ASTM D8167/D8167M-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The test method described is useful as a rapid, nondestructive technique for in-place measurements of bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate. Test results may be used for the determination of dry density if the water content of the soil or soil-aggregate is determined by separate means, such as those methods described in Test Methods D2216, D4643, D4944, and D4959.
4.2 The test method is used for quality control and acceptance testing of compacted soil and soil-aggregate mixtures as used in construction and also for research and development. The nondestructive nature allows repetitive measurements at a single test location and statistical analysis of the results.
4.3 Density—The fundamental assumptions inherent in the method is that Compton scattering is the dominant interaction and that the material is homogeneous.
Note 3: 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 criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/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 evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the procedures for measuring in-place bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate using nuclear equipment with radioactive sources (hereafter referred to simply as “gauges.”) These gauges are distinct from those described in Test Method D6938 insofar as:
1.1.1 These gauges do not contain a system (nuclear or otherwise) for the determination of the water content of the material under measurement.
1.1.2 These gauges have photon yields sufficiently low as to require the inclusion of background radiation effects on the response during normal operation.
1.1.2.1 For the devices described in Test Method D6938, the contribution of gamma rays detected from the naturally-occurring radioisotopes in most soils (hereafter referred to as “background”) compared to the contribution of gamma rays used by the device to measure in-place bulk density is typically small enough to be negligible in terms of their effect on measurement accuracy. However, for these low-activity gauges, the gamma ray yield from the gauge is low enough that the background contribution from most soils compared to the contribution of gamma gays from the gauge is no longer negligible, and changes in this background can adversely affect the accuracy of the bulk density reading.
1.1.2.2 In order to compensate for potentially differing background contribution to low-activity gauge measurements at different test sites, a background reading must be taken in conjunction with gauge measurements obtained at a given test site. This background reading is utilized in the bulk density calculation performed by the gauge with the goal of minimizing these background effects on the density measurement accuracy.
1.2 For limitations see Section 5 on Interferences.
1.3 The bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate is measured by the attenuation of gamma radiation where the source is placed at a known depth up to 200 mm [8 in.] and the detector(s) remains on the surface (some gauges may reverse this orientation).
1.3.1 The bulk density of the test sample in mass per unit volume is calculated by comparing the detected rate of gamma radiation with previously established calibration data.
1.3.2 Neither the dry density nor the water content of the test sample is measured by this device. However, the results of this test can be used with the water content or water mass per unit volume value determined by alternative methods to determine the dry density of the test sample.
1.4 The gauge is calibrated to read the bulk dens...
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Designation: D8167/D8167M − 18
Standard Test Method for
In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-
1
Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8167/D8167M; 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 placed at a known depth up to 200 mm [8 in.] and the
detector(s) remains on the surface (some gauges may reverse
1.1 This test method describes the procedures for measuring
this orientation).
in-place bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate using nuclear
1.3.1 The bulk density of the test sample in mass per unit
equipment with radioactive sources (hereafter referred to
volume is calculated by comparing the detected rate of gamma
simply as “gauges.”) These gauges are distinct from those
radiation with previously established calibration data.
described in Test Method D6938 insofar as:
1.3.2 Neither the dry density nor the water content of the
1.1.1 These gauges do not contain a system (nuclear or
test sample is measured by this device. However, the results of
otherwise) for the determination of the water content of the
this test can be used with the water content or water mass per
material under measurement.
unit volume value determined by alternative methods to
1.1.2 These gauges have photon yields sufficiently low as to
determine the dry density of the test sample.
require the inclusion of background radiation effects on the
response during normal operation.
1.4 The gauge is calibrated to read the bulk density of soil
1.1.2.1 ForthedevicesdescribedinTestMethodD6938,the or soil-aggregate.
contribution of gamma rays detected from the naturally-
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
occurring radioisotopes in most soils (hereafter referred to as
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
“background”) compared to the contribution of gamma rays
Practice D6026.
used by the device to measure in-place bulk density is typically
1.5.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated
small enough to be negligible in terms of their effect on
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
measurement accuracy. However, for these low-activity
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
gauges,thegammarayyieldfromthegaugeislowenoughthat
digits in the specified limits.
the background contribution from most soils compared to the
1.5.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
contribution of gamma gays from the gauge is no longer
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
negligible, and changes in this background can adversely affect
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
the accuracy of the bulk density reading.
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
1.1.2.2 In order to compensate for potentially differing
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
background contribution to low-activity gauge measurements
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
at different test sites, a background reading must be taken in
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
conjunction with gauge measurements obtained at a given test
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to com-
site. This background reading is utilized in the bulk density
mensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of
calculation performed by the gauge with the goal of minimiz-
this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
ing these background effects on the density measurement
methods for engineering design.
accuracy.
1.6 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
1.2 For limitations see Section 5 on Interferences.
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
1.3 The bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate is measured
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
by the attenuation of gamma radiation where the source is
therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
conformance with the standard. Reporting test results in units
1 other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and this standard.
Construction Control Tests.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Current edition approved May 15, 2018. Published June 2018. DOI: 10.1520/
D8167_D8167M–18. safety concerns, if any,
...
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