ASTM D4015-15e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Modulus and Damping of Soils by Fixed-Base Resonant Column Devices
Standard Test Methods for Modulus and Damping of Soils by Fixed-Base Resonant Column Devices
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The equivalent elastic shear modulus and damping capacity of a given soil, as measured by the resonant column technique herein described, depend upon the strain amplitude of vibration, the state of effective stress, and the void ratio of the soil, temperature, time, etc. Since the application and control of the static axial and lateral stresses and the void ratio are not prescribed in these methods, the applicability of the results to field conditions will depend on the degree to which the application and control of the static axial and lateral stresses and the void ratio, as well as other parameters such as soil structure, duplicate field conditions. The techniques used to simulate field conditions depend on many factors and it is up to the engineer to decide on which techniques apply to a given situation and soil type. The results of these tests are useful for calculations involving soil-structure interaction and seismic response of soil deposits. 
Note 1: The quality of the results produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally 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 assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of shear modulus and shear damping as a function of shear strain amplitude for solid cylindrical specimens of soil in intact and remolded conditions by vibration using resonant column devices. The vibration of the specimen may be superposed on a controlled static state of stress in the specimen. The vibration apparatus and specimen may be enclosed in a triaxial chamber and subjected to an all-around pressure and axial load. In addition, the specimen may be subjected to other controlled conditions (for example, pore-water pressure, degree of saturation, temperature). These test methods of modulus and damping determination are considered nondestructive when the shear strain amplitudes of vibration are less than 10–2 % (10–4 in./in.), and many measurements may be made on the same specimen and with various states of static stress.  
1.2 Two device configurations are covered by these test methods: Device Type 1 where a known torque is applied to the top of the specimen and the resulting rotational motion is measured at the top of the specimen, and Device Type 2 where an uncalibrated torque is applied to the top of the specimen and the torque transmitted through the specimen is measured by a torque transducer at the base of the specimen. For both devices, the torque is applied to the active end (usually top) of the specimen and the rotational motion also is measured at the active end of the specimen.  
1.3 These test methods are limited to the determination of the shear modulus and shear damping, the necessary vibration, and specimen preparation procedures related to the vibration, etc., and do not cover the application, measurement, or control of the axial and lateral static normal stresses. The latter procedures may be covered by, but are not limited to, Test Method D2850, D3999/D3999M, D4767, D5311/D5311M, or D7181.  
1.4 Significant Digits—All recorded and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.4.1 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 o...
General Information
Buy Standard
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
´1
Designation: D4015 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
Modulus and Damping of Soils by Fixed-Base Resonant
1
Column Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4015; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected Eq 28 in February 2017.
1. Scope* 1.4 Significant Digits—All recorded and calculated values
shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of shear
established in Practice D6026.
modulus and shear damping as a function of shear strain
1.4.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
amplitude for solid cylindrical specimens of soil in intact and
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
remolded conditions by vibration using resonant column de-
vices. The vibration of the specimen may be superposed on a industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
controlled static state of stress in the specimen. The vibration significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
apparatus and specimen may be enclosed in a triaxial chamber dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
and subjected to an all-around pressure and axial load. In obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
addition, the specimen may be subjected to other controlled
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
conditions (for example, pore-water pressure, degree of
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
saturation, temperature). These test methods of modulus and
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
dampingdeterminationareconsiderednondestructivewhenthe
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
–2
shear strain amplitudes of vibration are less than 10 %
methods for engineering design.
–4
(10 in.⁄in.), and many measurements may be made on the
1.4.2 Measurements made to more significant digits or
same specimen and with various states of static stress.
better sensitivity than specified in this standard shall not be
1.2 Two device configurations are covered by these test regarded a nonconformance with this standard.
methods:DeviceType1whereaknowntorqueisappliedtothe
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
top of the specimen and the resulting rotational motion is
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
measured at the top of the specimen, and Device Type 2 where
conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for
anuncalibratedtorqueisappliedtothetopofthespecimenand
information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of
the torque transmitted through the specimen is measured by a
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
torquetransduceratthebaseofthespecimen.Forbothdevices,
nonconformance with these test methods.
the torque is applied to the active end (usually top) of the
specimen and the rotational motion also is measured at the 1.5.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitational
systemofunits.Inthissystem,thepound(lbf)representsaunit
active end of the specimen.
of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The
1.3 These test methods are limited to the determination of
converted slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma)
the shear modulus and shear damping, the necessary vibration,
calculations are involved.
and specimen preparation procedures related to the vibration,
1.5.2 It is common practice in the engineering/construction
etc., and do not cover the application, measurement, or control
profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit
of the axial and lateral static normal stresses. The latter
of mass (lbm) and of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two
procedures may be covered by, but are not limited to, Test
Method D2850, D3999/D3999M, D4767, D5311/D5311M,or separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the
D7181. gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine
the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
1 standard. As stated, this standard includes the gravitational
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.09 on Cyclic and
system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug
Dynamic Properties of Soils.
unit for mass. However, the use of balances or scales recording
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published November 2015. Originally
3
pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft shall not
 ...
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.
´1
Designation: D4015 − 15 D4015 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
Modulus and Damping of Soils by Fixed-Base Resonant
1
Column Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4015; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected Eq 28 in February 2017.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of shear modulus and shear damping as a function of shear strain amplitude for
solid cylindrical specimens of soil in intact and remolded conditions by vibration using resonant column devices. The vibration
of the specimen may be superposed on a controlled static state of stress in the specimen. The vibration apparatus and specimen
may be enclosed in a triaxial chamber and subjected to an all-around pressure and axial load. In addition, the specimen may be
subjected to other controlled conditions (for example, pore-water pressure, degree of saturation, temperature). These test methods
of modulus and damping determination are considered nondestructive when the shear strain amplitudes of vibration are less than
–2 –4
10 % (10 in. ⁄in.), and many measurements may be made on the same specimen and with various states of static stress.
1.2 Two device configurations are covered by these test methods: Device Type 1 where a known torque is applied to the top
of the specimen and the resulting rotational motion is measured at the top of the specimen, and Device Type 2 where an
uncalibrated torque is applied to the top of the specimen and the torque transmitted through the specimen is measured by a torque
transducer at the base of the specimen. For both devices, the torque is applied to the active end (usually top) of the specimen and
the rotational motion also is measured at the active end of the specimen.
1.3 These test methods are limited to the determination of the shear modulus and shear damping, the necessary vibration, and
specimen preparation procedures related to the vibration, etc., and do not cover the application, measurement, or control of the
axial and lateral static normal stresses. The latter procedures may be covered by, but are not limited to, Test Method D2850,
D3999/D3999M, D4767, D5311/D5311M, or D7181.
1.4 Significant Digits—All recorded and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding
established in Practice D6026.
1.4.1 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.
1.4.2 Measurements made to more significant digits or better sensitivity than specified in this standard shall not be regarded a
nonconformance with this standard.
1.5 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. Reporting of test results
in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with these test methods.
1.5.1 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.
1.5.2 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of
mass (lbm) and 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
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.09 on Cyclic and
Dyn
 ...










Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.