ASTM D4253-14
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 For many cohesionless, free-draining soils, the maximum index density/unit weight is one of the key components in evaluating the state of compactness of a given soil mass that is either naturally occurring or placed during construction.
5.1.1 Relative density and percent compaction are commonly used for evaluating the state of compactness of a given soil mass. Density/unit weight index is also sometimes used. See Section 3 for descriptions of terms.
5.2 It is generally recognized that either relative density or percent compaction is a good indicator of the state of compactness of a given soil mass. However, the engineering properties, such as strength, compressibility, and permeability of a given soil, compacted by various methods to a given state of compactness can vary considerably. Therefore, considerable engineering judgment must be used in relating the engineering properties of soil to the state of compactness.
5.3 An absolute maximum density/unit weight is not necessarily obtained by these test methods.
Note 2: In addition, there are published data to indicate that these test methods have a high degree of variability.3 However, the variability can be greatly reduced by careful calibration of equipment, including the vibrating table, and careful attention to proper test procedure and technique.
Note 3: 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, generally, are considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. 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.
5.4 The double amplitude of vertical vibration has been found to have a significant effect on the density ...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the maximum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-draining soils using a vertically vibrating table. The adjective “dry before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this standard to be consistent with the applicable definition given in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.2 Systems of Units:
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard 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 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, 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 standard, 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 Four alternative methods are provided to determine the maximum index density/unit weight, as f...
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Designation: D4253 − 14
StandardTest Methods for
Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a
1
Vibratory Table
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4253; 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* 1.3 Four alternative methods are provided to determine the
maximum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
1.3.1 Method 1A—Using oven-dried soil and an
maximum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-
electromagnetic, vertically vibrating table.
draining soils using a vertically vibrating table. The adjective
1.3.2 Method 1B—Using wet soil and an electromagnetic,
“dry before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and
vertically vibrating table.
remaining portions of this standard to be consistent with the
1.3.3 Method 2A—Usingoven-driedsoilandaneccentricor
applicable definition given in Section 3 on Terminology.
cam-driven, vertically vibrating table.
1.2 Systems of Units:
1.3.4 Method 2B—Using wet soil and an eccentric or
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has
cam-driven vertically vibrating table.
been developed and manufactured using values in the gravi-
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the
metric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimen-
individual assigning the test.
sions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the
1.4.1 The type of table to be used (Method 1 or 2) is likely
standard.
to be decided based upon available equipment.
1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) NOTE 1—There is evidence to show that electromagnetic tables yield
slightly higher values of maximum index density/unit weight than the
and a unit of force (lbf).This implicitly combines two separate
eccentric or cam-driven tables.
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
1.4.2 It is recommended that both the dry and wet methods
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single (Methods 1A and 1B or 2A and 2B) be performed when
beginning a new job or encountering a change in soil types, as
standard.Thisstandardhasbeenwrittenusingthegravitational
system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In the wet method can yield significantly higher values of
maximum index density/unit weight for some soils. Such a
this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
However,balancesorscalesmeasuremass;andweightmustbe higher maximum index density, when considered along with
the minimum index density/unit weight, Test Methods D4254,
calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is common to assume
that 1 lbf is equal to 1 lbm. While reporting density is not will be found to significantly affect the value of the relative
density (3.2.8) calculated for a soil encountered in the field.
regarded as nonconformance with this standard, unit weights
shouldbecalculatedandreportedsincetheresultsmaybeused While the dry method is often preferred because results can
usually be obtained more quickly, as a general rule the wet
to determine force or stress.
method should be used if it is established that it produces
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used
maximum index densities/unit weights that would significantly
interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume whereas unit
affect the use/application of the value of relative density.
weight is force per unit volume. In this standard density is
given only in SI units. After the density has been determined,
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may
the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
containupto15%,bydrymass,ofsoilparticlespassingaNo.
200 (75-µm) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless,
free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in
1
accordancewithSpecificationE11).Further,thesetestmethods
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,
are applicable to soils in which 100%, by dry mass, of soil
Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils.
particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2014. Published January 2015. Originally
1.5.1 Soils, for the purpose of these test methods, shall be
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4253 –00(2006).
DOI: 10.15
...
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: D4253 − 00 (Reapproved 2006) D4253 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a
1
Vibratory Table
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4253; 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 maximum–indexmaximum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless,
free-draining soils using a vertically vibrating table. The adjective “dry before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and
remaining portions of this standard to be consistent with the applicable definition given in Section 33 on Terminology.
1.2 Systems of Units:
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard 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
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, 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 standard, 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 Four alternative methods are provided to determine the maximum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.3.1 Method 1A—Using oven-dried soil and an electromagnetic, vertically vibrating table.
1.3.2 Method 1B—Using wet soil and an electromagnetic, vertically vibrating table.
1.3.3 Method 2A—Using oven-dried soil and an eccentric or cam-driven, vertically vibrating table.
1.3.4 Method 2B—Using wet soil and an eccentric or cam-driven vertically vibrating table.
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the individual assigning the test.
1.4.1 The type of table to be used (Method 1 or 2) is likely to be decided based upon available equipment.
NOTE 1—There is evidence to show that electromagnetic tables yield slightly higher values of maximum index density/unit weight than the eccentric
or cam-driven tables.
1.4.2 It is recommended that both the dry and wet methods (Methods 1A and 1B or 2A and 2B) be performed when beginning
a new job or encountering a change in soil types, as the wet method can yield significantly higher values of maximum index
density/unit weight for some soils. Such a higher maximum index density, when considered along with the minimum index
density/unit weight, Test Methods D4254, will be found to significantly affect the value of the relative density (3.2.8) calculated
for a soil encountered in the field. While the dry method is often preferred because results can usually be obtained more quickly,
as a general rule the wet method should be used if it is established that it produces maximum index densities/unit weights that
would significantly affect the use/application of the value of relative density.
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity and
Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2006Dec. 15, 2014. Published March 2006January 2015. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20002006 as
D4253 – 00. – 00(2006). DOI: 10.1520/D4253-00R06.10.1520/D4253-14.
*A Summary of Ch
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