ASTM D4254-00
(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 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 consistent with the applicable definitions given in Sections 3 on Terminology.
1.2 System of units:
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this test method 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 test method, 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 procedures 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 test 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 D4253. 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 ft3 (2830 cm3) or 0.500 ft3 (14200 cm3 ) mold as required by Test 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-um) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless, free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in accordance with Specification E11).
1.5.1 Test Method A is applicable to soils 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 Test 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 Test 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.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. ...
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Designation:D4254–00
Standard Test Methods for
Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and
1
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.
1. Scope* 1.3.2 Method B—Depositing material into a mold by ex-
tracting a soil filled tube.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
2
1.3.3 Method C —Depositing material by inverting a
minimum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-
graduated cylinder.
draining soils. The adjective “dry” before density or unit
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the
weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this
individual assigning the test. If no method is specified, the
standards to be be consistent with the applicable definitions
provisions of Method A shall govern. Test Method A is the
given in Section 3 on Terminology.
preferred procedure for determining minimum index density/
1.2 System of units:
unit weight as used in conjunction with the procedures of Test
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has
Methods D4253. Methods B and C are provided for guidance
been developed and manufactured using values in the gravi-
of testing used in conjunction with special studies, especially
metric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimen-
3
where there is not enough material available to use a 0.100 ft
sions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the
3 3 3
(2 830 cm ) or 0.500 ft (14200 cm ) mold as required by
standard.
Method A.
1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
containupto15%,bydrymass,ofsoilparticlespassingaNo.
and a unit of force (lbf).This implicitly combines two separate
200 (75-µm) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless,
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
accordance with SpecificationE11).
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
1.5.1 MethodAisapplicabletosoilsinwhich100%,bydry
standard. This test method has been written using the gravita-
mass, of soil particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve and which
tional system of units when dealing with the inch-pound
may contain up to 30%, by dry mass, of soil particles retained
system.Inthissystem,thepound(lbf)representsaunitofforce
1
ona1- ⁄2-inch (37.5-mm) sieve.
(weight). However, balances or scales measure mass; and
1.5.2 MethodBisapplicabletosoilsinwhich100%,bydry
weight must be calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is
3
mass, of soil particles pass a ⁄4-inch (19.0-mm) sieve.
commontoassumethat1lbfisequalto1lbm.Whilereporting
1.5.3 MethodCisapplicableonlytofineandmediumsands
density is not regarded as nonconformance with this standard,
3
in which 100%, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a ⁄8-in.
unitweightsshouldbecalculatedandreportedsincetheresults
(9.5-mm) sieve and which may contain up to 10%, by dry
may be used to determine force or stress.
mass, of soil particles retained on a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve.
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used
1.5.4 Soils, for the purposes of these test methods, shall be
interchangeably.Densityismassperunitvolume,whereasunit
regarded as naturally occurring cohesionless soils, processed
weight is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is
particles, or composites or mixtures of natural soils, or mix-
given only in SI units. After the density has been determined,
tures of natural and processed particles, provided they are
the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
free-draining.
1.3 Threealternativemethodsareprovidedtodeterminethe
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
minimum index density/unit weight, as follows:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3.1 Method A—Using a funnel pouring device or a hand
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
scoop to place material in mold.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.03onTexture,Plasticity,
2
and Density Characteristics of Soils. Kolbuszewski, J. J., “An Experimental Study of the Maximum and Minimum
Current edition approved June 10, 2000. Published
...
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