ASTM D5550-23

Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The specific gravity value is used in many phase relation equations to determine relative volumes of particle, water, and gas mixtures.  
5.2 The term soil particle typically refers to a naturally occurring mineral grain that is not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity of soils that contain extraneous matter (such as cement, lime, and the like) or water-soluble material (such as salt) must be corrected for the precipitate that forms on the test specimen after drying. If the precipitate has a specific gravity less than the parent soil grains, the uncorrected test result will be too low. If the precipitate has a higher specific gravity, then the uncorrected test value will be too high.  
5.3 Heating during drying may diagenetically alter the structure of some clay minerals.3 Therefore caution should be exercised if the mineral composition of a clay test specimen is going to be determined after drying. It is possible to dry the test specimen at a lower temperature. However, the effect on water content4 and hence specific gravity should be investigated. In addition, some materials other than clay may be affected by drying at 110°C, such as gypsum, soils containing organics, fly ash containing residual coal, island sands. Test Method D2216 includes recommendations for drying gypsum using a lower temperature, such as 60°C.
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 D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure 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 covers the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer. Particle size is limited by the dimensions of the test specimen container of the particular pycnometer being used.  
1.2 Test Method D854 may be used instead of or in conjunction with this test method for performing specific gravity tests on soils. Note that Test Method D854 does not require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test method. However, Test Method D854 may not be used if the test specimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water, whereas this test method does not have that limitation.  
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.3.1 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.  
1.3.2 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 common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4.1 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 converted slug unit is not given, un...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2022
• ICS: 13.080.10 - Chemical characteristics of soils
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.03 - Texture, Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils

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: D5550 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5550; 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* is slugs. The converted slug unit is not given, unless dynamic
(F = ma) calculations are involved.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specific
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
gravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer. Particle
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
size is limited by the dimensions of the test specimen container
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of the particular pycnometer being used.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.2 Test Method D854 may be used instead of or in
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
conjunction with this test method for performing specific
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
gravity tests on soils. Note that Test Method D854 does not
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
method. However, Test Method D854 may not be used if the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
test specimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
whereas this test method does not have that limitation.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
2. Referenced Documents
Practice D6026.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculated
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
Fluids
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
digits in the specified limits.
Water Pycnometer
1.3.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
Plasticity Index of Soils
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
D4542 Test Methods for Pore Water Extraction and Deter-
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
mination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refrac-
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
tometer
methods for engineering design.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
Construction Materials Testing
information only and are not considered standard.
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
1.4.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
cords in Geotechnical Data
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
(lbf) represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
2
and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D5550 – 14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520
...

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: D5550 − 14 D5550 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5550; 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 covers the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer. Particle size
is limited by the dimensions of the test specimen container of the particular pycnometer being used.
1.2 Test Method D854 may be used instead of or in conjunction with this test method for performing specific gravity tests on soils.
Note that Test Method D854 does not require the specialized test apparatus needed by this test method. However, Test Method
D854 may not be used if the test specimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water, whereas this test method does not
have that limitation.
1.3 All measuredobserved and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026.
1.3.1 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.
1.3.2 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 common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitational system of 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 converted slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are involved.
1.5 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2014Jan. 1, 2023. Published January 2015February 2023. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20062014
as D5550 – 06. DOI: 10.1520/D5550-14.14. DOI: 10.1520/D5550-23.
*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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D5550 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
D4542 Test Methods for Pore W
...