ASTM D4718/D4718M-15(2023)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Compaction tests on soils performed in accordance with Test Methods D698, D1557, D4253, and D7382 place limitations on the maximum size of particles that may be used in the test. If a soil contains cobbles or gravel, or both, test options may be selected which result in particles retained on a specific sieve being discarded (for example the 4.75-mm [No. 4], the 19-mm [3/4-in.] or other appropriate size) and the test performed on the finer fraction. The unit weight-water content relations determined by the tests reflect the characteristics of the actual material tested, and not the characteristics of the total soil material from which the test specimen was obtained.
4.2 It is common engineering practice to use laboratory compaction tests for the design, specification, and construction control of soils used in earth construction. If a soil used in construction contains large particles, and only the finer fraction is used for laboratory tests, some method of correcting the laboratory test results to reflect the characteristics of the total soil is needed. This practice provides a mathematical equation for correcting the unit weight and water content of the finer fraction of a soil, tested to determine the unit weight and water content of the total soil.
4.3 Similarly, as utilized in Test Methods D1556/D1556M, D2167, D6938, D7698, and D7830/D7830M, this practice provides a means for correcting the unit weight and water content of field compacted samples of the total soil, so that values can be compared with those for a laboratory compacted finer fraction.
Note 2: 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 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 i...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice presents a procedure for calculating the unit weights and water contents of soils containing oversize particles when the data are known for the soil fraction with the oversize particles removed.
1.2 This practice also can be used to calculate the unit weights and water contents of soil fractions when the data are known for the total soil sample containing oversize particles.
1.3 This practice is based on tests performed on soils and soil-rock mixtures in which the portion considered oversize is that fraction of the material retained on the 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieve. Based on these tests, this practice is applicable to soils and soil-rock mixtures in which up to 40 % of the material is retained on the 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieve. The practice also is considered valid when the oversize fraction is that portion retained on some other sieve, but the limiting percentage of oversize particles for which the correction is valid may be lower. However, the practice is considered valid for materials having up to 30 % oversize particles when the oversize fraction is that portion retained on the 19-mm [3/4-in.] sieve.
1.4 The factor controlling the maximum permissible percentage of oversize particles is whether interference between the oversize particles affects the unit weight of the finer fraction. For some gradations, this interference may begin to occur at lower percentages of oversize particles, so the limiting percentage must be lower for these materials to avoid inaccuracies in the computed correction. The person or agency using this practice shall determine whether a lower percentage is to be used.
1.5 This practice may be applied to soils with any percentage of oversize particles subject to the limitations given in 1.3 and 1.4. However, the correction may not be of practical significance for soils with only small percentages of oversize particles. The person or agency specifying this practice shall specif...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4718/D4718M − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils
Containing Oversize Particles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4718/D4718M; 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 particles. The person or agency specifying this practice shall
specify a minimum percentage of oversize particles below
1.1 This practice presents a procedure for calculating the
which the practice need not be applied. If a minimum percent-
unit weights and water contents of soils containing oversize
age is not specified, 5 % shall be used.
particles when the data are known for the soil fraction with the
oversize particles removed.
1.6 This practice may not be applicable to soil-rock mix-
tures which degrade under field compaction.
1.2 This practice also can be used to calculate the unit
weights and water contents of soil fractions when the data are
1.7 Units—The values stated in either SI Units or inch-
known for the total soil sample containing oversize particles.
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
1.3 This practice is based on tests performed on soils and
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
soil-rock mixtures in which the portion considered oversize is
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
that fraction of the material retained on the 4.75-mm [No. 4]
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
sieve. Based on these tests, this practice is applicable to soils
conformance with the standard.
and soil-rock mixtures in which up to 40 % of the material is
1.7.1 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
retained on the 4.75-mm [No. 4] sieve. The practice also is
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
considered valid when the oversize fraction is that portion
and a force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate
retained on some other sieve, but the limiting percentage of
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
oversize particles for which the correction is valid may be
tional system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use
lower. However, the practice is considered valid for materials
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
having up to 30 % oversize particles when the oversize fraction
standard. This standard has been written using the gravitational
is that portion retained on the 19-mm [ ⁄4-in.] sieve.
system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In
1.4 The factor controlling the maximum permissible per-
this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
centage of oversize particles is whether interference between
However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of
the oversize particles affects the unit weight of the finer
mass (lbm) or the recording of density in lbm/ft shall not be
fraction. For some gradations, this interference may begin to
regarded as a non conformance with this standard.
occur at lower percentages of oversize particles, so the limiting
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Speci-
percentage must be lower for these materials to avoid inaccu-
fication E11. The alternative designation given in brackets is for informa-
racies in the computed correction. The person or agency using
tion only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
this practice shall determine whether a lower percentage is to
be used. 1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
1.5 This practice may be applied to soils with any percent-
Practice D6026.
age of oversize particles subject to the limitations given in 1.3
1.8.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
and 1.4. However, the correction may not be of practical
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
significance for soils with only small percentages of oversize
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
obtaining data, special purpose studies, or any considerations
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
for the user‘s objectives; and it is common practice to increase
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally
or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D4718 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/D4718_D4718M-15R23. with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of these test
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4718/D4718M − 15 (2023)
methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods D7830/D7830M Test Method for In-Place Density (Unit
for engineering design. Weight) and Water Content of Soil Using an Electromag-
netic Soil Density Gauge
1.9 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
Sieves
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
3. Terminology
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
3.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
3.2 Definitions:
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
3.2.1 oversize particles, n—particles that are larger than
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
those allowed and normally removed for the normal perfor-
title of this document means only that the document has been
mance of a standard test method.
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Significance and Use
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1 Compaction tests on soils performed in accordance with
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Test Methods D698, D1557, D4253, and D7382 place limita-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tions on the maximum size of particles that may be used in the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
test. If a soil contains cobbles or gravel, or both, test options
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
may be selected which result in particles retained on a specific
sieve being discarded (for example the 4.75-mm [No. 4], the
2. Referenced Documents
19-mm [ ⁄4-in.] or other appropriate size) and the test per-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
formed on the finer fraction. The unit weight-water content
C127 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
relations determined by the tests reflect the characteristics of
and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
the actual material tested, and not the characteristics of the total
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
soil material from which the test specimen was obtained.
Fluids
4.2 It is common engineering practice to use laboratory
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
compaction tests for the design, specification, and construction
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600
control of soils used in earth construction. If a soil used in
kN-m/m ))
construction contains large particles, and only the finer fraction
D1556/D1556M Test Method for Density and Unit Weight
is used for laboratory tests, some method of correcting the
of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method
laboratory test results to reflect the characteristics of the total
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
soil is needed. This practice provides a mathematical equation
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
for correcting the unit weight and water content of the finer
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
fraction of a soil, tested to determine the unit weight and water
D2167 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
content of the total soil.
Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
4.3 Similarly, as utilized in Test Methods D1556/D1556M,
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2167, D6938, D7698, and D7830/D7830M, this practice
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
provides a means for correcting the unit weight and water
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
content of field compacted samples of the total soil, so that
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
values can be compared with those for a laboratory compacted
D4253 Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit
finer fraction.
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
cords in Geotechnical Data
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
D6938 Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure
Depth)
reliable results. Reliable results depend o
...
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