ASTM D5550-06
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer
Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The specific gravity value is used in many phase relation equations to determine relative volumes of particle, water, and gas mixtures.
The term soil particle typically refers to a naturally occurring mineral grain that is not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity of soils that contain extraneous matter (such as cement, lime, and the like) or water-soluble material (such as salt) must be corrected for the precipitate that forms on the specimen after drying. If the precipitate has a specific gravity less than the parent soil grains, the uncorrected test result will be too low. If the precipitate has a higher specific gravity, then the uncorrected test value will be too high.
Note 2—Not withstanding the statements on precision and bias contained in this test method: The precision of this test method is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies which meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not ensure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on several factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer. Particle size is limited by the dimensions of the specimen container of the particular pycnometer being used.
1.2 Test Method D 854 may be used instead of or in conjunction with this test method for performing specific gravity tests on soils. Note that Test Method D 854 does not require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test method. However, Test Method D 854 may not be used if the specimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water, whereas this test method does not have that limitation.
1.3 All measured and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D 6026.
1.3.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated value(s) with specifies limits, the measured or calculated value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant digits in the specified limits.
1.3.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the users objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.4 The values stated in acceptable SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:D5550 −06
StandardTest Method for
1
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5550; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthespecific
gravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer. Particle
2. Referenced Documents
size is limited by the dimensions of the specimen container of
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the particular pycnometer being used.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.2 Test Method D854 may be used instead of or in
Fluids
conjunction with this test method for performing specific
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
gravity tests on soils. Note that Test Method D854 does not
Water Pycnometer
require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
method. However, Test Method D854 may not be used if the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
specimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water,
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
whereas this test method does not have that limitation.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
1.3 All measured and calculated values shall conform to the
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Construction Materials Testing
Practice D6026.
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
1.3.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated
Data
value(s) with specifies limits, the measured or calculated
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
3. Terminology
digits in the specified limits.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
3.1.1 The definitions of terms used in this test method shall
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
be in accordance with Terminology D653.
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
3.2.1 specific gravity—the ratio of the mass in air of a given
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
volume of solids to the mass in air of an equal volume of
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
distilled water at a temperature of 4°C (in accordance with
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
Terminology D653).
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
NOTE 1—Distilled water at a temperature of 4°C has a density of 1.000
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
3
g/cm . It is recommended that this test method be performed at or near
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
room temperature. The temperature at which the soil volume is measured
methods for engineering design.
can be reported but is not required by this test method because of the
negligible effect of temperature on the volume of soil solids. However,
1.4 The values stated in acceptable SI units are to be
temperature may have a significant effect on performance of the gas
regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in
pycnometer. Therefore, testing should be conducted within the specified
parentheses are for information only.
operating temperature range of the apparatus.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 This test method is used to determine the specific
gravity of soil grains using a gas pycnometer. This test method
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeD18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
2
and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D5550 –00. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5550-06. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive,
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D 5550–00 Designation: D 5550 – 06
Standard Test Method for
1
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5550; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer. Particle size
is limited by the dimensions of the specimen container of the particular pycnometer being used.
1.2 Test Method D 854D854 may be used instead of or in conjunction with this test method for performing specific gravity tests
on soils. Note that Test Method D 854D854 does not require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test method. However,
Test Method D 854D854 may not be used if the specimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water, whereas this test
method does not have that limitation.
1.3The values stated in acceptable SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
information only.
1.4
1.3 AllmeasuredandcalculatedvaluesshallconformtotheguidelinesforsignificantdigitsandroundingestablishedinPractice
D 6026D6026.
1.3.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated value(s) with specifies limits, the measured or calculated value(s)
shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant digits in the specified limits.
1.3.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/recordedandcalculatedinthisstandardareregardedastheindustry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained.The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.4 The values stated in acceptable SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are
for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
C670Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3
D854 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used
in Engineering Design and Construction
D4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock, and Related
3
Construction Materials Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock,
and Construction Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.13 on Marine and Coastal
Geotechnical.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published February 2001. Originally published as D 5550–94. Last previous edition D 5550–94.on Marine and Freshwater
Geotechnics.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D 5550 –00.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 04.02.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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.
1
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D5550
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