ASTM D2937-00

Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of in-place density of soil by the drive-cylinder method. The test method involves obtaining a relatively undisturbed soil sample by driving a thin-walled cylinder and the subsequent activities for the determination of in-place density. When sampling or in-place density is required at depth, Test Method D1587 should be used.
1.2 This test method is not appropriate for sampling organic soils which can compress upon sampling, very hard natural soils and heavily compacted soils which cannot be easily penetrated by the drive sampler, soils of low plasticity which will not be readily retained in the cylinder, or soils which contain appreciable amounts of gravel (particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16 in.)). The presence of particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16in.) may introduce significant errors in density measurements by causing voids along the wall of the cylinder during driving, and when coarse materials have to be dislodged by the trimming of the sample obtained by the cylinder.
1.3 This test method is limited to the procedures necessary for obtaining specimens suitable for determining the in-place density and water content of certain soils. The procedures and precautions necessary for selecting locations and obtaining undisturbed samples suitable for laboratory testing or otherwise determining engineering properties is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.4 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, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm), or the recording of density in lbm/ft 3 should not be regarded as nonconformance with this test method.
1.5 The standard values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
1.6 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: 09-Jun-2000
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.08 - Special and Construction Control Tests

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D2937-00e1 - Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E3163-18 - Standard Guide for Selection and Application of Analytical Methods and Procedures Used during Sediment Corrective Action
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D6938-23 - Standard Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2060-22 - Standard Guide for Use of Coal Combustion Products for Solidification/Stabilization of Inorganic Wastes
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D7830/D7830M-14(2021)e1 - Standard Test Method for In-Place Density (Unit Weight) and Water Content of Soil Using an Electromagnetic Soil Density Gauge
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D5080-20 - Standard Test Method for Rapid Determination of Percent Compaction
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D8153-22 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Soil Water Contents Using a Dielectric Permittivity Probe
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D6031/D6031M-96(2015) - Standard Test Method for Logging In Situ Moisture Content and Density of Soil and Rock by the Nuclear Method in Horizontal, Slanted, and Vertical Access Tubes
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E3268-21 - Standard Guide for NAPL Mobility and Migration in Sediment—Sample Collection, Field Screening, and Sample Handling
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D5220/D5220M-21 - Standard Test Method for Water Mass per Unit Volume of Soil and Rock In-Place by the Neutron Depth Probe Method
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM B788/B788M-09(2020) - Standard Practice for Installing Factory-Made Corrugated Aluminum Culverts and Storm Sewer Pipe
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D5874-16 - Standard Test Methods for Determination of the Impact Value (IV) of a Soil
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM B790/B790M-16(2021) - Standard Practice for Structural Design of Corrugated Aluminum Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches for Culverts, Storm Sewers, and Other Buried Conduits
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D5195-21 - Standard Test Method for Density of Soil and Rock In-Place at Depths Below Surface by Nuclear Methods
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D7015/D7015M-18 - Standard Practices for Obtaining Intact Block (Cubical and Cylindrical) Samples of Soils
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

Designation:D2937–00
Standard Test Method for
Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2937; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.5 The standard values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as the standard. The values in parentheses are provided for
1.1 This test method covers the determination of in-place
information purposes only.
density of soil by the drive-cylinder method. The test method
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
involves obtaining a relatively undisturbed soil sample by
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
driving a thin-walled cylinder and the subsequent activities for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the determination of in-place density. When sampling or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
in-place density is required at depth, Test Method D 1587
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
should be used.
1.2 This test method is not appropriate for sampling organic
2. Referenced Documents
soils which can compress upon sampling, very hard natural
2.1 ASTM Standards:
soils and heavily compacted soils which cannot be easily
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
penetrated by the drive sampler, soils of low plasticity which
Fluids
will not be readily retained in the cylinder, or soils which
D 698 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
contain appreciable amounts of gravel (particles coarser than
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,000 ft-lbf/ft (600
4.75 mm ( ⁄16 in.)). The presence of particles coarser than 4.75
kN-m/m))
mm ( ⁄16 in.) may introduce significant errors in density
D 1557 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
measurements by causing voids along the wall of the cylinder
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft (2700
duringdriving,andwhencoarsematerialshavetobedislodged
kN-m/m))
by the trimming of the sample obtained by the cylinder.
D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils
1.3 This test method is limited to the procedures necessary
D 2216 TestMethodforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
for obtaining specimens suitable for determining the in-place
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock
density and water content of certain soils. The procedures and
D 2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
precautions necessary for selecting locations and obtaining
for Engineering Practices (Visual-Manual Procedure)
undisturbed samples suitable for laboratory testing or other-
D 3740 Practice for the Evaluation ofAgencies Engaged in
wisedeterminingengineeringpropertiesisbeyondthescopeof
the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
this test method.
Engineering Design and Construction
1.4 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
D 4643 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture)
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
Content of Soil by the Microwave Oven Method
and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating Selecting, and Speci-
systems of units, that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
Construction Materials Testing
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
D 4944 Test Method for Field Determination of Water
standard. This test method has been written using the gravita-
(Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas
tional system of units when dealing with the inch-pound
Pressure Tester Method
system. In this system the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force
D 4959 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture)
(weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording
Content of Soil by Direct Heating Method
pounds of mass (lbm), or the recording of density in lbm/ft
should not be regarded as nonconformance with this test
3. Terminology
method.
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
minology D 653.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
Construction Control Tests.
Current edition approved June 10, 2000. Published August 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
published as D 2937 – 71. Last previous edition D 2937 – 94. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
*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.
D2937–00
FIG. 1 Typical Design for a Surface Soil Sampler
TABLE 1 Dimensional Equivalent for Fig. 1
mm in. mm in.
2 ⁄64 101.2 4
3.3 0.13 114.3 4 ⁄2
4.8 ⁄16 127.0 5
19 ⁄4 152.4 6
3 11
44.4 1 ⁄4 212.0 8 ⁄32
76 3 863.6 34
97.2 3 ⁄16 1117.6 44
4. Significance and Use soils containing particles coarser than 4.75 mm ( ⁄16 in.) may
result in damage to the drive cylinder equipment. Soils
4.1 This test method can be used to determine the in-place
containing particles coarser than 4.75 mm ( ⁄16 in.) may not
density of natural, inorganic soils which do not contain
3 yieldvalidresultsifvoidsarecreatedalongthewallofcylinder
significant amounts of particles coarser than 4.75 mm ( ⁄16 in.),
during driving, or if particles are dislodged from the sample
and which can be readily retained in the drive cylinder. This
ends during trimming.
test method may also be used to determine the in-place density
4.3 The general principles of this test method have been
of compacted soils used in construction of structural fill,
successfully used to obtain samples of some field compacted
highway embankments, or earth dams. When the in-place
fine-grained soils having a maximum particle size of 4.75 mm
density is to be used as a basis for acceptance, the drive
( ⁄16in.)forpurposesotherthandensitydeterminations,suchas
cylinder volumes must be as large as practical and not less than
3 3
the testing for engineering properties.
850 cm (.03 ft ).
4.2 This test method is not recommended for use in organic
NOTE 1—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con-
orfriablesoils.Thistestmethodmaynotbeapplicableforsoft,
tained in this standard: The precision of this test method is dependent on
highly plastic, noncohesive, saturated or other soils which are
the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the
easily deformed, compress during sampling, or which may not
equipmentandfacilitiesused.AgencieswhichmeetthecriteriaofPractice
be retained in the drive cylinder. The use of this test method in D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
D2937–00
testing. Users of this method are cautioned that compliance with Practice
5.4 Shovel—Any one of several types of shovels or spades
D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends
issatisfactoryinshallowsamplingfordiggingthecylindersout
on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of
after they have been driven into the soil.
those factors.
5.5 Balances—A balance having a minimum capacity of 1
kg and meeting the requirements of Specification D 4753 for a
5. Apparatus
balanceof1greadabilityisrequiredforthecylindersshownin
5.1 Drive Cylinders, of approximately 102 to 152 mm (4 to
Fig.1.Largercylinderswillrequireabalanceof20kgcapacity
6 in.) diameter or larger. Typical details of drive cylinders with
with readability of 0.1 %.
outside diameters of 102 mm (4.0 in.) are shown in Fig. 1.
5.6 Drying Equipment—Equipment or ovens, or both, to
Drive cylinders of other diameters will require proportional
determine water (moisture) content in compliance with Test
changes in the drive-cylinder tube and drive-head dimensions.
Methods D 2216, D 4643, D 4944, or D 4959.
The volume of the cylinders with the dimensions shown in Fig.
5.7 Miscellaneous Equipment—Brushes, sledgehammers,
3 3
1 is approximately 942 cm (0.033 ft ).The apparatus shown in
plastic bags, metal cans with lids, or other suitable containers
Fig. 1 is of a design suitable for use at or near the surface.
for retaining the drive cylinder and sample until determination
5.1.1 When the in-place density is to be used as a basis for
of mass and drying, spoons, inside/outside vernier caliper, or
acceptance of compacted fill, the cylinders shall be as large as
the equivalent accurate to 0.0025 mm (0.01 in.) for calibration,
practical to minimize the effects of errors and shall in no case
gloves, and safety glasses.
3 3
be smaller than 850 cm (0.03 ft ).
6. Sampling
5.1.2 The number of cylinders required depends on the
number of samples to be taken and the anticipated rapidity by
6.1 Sampling at or Near the Surface:
which the cylinders can be returned to service after weighing,
6.1.1 Brush all loose particles from the surface. For near-
cleaning, etc.
surface sampling (not more than 1 m (36 in.) in depth), sample
5.1.3 ThecylindersshowninFig.1meettheclearanceratio,
through a hole bored with an auger or dug by a shovel from
wall thickness and area-ratio requirements as set forth by
which loosened material has been removed. Obtain a fairly
Hvorslev fordrivesamplers,andshouldpreferablynotexceed
level surface before any cylinder is driven. Depending on the
10 to 15 %, as defined by the following:
soil texture and moisture, the surface may be prepared utilizing
2 2 2
abulldozerbladeorotherheavyequipmentbladesprovidedthe
A 5 [~D 2 D !/D ] 3 100 (1)
r e i i
sample area and vicinity are not deformed, compressed, torn,
where:
or otherwise disturbed.
A = area ratio, %,
6.1.2 Assemble the cylind
...