ASTM D7263-09(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens
Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Dry density, as defined as “density of soil or rock” in Terminology D653 and “bulk density” by soil scientists, can be used to convert the water fraction of soil from a mass basis to a volume basis and vise-versa. When particle density, that is, specific gravity (Test Methods D854) is also known, dry density can be used to calculate porosity and void ratio (see Appendix X1). Dry density measurements are also useful for determining degree of soil compaction. Since moisture content is variable, moist soil density provides little useful information except to estimate the weight of soil per unit volume, for example, pounds per cubic yard, at the time of sampling. Since soil volume shrinks with drying of swelling soils, bulk density will vary with moisture content. Hence, the water content of the soil should be determined at the time of sampling.
4.2 Densities (unit weights) of remolded/reconstituted specimens are commonly used to evaluate the degree of compaction of earthen fills, embankments, etc. Dry density values are usually used in conjunction with compaction curve values (Test Methods D698 and D1557).
4.3 Density (unit weight) is one of the key components in determining the mass composition/phase relations of soil, see Appendix X1.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard 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/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of these factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods describe two ways of determining the total/moist and dry densities (unit weights) of intact, disturbed, remolded, and reconstituted (compacted) soil specimens. Density (unit weight) as used in this standard means the same as “bulk density” of soil as defined by the Soil Science Society of America. Intact specimens may be obtained from thin-walled sampling tubes, block samples, or clods. Specimens that are remolded by dynamic or static compaction procedures may also be measured by these methods. These methods apply to soils that will retain their shape during the measurement process and may also apply to other materials such as soil-cement, soil-lime, soil-bentonite or solidified soil-bentonite-cement slurries. It is common for the density (unit weight) of specimens after removal from sampling tubes and compaction molds to be less than the value based on tube or mold volumes, or of in situ conditions. This is due to the specimen swelling after removal of lateral pressures.
1.1.1 Method A covers the procedure for measuring the volume of wax coated specimens by determining the quantity of water displaced.
1.1.1.1 This method only applies to specimens in which the wax will not penetrate the outer surface of the specimen.
1.1.2 Method B covers the procedure by means of the direct measurement of the dimensions and mass of a specimen, usually one of cylindrical shape. Intact and reconstituted/remolded specimens may be tested by this method in conjunction with strength, permeability (air/water) and compressibility determinations.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approximate.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.3.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the accuracy with which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this standard is beyond its scope.
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Designation: D7263 − 09 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil
1
Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7263; 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 1.3.1 The method used to specify how data are collected,
calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to
1.1 These test methods describe two ways of determining
the accuracy with which the data can be applied in design or
the total/moist and dry densities (unit weights) of intact,
other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using
disturbed, remolded, and reconstituted (compacted) soil speci-
this standard is beyond its scope.
mens. Density (unit weight) as used in this standard means the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
same as “bulk density” of soil as defined by the Soil Science
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Society of America. Intact specimens may be obtained from
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
thin-walled sampling tubes, block samples, or clods. Speci-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mens that are remolded by dynamic or static compaction
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures may also be measured by these methods. These
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
methods apply to soils that will retain their shape during the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
measurement process and may also apply to other materials
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
such as soil-cement, soil-lime, soil-bentonite or solidified
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
soil-bentonite-cement slurries. It is common for the density
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
(unit weight) of specimens after removal from sampling tubes
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and compaction molds to be less than the value based on tube
or mold volumes, or of in situ conditions. This is due to the
2. Referenced Documents
specimen swelling after removal of lateral pressures.
2
1.1.1 Method A covers the procedure for measuring the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
volume of wax coated specimens by determining the quantity
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
of water displaced.
Fluids
1.1.1.1 This method only applies to specimens in which the
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
wax will not penetrate the outer surface of the specimen.
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3
1.1.2 Method B covers the procedure by means of the direct
kN-m/m ))
measurement of the dimensions and mass of a specimen,
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
usually one of cylindrical shape. Intact and reconstituted/
Water Pycnometer
remolded specimens may be tested by this method in conjunc-
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
tion with strength, permeability (air/water) and compressibility
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
3
determinations.
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
D1587/D1587M Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approxi-
D2166/D2166M Test Method for Unconfined Compressive
mate.
Strength of Cohesive Soil
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
Practice D6026.
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,
2
Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2018. Published March 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2009 as D7263–09. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D7263–09. DOI: 10.1520/D7263-09R18. the ASTM website.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
1
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D7263 − 09 D7263 − 09 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil
1
Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7263; 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
1.1 These test methods describe two ways of determining the total/moist and dry densities (unit weights) of intact, disturbed,
remolded, and reconstituted (compacted) soil specimens. Density (unit weight) as used in this standard means the same as “bulk
density” of soil as defined by the Soil Science Society of America. Intact specimens may be obtained from thin-walled sampling
tubes, block samples, or clods. Specimens that are remolded by dynamic or static compaction procedures may also be measured
by these methods. These methods apply to soils that will retain their shape during the measurement process and may also apply
to other materials such as soil-cement, soil-lime, soil-bentonite or solidified soil-bentonite-cement slurries. It is common for the
density (unit weight) of specimens after removal from sampling tubes and compaction molds to be less than the value based on
tube or mold volumes, or of in-situ in situ conditions. This is due to the specimen swelling after removal of lateral pressures.
1.1.1 Method A covers the procedure for measuring the volume of wax coated specimens by determining the quantity of water
displaced.
1.1.1.1 This method only applies to specimens in which the wax will not penetrate the outer surface of the specimen.
1.1.2 Method B covers the procedure by means of the direct measurement of the dimensions and mass of a specimen, usually
one of cylindrical shape. Intact and reconstituted/remolded specimens may be tested by this method in conjunction with strength,
permeability (air/water) and compressibility determinations.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are approximate.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.3.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the
accuracy with which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this
standard is beyond its scope.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3 3
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
3
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft (2,700
3
kN-m/m ))
D1587D1587/D1587M Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved March 15, 2009Feb. 15, 2018. Published April 2009March 2018. Originally approved in 2009 as D7263–09. Last previous edition approved in
2009 as D7263–09. DOI: 10.1520/D7263-09.10.1520/D7263-09R18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box
...
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