TITLE: DETERMINATION OF DRY DENSITY PF SOIL BY SAND

REPLACEMENT METHOD

Introduction

The dry density of the compacted soil material is a common measure of the
amount of the compaction achieved during the construction. Knowing the field
density and field moisture content, the dry density is calculated. Therefore field
density test is importance as a field control test for the compaction of soil or any
other pavement layer.

There are several methods to determine the field density of soil,

Core cutter method
Sand replacement method
Rubber balloon method
Heavy oil method

Compare to all methods to determine the field density, Sand replacement

method is advantageous, as the presence of coarse grain particles will adversely
affect the test results. The basic principle of the sand replacement method is to
measure the volume of the hole from which the material was excavated from the
weight of sand with known density filling in the hole. The density of the
material is given by the weight of the excavated material divided by the volume.

Objective
To determine the field density of soil by sand replacement method.
Theory
A hole of specified dimensions is excavated in the ground. The mass of the
excavated soil is determined. The volume of the hole is determined by filling it
with clean, uniform sand whose dry density ( d) is determined separately by
calibration. The dry density of the excavated soil is determined as

d = s (100 / (100+w%) )
here, s = bulk density of the soil sample
w% = water content of the soil sample

Apparatus
Sand pouring cylinder with fitted valve, metal funnel and base plate
Uniform fine sand with grain size ranges from 1.00mm to 0.60mm
digging tools
Airtight container
Drying can
Drying oven with temperature ranges from 105 0C to 110 0C
Desiccator

Procedure
Calibration of apparatus

The volume of the calibrating container was determined from the

measured dimensions of the container. (Va)
The sand pouring cylinder was filled with sand within 10mm of its top.
The weight of the cylinder have been determined (W1).
The sand pouring cylinder was placed vertically on the calibrating
container. The shutter opened to allow the sand run out from the cylinder.
The shutter closed when there is no further movement of the sand in the
cylinder.
The sand pouring cylinder was lifted from the calibrating container and
have been weighed (W3).
Again, the sand pouring cylinder was filled with sand within 10mm of
its top.
 The sand pouring cylinder was placed over a place surface, such the big
tray. The shutter opened. The sand filled the cone of the cylinder. The
shutter closed when no further movement of sand takes place.
The sand pouring cylinder removed. The sand left on the big tray
collected. The weight of sand. (W2)
That had filled the cone was determined by weighing the collected sand.
The dry density of sand was determined.

Measurement of field density

An area of about 450mm square on the surface of the soil mass was
exposed. The surface down to a level surface using a chisel and hammer
was trimmed.
The metal tray with a hole was placed on the level surface.
The soil though the central hole of the tray was excavated by using the
hole in the tray. The depth of the excavated hole should be about 150mm.
All the excavated soil in a metal container was collected and the mass of
the soil (W) was determined. The excavated soil was placed into the oven
for 24 hours to determine the water content.
The metal tray was removed from the excavated hole. The sand pouring
cylinder was filled within 10mm of its top. The weight of the cylinder
(W1) was determined.
The sand pouring cylinder was placed over the excavated hole. The sand
allowed to run out the cylinder by opening the shutter. The shutter closed
when the hole is completely filled and no further movement of sand is
observed.
The sand pouring cylinder was removed from the filled hole. The weight
of the cylinder (W4) was determined.
A representative sample of the excavated soil was took. Water content
and dry density were determined.