ASTM D854-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by the Water Displacement Method
Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by the Water Displacement Method
ABSTRACT
These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids passing a sieve by means of a water pycnometer. Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water. Procedures for moist specimens such as organic soils, highly plastic fine grained soils, tropical soils, and soils containing halloysite and oven-dry specimens are provided. The apparatus is comprised of water pycnometer which shall be a stoppered flask, stoppered iodine flask, or volumetric flask; balance; drying oven; thermometer; dessicator; a system for entrapped air removal which shall be a hot plate or Bunsen burner or a vacuum pump or water aspirator; insulated container; non-corrosive smooth surface funnel; pycnometer filling tube with lateral vents; sieve; and blender with mixing blades. The specific gravity of the soil solids at the test temperature shall be calculated from the density of the soil solids and the density of water at the test temperature or from the mass of the oven dry soil solids; mass of pycnometer, water, and soil solids at the test temperature; and mass of the pycnometer and water at the test temperature. Precision and bias shall be determined to judge for the acceptability of the test results.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The specific gravity of soil solids is used in calculating the phase relationships of soils, such as void ratio and degree of saturation.
5.1.1 The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculate the density of the soil solids. This is done by multiplying the specific gravity by the density of water at 20°C. The soil solids density is nearly independent of temperature.
5.2 The term soil solids is typically assumed to mean naturally occurring mineral particles or soil like particles that are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity of soil solids containing extraneous matter, such as cement, lime, and the like, water-soluble matter, such as sodium chloride, and soils containing matter with a specific gravity less than one, typically require special treatment (see Note 2) or a qualified definition of their specific gravity.
Note 2: For some soils containing a significant fraction of organic matter, kerosene is a better wetting agent than water and may be used in place of test water for oven-dried specimens. Kerosene is a flammable liquid that must be used with extreme caution. This standard should not be used when using kerosene as the test fluid.
5.3 The balances, pycnometer sizes, and specimen masses are specified to obtain test results reportable to four significant digits.
Note 3: The quality of the result produced by these test methods 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 these test methods 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 These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 3/8-in. (9.5-mm) or smaller sieve by means of the water displacement method. When the total sample contains larger particles, it is separated into a coarser and finer portion using a 3/8-in. (9.5-mm) or No. 4 (4.75-mm) or finer sieve. Separation on the No. 4 sieve is the referee method. Test Method C127 shall be used to obtain the specific gravity of the coarser portion. The D854 test methods shall be used to obtain the specific gravity of the finer portion. The total sample specific gravity is computed from the two porti...
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.
Designation: D854 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by the Water Displacement
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Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D854; 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.
1. Scope* the “standard” designation of 75-mm and 75-μm, respectively.
Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
regarded as non-conformance with this test method. The use of
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specific gravity of soil solids that pass the ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) or
balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) shall not be
smaller sieve by means of the water displacement method.
regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
When the total sample contains larger particles, it is separated
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into a coarser and finer portion using a ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) or No. 1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
4 (4.75-mm) or finer sieve. Separation on the No. 4 sieve is the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
referee method. Test Method C127 shall be used to obtain the Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
specific gravity of the coarser portion. The D854 test methods 1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
shall be used to obtain the specific gravity of the finer portion. recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
The total sample specific gravity is computed from the two industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
portions as described in 12.5. significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
1.1.1 These test methods do not apply to solids which can be dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
altered by these methods, contaminated with a substance that obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly organic, such ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
as fibrous matter which floats in water (see Note 1). increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
NOTE 1—Test Method D5550 may be used to determine the specific
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
gravity of soil solids having solids, which readily dissolve in water or float
analysis methods for engineering design.
in water, or where it is impracticable to use water.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 This standard provides two methods for performing the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specific gravity test. The method to be used shall be specified
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
by the requesting authority, except when testing the types of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
soils listed in 1.2.1.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described
Glassware under vacuum has the potential for implosion.
in 11.1. This procedure is the preferred method. Method A shall
Proper personal protective equipment shall be used at all
be used for organic soils; highly plastic, fine-grained soils;
times. See Section 8.
tropical soils; and soils containing halloysite.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
scribed in 11.2. This procedure requires less time and may be
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
used for clean sands.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
as standard, except the sieve designations. The sieve designa-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tions are identified using the “alternative” system in accor-
dance with Practice E11, such as 3-in. and No. 200, instead of
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
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This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
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and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.o
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