ASTM D2937-10
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method can be used to determine the in-place density of soils which do not contain significant amounts of particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16 in.), and which can be readily retained in the drive cylinder. This test method may also be used to determine the in-place density of compacted soils used in construction of structural fill, highway embankments, or earth dams. When the in-place density is to be used as a basis for acceptance, the drive cylinder volumes must be as large as practical and not less than 850 cm3 (0.030 ft3 ).
This test method is not recommended for use in organic or friable soils. This test method may not be applicable for soft, highly plastic, noncohesive, saturated or other soils which are easily deformed, compress during sampling, or which may not be retained in the drive cylinder. The use of this test method in soils containing particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16 in.) may result in damage to the drive cylinder equipment. Soils containing particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16 in.) may not yield valid results if voids are created along the wall of cylinder during driving, or if particles are dislodged from the sample ends during trimming.
The general principles of this test method have been successfully used to obtain samples of some field compacted fine-grained soils having a maximum particle size of 4.75 mm (3/16 in.) for purposes other than density determinations, such as the testing for engineering properties.
Note 1—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias contained in this standard: The precision of this test method is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies which meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of this method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on many factors; Prac...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of in-place density of soil by the drive-cylinder method. The test method involves obtaining a relatively intact soil sample by driving a thin-walled cylinder and the subsequent activities for the determination of in-place density. When sampling or in-place density is required at depth, Test Method D1587 should be used.
1.2 This test method is not appropriate for sampling organic soils which can compress upon sampling, very hard natural soils and heavily compacted soils which cannot be easily penetrated by the drive sampler, soils of low plasticity which will not be readily retained in the cylinder, or soils which contain appreciable amounts of gravel (particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16 in.)). The presence of particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16 in.) may introduce significant errors in density measurements by causing voids along the wall of the cylinder during driving, and when coarse materials have to be dislodged by the trimming of the sample obtained by the cylinder.
1.3 This test method is limited to the procedures necessary for obtaining specimens suitable for determining the in-place density and water content of certain soils. The procedures and precautions necessary for selecting locations and obtaining intact samples suitable for laboratory testing or otherwise determining engineering properties is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are mathematical conversions, which are provided for information purposes only and are not considered standard.
1.4.1 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable ...
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Designation: D2937 − 10
Standard Test Method for
1
Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2937; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* sirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound
units within a single standard.As stated, this standard includes
1.1 This test method covers the determination of in-place
the gravitational system of inch-pound units and does not
density of soil by the drive-cylinder method. The test method
use/present the slug unit for mass. However, the use of
involves obtaining a relatively intact soil sample by driving a
balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) or the
thin-walled cylinder and the subsequent activities for the
3
recording of density in lbm/ft shall not be regarded as
determination of in-place density. When sampling or in-place
nonconformance with this standard.
density is required at depth, Test Method D1587 should be
used. 1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
1.2 This test method is not appropriate for sampling organic
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard.
soils which can compress upon sampling, very hard natural
1.5.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
soils and heavily compacted soils which cannot be easily
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
penetrated by the drive sampler, soils of low plasticity which
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
will not be readily retained in the cylinder, or soils which
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
contain appreciable amounts of gravel (particles coarser than
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
3
4.75 mm ( ⁄16 in.)). The presence of particles coarser than 4.75
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
3
mm ( ⁄16 in.) may introduce significant errors in density
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
measurements by causing voids along the wall of the cylinder
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
duringdriving,andwhencoarsematerialshavetobedislodged
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
by the trimming of the sample obtained by the cylinder.
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
1.3 This test method is limited to the procedures necessary
methods for engineering design.
for obtaining specimens suitable for determining the in-place
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
density and water content of certain soils. The procedures and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
precautions necessary for selecting locations and obtaining
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
intact samples suitable for laboratory testing or otherwise
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
determining engineering properties is beyond the scope of this
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
test method.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2. Referenced Documents
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mathematical conversions, which are provided for information
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
purposes only and are not considered standard.
Fluids
1.4.1 It is common practice in the engineering/construction
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit 3
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
of mass (lbm) and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly
3
kN-m/m ))
combines two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
system and the gravitational system. It is scientifically unde-
3
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
3
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
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 March 15, 2010. Published April 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D2937 – 04. DOI: Standards volu
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D2937–04 Designation:D2937–10
Standard Test Method for
1
Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2937; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofin-placedensityofsoilbythedrive-cylindermethod.Thetestmethodinvolves
obtaining a relatively undisturbedintact soil sample by driving a thin-walled cylinder and the subsequent activities for the
determination of in-place density. When sampling or in-place density is required at depth, Test Method D1587 should be used.
1.2 This test method is not appropriate for sampling organic soils which can compress upon sampling, very hard natural soils
andheavilycompactedsoilswhichcannotbeeasilypenetratedbythedrivesampler,soilsoflowplasticitywhichwillnotbereadily
3
retained in the cylinder, or soils which contain appreciable amounts of gravel (particles coarser than 4.75 mm ( ⁄16 in.)). The
3
presence of particles coarser than 4.75 mm ( ⁄16 in.) may introduce significant errors in density measurements by causing voids
along the wall of the cylinder during driving, and when coarse materials have to be dislodged by the trimming of the sample
obtained by the cylinder.
1.3 Thistestmethodislimitedtotheproceduresnecessaryforobtainingspecimenssuitablefordeterminingthein-placedensity
andwatercontentofcertainsoils.Theproceduresandprecautionsnecessaryforselectinglocationsandobtainingundisturbedintact
samples suitable for laboratory testing or otherwise determining engineering properties is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions, which are provided for information purposes only and are not considered standard.
1.4.1 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of
mass (lbm) and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate systems of units,units; that is, the absolute system and
the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
standard. This test method has been written usingAs stated, this standard includes the gravitational system of units when dealing
with the inch-pound system. In this system units and does not use/present the pound (lbf) represents a slug unit of force (weight).
3
for mass. However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm),(lbm) or the recording of density in lbm/ft
shouldshall not be regarded as nonconformance with this test method. standard.
1.5All1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026.
1.6The standard values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are provided for
information purposes only.
1.7, unless superseded by this standard.
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or 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 this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.6 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.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.08onSpecialandConstruction
Control Tests.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published December 2004. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition ap
...
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