ASTM D854-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil contains particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C 127 shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve and these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing the 4.75-mm sieve.
1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water.
Note 1—The use of Test Method D 5550 may be used to determine the specific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily dissolve in water or float in water, or where it is impracticable to use water.
1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity are provided. The method to be used shall be specified by the requesting authority, except when testing the types of soils listed in 1.2.1.
1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described in 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organic soils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and soils containing halloysite, Method A shall be used.
1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, described in 9.3.
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 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 generally should 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 these test methods 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 units of measurement in the parentheses are for informational purposes only.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D 854 – 05
Standard Test Methods for
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Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 854; 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* commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
analysis methods for engineering design.
specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil contains
as standard. The units of measurement in the parentheses are
particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method
for informational purposes only.
C 127C 127 shall be used for the soil solids retained on the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.75-mm sieve and these test methods shall be used for the soil
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
solids passing the 4.75-mm sieve.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly
organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water.
2. Referenced Documents
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NOTE 1—The use of Test Method D 5550D 5550 may be used to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
determine the specific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily
C 127 Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of
dissolveinwaterorfloatinwater,orwhereitisimpracticabletousewater.
Coarse Aggregate
1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity are
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
provided. The method to be used shall be specified by the
Fluids
requesting authority, except when testing the types of soils
D 2216 Test Method for Laboratory Determination ofWater
listed in 1.2.1
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
1.2.1 MethodA—ProcedureforMoistSpecimens,described
D 2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
in 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organic
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
soils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and soils
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
containing halloysite, Method A shall be used.
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de-
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
scribed in 9.3.
D 4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and Related
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Construction Materials Testing
Practice D 6026D 6026.
D 5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
1.3.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
Gas Pycnometer
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
D 6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechni-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
cal Data
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
E11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
poses
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
ASTM Test Methods
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
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This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
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Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 onTexture, Plasticity, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and Density Characteristics of Soils. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2005. Published January 2006. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 854 – 02. the ASTM website.
*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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