ASTM D8167/D8167M-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The test method described is useful as a rapid, nondestructive technique for in-place measurements of bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate. Test results may be used for the determination of dry density if the water content of the soil or soil-aggregate is determined by separate means, such as those methods described in Test Methods D2216, D4643, D4944, and D4959.
4.2 The test method is used for quality control and acceptance testing of compacted soil and soil-aggregate mixtures as used in construction and also for research and development. The nondestructive nature allows repetitive measurements at a single test location and statistical analysis of the results.
4.3 Density—The fundamental assumptions inherent in the method is that Compton scattering is the dominant interaction and that the material is homogeneous.
Note 3: The quality of the result produced by this standard test method 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, and the like. 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 This test method describes the procedures for measuring in-place bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate using nuclear equipment with radioactive sources (hereafter referred to simply as “gauges.”) These gauges are distinct from those described in Test Method D6938 insofar as:
1.1.1 These gauges do not contain a system (nuclear or otherwise) for the determination of the water content of the material under measurement.
1.1.2 These gauges have photon yields sufficiently low as to require the inclusion of background radiation effects on the response during normal operation.
1.1.2.1 For the devices described in Test Method D6938, the contribution of gamma rays detected from the naturally-occurring radioisotopes in most soils (hereafter referred to as “background”) compared to the contribution of gamma rays used by the device to measure in-place bulk density is typically small enough to be negligible in terms of their effect on measurement accuracy. However, for these low-activity gauges, the gamma ray yield from the gauge is low enough that the background contribution from most soils compared to the contribution of gamma gays from the gauge is no longer negligible, and changes in this background can adversely affect the accuracy of the bulk density reading.
1.1.2.2 In order to compensate for potentially differing background contribution to low-activity gauge measurements at different test sites, a background reading must be taken in conjunction with gauge measurements obtained at a given test site. This background reading is utilized in the bulk density calculation performed by the gauge with the goal of minimizing these background effects on the density measurement accuracy.
1.2 For limitations see Section 5 on Interferences.
1.3 The bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate is measured by the attenuation of gamma radiation where the source is placed at a known depth up to 300 mm [12 in.] and the detector(s) remains on the surface (some gauges may reverse this orientation).
1.3.1 The bulk density of the test sample in mass per unit volume is calculated by comparing the detected rate of gamma radiation with previously established calibration data.
1.3.2 Neither the dry density nor the water content of the test sample is measured by this device. However, the results of this test can be used with the water content or water mass per unit volume value determined by alternative methods to determine the dry density of the test sample.
1.4 The gauge is calibrated to read the bulk den...
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Designation: D8167/D8167M − 23
Standard Test Method for
In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-
1
Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8167/D8167M; 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. Scope* placed at a known depth up to 300 mm [12 in.] and the
detector(s) remains on the surface (some gauges may reverse
1.1 This test method describes the procedures for measuring
this orientation).
in-place bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate using nuclear
1.3.1 The bulk density of the test sample in mass per unit
equipment with radioactive sources (hereafter referred to
volume is calculated by comparing the detected rate of gamma
simply as “gauges.”) These gauges are distinct from those
radiation with previously established calibration data.
described in Test Method D6938 insofar as:
1.3.2 Neither the dry density nor the water content of the
1.1.1 These gauges do not contain a system (nuclear or
test sample is measured by this device. However, the results of
otherwise) for the determination of the water content of the
this test can be used with the water content or water mass per
material under measurement.
unit volume value determined by alternative methods to
1.1.2 These gauges have photon yields sufficiently low as to
determine the dry density of the test sample.
require the inclusion of background radiation effects on the
response during normal operation.
1.4 The gauge is calibrated to read the bulk density of soil
1.1.2.1 For the devices described in Test Method D6938, the
or soil-aggregate.
contribution of gamma rays detected from the naturally-
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
occurring radioisotopes in most soils (hereafter referred to as
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
“background”) compared to the contribution of gamma rays
Practice D6026.
used by the device to measure in-place bulk density is typically
1.5.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated
small enough to be negligible in terms of their effect on
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
measurement accuracy. However, for these low-activity
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
gauges, the gamma ray yield from the gauge is low enough that
digits in the specified limits.
the background contribution from most soils compared to the
1.5.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
contribution of gamma gays from the gauge is no longer
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
negligible, and changes in this background can adversely affect
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
the accuracy of the bulk density reading.
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
1.1.2.2 In order to compensate for potentially differing
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
background contribution to low-activity gauge measurements
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
at different test sites, a background reading must be taken in
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
conjunction with gauge measurements obtained at a given test
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to com-
site. This background reading is utilized in the bulk density
mensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of
calculation performed by the gauge with the goal of minimiz-
this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
ing these background effects on the density measurement
methods for engineering design.
accuracy.
1.6 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
1.2 For limitations see Section 5 on Interferences.
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
1.3 The bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate is measured
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
by the attenuation of gamma radiation where the source is
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
conformance with the standard. Reporting test results in units
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
Construction Control Tests. this standard.
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of
...
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: D8167/D8167M − 18a D8167/D8167M − 23
Standard Test Method for
In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-
1
Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8167/D8167M; 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. Scope*
1.1 This test method describes the procedures for measuring in-place bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate using nuclear
equipment with radioactive sources (hereafter referred to simply as “gauges.”) These gauges are distinct from those described in
Test Method D6938 insofar as:
1.1.1 These gauges do not contain a system (nuclear or otherwise) for the determination of the water content of the material under
measurement.
1.1.2 These gauges have photon yields sufficiently low as to require the inclusion of background radiation effects on the response
during normal operation.
1.1.2.1 For the devices described in Test Method D6938, the contribution of gamma rays detected from the naturally-occurring
radioisotopes in most soils (hereafter referred to as “background”) compared to the contribution of gamma rays used by the device
to measure in-place bulk density is typically small enough to be negligible in terms of their effect on measurement accuracy.
However, for these low-activity gauges, the gamma ray yield from the gauge is low enough that the background contribution from
most soils compared to the contribution of gamma gays from the gauge is no longer negligible, and changes in this background
can adversely affect the accuracy of the bulk density reading.
1.1.2.2 In order to compensate for potentially differing background contribution to low-activity gauge measurements at different
test sites, a background reading must be taken in conjunction with gauge measurements obtained at a given test site. This
background reading is utilized in the bulk density calculation performed by the gauge with the goal of minimizing these
background effects on the density measurement accuracy.
1.2 For limitations see Section 5 on Interferences.
1.3 The bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate is measured by the attenuation of gamma radiation where the source is placed at
a known depth up to 200 mm [8300 mm [12 in.] and the detector(s) remains on the surface (some gauges may reverse this
orientation).
1.3.1 The bulk density of the test sample in mass per unit volume is calculated by comparing the detected rate of gamma radiation
with previously established calibration data.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and Construction
Control Tests.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2018April 1, 2023. Published November 2018April 2023. Originally approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as
D8167/D8167M–18. DOI: 10.1520/D8167_D8167M–18A.–18a. DOI: 10.1520/D8167_D8167M–23.
*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
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D8167/D8167M − 23
1.3.2 Neither the dry density nor the water content of the test sample is measured by this device. However, the results of this test
can be used with the water content or water mass per unit volume value determined by alternative methods to determine the dry
density of the test sample.
1.4 The gauge is calibrated to read the bulk density of soil or soil-aggregate.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.5.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated value(s) shall
be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant digits in the specified limits.
1.5.2 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 com
...
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