacement Method in a Test Pit
1.7.1 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
D5030/D5030MTest Methods for Density of In-Place Soil
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
and Rock Materials by the Water Replacement Method in
and a force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate
a Test Pit
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
D6026Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
cords in Geotechnical Data
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
D6913/D6913MTest Methods for Particle-Size Distribution
standard.Thisstandardhasbeenwrittenusingthegravitational
(Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis
system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
Sieves
However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
mass (lbm) or the recording of density in lbm/ft shall not be
ASTM Test Methods
regarded as a nonconformance with this standard.
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the Determine the Precision of a Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
IEEE/ASTM SI 10Standard for Use of the International
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- System of Units (SI): the Modern Metric System
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3. Terminology
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Definitions:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 See Terminology D653 for general definitions.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.2 molding water content, n—the adjusted water content
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of a soil (material) that will be compacted/reconstituted.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.3 standard effort—in compaction testing, the term for
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 3 3
the 12400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ) compactive effort applied
by the equipment and methods of this test.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.4 standard maximum dry unit weight, γ in lbf/
d,max
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3 3
ft (kN ⁄m )—in compaction testing, the maximum value de-
C127Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
fined by the compaction curve for a compaction test using
and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
standard effort.
3.1.5 standard optimum water content, w in%—in com-
opt
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
paction testing, the molding water content at which a soil can
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
be compacted to the maximum dry unit weight using standard
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. compactive effort.
D698 − 12 (2021)
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 5.3.1 Oversize Fraction—Soils containing more than 30%
3.2.1 oversize fraction (coarse fraction), P in %—the por- oversize fraction (material retained on the ⁄4-in. (19-mm)
C
tion of total specimen not used in performing the compaction sieve) are a problem. For such soils, there is no ASTM test
test;itmaybetheportionoftotalspecimenretainedontheNo. method to control their compaction and very few laboratories
4 (4.75-mm) sieve in Method A, ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve in areequippedtodeterminethelaboratorymaximumunitweight
Method B, or ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve in Method C. (density) of such soils (USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver,
CO and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS).
3.2.2 test fraction (finer fraction), P in %—the portion of
F
Although Test Methods D4914/D4914M and D5030/D5030M
thetotalspecimenusedinperformingthecompactiontest;itis
determine the “field” dry unit weight of such soils, they are
the fraction passing the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve in Method A,
3 difficult and expensive to perform.
passing the ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve in Method B, or passing the
5.3.1.1 Onemethodtodesignandcontrolthecompactionof
⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve in Method C.
such soils is to use a test fill to determine the required degree
4. Summary of Test Method
of compaction and the method to obtain that compaction,
followed by use of a method specification to control the
4.1 A soil at a selected molding water content is placed in
compaction. Components of a method specification typically
three layers into a mold of given dimensions, with each layer
contain the type and size of compaction equipment to be used,
compacted by 25 or 56 blows of a 5.50-lbf (24.47-N) rammer
the lift thickness, acceptable range in molding water content,
dropped from a distance of 12.00 in. (304.8 mm), subjecting
and the number of passes.
the soil to a total compactive effort of about 12400 ft-lbf/
3 3
ft (600 kN-m/m ). The resulting dry unit weight is deter-
NOTE 3—Success in executing the compaction control of an earthwork
mined. The procedure is repeated for a sufficient number of
project, especially when a method specification is used, is highly
molding water contents to establish a relationship between the
dependentuponthequalityandexperienceofthecontractorandinspector.
dryunitweightandthemoldingwatercontentforthesoil.This
5.3.1.2 Another method is to apply the use of density
data, when plotted, represents a curvilinear relationship known
correction factors developed by the USDI Bureau of Reclama-
asthecompactioncurve.Thevaluesofoptimumwatercontent
tion (2, 3) and U.S. Corps of Engineers (4). These correction
and standard maximum dry unit weight are determined from
factors may be applied for soils containing up to about 50 to
the compaction curve.
70% oversize fraction. Each agency uses a different term for
these density correction factors. The USDI Bureau of Recla-
5. Significance and Use
mation uses D ratio (or D–VALUE), while the U.S. Corps of
5.1 Soil placed as engineering fill (embankments, founda-
Engineers uses Density Interference Coefficient (I ).
c
tion pads, road bases) is compacted to a dense state to obtain
5.3.1.3 The use of the replacement technique (Test Method
satisfactory engineering properties such as, shear strength,
D698–78, Method D), in which the oversize fraction is
compressibility, or permeability. In addition, foundation soils
replaced with a finer fraction, is inappropriate to determine the
are often compacted to improve their engineering properties.
maximum dry unit weight, γ , of soils containing oversize
d,max
Laboratory compaction tests provide the basis for determining
fractions (4).
the percent compaction and molding water content needed to
5.3.2 Degradation—Soils containing particles that degrade
achievetherequiredengineeringproperties,andforcontrolling
during compaction are a problem, especially when more
construction to assure that the required compaction and water
degradation occurs during laboratory compaction than field
contents are achieved.
...
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