ASTM D5550-14

Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The specific gravity value is used in many phase relation equations to determine relative volumes of particle, water, and gas mixtures.  
5.2 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 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 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 itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 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 D854 may be used instead of or in conjunction with this test method for performing specific gravity tests on soils. Note that Test Method D854 does not require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test method. However, Test Method D854 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 D6026.  
1.3.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculated value(s) with specified 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 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 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitational system of units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The converted slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are involved.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2014
• ICS: 13.080.10 - Chemical characteristics of soils
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.03 - Texture, Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5550 − 14
Standard Test 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* of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The
converted slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma)
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specific
calculations are involved.
gravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer. Particle
size is limited by the dimensions of the specimen container of
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the particular pycnometer being used.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 Test Method D854 may be used instead of or in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
conjunction with this test method for performing specific
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
gravity tests on soils. Note that Test Method D854 does not
require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test
2. Referenced Documents
method. However, Test Method D854 may not be used if the
specimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
whereas this test method does not have that limitation.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 All measured and calculated values shall conform to the
Fluids
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
Practice D6026.
Water Pycnometer
1.3.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculated
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
digits in the specified limits.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.3.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
Construction Materials Testing
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
Data
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
3. Terminology
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
3.1 Definitions:
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
3.1.1 For common definitions of terms in this standard, refer
methods for engineering design.
to Terminology D653.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
4. Summary of Test Method
conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
4.1 This test method is used to determine the specific
1.4.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitational
gravity of soil grains using a gas pycnometer. This test method
system of units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit
also contains equations for correcting the initial specific gravity
value for dissolved matter within the pore fluid.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
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 Dec. 15, 2014. Published January 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5550 – 06. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5550-14. 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 − 14
instruments, however, that practice should be discourage
...

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: D5550 − 06 D5550 − 14
Standard Test 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*
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 D854 may be used instead of or in conjunction with this test method for performing specific gravity tests on
soils. Note that Test Method D854 does not require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test method. However, Test
Method D854 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
D6026.
1.3.1 For purposes of comparing,comparing a measured or calculated value(s) with specifiesspecified 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 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 Units—The values stated in acceptable SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units values given in
parentheses are for information only.mathematical conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for information only and
are not considered standard.
1.4.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitational system of units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of
force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The converted slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are
involved.
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:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4753 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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeD18.03 on Texture, Plasticity and
Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006Dec. 15, 2014. Published December 2006January 2015. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20002006
as D5550 –00. – 06. DOI: 10.1520/D5550-06.10.1520/D5550-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5550 − 14
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 The defini
...