ASTM D4254-14
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
Standard Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The density/unit weight of a cohesionless soil may be determined by various in-place methods in the field or by the measurement of physical dimensions and masses by laboratory soil specimens. The dry density/unit weight of a cohesionless soil does not necessarily, by itself, reveal whether the soil is loose or dense.
5.2 Relative density/unit weight expresses the degree of compactness of a cohesionless soil with respect to the loosest and densest condition as defined by standard laboratory procedures. Only when viewed against the possible range of variation, in terms of relative density/unit weight, can the dry density/unit weight be related to the compaction effort used to place the soil in a compacted fill or indicate volume change and stress-strain tendencies of soil when subjected to external loading.
5.3 An absolute minimum density/unit weight is not necessarily obtained by these test methods.
Note 1: In addition, there are published data to indicate that these test methods have a high degree of variability.4 However, the variability can be greatly reduced by careful calibration of equipment, and careful attention to proper test procedure and technique.
5.4 The use of the standard molds (6.2.1) has been found to be satisfactory for most soils requiring minimum index density/unit weight testing. Special molds (6.2.2) shall only be used when the test results are to be applied in conjunction with design or special studies and there is not enough soil to use the standard molds. Such test results should be applied with caution, as minimum index densities/unit weights obtained with the special molds may not agree with those that would be obtained using the standard molds.
Note 2: 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, generally, are considered capable of competent and ...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the minimum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-draining soils. The adjective “dry” before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this standards to be be consistent with the applicable definitions given in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.2 System of Units:
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has been developed and manufactured using values in the gravimetric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimensions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the standard.
1.2.2 It 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 test method 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, balances or scales measure mass; and weight must be calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is common to assume that 1 lbf is equal to 1 lbm. While reporting density is not regarded as nonconformance with this standard, unit weights should be calculated and reported since the results may be used to determine force or stress.
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume, whereas unit weight is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is given only in SI units. After the density has been determined, the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided to determine the minimum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.3.1 Method ...
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Designation: D4254 − 14
StandardTest Methods for
Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and
1
Calculation of Relative Density
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4254; 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* 1.3 Threealternativemethodsareprovidedtodeterminethe
minimum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
1.3.1 Method A—Using a funnel pouring device or a hand
minimum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-
scoop to place material in mold.
draining soils. The adjective “dry” before density or unit
1.3.2 Method B—Depositing material into a mold by ex-
weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this
tracting a soil filled tube.
standards to be be consistent with the applicable definitions
2
1.3.3 Method C —Depositing material by inverting a
given in Section 3 on Terminology.
graduated cylinder.
1.2 System of Units:
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has
agency requesting the test. If no method is specified, the
been developed and manufactured using values in the gravi-
provisions of Method A shall govern. Test Method A is the
metric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimen-
preferred procedure for determining minimum index density/
sions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the
unit weight as used in conjunction with the procedures of Test
standard.
Methods D4253. Methods B and C are provided for guidance
1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
of testing used in conjunction with special studies, especially
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
3
where there is not enough material available to use a 0.100 ft
and a unit of force (lbf).This implicitly combines two separate
3 3 3
(2830 cm ) or 0.500 ft (14200 cm ) mold as required by
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
Method A.
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may
standard. This test method has been written using the gravita- containupto15%,bydrymass,ofsoilparticlespassingaNo.
tional system of units when dealing with the inch-pound
200 (75-µm) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless,
system.Inthissystem,thepound(lbf)representsaunitofforce free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in
(weight). However, balances or scales measure mass; and accordance with Specification E11).
weight must be calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is
1.5.1 MethodAisapplicabletosoilsinwhich100%,bydry
commontoassumethat1lbfisequalto1lbm.Whilereporting
mass, of soil particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve and which
density is not regarded as nonconformance with this standard,
may contain up to 30%, by dry mass, of soil particles retained
1
unitweightsshouldbecalculatedandreportedsincetheresults
ona1 ⁄2-inch (37.5-mm) sieve.
may be used to determine force or stress.
1.5.2 MethodBisapplicabletosoilsinwhich100%,bydry
3
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used
mass, of soil particles pass a ⁄4-inch (19.0-mm) sieve.
interchangeably.Densityismassperunitvolume,whereasunit
1.5.3 MethodCisapplicableonlytofineandmediumsands
weight is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is 3
in which 100%, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a ⁄8-in.
given only in SI units. After the density has been determined,
(9.5-mm) sieve and which may contain up to 10%, by dry
the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
mass, of soil particles retained on a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve.
1.5.4 Soils, for the purposes of these test methods, shall be
regarded as naturally occurring cohesionless soils, processed
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.03onTexture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
2
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2014. Published January 2015. Originally Kolbuszewski, J. J., “An Experimental Study of the Maximum and Minimum
ϵ1
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4254–00 (2006) . Porosities of Sands,” Proceedings, Second International Conference on Soil
DOI: 10.1520/D4254-14. Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Rotterdam Vol I, 1948, pp. 158–165.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright
...
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.
´1
Designation: D4254 − 00 (Reapproved 2006) D4254 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and
1
Calculation of Relative Density
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4254; 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
ε NOTE—Corrected research report reference in Section 12 editorially in March 2008.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the minimum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-draining
soils. The adjective “dry” before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this standards to be be
consistent with the applicable definitions given in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.2 System of units:Units:
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has been developed and manufactured using values in the gravimetric or
inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimensions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the standard.
1.2.2 It 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
test method 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, balances or scales measure mass; and weight must be calculated. In the
inch-pound system, it is common to assume that 1 lbf is equal to 1 lbm. While reporting density is not regarded as nonconformance
with this standard, unit weights should be calculated and reported since the results may be used to determine force or stress.
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume, whereas unit weight
is force per unit volume. In this standard, density is given only in SI units. After the density has been determined, the unit weight
is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided to determine the minimum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.3.1 Method A—Using a funnel pouring device or a hand scoop to place material in mold.
1.3.2 Method B—Depositing material into a mold by extracting a soil filled tube.
2
1.3.3 Method C —Depositing material by inverting a graduated cylinder.
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the individual assigningagency requesting the test. If no method is specified,
the provisions of Method A shall govern. Test Method A is the preferred procedure for determining minimum index density/unit
weight as used in conjunction with the procedures of Test Methods D4253. Methods B and C are provided for guidance of testing
3 3
used in conjunction with special studies, especially where there is not enough material available to use a 0.100 ft (2830 cm ) or
3 3
0.500 ft (14 200 cm ) mold as required by Method A.
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may contain up to 15 %, by dry mass, of soil particles passing a No. 200
(75-μm) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless, free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in accordance
with Specification E11).
1.5.1 Method A is applicable to soils in which 100 %, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve and which may
1
contain up to 30 %, by dry mass, of soil particles retained on a 1 ⁄2-inch (37.5-mm) sieve.
3
1.5.2 Method B is applicable to soils in which 100 %, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a ⁄4-inch (19.0-mm) sieve.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2006Dec. 15, 2014. Published March 2006January 2015. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20002006 as
ϵ1
D4254 – 00.D4254 – 00 (2006) . DOI: 10.1520/D4254-00R06E01.10.1520/D4254-14.
2
Kolbuszewski, J. J., “An Experimental Study of the Ma
...
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