ASTM D2167-08
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method can be used to determine the in-place density and unit weight of natural inorganic soil deposits, soil-aggregate mixtures, or other similar firm materials. It is often used as a basis of acceptance for earthen material compacted to a specified density or percentage of a maximum density determined by a test method, such as Test Methods D 698, D 1557 or D 4253.
Test Methods D 698 and D 1557 require that mass measurements of laboratory compacted test specimens be determined to the nearest 1 g so that computed water contents and densities can be reported to three and four significant digits, respectively. This standard is a field procedure requiring mass measurements to the nearest 5 g. As such, water content calculations should only be reported to two significant digits and density to three significant digits.
This test method may be used to determine the density and unit weight of compacted soils used in construction of earth embankments, road fill, and structural backfill. This test method often is used as a basis of acceptance for soils compacted to a specified density or a percentage of maximum density or unit weight, as determined by a standard test method.
The use of this test method is generally limited to soil in an unsaturated condition and is not recommended for soils that are soft or that deform easily. Such soils may undergo a volume change during the application of pressure during testing. This test method may not be suitable for soils containing crushed rock fragments or sharp edge materials which may puncture the rubber membrane.
Note 1—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias contained in this test method, the precision of this test method is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and the facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of this test method are caution...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded soil using a rubber balloon apparatus.
1.2 This test method is suitable for use as a means of acceptance for compacted fill or embankments constructed of fine-grained soils or granular soils without appreciable amounts of rock or coarse material.
1.3 This test method also may be used for the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of undisturbed or in situ soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures imposed during the test.
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic, saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the pressures applied during this test. This test method may require special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in a small hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse material in excess of 37.5 mm (1½ in.), (3) granular soils having high void ratios, or (4) fill materials containing particles with sharp edges. For soils containing appreciable amounts of particles in excess of 37.5 mm (11/2 in.), Test Methods D 4914 or D 5030 should be used.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5.1 In the engineering profession it is customary to use units representing both mass and force interchangeably, unless dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly combines two separate systems of 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 standard has been written using the gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this system the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight). However, conversions are gi...
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
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: D2167 − 08
StandardTest Method for
Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber
1
Balloon Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2167; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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* gravitationalsystemofunitswhendealingwiththeinch-pound
system.Inthissystemthepound(lbf)representsaunitofforce
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the in-
(weight).However,conversionsaregivenintheSIsystem.The
place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded
3
use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass lbm/ft
soil using a rubber balloon apparatus.
should not be regarded as nonconforming with this test
1.2 This test method is suitable for use as a means of
method.
acceptance for compacted fill or embankments constructed of
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
fine-grained soils or granular soils without appreciable
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
amounts of rock or coarse material.
Practice D6026 unless superseded by this standard.
1.3 Thistestmethodalsomaybeusedforthedetermination
1.6.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected,
ofthein-placedensityandunitweightofundisturbedorinsitu
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures
industry standard. In addition they are representative of the
imposed during the test.
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic,
saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
ations for the user’s objectives; it is common practice to
pressuresappliedduringthistest.Thistestmethodmayrequire
special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in a small
hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical
1
material in excess of 37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.), (3) granular soils methods for engineering design.
havinghighvoidratios,or(4)fillmaterialscontainingparticles
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
with sharp edges. For soils containing appreciable amounts of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1
particles in excess of 37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.), Test Methods D4914
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or D5030 should be used.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
2. Referenced Documents
only.
2
1.5.1 In the engineering profession it is customary to use 2.1 ASTM Standards:
units representing both mass and force interchangeably, unless D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly combines Fluids
D698Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and
3
the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3
kN-m/m ))
combinetheuseoftwoseparatesetsofinch-poundunitswithin
a single standard. This standard has been written using the D1557Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
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 April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D2167–94 (2001). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D2167-08. 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
1
------------
...
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:D 2167–94 (Reapproved 2001) Designation:D 2167–08
Standard Test Method for
Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber
1
Balloon Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2167; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded soil using
a rubber balloon apparatus.
1.2 Thistestmethodissuitableforuseasameansofacceptanceforcompactedfillorembankmentsconstructedoffine-grained
soils or granular soils without appreciable amounts of rock or coarse material.
1.3 This test method also may be used for the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of undisturbed or in situ
soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures imposed during the test.
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic, saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the pressures
applied during this test. This test method may require special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded granular materials
1
that will not maintain stable sides in a small hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse material in excess of 1 ⁄2 in.
1
(37.5mm),37.5mm(1 ⁄2in.),( 3)granularsoilshavinghighvoidratios,or(4)fillmaterialscontainingparticleswithsharpedges.
1 1
For soils containing appreciable amounts of particles in excess of 1 ⁄2 in. (37.5 mm),37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.), Test Methods D4914 or
D5030 should be used.
1.5It is common practice in the engineering 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 to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. This
standard has been written using the gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this system the
pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass lbm/ft
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5.1 In the engineering profession it is customary to use units representing both mass and force interchangeably, unless
dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly combines two separate systems of 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 standard has been written using the gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this
system the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight). However, conversions are given in the SI system. The use of balances
3
or scales recording pounds of mass lbm/ft should not be regarded as nonconforming with this test method.
1.6
1.6 AllobservedandcalculatedvaluesshallconformtotheguidelinesforsignificantdigitsandroundingestablishedinPractice
D6026 unless superseded by this standard.
1.6.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected,recordedorcalculatedinthisstandardareregardedastheindustry
standard. In addition they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained.The procedures used do not
considermaterialvariation,purposeforobtainingthedata,specialpurposestudies,oranyconsiderationsfortheuser’sobjectives;
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 analytical methods for engineering design.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.08onS
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.