ASTM D854-14
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer (Withdrawn 2023)
Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer (Withdrawn 2023)
ABSTRACT
These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids passing a sieve by means of a water pycnometer. 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. Procedures for moist specimens such as organic soils, highly plastic fine grained soils, tropical soils, and soils containing halloysite and oven-dry specimens are provided. The apparatus is comprised of water pycnometer which shall be a stoppered flask, stoppered iodine flask, or volumetric flask; balance; drying oven; thermometer; dessicator; a system for entrapped air removal which shall be a hot plate or Bunsen burner or a vacuum pump or water aspirator; insulated container; non-corrosive smooth surface funnel; pycnometer filling tube with lateral vents; sieve; and blender with mixing blades. The specific gravity of the soil solids at the test temperature shall be calculated from the density of the soil solids and the density of water at the test temperature or from the mass of the oven dry soil solids; mass of pycnometer, water, and soil solids at the test temperature; and mass of the pycnometer and water at the test temperature. Precision and bias shall be determined to judge for the acceptability of the test results.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The specific gravity of a soil solids is used in calculating the phase relationships of soils, such as void ratio and degree of saturation.
4.1.1 The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculate the density of the soil solids. This is done by multiplying its specific gravity by the density of water (at proper temperature).
4.2 The term soil solids is typically assumed to mean naturally occurring mineral particles or soil like particles that are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity of soil solids containing extraneous matter, such as cement, lime, and the like, water-soluble matter, such as sodium chloride, and soils containing matter with a specific gravity less than one, typically require special treatment (see Note 1) or a qualified definition of their specific gravity.
4.3 The balances, pycnometer sizes, and specimen masses are established to obtain test results with three significant digits.Note 2—The quality of the result produced by these test methods is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of these test methods are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
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...
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Designation: D854 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
1
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D854; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
analysis methods for engineering design.
sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil contains
particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C127 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are
and these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing mathematical conversions which are provided for information
the 4.75-mm sieve. purposes only and are not considered standard.
1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity are
2.1 ASTM Standards:
provided. The method to be used shall be specified by the
C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
requesting authority, except when testing the types of soils
Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
listed in 1.2.1
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described
Fluids
in 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organic
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
soils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and soils
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
containing halloysite, Method A shall be used.
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de-
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
scribed in 9.3.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
Practice D6026.
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
Construction Materials Testing
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
D5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
Gas Pycnometer
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
Data
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
Sieves
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1
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
2
and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D854 – 10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D0854-14. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of th
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D854 − 10 D854 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
1
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D854; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. 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 in 1.2.1
1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described in 9.2. 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions which are provided for information purposes only and are not considered standard.
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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
1
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 and
Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010May 1, 2014. Published March 2010May 2014. Originally approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 20062010 as
ε1
D854 – 06D854 – 10. . DOI: 10.1520/D0854-10.10.1520/D0854-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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
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...
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