ASTM D7830/D7830M-14

Standard Test Method for In-Place Density (Unit Weight) and Water Content of Soil Using an Electromagnetic Soil Density Gauge

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The method described determines wet density and gravimetric water content by correlating complex impedance measurement data to an empirically developed model. The empirical model is generated by comparing the electrical properties of typical soils encountered in civil construction projects to their wet densities and gravimetric water contents determined by other accepted methods.  
5.2 The test method described is useful as a rapid, non-destructive technique for determining the in-place total density and gravimetric water content of soil and soil-aggregate mixtures and the determination of dry density.  
5.3 This method may be used for quality control and acceptance of compacted soil and soil-aggregate mixtures as used in construction and also for research and development. The non-destructive nature allows for repetitive measurements at a single test location and statistical analysis of the results.
Note 2: 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 requirements of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective sampling/testing/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 evaluation some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedures for determining in-place properties of non-frozen, unbound soil and soil aggregate mixtures such as total density, gravimetric water content and relative compaction by measuring the intrinsic impedance of the compacted soil.  
1.1.1 The method and device described in this test method are intended for in-process quality control of earthwork projects. Site or material characterization is not an intended result.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units [given in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.2.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight) while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given in this standard.  
1.2.2 In the engineering profession, it is customary practice to use, interchangeably, units representing both mass and force, unless dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly combines two separate systems of units, that is, the absolute system and the gravimetric system. It is undesirable to combine the use of two separate systems within a single standard. The use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm), or the recording of density in lbm/ft3 should not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.  
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the Guide for Significant Digits and Rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data is collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as 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 decrease the number of significant digits of reported data commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in the analysis methods for engineering design.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the saf...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2014
• ICS: 13.080.20 - Physical properties of soils
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.08 - Special and Construction Control Tests

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: D7830/D7830M − 14
Standard Test Method for
In-Place Density (Unit Weight) and Water Content of Soil
1
Using an Electromagnetic Soil Density Gauge
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7830/D7830M; 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* dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
1.1 This test method covers the procedures for determining
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
in-place properties of non-frozen, unbound soil and soil aggre-
increaseordecreasethenumberofsignificantdigitsofreported
gate mixtures such as total density, gravimetric water content
data commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the
and relative compaction by measuring the intrinsic impedance
scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in the
of the compacted soil.
analysis methods for engineering design.
1.1.1 The method and device described in this test method
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
are intended for in-process quality control of earthwork proj-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ects. Site or material characterization is not an intended result.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pound units [given in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
equivalents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependently NOTE 1—ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity
ofanypatentrightsassertedinconnectionwithanyitemmentionedinthis
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination
result in non-conformance with the standard.
of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of
1.2.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
(lbf) represents a unit of force (weight) while the unit for mass
2. Referenced Documents
is slugs.The rationalized slug unit is not given in this standard.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2.2 In the engineering profession, it is customary practice
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
touse,interchangeably,unitsrepresentingbothmassandforce,
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
unless dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly
Fluids
combines two separate systems of units, that is, the absolute
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
systemandthegravimetricsystem.Itisundesirabletocombine
3
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
the use of two separate systems within a single standard. The
3
kN-m/m ))
use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm), or
3 D1556 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
the recording of density in lbm/ft should not be regarded as
Place by Sand-Cone Method
nonconformance with this standard.
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
3
Guide for Significant Digits and Rounding established in
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
Practice D6026.
D2167 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data is collected,
Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
D2937 Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the
Drive-Cylinder Method
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
2
Construction Control Tests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved . Published November 2014. Originally approved in contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7830 – 13. DOI:10.1520/D7830 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
_D
...

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: D7830/D7830M − 13 D7830/D7830M − 14
Standard Test Method for
In-Place Density (Unit Weight) and Water Content of Soil
1
Using an Electromagnetic Soil Density Gauge
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7830/D7830M; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the procedures for determining in-place properties of non-frozen, unbound soil and soil aggregate
mixtures such as total density, gravimetric water content and relative compaction by measuring the electromagneticintrinsic
impedance of the compacted soil.
1.1.1 The method and device described in this test method are intended for in-process quality control of earthwork projects. Site
or material characterization is not an intended result.
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units [given in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard.
The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.2.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound (lbf)
represents a unit of force (weight) while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given in this standard.
1.2.2 In the engineering profession, it is customary practice to use, interchangeably, units representing both mass and force,
unless dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly combines two separate systems of units, that is, the absolute system and
the gravimetric system. It is undesirable to combine the use of two separate systems within a single standard. The use of balances
3
or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm), or the recording of density in lbm/ft should not be regarded as nonconformance with
this standard.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the Guide for Significant Digits and Rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data is collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as 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 decrease the number of significant digits of reported data commensurate with these
considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in the analysis methods for engineering
design.
1.4 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.
NOTE 1—ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this
standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such
rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3 3
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
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 Feb. 1, 2013. Published April 2013November 2014. DOI: 10.1520/D7830-13.Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in
2013 as D7830 – 13. DOI:10.1520/D7830_D7830M–14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end o
...