ASTM D4254-00(2006)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
Standard Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the minimum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-draining soils. The adjective "dry" before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this standards to be be consistent with the applicable definitions given in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.2 System of units
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has been developed and manufactured using values in the gravimetric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimensions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the standard.
1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. This test method has been written using the gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight). However, balances or scales measure mass; and weight must be calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is common to assume that 1 lbf is equal to 1 lbm. While reporting density is not regarded as nonconformance with this standard, unit weights should be calculated and reported since the results may be used to determine force or stress.
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume, whereas unit weight is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is given only in SI units. After the density has been determined, the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided to determine the minimum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.3.1 Method A-Using a funnel pouring device or a hand scoop to place material in mold.
1.3.2 Method B-Depositing material into a mold by extracting a soil filled tube.
1.3.3 Method C -Depositing material by inverting a graduated cylinder.
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the individual assigning the test. If no method is specified, the provisions of Method A shall govern. Test Method A is the preferred procedure for determining minimum index density/unit weight as used in conjunction with the procedures of Test Methods D 4253. Methods B and C are provided for guidance of testing used in conjunction with special studies, especially where there is not enough material available to use a 0.100 ft 3 (2 830 cm3) or 0.500 ft3 (14 200 cm 3) mold as required by Method A.
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may contain up to 15 %, by dry mass, of soil particles passing a No. 200 (75-m) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless, free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in accordance with Specification E 11).
1.5.1 Method A is applicable to soils in which 100 %, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve and which may contain up to 30 %, by dry mass, of soil particles retained on a 1-1/2-inch (37.5-mm) sieve.
1.5.2 Method B is applicable to soils in which 100 %, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a 3/4-inch (19.0-mm) sieve.
1.5.3 Method C is applicable only to fine and medium sands in which 100 %, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a 3/8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve and which may contain up to 10 %, by dry mass, of soil particles retained on a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve.
1.5.4 Soils, for the purposes of these test methods, shall be regarded as naturally occurring cohesionless soils, processed particles, or composites or mixtures of natural soils, or mixtures of natural and processed particles, provided they are free-draining.
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 o...
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Designation:D4254–00 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Test Methods for
Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and
Calculation of Relative Density
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4254; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.3.1 Method A—Using a funnel pouring device or a hand
scoop to place material in mold.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
1.3.2 Method B—Depositing material into a mold by ex-
minimum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-
tracting a soil filled tube.
draining soils. The adjective “dry” before density or unit
1.3.3 Method C —Depositing material by inverting a
weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this
graduated cylinder.
standards to be be consistent with the applicable definitions
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the
given in Section 3 on Terminology.
individual assigning the test. If no method is specified, the
1.2 System of units:
provisions of Method A shall govern. Test Method A is the
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has
preferred procedure for determining minimum index density/
been developed and manufactured using values in the gravi-
unit weight as used in conjunction with the procedures of Test
metric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimen-
Methods D4253. Methods B and C are provided for guidance
sions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the
of testing used in conjunction with special studies, especially
standard.
where there is not enough material available to use a 0.100 ft
1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
3 3 3
(2 830 cm ) or 0.500 ft (14200 cm ) mold as required by
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
Method A.
and a unit of force (lbf).This implicitly combines two separate
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
containupto15%,bydrymass,ofsoilparticlespassingaNo.
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
200 (75-µm) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless,
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in
standard. This test method has been written using the gravita-
accordance with SpecificationE11).
tional system of units when dealing with the inch-pound
1.5.1 MethodAisapplicabletosoilsinwhich100%,bydry
system.Inthissystem,thepound(lbf)representsaunitofforce
mass, of soil particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve and which
(weight). However, balances or scales measure mass; and
may contain up to 30%, by dry mass, of soil particles retained
weight must be calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is
ona1- ⁄2-inch (37.5-mm) sieve.
commontoassumethat1lbfisequalto1lbm.Whilereporting
1.5.2 MethodBisapplicabletosoilsinwhich100%,bydry
density is not regarded as nonconformance with this standard,
mass, of soil particles pass a ⁄4-inch (19.0-mm) sieve.
unitweightsshouldbecalculatedandreportedsincetheresults
1.5.3 MethodCisapplicableonlytofineandmediumsands
may be used to determine force or stress.
in which 100%, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a ⁄8-in.
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used
(9.5-mm) sieve and which may contain up to 10%, by dry
interchangeably.Densityismassperunitvolume,whereasunit
mass, of soil particles retained on a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve.
weight is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is
1.5.4 Soils, for the purposes of these test methods, shall be
given only in SI units. After the density has been determined,
regarded as naturally occurring cohesionless soils, processed
the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
particles, or composites or mixtures of natural soils, or mix-
1.3 Threealternativemethodsareprovidedtodeterminethe
tures of natural and processed particles, provided they are
minimum index density/unit weight, as follows:
free-draining.
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 onTexture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils. Kolbuszewski, J. J., “An Experimental Study of the Maximum and Minimum
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2006. Published March 2006. Originally Porosities of Sands,” Proceedings, Second International Conference on Soil
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D4254–00. Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Rotterdam Vol I, 1948, pp. 158–165.
*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.
D4254–00 (2006)
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.5 minimum index density/unit weight r or g ,
dmin dmin
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the n—thereferencedrydensity/unitweightofasoilintheloosest
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- stateofcompactnessatwhichitcanbeplacedusingastandard
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- laboratory procedure that prevents bulking and minimizes
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. particle segregation.
3.2.6 minimum-index void ratio, e , n—thereferencevoid
min
2. Referenced Documents ratio of a soil at the maximum index density/unit weight.
3.2.7 relative density, D , n—the ratio, expressed as a
d
2.1 ASTM Standards:
percentage,ofthedifferencebetweenthemaximumindexvoid
C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
ratio and any given void ratio of a cohesionless, free-draining
Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
soil to the difference between its maximum and minimum
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
index void ratios. The equation is:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
e 2 e
max
Fluids
D 5 3100 (1)
d
e 2 e
max min
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
or, in terms of corresponding dry densities:
Water Pycnometer
r ~r 2r !
D1140 Test Methods forAmount of Material in Soils Finer
dmax d dmin
D 5 3100 (2)
d
r ~r 2r !
than No. 200 (75-µm) Sieve d dmax dmin
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Wa-
or, in terms of corresponding dry unit weights:
ter (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
g ~g 2g !
dmax d dmin
D 5 (3)
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering d
g ~g 2g !
d dmax dmin
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
3.2.8 density index/unit weight, I , n—the ratio, expressed
d
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
as a percentage, of the difference between any given dry
(Visual-Manual Procedure)
density/unit weight and the minimum index density/unit
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
weightofagivencohesionlesssoiltothedifferencebetweenits
Engaged in theTesting and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
maximum and minimum index densities/unit weights. The
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
equation is:
D4253 TestMethodsforMaximumIndexDensityandUnit
r 2r
d dmin
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table I 5 3100 (4)
d
r 2r
dmax min
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying
or, in terms of corresponding dry unit weights:
Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
g 2g
Construction Materials Testing
d dmin
I 5 3100 (5)
d
g 2g
dmax dmin
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechni-
cal Data
4. Summary of Test Methods
E11 Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing
4.1 The minimum index density/unit weight represents the
Purposes
loosest condition of a cohesionless, free-draining soil that can
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
be attained by a standard laboratory procedure, which prevents
ASTM Test Methods
bulking and minimizes particle segregation. Any particular
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
procedure selected will consist of determining the density/unit
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
weight of oven-dried soil placed into a container of known
volume in such a manner that prevents bulking and particle
3. Terminology
segregation, and minimizes compaction of the soil.
3.1 Definitions: For common definitions in this standard
refer to Terminology D653
5. Significance and Use
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
5.1 The density/unit weight of a cohesionless soil may be
3.2.1 dry density/unit weight r or g , n—the dry density/
d d
determined by various in-place methods in the field or by the
unit weight of a soil deposit or fill at the given void ratio.
measurementofphysicaldimensionsandmassesbylaboratory
3.2.2 given void ratio, e, n—the in-situ or stated void ratio
soil specimens. The dry density/unit weight of a cohesionless
of a soil deposit or fill.
soil does not necessarily, by itself, reveal whether the soil is
3.2.3 maximum index density/unit weight, r or g ,
loose or dense.
ddmax dmax
n—thereferencedrydensity/unitweightofasoilinthedensest
5.2 Relative density/unit weight expresses the degree of
state of compactness that can be attained using a standard
compactness of a cohesionless soil with respect to the loosest
laboratory compaction procedure that minimizes particle seg-
and densest condition as defined by standard laboratory pro-
regation and breakdown.
cedures. Only when viewed against the possible range of
3.2.4 maximum-index void ratio, e , n—the reference variation, in terms of relative density/unit weight, can the dry
max
void ratio of a soil at the minimum index density/unit weight. density/unit weight be related to the compaction effort used to
D4254–00 (2006)
placethesoilinacompactedfillorindicatevolumechangeand 6.3.3 Balances(s), of sufficient capacity to determine the
stress-strain tendencies of soil when subjected to external total mass of the specimen and mold, having sufficient accu-
loading. racythatthemassofthesoilisdeterminedtothenearest0.1%.
5.3 An absolute minimum density/unit weight is not neces- Balances capable of satisfying these requirements for most
sarily obtained by these test methods. conditions have specifications as follows:
3 3
6.3.3.1 For 0.500-ft (14200-cm ) molds, use a balance
NOTE 1—In addition, there are published data to indicate that these test
having a minimum capacity of 40-kg and meeting the require-
methodshaveahighdegreeofvariability. However,thevariabilitycanbe
mentsofSpecificationD4753foraClassGP10(readabilityof
greatly reduced by careful calibration of equipment, and careful attention
5 g).
to proper test procedure and technique.
3 3
6.3.3.2 For 0.100-ft (2 830-cm ) molds, use a balance
5.4 The use of the standard molds (6.3.1) has been found to
having a minimum capacity of at least 15 kg and meeting the
besatisfactoryformostsoilsrequiringminimumindexdensity/
requirementsofSpecificationD4753forClassGP5(readabil-
unit weight testing. Special molds (6.3.2) shall only be used
ity of 1 g).
when the test results are to be applied in conjunction with
6.3.3.3 For special molds that are less than 0.1 ft (2 830
design or special studies and there is not enough soil to use the
cm ) in capacity, use a balance having a minimum capacity of
standard molds. Such test results should be applied with
at least 2 kg and meeting the requirements of Specification
caution, as minimum index densities/unit weights obtained
D4753 for a Class GP 2 (readability of 0.1 g).
with the special molds may not agree with those that would be
6.3.4 Pouring Devices, are used in conjunction with the
obtained using the standard molds.
3 3
0.100 ft (2 830 cm ) standard mold and with special molds.
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
Pouring devices consist of relatively rigid containers having
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
volumes about 1.25 to 2 times greater than the volumes of the
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
mold(s) used, and fitted with spouts or tubes about 6 in. (150
criteriaofPracticeD3740,generally,areconsideredcapableofcompetent
mm) long. Two pouring spouts are required, one having an
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
inside spout diameter of 0.50 in. (13 mm) and another with an
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 inside spout diameter of 1.0 in. (25 mm). A lipped brim, or
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
othermeans,mustbeprovidedtosecurelyconnectthespoutto
the container that permits free and even flow of the soil from
6. Apparatus
the container into the spout, and then into the mold.
6.1 Apparatus for Methods A, B, and C:
6.3.5 Rigid, Thin-Walled Tubes,forusewithMethodB.The
6.1.1 Drying Oven, thermostatically controlled, preferably
size of the tubes is dependent upon the mold size selected.The
of the forced-draft type, capable of maintaining a uniform
volume of the tubes shall be between 1.25 and 1.30 times the
temperature of 230 6 9°F (110 6 5°C) throughout the drying
volume of the mold. The inside diameter of the tube shall be
chamber.
about 0.7 times the inside diameter of the mold.
1 3
6.1.2 Sieves, 3-in. (75-mm), 1- ⁄2-in. (37.5-mm), ⁄4-in. (19-
6.3.6 Other equipment such as mixing pans, a large metal
mm), ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm), No. 4 (4.75-mm), No. 10 (2.00-mm),
scoop, a hair-bristled dusting brush, and a metal straightedge
and No. 200 (75-µm) conforming to the requirements of
(for trimming excess soil after it has been placed in the mold).
SpecificationE11.
6.4 Apparatus for Method C:
6.2 The apparatus for determining the minimum index
6.4.1 Glass Graduated Cylinder, having a volume of 2000
density/unitweightofcohesionlesssoilbyMethodsAandBis
mL, graduated to 20 mL, with about a 3-in. (75-mm) inside
specified in 6.3. Apparatus required for Method C is specified
diameter.
in 6.4.
6.4.2 Balance, of at least 2 kg capacity and otherwise
6.3 Apparatus for Methods A and B:
consistent with 6.3.3.3.
6.3.1 Standard Molds—Cylindrical metal molds having 3
6.4.3 Sieves, ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm), No. 10 (2.00-mm), and No.
3 3 3
nominal volumes of 0.1000 ft (2 830 cm ) and 0.500 ft
200 (75-µm) sieves conforming to the requirements of Speci-
(14200 cm ). The molds shall conform to the re
...
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