ASTM D7380/D7380M-21

Standard Test Method for Soil Compaction Determination at Shallow Depths Using 2.3-kg [5-lbm] Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The test method is used to assess the compaction effort of compacted materials. The number of drops required to drive the cone a distance of 83 mm [3.25 in.] is used as a criterion to determine the pass or fail in terms of soil percent compaction.  
5.2 The device does not measure soil compaction directly and requires determining the correlation between the number of drops and percent compaction in similar soil of known percent compaction and water content.  
5.3 The number of drops is dependent on the soil water content. Calibration of the device should be performed at a water content equal to the water content expected in the field.  
5.4 There are other DCPs with different dimensions, hammer weights, cone sizes, and cone geometries. Different test methods exist for these devices (such as D6951) and the correlations of the 5-lbm DCP with soil percent compaction are unique to this device.  
5.5 The 5-lbm DCP is a simple device, capable of being handled and operated by a single operator in field conditions. It is typically used as Quality Control (QC) of layer-by-layer compaction by construction crew in roadway pavement, backfill compaction in confined cuts and trenches, and utility pavement restoration work.
Note 1: The quality of results produced by this test method 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 many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of these factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for the determination of the number of drops required for a dynamic cone penetrometer with a 2.3-kg [5-lbm] drop hammer falling 508 mm [20 in.] to penetrate a certain depth in compacted backfill.  
1.2 The device is used in the compaction verification of fine- and coarse-grained soils, granular materials, and weak stabilized or modified material used in subgrade, base layers, and backfill compaction in confined cuts and trenches at shallow depth.  
1.3 The test method is not applicable to highly stabilized and cemented materials or granular materials containing a large percentage of aggregates greater than 37 mm [1.5 in.].  
1.4 The method is dependent upon knowing the field water content and the user having performed calibration tests to determine cone penetration resistance of various compaction levels and water contents.  
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. Within the text of this standard, SI units appear first followed by the inch-pound [or other non-SI] units in brackets. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.  
1.6 It is common practice in the engineering profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass [lbm] and a force [lbf]. This implicitly combines two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravitational system. This standard has been written using the absolute system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this system, the pound [lbf] represents a unit of force (weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass [lbm] or the reading of density in lbm/ft3 shall not be regarded as a nonconformance with this standard.  
1.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2021
• ICS: 13.080.20 - Physical properties of soils
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.08 - Special and Construction Control Tests

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: D7380/D7380M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Soil Compaction Determination at Shallow Depths Using
1
2.3-kg [5-lbm] Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7380/D7380M; 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* system.Inthissystem,thepound[lbf]representsaunitofforce
(weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for the determi-
3
pounds of mass [lbm] or the reading of density in lbm/ft shall
nation of the number of drops required for a dynamic cone
not be regarded as a nonconformance with this standard.
penetrometer with a 2.3-kg [5-lbm] drop hammer falling
508 mm [20 in.] to penetrate a certain depth in compacted 1.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
backfill. guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026.
1.2 The device is used in the compaction verification of
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
fine- and coarse-grained soils, granular materials, and weak
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
stabilized or modified material used in subgrade, base layers,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and backfill compaction in confined cuts and trenches at
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
shallow depth.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 The test method is not applicable to highly stabilized
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
andcementedmaterialsorgranularmaterialscontainingalarge
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
percentage of aggregates greater than 37 mm [1.5 in.].
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.4 The method is dependent upon knowing the field water
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
content and the user having performed calibration tests to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
determine cone penetration resistance of various compaction
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
levels and water contents.
2. Referenced Documents
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
2
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
2.1 ASTM Standards:
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
Fluids
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
from the two systems shall not be combined.Within the text of istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3
this standard, SI units appear first followed by the inch-pound
kN-m/m ))
[or other non-SI] units in brackets. Reporting of test results in D1556 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance
Place by Sand-Cone Method
with this standard. D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
1.6 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
3
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass [lbm]
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
and a force [lbf]. This implicitly combines two separate
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
tional system. This standard has been written using the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
absolute system of units when dealing with the inch-pound
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D4959 Test Method for Determination of Water Content of
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
2
Construction Control Tests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D7380 - 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7380_D7380M-21. the ASTM websit
...

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: D7380 − 15 D7380/D7380M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Soil Compaction Determination at Shallow Depths Using
1
5-lb (2.3 kg) 2.3-kg [5-lbm] Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7380;D7380/D7380M; 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 This test method covers the procedure for the determination of the number of drops required for a dynamic cone penetrometer
with a 5-lb (2.3-kg)2.3-kg [5-lbm] drop hammer falling 20 in. (508 mm) 508 mm [20 in.] to penetrate a certain depth in compacted
backfill.
1.2 The device is used in the compaction verification of fine- and coarse-grained soils, granular materials, and weak stabilized or
modified material used in subgrade, base layers, and backfill compaction in confined cuts and trenches at shallow depth.
1.3 The test method is not applicable to highly stabilized and cemented materials or granular materials containing a large
percentage of aggregates greater than 1.5 in. (37 mm).37 mm [1.5 in.].
1.4 The method is dependent upon knowing the field water content and the user having performed calibration tests to determine
cone penetration resistance of various compaction levels and water contents.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values
givenstated in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. Within the text of this standard, SI units appear
first followed by the inch-pound [or other non-SI] units in brackets. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be
regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.6 It is common practice in the engineering profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)[lbm]
and a force (lbf).[lbf]. This implicitly combines two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravitational
system. This standard has been written using the gravitationalabsolute system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system.
In this system, the pound (lbf)[lbf] represents a unit of force (weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds
3
of mass (lbm)[lbm] or the reading of density in lbm/ft shall not be regarded as a nonconformance with this standard.
1.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and Construction
Control Tests.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2015November 2021. Originally approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 20082015
as D7380 - 08.D7380 - 15. DOI: 10.1520/D7380-15.10.1520/D7380_D7380M-21.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7380/D7380M − 21
1.8 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.
1.9 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 ))
D1556 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-C
...