ASTM D2167-15
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber Balloon Method (Withdrawn 2024)
Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber Balloon Method (Withdrawn 2024)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the in-place density and unit weight of natural inorganic soil deposits, soil-aggregate mixtures, or other similar firm materials. It is often used as a basis of acceptance for earthen material compacted to a specified density or percentage of a maximum density determined by a test method, such as Test Methods D698, D1557 or D4253.
5.1.1 Test Methods D698 and D1557 require that mass measurements of laboratory compacted test specimens be determined to the nearest 1 g so that computed water contents and densities can be reported to three and four significant digits, respectively. This standard is a field procedure requiring mass measurements to the nearest 5 g. As such, water content calculations should only be reported to two significant digits and density to three significant digits.
5.2 This test method may be used to determine the density and unit weight of compacted soils used in construction of earth embankments, road fill, and structural backfill. This test method often is used as a basis of acceptance for soils compacted to a specified density or a percentage of maximum density or unit weight, as determined by a standard test method.
5.3 The use of this test method is generally limited to soil in an unsaturated condition and is not recommended for soils that are soft or that deform easily. Such soils may undergo a volume change during the application of pressure during testing. This test method may not be suitable for soils containing crushed rock fragments or sharp edge materials, which may puncture the rubber membrane.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and the facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in it...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded soil using a rubber balloon apparatus.
1.2 This test method is suitable for use as a means of acceptance for compacted fill or embankments constructed of fine-grained soils or granular soils without appreciable amounts of rock or coarse material.
1.3 This test method also may be used for the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of undisturbed or in situ soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures imposed during the test.
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic, saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the pressures applied during this test. This test method may require special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in a small hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse material in excess of 37.5 mm (11/2 in.), (3) granular soils having high void ratios, or (4) fill materials containing particles with sharp edges. For soils containing appreciable amounts of particles in excess of 37.5 mm (11/2 in.), Test Methods D4914 or D5030 should be used.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5.1 In the engineering profession it is customary to use units representing both mass and force interchangeably, unless dynamic calculations are involved. 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 standard 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, conversions a...
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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: D2167 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber
1
Balloon Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2167; 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* gravitationalsystemofunitswhendealingwiththeinch-pound
system.Inthissystemthepound(lbf)representsaunitofforce
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the in-
(weight).However,conversionsaregivenintheSIsystem.The
place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded
3
use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass lbm/ft
soil using a rubber balloon apparatus.
should not be regarded as nonconforming with this test
1.2 This test method is suitable for use as a means of
method.
acceptance for compacted fill or embankments constructed of
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
fine-grained soils or granular soils without appreciable
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
amounts of rock or coarse material.
Practice D6026 unless superseded by this standard.
1.3 Thistestmethodalsomaybeusedforthedetermination
1.6.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected,
ofthein-placedensityandunitweightofundisturbedorinsitu
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures
industry standard. In addition they are representative of the
imposed during the test.
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic,
saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
ations for the user’s objectives; it is common practice to
pressuresappliedduringthistest.Thistestmethodmayrequire
special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in a small
hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical
1
material in excess of 37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.), (3) granular soils methods for engineering design.
havinghighvoidratios,or(4)fillmaterialscontainingparticles
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
with sharp edges. For soils containing appreciable amounts of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1
particles in excess of 37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.), Test Methods D4914
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or D5030 should be used.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
2. Referenced Documents
only.
2
1.5.1 In the engineering profession it is customary to use 2.1 ASTM Standards:
units representing both mass and force interchangeably, unless D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly combines Fluids
D698Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and
3
the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3
kN-m/m ))
combinetheuseoftwoseparatesetsofinch-poundunitswithin
a single standard. This standard has been written using the D1557Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
3
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
2
Construction Control Tests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2015.PublishedJuly2015.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D2167–08. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D2167-15. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this
...
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: D2167 − 08 D2167 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber
1
Balloon Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2167; 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 This test method covers the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded soil using
a rubber balloon apparatus.
1.2 This test method is suitable for use as a means of acceptance for compacted fill or embankments constructed of fine-grained
soils or granular soils without appreciable amounts of rock or coarse material.
1.3 This test method also may be used for the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of undisturbed or in situ
soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures imposed during the test.
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic, saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the pressures
applied during this test. This test method may require special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded granular materials
that will not maintain stable sides in a small hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse material in excess of 37.5
1
mm (1 ⁄2 in.), (3) granular soils having high void ratios, or (4) fill materials containing particles with sharp edges. For soils
1
containing appreciable amounts of particles in excess of 37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.), Test Methods D4914 or D5030 should be used.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5.1 In the engineering profession it is customary to use units representing both mass and force interchangeably, unless
dynamic calculations are involved. 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 standard 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, conversions are given in the SI system. The use of balances
3
or scales recording pounds of mass lbm/ft lbm/ft should not be regarded as nonconforming with this test method.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026 unless superseded by this standard.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded or 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;
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 analytical methods for engineering design.
1.7 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:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3 3
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and Construction
Control Tests.
Current edition approved April 1, 2008July 1, 2015. Published May 2008July 2015. Originally approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 20012008 as
D2167 – 94D2167 – 08. (2001). DOI: 10.1520/D2167-08.10.1520/D2167-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org
...
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