ASTM D1556-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method
Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method
SCOPE
1.1 This test method may be used to determine the in-place density and unit weight of soils using a sand cone apparatus.
1.2 This test method is applicable for soils without appreciable amounts of rock or coarse materials in excess of 1 1/2 in. (38 mm) in diameter.
1.3 This test method may also be used for the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of undisturbed or in situ soils, provided the natural void or pore openings in the soil are small enough to prevent the sand used in the test from entering the voids. The soil or other material being tested should have sufficient cohesion or particle attraction to maintain stable sides on a small hole or excavation, and be firm enough to withstand the minor pressures exerted in digging the hole and placing the apparatus over it, without deforming or sloughing.
1.4 This test method is not suitable for organic, saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform or compress during the excavation of the test hole. This test method may not be suitable for soils consisting of unbound granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in the test hole, soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse material larger than 1 1/2 in. (38 mm), and granular soils having high void ratios.
1.5 When materials to be tested contain appreciable amounts of particles larger than 1 1/2 in. (38 mm), or when test hole volumes larger than 0.1 ft3 (2830 cm3) are required, Test Method D4914 or D5030 are applicable.
1.6 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/ft3 should not be regarded as non-conformance with this test method.
1.7 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
Relations
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:D1556–00
Standard Test Method for
Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1556; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* pounds of mass (lbm), or the recording of density in lbm/ft
should not be regarded as nonconformance with this test
1.1 This test method may be used to determine the in-place
method.
density and unit weight of soils using a sand cone apparatus.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 This test method is applicable for soils without appre-
1 safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ciable amounts of rock or coarse materials in excess of 1 ⁄2 in.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(38 mm) in diameter.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3 This test method may also be used for the determination
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of the in-place density and unit weight of undisturbed or in situ
soils, provided the natural void or pore openings in the soil are
2. Referenced Documents
small enough to prevent the sand used in the test from entering
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the voids. The soil or other material being tested should have
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
sufficientcohesionorparticleattractiontomaintainstablesides
Fluids
on a small hole or excavation, and be firm enough to withstand
D 698 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
the minor pressures exerted in digging the hole and placing the
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft.lbf/ft (600
apparatus over it, without deforming or sloughing.
kN·m/m ))
1.4 This test method is not suitable for organic, saturated, or
D 1557 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
highly plastic soils that would deform or compress during the
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
excavation of the test hole. This test method may not be
3 2
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
suitable for soils consisting of unbound granular materials that
D 2216 TestMethodforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
will not maintain stable sides in the test hole, soils containing
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock
appreciable amounts of coarse material larger than 1 ⁄2 in. (38
D 3584 Practice for Indexing Papers and Reports on Soil
mm), and granular soils having high void ratios.
and Rock for Engineering Purposes
1.5 When materials to be tested contain appreciable
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
amounts of particles larger than 1 ⁄2 in. (38 mm), or when test
3 3
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
hole volumes larger than 0.1 ft (2830 cm ) are required, Test
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
Method D 4914 or D 5030 are applicable.
D 4253 TestMethodsforMaximumIndexDensityandUnit
1.6 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
D 4254 Test Method for Minimum Index Density and Unit
and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate
Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
systems of units, that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
D 4643 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture)
tional system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use
Content of Soil by the Microwave Oven Method
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
D 4718 Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water
standard. This test method has been written using the gravita-
Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
tional system of units when dealing with the inch-pound
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
system. In this system the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock,
(weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording
and Related Construction Materials
D 4914 Test Methods for Density of Soil and Rock in Place
This test method is underthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
Construction Control Tests.
Current edition approved March 10, 2000. Published April 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
e1 3
published as D 1556 – 58 T. Last previous edition D 1556 – 90 (1996) . Discontinued; see 1995 Annual Book of Standards, Vol 04.08.
*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.
D1556–00
equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice
by the Sand Replacement Method in a Test Pit
D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
D 4944 Test Method for Field Determination of Water
testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with
(Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas
Practice D 3740 does not in itself ensure reliable testing. Reliable testing
Pressure Tester Method
depends on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating
D 4959 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture)
some of those factors.
Content of Soil by Direct Heating Method
D 5030 Test Method for Density of Soil and Rock in Place
6. Apparatus
by the Water Replacement Method in a Test Pit
6.1 Sand-Cone Density Apparatus, consisting of the follow-
ing:
3. Terminology
6.1.1 An attachable jar or other sand container having a
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
volume capacity in excess of that required to fill the test hole
minology D 653.
and apparatus during the test.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6.1.2 A detachable appliance consisting of a cylindrical
3.2.1 compacted lift—a layer of compacted soil.
valve with an orifice approximately ⁄2 in. (13 mm) in diameter,
attached to a metal funnel and sand container on one end, and
4. Summary of Test Method
a large metal funnel (sand-cone) on the other end. The valve
4.1 Atest hole is hand excavated in the soil to be tested and
will have stops to prevent rotating past the completely open or
all the material from the hole is saved in a container. The hole
completely closed positions. The appliance will be constructed
is filled with free flowing sand of a known density, and the
of metal sufficiently rigid to prevent distortion or volume
volume is determined. The in-place wet density of the soil is
changes in the cone. The walls of the cone will form an angle
determined by dividing the wet mass of the removed material
of approximately 60° with the base to allow uniform filling
by the volume of the hole. The water content of the material
with sand.
from the hole is determined and the dry mass of the material
6.1.3 A metal base plate or template with a flanged center
and the in-place dry density are calculated using the wet mass
hole cast or machined to receive the large funnel (cone) of the
of the soil, the water content, and the volume of the hole.
appliance described in 6.1.2. The base plate may be round or
square and will be a minimum of 3 in. (75 mm) larger than the
5. Significance and Use
funnel (sand-cone). The plate will be flat on the bottom and
5.1 This test method is used to determine the density of
have sufficient thickness or stiffness to be rigid. Plates with
compacted soils placed during the construction of earth em-
raised edges, ridges, ribs, or other stiffners of approximately ⁄8
bankments, road fill, and structural backfill. It often is used as
to ⁄2 in. (10 to 13 mm) high may be used.
a basis of acceptance for soils compacted to a specified density
6.1.4 The mass of the sand required to fill the apparatus and
or percentage of a maximum density determined by a test
base plate will be determined in accordance with the instruc-
method, such as Test Methods D 698 or D 1557.
tions in Annex A1 prior to use.
5.2 This test method can be used to determine the in-place
6.1.5 The details for the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 repre-
density of natural soil deposits, aggregates, soil mixtures, or
sents the minimum acceptable dimensions suitable for testing
other similar material.
soils having maximum particle sizes of approximately 1 ⁄2 in.
5.3 The use of this test method is generally limited to soil in
(38 mm) and test hole volumes of approximately 0.1 ft (2830
anunsaturatedcondition.Thistestmethodisnotrecommended
cm ). When the material being tested contains a small amount
forsoilsthataresoftorfriable(crumbleeasily)orinamoisture
of oversize and isolated larger particles are encountered, the
condition such that water seeps into the hand excavated hole.
test should be moved to a new location. Larger apparatus and
The accuracy of the test may be affected for soils that deform
test hole volumes are needed when particles larger than 1 ⁄2 in.
easily or that may undergo a volume change in the excavated
(38mm)areprevalent.Theapparatusdescribedhererepresents
hole from vibration, or from standing or walking near the hole
a design that has proven satisfactory. Larger apparatus, or other
during the test (see Note 1).
designs of similar proportions may be used as long as the basic
NOTE 1—When testing in soft conditions or in soils near saturation,
principles of the sand volume determination are observed.
volume changes may occur in the excavated hole as a result of surface 3 3
When test hole volumes larger than 0.1 ft (5660 cm ) are
loading, personnel performing the test, and the like. This can sometimes
required Test Method D 4914 should be utilized.
be avoided by the use of a platform that is supported some distance from
6.2 Sand—Sand must be clean, dry, uniform in density and
the hole.As it is not always possible to detect when a volume change has
taken place, test results should always be compared to the theoretical grading, uncemented, durable, and free-flowing.Any gradation
saturationdensity,orthezeroairvoidslineonthedrydensityversuswater
may be used that has a uniformity coefficient (C = D /D )
u 60 10
content plot. Any in-place density test on compacted soils that calculates
less than 2.0, a maximum particle size smaller than 2.0 mm
to be more than 95 % saturation is suspect and an error has probably
(No. 10 sieve), and less than 3 % by weight passing 250 µm
occurred, or the volume of the hole has changed during testing.
(No. 60 sieve). Uniformly graded sand is needed to prevent
NOTE 2—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con-
segregation during handling, storage, and use. Sand free of
tainedinthistestmethod,theprecisionofthistestmethodisdependenton
fines and fine sand particles is required to prevent significant
the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the
bulk-density changes with normal daily changes in atmo-
spheric humidity. Sand comprised of durable, natural sub-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09. rounded, or rounded particles is desirable. Crushed sand or
D1556–00
NOTE 5—As a general rule, reclaiming sand after testing is not
desirable.
NOTE 6—Most sands have a tendency to absorb moisture from the
atmosphere. A very small amount of absorbed moisture can make a
substantial change in bulk-density. In areas of high humidity, or where the
humidity changes frequently, the bulk-density may need to be determined
more often than the 14 day maximum interval indicated. The need for
more frequent checks can be determined by comparing the results of
different bulk-density tests on the same sand made in the same conditions
of use over a period of time.
6.3 Balances or Scales—Meeting Specification D 4753,
with 5.0 g readability, or better, to determine the mass of sand
and excavated soils. A balance or scale having a minimum
capacity of 20 kg and 5.0-g readability is suitable for deter-
mining the mass of the sand and the excavated soil when
apparatus with the dimensions shown in Fig. 1 is used.
6.4 Drying Equipment—Equipment corresponding to the
method used for determining water content as specified in Test
Methods D 2216, D 4643, D 4959, or D 4944.
6.5 Miscellaneous Equipment—Knife, small pick, chisel,
small trowel, screwdriver, or spoons for digging test holes,
large nails or spikes for securing the base plate; buckets with
lids, plastic-lined cloth sacks, or other suitable containers for
retaining the density samples, moisture sample, and density
sand respectively; small paint brush, calculator, notebook or
test forms, etc.
7. Procedure
7.1 Select a location/elevation that is representative of the
area to be tested, and determine the density of the soil in-place
as follows:
7.1.1 Inspect the cone apparatus for damage, free rotation of
FIG. 1 Density Apparatus
the valve, and properly matched baseplate. Fill the cone
container with conditioned sand for which the bulk-density has
been determined in accordance withAnnexA2, and determine
sand having angular particles may not be free-flowing, a
the total mass.
condition that can cause bridging resulting in inaccurate
7.1.2 Prepare the surface of the location to be tested so that
density determinations (see Note 3). In selecting a sand from a
it is a level plane. The base plate may be used as a tool for
potential source, a gradation and bulk-density determinations
striking off the surface to a smooth level plane.
in accordance with the procedure inAnnexA2 should be made
7.1.3 Seat the base plate on the plane surface, making sure
on each container or bag of sand.To be an acceptable sand, the
there is contact with the ground surface around the edge of the
bulk-density variation between any one determination shall not
flanged center hole. Mark the outline of the base plate to check
be greater than 1 % of the average. Before using sand in
for movement during the test, and if needed, secure the plate
density determinations, it shall be dried, then allowed to reach
against movement using nails pushed into the soil adjacent to
an air-dried state in the general location where it is to be used
the edge of the plate, or by other means, without disturbing the
(see Note 4). Sand shall not be re-used without removing any
soil to be tested.
contaminating soil, checking the gradation, drying and rede-
7.1.4 In soils where leveling is not successful, or surface
terminin
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.