ASTM D1556/D1556M-15e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method (Withdrawn 2024)
Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone Method (Withdrawn 2024)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to determine the density and water content of compacted soils placed during the construction of earth embankments, road fill, and structural backfill. It often is used as a basis of acceptance for soils compacted to a specified density or percentage of a maximum density determined by a test method, such as Test Methods D698 or D1557.
5.1.1 Test Methods D698 and D1557 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 0.01 lbm [5 g]. As such, water content calculations should only be reported to nearest 1 % and density to three significant digits.
5.2 This test method can be used to determine the in-place density of natural soil deposits, aggregates, soil mixtures, or other similar material.
5.3 The use of this test method is generally limited to soil in an unsaturated condition. This test method is not recommended for soils that are soft or friable (crumble easily) or in moisture conditions such that water seeps into the hand excavated hole. The precision of the test may be affected for soils that deform easily or that may undergo a volume change in the excavated hole from vibration, or from standing or walking near the hole during the test (see Note 1).
Note 1: When testing in soft conditions or in soils near saturation, volume changes may occur in the excavated hole as a result of surface loading, personnel performing the test, and the like. This can sometimes be avoided by the use of a platform that is supported some distance from the hole. As it is not always possible to detect when a volume change has taken place, test results should always be compared to the theoretical saturation density, or the zero air voids line on the dry density versus water content plot. Any in-place densit...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method may be used to determine the in-place density and unit weight of soils using a sand cone apparatus.
1.2 This test method is applicable for soils without appreciable amounts of rock or coarse materials in excess of 11/2 in. [38 mm] in diameter.
1.3 This test method may also be used for the determination of the in-place density and unit weight of intact or in situ soils, provided the natural void or pore openings in the soil are small enough to prevent the sand used in the test from entering the voids. The soil or other material being tested should have sufficient cohesion or particle attraction to maintain stable sides on a small hole or excavation, and be firm enough to withstand the minor pressures exerted in digging the hole and placing the apparatus over it, without deforming or sloughing.
1.4 This test method is not suitable for organic, saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform or compress during the excavation of the test hole. This test method may not be suitable for soils consisting of unbound granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in the test hole, soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse material larger than 11/2 in. [38 mm], and granular soils having high void ratios.
1.5 When materials to be tested contain appreciable amounts of particles larger than 11/2 in. [38 mm], or when test hole volumes larger than 0.1 ft3 [2830 cm3] are required, Test Method D4914 or D5030/D5030M is applicable.
1.6 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.6.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, th...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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.
´1
Designation: D1556/D1556M − 15
Standard Test Method for
Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-Cone
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1556/D1556M; 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.
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ε NOTE—Editorially corrected 6.1.5 in January 2016.
1. Scope* equivalents; therefore each system shall be used independently
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
1.1 This test method may be used to determine the in-place
result in non-conformance with the standard.
density and unit weight of soils using a sand cone apparatus.
1.6.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
1.2 This test method is applicable for soils without appre-
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
1
ciable amounts of rock or coarse materials in excess of 1 ⁄2 in.
(lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
[38 mm] in diameter.
1.6.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
concurrently use units representing both mass and force unless
1.3 This test method may also be used for the determination
of the in-place density and unit weight of intact or in situ soils, dynamic calculations (F = Ma) are involved. This implicitly
combines two separate systems within a single standard. These
provided the natural void or pore openings in the soil are small
enough to prevent the sand used in the test from entering the test methods have been written using inch-pound units (gravi-
tational system); however, conversions are given in the SI
voids. The soil or other material being tested should have
sufficientcohesionorparticleattractiontomaintainstablesides system.Theuseofbalancesorscalesrecordingpoundsofmass
3
(lbm), or the recording of density in lbm/ft should not be
on a small hole or excavation, and be firm enough to withstand
the minor pressures exerted in digging the hole and placing the regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.6.3 The sieve designations are identified using the “stan-
apparatus over it, without deforming or sloughing.
dard” system in accordance with Specification E11, such as 25
1.4 This test method is not suitable for organic, saturated, or
mm and 75 µm, followed by the “alternative” system of 1 in.
highly plastic soils that would deform or compress during the
and No. 200, respectively.
excavation of the test hole. This test method may not be
suitable for soils consisting of unbound granular materials that 1.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
will not maintain stable sides in the test hole, soils containing
1
appreciable amounts of coarse material larger than 1 ⁄2 in. [38 Practice D6026.
1.7.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated
mm], and granular soils having high void ratios.
value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated
1.5 When materials to be tested contain appreciable
value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant
1
amounts of particles larger than 1 ⁄2 in. [38 mm], or when test
3 3 digits in the specified limits.
hole volumes larger than 0.1 ft [2830 cm ] are required, Test
1.7.2 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
Method D4914 or D5030/D5030M is applicable.
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
1.6 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
SI units [presented in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
1
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
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
increase or reduce significant digits or reported data to be
Construction Control Tests.
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015. Published March 2015. Originally
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical
approved in 1958. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D1556 – 07. DOI:
10.1520/D1556_D1556M-15E01. met
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