ASTM D4718-87(2007)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Compaction tests on soils performed in accordance with Test Methods D 698, D 1557, and D 4253 place limitations on the maximum size of particles that may be used in the test. If a soil contains cobbles or gravel, or both, test options may be selected which result in particles retained on a specific sieve being discarded (for example the No. 4 (4.75-mm) or the ¾-in. (19-mm) or other appropriate size), and the test performed on the finer fraction. The unit weight–water content relations determined by the tests reflect the characteristics of the actual material tested, and not the characteristics of the total soil material from which the test specimen was obtained.
It is common engineering practice to use laboratory compaction tests for the design, specification, and construction control of soils used in earth construction. If a soil used in construction contains large particles, and only the finer fraction is used for laboratory tests, some method of correcting the laboratory test results to reflect the characteristics of the total soil is needed. This practice provides a mathematical equation for correcting the unit weight and water content of the tested finer fraction of a soil, to determine the unit weight and water content of the total soil.
Similarly, this practice provides a means for correcting the unit weight and water content of field compacted samples of the total soil, so that values can be compared with those for a laboratory compacted finer fraction.
Note 1—When this practice is used for construction control, the using agency should specify whether the maximum unit weight value used for reference is the unit weight including oversize fraction or the unit weight of the finer fraction. Calculated values of percent compaction based on this correction practice will vary depending on which unit weight value is used for reference.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice presents a procedure for calculating the unit weights and water contents of soils containing oversize particles when the data are known for the soil fraction with the oversize particles removed.
1.2 The practice also can be used to calculate the unit weights and water contents of soil fractions when the data are known for the total soil sample containing oversize particles.
1.3 This practice is based on tests performed on soils and soil-rock mixtures in which the portion considered oversize is that fraction of the material retained on the No. 4 sieve. Based on these tests, this practice is applicable to soils and soil-rock mixtures in which up to 40 % of the material is retained on the No. 4 sieve. The practice also is considered valid when the oversize fraction is that portion retained on some other sieve, such as the 3/4-in. sieve, but the limiting percentage of oversize particles for which the correction is valid may be lower. However, the practice is considered valid for materials having up to 30 % oversize particles when the oversize fraction is that portion retained on the 3/4-in. sieve.
1.4 The factor controlling the maximum permissible percentage of oversize particles is whether interference between the oversize particles affects the unit weight of the finer fraction. For some gradations, this interference may begin to occur at lower percentages of oversize particles, so the limiting percentage must be lower for these materials to avoid inaccuracies in the computed correction. The person or agency using this practice shall determine whether a lower percentage is to be used.
1.5 This practice may be applied to soils with any percentage of oversize particles subject to the limitations given in 1.4 and . However, the correction may not be of practical significance for soils with only small percentages of oversize particles. The person or agency specifying this practice shall specify a minimum percentage of oversize particles below which the practice need not be applied. If a minimum percentage is not specified, 5 % shall...
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Designation: D4718 − 87(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Practice for
Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils
Containing Oversize Particles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4718; 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 particles. The person or agency specifying this practice shall
specify a minimum percentage of oversize particles below
1.1 This practice presents a procedure for calculating the
which the practice need not be applied. If a minimum percent-
unit weights and water contents of soils containing oversize
age is not specified, 5 % shall be used.
particles when the data are known for the soil fraction with the
oversize particles removed. 1.6 This practice may not be applicable to soil-rock mix-
tures which degrade under field compaction.
1.2 The practice also can be used to calculate the unit
weights and water contents of soil fractions when the data are 1.7 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
known for the total soil sample containing oversize particles. one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
1.3 This practice is based on tests performed on soils and
withprofessionaljudgment.Natallaspectsofthispracticemay
soil-rock mixtures in which the portion considered oversize is
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
that fraction of the material retained on the No. 4 sieve. Based
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
on these tests, this practice is applicable to soils and soil-rock
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
mixtures in which up to 40 % of the material is retained on the
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
No. 4 sieve. The practice also is considered valid when the
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
oversize fraction is that portion retained on some other sieve,
title of this document means only that the document has been
such as the ⁄4-in. sieve, but the limiting percentage of oversize
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
particles for which the correction is valid may be lower.
However, the practice is considered valid for materials having
2. Referenced Documents
up to 30 % oversize particles when the oversize fraction is that
portion retained on the ⁄4-in. sieve. 2.1 ASTM Standards:
C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
1.4 The factor controlling the maximum permissible per-
Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
centage of oversize particles is whether interference between
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
the oversize particles affects the unit weight of the finer
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
fraction. For some gradations, this interference may begin to
kN-m/m ))
occur at lower percentages of oversize particles, so the limiting
D1556 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
percentage must be lower for these materials to avoid inaccu-
Place by Sand-Cone Method
racies in the computed correction. The person or agency using
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
this practice shall determine whether a lower percentage is to
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
be used.
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
1.5 This practice may be applied to soils with any percent-
D2167 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
age of oversize particles subject to the limitations given in 1.3
Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
and 1.4. However, the correction may not be of practical
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
significance for soils with only small percentages of oversize
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2922 Test Methods for Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2007. Published September 2007. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D4718 – 87 (2001). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D4718-87R07. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4718 − 87 (2007)
in Place by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth) (With- M 5 M / 11w (1)
~ !
D M
drawn 2007)
where:
D3017 Test Method for Water Content of Soil and Rock in
M = mass of the dry material (finer or oversize fraction),
D
Place by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
g,
D4253 Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit
M = mass of the moist material (finer or oversize frac-
M
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
tion), g, and
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
w = water content of the respective finer or oversize
Sieves
fractions expressed as a decimal.
3. Significance and Use
4.1.2 Calculate the percentage of the finer fraction and of
the oversize fraction of the sample by dry weight as follows:
3.1 Compaction tests on soils performed in accordance with
Test Methods D698, D1557, and D4253 place limitations on
P 5 100 M /~M 1M ! (2)
F DF DF DC
the maximum size of particles that may be used in the test. If
a soil contains cobbles or gravel, or both, test options may be and
selected which result in particles retained on a specific sieve
P 5 100 M / M 1M (3)
~ !
C DC DF DC
being discarded (for example the No. 4 (4.75-mm) or the ⁄4-in.
where:
(19-mm) or other appropriate size), and the test performed on
the finer fraction. The unit weight–water content relations P = percent of finer fraction by weight,
F
determined by the tests reflect the characteristics of the actual P = percent of oversize fraction by weight,
C
M = mass of dry finer fraction, and
material tested, and not the characteristics of the total soil
DF
M = mass of dry oversize fraction.
material from which the test specimen was obtained. DC
3.2 It is common engineering practice to use laboratory 4.1.3 Determine the bulk specific gravity (G )ofthe
M
compaction tests for the design, specification, and construction
oversize fraction as set forth in Test Method C127.
control of soils used in earth construction. If a soil used in
4.1.4 Calculate the corrected water content and corrected
construction contains large particles, and only the finer fraction
dry unit weight of the total material (combined finer and
is used for laboratory tests, some method of correcting the
oversize fractions), as follows:
laboratory test results to reflect the characteristics of the total
C 5 ~w P 1w P ! (4)
w F F C C
soil is needed. This practice provides a mathematical equation
for correcting the unit weight and water content of the tested
where:
finer fraction of a soil, to determine the unit weight and water
C = corrected water content of combined and oversize
w
content of the total soil.
fractions,
w = water content of finer fraction expressed as a deci-
3.3
...
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