ASTM D7263-09
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens
Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Dry density, as defined as “density of soil or rock” in Terminology D 653 and “bulk density” by soil scientists, can be used to convert the water fraction of soil from a mass basis to a volume basis and vise-versa. When particle density, that is, specific gravity (Test Methods D 854) is also known, dry density can be used to calculate porosity and void ratio (see Appendix X1). Dry density measurements are also useful for determining degree of soil compaction. Since moisture content is variable, moist soil density provides little useful information except to estimate the weight of soil per unit volume, for example, pounds per cubic yard, at the time of sampling. Since soil volume shrinks with drying of swelling soils, bulk density will vary with moisture content. Hence, the water content of the soil should be determined at the time of sampling.
Densities (unit weights) of remolded/reconstituted specimens are commonly used to evaluate the degree of compaction of earthen fills, embankments, etc. Dry density values are usually used in conjunction with compaction curve values (Test Methods D 698 and D 1557).
Density (unit weight) is one of the key components in determining the mass composition/phase relations of soil, see Appendix X1.
Note 1—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 D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on several factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of these factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods describe two ways of determining the total/moist and dry densities (unit weights) of intact, disturbed, remolded, and reconstituted (compacted) soil specimens. Density (unit weight) as used in this standard means the same as “bulk density” of soil as defined by the Soil Science Society of America. Intact specimens may be obtained from thin-walled sampling tubes, block samples, or clods. Specimens that are remolded by dynamic or static compaction procedures may also be measured by these methods. These methods apply to soils that will retain their shape during the measurement process and may also apply to other materials such as soil-cement, soil-lime, soil-bentonite or solidified soil-bentonite-cement slurries. It is common for the density (unit weight) of specimens after removal from sampling tubes and compaction molds to be less than the value based on tube or mold volumes, or of in-situ conditions. This is due to the specimen swelling after removal of lateral pressures.
1.1.1 Method A covers the procedure for measuring the volume of wax coated specimens by determining the quantity of water displaced.
1.1.1.1 This method only applies to specimens in which the wax will not penetrate the outer surface of the specimen.
1.1.2 Method B covers the procedure by means of the direct measurement of the dimensions and mass of a specimen, usually one of cylindrical shape. Intact and reconstituted/remolded specimens may be tested by this method in conjunction with strength, permeability (air/water) and compressibility determinations.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approximate.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D 6026.
1.3.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the accuracy with which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this standard is beyond its scope.
1.4 This sta...
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: D7263 − 09
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil
1
Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7263; 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 1.3.1 The method used to specify how data are collected,
calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to
1.1 These test methods describe two ways of determining
the accuracy with which the data can be applied in design or
the total/moist and dry densities (unit weights) of intact,
other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using
disturbed, remolded, and reconstituted (compacted) soil speci-
this standard is beyond its scope.
mens. Density (unit weight) as used in this standard means the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
same as “bulk density” of soil as defined by the Soil Science
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Society of America. Intact specimens may be obtained from
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
thin-walled sampling tubes, block samples, or clods. Speci-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
mens that are remolded by dynamic or static compaction
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures may also be measured by these methods. These
methods apply to soils that will retain their shape during the
2. Referenced Documents
measurement process and may also apply to other materials
2
such as soil-cement, soil-lime, soil-bentonite or solidified
2.1 ASTM Standards:
soil-bentonite-cement slurries. It is common for the density
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
(unit weight) of specimens after removal from sampling tubes
Fluids
and compaction molds to be less than the value based on tube
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
or mold volumes, or of in-situ conditions. This is due to the
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3
specimen swelling after removal of lateral pressures.
kN-m/m ))
1.1.1 Method A covers the procedure for measuring the
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
volume of wax coated specimens by determining the quantity
Water Pycnometer
of water displaced.
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
1.1.1.1 This method only applies to specimens in which the istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
3
wax will not penetrate the outer surface of the specimen. (2,700 kN-m/m ))
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for
1.1.2 Method B covers the procedure by means of the direct
measurement of the dimensions and mass of a specimen, Geotechnical Purposes
D2166 Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength
usually one of cylindrical shape. Intact and reconstituted/
remolded specimens may be tested by this method in conjunc- of Cohesive Soil
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
tion with strength, permeability (air/water) and compressibility
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
determinations.
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approxi-
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
mate.
(Visual-Manual Procedure)
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Drive Sampling of Soils
Practice D6026.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil
2
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved March 15, 2009. Published April 2009. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D7263-09. the ASTM website.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7263 − 09
Used in Engineering Design and Construction to 200 grams and a Class GP2 balance of 0.1 g readability is
D4220 Practices for Preserving and T
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.