ASTM D854-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil contains particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C127 shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve and these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing the 4.75-mm sieve.
1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water.
Note 1--The use of Test Method D5550 may be used to determine the specific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily dissolve in water or float in water, or where it is impracticable to use water.
1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity are provided. The method to be used shall be specified by the requesting authority, except when testing the types of soils listed in1.2.1
1.2.1 Method A--Procedure for Moist Specimens, described in . This procedure is the preferred method. For organic soils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and soils containing halloysite, Method A shall be used.
1.2.2 Method B--Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, described in 9.3.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.3.1 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 generally should 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 these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.4 UnitsThe values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in these test methods.
1.5This 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: D 854 – 00
Standard Test Methods for
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 854; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope * 1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
these test methods.
specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil contains
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C 127
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
and these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the 4.75-mm sieve.
1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids
2. Referenced Documents
which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly
C 127 Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of
organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water.
Coarse Aggregate
NOTE 1—The use of Test Method D 5550 may be used to determine the
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
specific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily dissolve in water
Fluids
or float in water, or where it is impracticable to use water.
D 1140 Test Method for Amount of Material in Soils Finer
1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity are
Than the No. 200 (75-μm) Sieve
provided. The method to be used shall be specified by the
D 2216 Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water
requesting authority, except when testing the types of soils
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
listed in 1.2.1
D 2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
in 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organic
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
soils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and soils
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
containing halloysite, Method A shall be used.
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de-
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
scribed in 9.3.
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Related Construction Materials Testing
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D 5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
Practice D 6026.
Gas Pycnometer
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
D 6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechni-
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
cal Data
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
poses
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
ASTM Test Methods
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
3. Terminology
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
analysis methods for engineering design.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
and Density Characteristics of Soils. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Current edition approved June 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
published as D 854 – 45. Last previous edition D 854 – 98. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
*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.
D 854
methods, refer to Terminology D 653. eter or a digital thermometer with a –1 to 57°C range will meet
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: this requirement.
3.2.1 specific gravity of soil solids, G , n—the ratio of the 5.5 Desiccator—A desiccator cabinet or large desiccator jar
s
mass of a unit volume of a soil solids to the mass of the same of suitable size containing silica gel or anhydrous calcium
volume of gas-free distilled water at 20°C. sulfate.
NOTE 3—It is preferable to use a desiccant that changes color to
4. Significance and Use
indicate when it needs reconstitution.
4.1 The specific gravity of a soil solids is used in calculating
5.6 Entrapped Air Removal Apparatus—To remove en-
the phase relationships of soils, such as void ratio and degree
trapped air (deairing process), use one of the following:
of saturation.
5.6.1 Hot Plate or Bunsen Burner, capable of maintaining a
4.1.1 The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculate
temperature adequate to boil water.
the density of the soil solids. This is done by multiplying its
5.6.2 Vacuum System, a vacuum pump or water aspirator,
specific gravity by the density of water (at proper temperature).
capable of producing a partial vacuum of 100 mm of mercury
4.2 The term soil solids is typically assumed to mean
(Hg) or less absolute pressure.
naturally occurring mineral particles or soil like particles that
NOTE 4—A partial vacuum of 100 mm Hg absolute pressure is
are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity
approximately equivalent to a 660 mm (26 in.) Hg reading on vacuum
of soil solids containing extraneous matter, such as cement,
gauge at sea level.
lime, and the like, water-soluble matter, such as sodium
5.7 Insulated Container—A Styrofoam cooler and cover or
chloride, and soils containing matter with a specific gravity less
equivalent container that can hold between three and six
than one, typically require special treatment (see Note 1) or a
pycnometers plus a beaker, a water bottle, and a thermometer.
qualified definition of their specific gravity.
This is required to maintain a controlled temperature environ-
4.3 The balances, pycnometer sizes, and specimen masses
ment where changes will be uniform and gradual.
are established to obtain test results with three significant
5.8 Funnel—A non-corrosive smooth surface funnel with a
digits.
stem that extends past the calibration mark on the volumetric
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by these test methods is
flask or stoppered seal on the stoppered flasks. The diameter of
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
the stem of the funnel must be large enough that soil solids will
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
easily pass through.
criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent
5.9 Pycnometer Filling Tube with Lateral Vents
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of these test methods
are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself
(optional)—A device to assist in adding deaired water to the
assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice
pycnometer without disturbing the soil-water mixture. The
D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
1 3
device may be fabricated as follows. Plug a ⁄4 to ⁄8 in.
diameter plastic tube at one end and cut two small vents
5. Apparatus
(notches) just above the plug. The vents should be perpendicu-
5.1 Pycnometer—The water pycnometer shall be either a
lar to the axis of the tube and diametrically opposed. Connect
stoppered flask, stoppered iodine flask, or volumetric flask with
a valve to the other end of the tube and run a line to the valve
a minimum capacity of 250 mL. The volume of the pycnometer
from a supply of deaired water.
must be 2 to 3 times greater than the volume of the soil-water
5.10 Sieve—No. 4 (4.75 mm) conforming to the require-
mixture used during the deairing portion of the test.
ments of Specification E 11.
5.1.1 The stoppered flask mechanically sets the volume. The
5.11 Blender (optional)—A blender with mixing blades
stoppered iodine flask has a flared collar that allows the stopper
built into the base of the mixing container.
to be placed at an angle during thermal equilibration and
5.12 Miscellaneous Equipment, such as a computer or
prevents water from spilling down the sides of the flask when
calculator (optional), specimen dishes, and insulated gloves.
the stopper is installed. The wetting the outside of the flask is
6. Reagents
undesirable because it creates changes in the thermal equilib-
rium. When using a stopper flask, make sure that the stopper is
6.1 Purity of Water—Distilled water is used in this test
properly labeled to correspond to the flask.
method. This water may be purchased and is readily available
5.2 Balance—Meeting the requirements of Specification
at most grocery stores; hereafter, distilled water will be referred
D 4753, class GP1. This balance has a readability of 0.01 g and to as water.
capacity of at least 2000 g.
7. Test Specimen
5.3 Drying Oven—Thermostatically controlled oven, ca-
7.1 The test specimen may be moist or oven-dry soil and
pable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C
shall be representative of the soil solids that passes the U. S.
throughout the drying chamber. These requirements usually
Standard No. 4 sieve in the total sample. Table 1 gives
require the use of a forced-draft oven.
guidelines on recommended dry soil mass versus soil type and
5.4 Thermometer—Thermometer capable of measuring the
pycnometer size.
temperature range within which the test is being performed,
readable to the nearest 0.1°C and an immersion depth ranging
between 25 to 80 mm. Full immersion thermometers shall not 6
Manufacturers of such blenders include, but are not limited to, Waring or
be used. Either a general-purpose precision mercury thermom- Osterizer.
D 854
TABLE 1 Recommended Mass for Test Specimen
bottle, then remove the excess water using an eyedropper. Dry
Soil Type Specimen Dry Mass (g) Specimen Dry Mass (g) the rim using a paper towel. Be sure the entire exterior of the
When Using 250 mL When Using 500 mL
flask is dry. Measure and record the mass of pycnometer and
Pycnometer Pycnometer
water to the nearest 0.01 g.
SP, SP-SM 60 6 10 1006 10
8.5 Measure and record the temperature of the water to the
SP-SC, SM, SC 45 6 10 756 10
nearest 0.1°C using the thermometer that has been thermally
Silt or Clay 35 65506 10
equilibrated in the insulated container. Insert the thermometer
to the appropriate depth of immersion (see 5.4). Return the
7.1.1 Two important factors concerning the amount of soil
pycnometer to the insulated container. Repeat the measure-
solids being tested are as follows. First, the mass of the soil
ments for all pycnometers in the container.
solids divided by its specific gravity will yield four-significant
8.6 Readjust the water level in each pycnometer to prepare
digits. Secondly, the mixture of soil solids and water is a slurry
for the next calibration and allow the pycnometers to thermally
not a highly viscous fluid (thick paint) during the deairing
equilibrate (for at least 3 h). Repeat the procedure to obtain five
process.
independent measurements on each pycnometer. The tempera-
tures do not need to bracket any particular temperature range.
8. Calibration of Pycnometer
8.7 Using each of these five data points, compute the
8.1 Determine the mass of the clean and dry pycnometer to
calibrated volume of each pycnometer, V , using the following
p
the nearest 0.01 g (typically five significant digits). Repeat this
equation:
determination five times. One balance should be used for all of
~M – M !
pw,c p
the mass measurements. Determine and record the average and V 5 (1)
p
r
w,c
standard deviation. The standard deviation shall be less than or
equal to 0.02 g. If it is greater, attempt additional measure-
where:
M = the mass of the pycnometer and water at the
ments or use a more stable or precise balance.
pw,c
8.2 Fill the pycnometer with deaired water to above or calibration temperature, g,
M = the average mass of the dry pycnometer at
below the calibration mark depending on the type of pycnom-
p
calibration, g, and
eter and laboratory preference to add or remove water.
r = the mass density of water at the calibration
8.2.1 It is recommended that water be removed to bring the w,c
temperature g/mL, (Table 2).
water level to the calibration mark. The removal method
8.8 Calculate the average and the standard deviation of the
reduces the chances of altering the thermal equilibrium by
five volume determinations. The standard deviation shall be
reducing the number of times the insulated container is opened.
less than or equal to 0.05 mL (rounded to two decimal places).
8.2.2 The water must be deaired to ensure that there are no
If the standard deviation is greater than 0.05 mL, the calibra-
air bubbles in the water. The water may be deaired using either
tion procedure has too much variability and will not yield
boiling, vacuum, combination of vacuum and heat, or a
accurate specific gravity determinations. Evaluate areas of
deairing device. This deaired water should not be used until it
possible refinement (adjusting the volume to the calibration
has equilibrated to room temperature. Also, this water shall be
mark, achieving temperature equilibrium, measuring tempera-
added to the pycnometer following the guidance given in 9.6.
ture, deairing method or changing to the stoppered flasks) and
8.3 Up to six pycnometers can be calibrated concurrently in
revise the procedure until the standard deviation is less than or
each insulated container. Put the pycnometer(s) into
...
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