Experiment No.

6
FIELD DENSITY TEST

Scope

This test is intended for determining the in-place density of rolled-embankment layer by the sand
cone-method.

Apparatus

1. Digging tools, such as earth auger, chisels, hammers, picks and spoons
2. Guide plate, about 304.8 mm by 304.8 mm by 4.76 mm with a 152.4 mm diameter hole in the
center
3. Balance, 10 kg capacity, readable to 1.0 gram
4. Oven with temperature control
5. Sand, clean, dry, free-flowing, uncemented sand having a maximum particle size smaller than 2.0
mm (No. 10) sieve and less than 3 % by weight passing 250 μm (No. 60) sieve.
6. Sand cone apparatus, with metal funnel (sand-cone), valve and sand container
7. Sieves No. 4, 20, and 30
8. Soil pans

Procedure

A. Calibration of Mechanical Device

Two calibration procedures are required for this test – one to determine the density and unit weight
of sand used in the test and the other to determine the weight of sand required to fill the sand cone
(funnel). These procedures are as follows:

1. Determination of Bulk Density and Unit Weight of Sand (ASTM D1556-90)

a) Weigh the empty container. Determine the volume of the container by completely filling
it with water. Slide a glass plate over the top of surface (rim) of the container to ensure
that the container is completely filled with water, then weigh.
b) Fill the assembled sand-cone apparatus with sand until it just overflows and carefully
strikes off excess sand to a smooth level surface. Determine the weight of the container
and sand.
c) Invert and support the apparatus over the calibrated container so that the sand falls
approximately the same distance and location as in a field test, and fully open the valve.
Determine the net weight of the sand by subtracting the weight of the empty container.
d) Perform at least three bulk density determinations and calculate the average. The
maximum variation between any one determination and the average will not exceed 1 %.

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 2. Determination of Weight of Sand Required to Fill Sand Cone and Base Plate

a) Fill the assembled apparatus with sand and determine the weight of apparatus and sand.
b) Place the base plate on a clean, level, plane surface. Invert the apparatus and seat the
large funnel into the flanged center hole in the base plate, and mark and identify the
funnel and plate so that the same funnel and plate can always be matched and reseated
in the same position during testing.
c) Open the valve fully and keep open until the sand stops running, making sure the
apparatus, base plate, or plane surface are not jarred or vibrated before the valve is
closed.
d) Close the valve sharply, remove the apparatus, determine the weight of the apparatus
with remaining sand, and calculate the loss of sand. This loss represents the weight of
sand required to fill the funnel and base plate.
e) Repeat the procedures in 1 to 4 at least three times. The weight of sand used in the
calculations shall be the average of three determinations. The maximum variation
between any one determination and the average shall not exceed 1 %.

B. In-place Soil Density Determination

1. Select a location/elevation that is representative of the area to be tested, and determine the
density of the soil in-place as follows:

a) Prepare the surface of the location to be tested so that it is level plane. The base plate
may be used as a tool for striking off the surface to a smooth level plane.
b) Dig the test hole through the center hole in the base plate, being careful to avoid
disturbing or deforming the soil that will bind the hole. Trim the hole carefully to make
the sides more or less vertical and bottom level.
c) Remove all soil excavated from the test hole and pulverize with the mortar and rubber
covered pestle. Determine the weight of soil that was removed from the test hole. Pass
through the No.4 sieve. Weigh the portion passing.
d) Take a representative sample from the portion passing the No.4 sieve for water content
determination.
e) Clean the flange of the base plate hole, invert the sand-cone apparatus, and seat the
sand-cone funnel into the flanged hole at the same position as marked during calibration.
Eliminate or minimize vibrations in the test area due to personnel or equipment. Open
the valve and allow the sand to fill the hole, funnel, and base plate. Take care to avoid
jarring or vibrating the apparatus while the sand is running. When the sand stops flowing,
close the valve.
f) Determine the weight of the apparatus with the remaining sand, record and calculate the
weight of sand used.

Calculations

Determination of Unit Weight/Density of Sand

The volume of the container can be calculated using the equation

Ww
Vc =
γw
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where:
Vc = volume of calibration container, ml.
W w = weight of water required to fill container, grams
γ w = unit weight of water, g/cm3

The density of sand can be determined by:

Ws
γs =
Vc
where:
γ s = unit weight of sand, g/cm3
W s = weight of sand to fill the calibration container, grams

Determination of Density of Soil in Place

Moisture content can be calculated using equation;

W1 − W2
w= × 100%
W2
where:
w = moisture content of soil from test hole, %
W1 = weight of excavated moisture sample, grams
W2 = weight of oven-dried sample, grams

The volume of the test hole can be calculated using the equation;

Ws
VH =
γs
where:
V H = volume of hole, cm3
W s = weight of sand to fill the test hole, grams
γ s = density of sand, g/cm3

Wet Density (in place) of the tested material can be calculated using the equation;

W soil
γ wet =
VH

where:
γ wet = wet unit weight of soil, g/cm3
W soil = weight of excavated sample from test hole, grams
V H = volume of hole, cm3

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Dry density (in place) of the tested material can be calculated using the equation;

γ wet
γ dry =
1+ w

where:
γ dry = dry density of the soil, g/cm3
γ wet = wet density of soil, g/cm3
w = moisture content of soil from test hole, %

The percent compaction of soil can be calculated using the equation;

γ dry
% compaction = × 100%
γ max
where:
γ dry = dry density (in place) of soil, g/cm3
γ max = maximum dry density of soil in the laboratory, g/cm3

IN-PLACE SOIL DENSITY TEST METHODS

Sand Cone Method (ASTM D1556 or AASHTO T 191)

The sand cone method is used to determine soil density in the field and to control the results of field
compaction in earth embankments, road fill, and structural backfill. In this method, a soil sample is
excavated manually and its weight measured. The volume of excavated soil is determined from the
volume of fine sand required to fill the hole.

Rubber Balloon Method (ASTM D2167 or AASHTO T 205)

The rubber balloon method is based on the same principle as the sand cone method but uses a
balloon inflated with water to fill the excavated hole. The volume of the hole, which is equal to the
volume of injected water, is measured directly on the graduated cylinder of the rubber balloon
device.

Nuclear Method (ASTM D2922 or AASHTO T 238)

The nuclear density method measures both soil density and water content by using two types of
radioactive sources. The radium or cesium isotopes source generates gamma radiation, which is
scattered by soil particles, whereas the americium-beryllium isotopes source emits neutron that are
scattered by the hydrogen atoms of the soil water. In the field, the radioactive sources, which are
stored in a protective container during transport, are pushed at the end of the rod into the soil. The
amounts of scatter between sources and detectors are measured by a Geiger counter and are
related to soil density and water content after calibration. They are conducted rapidly and yield
results within minutes. However, their disadvantages include high initial cost and potential danger of
radioactive exposure. Strict radiation safety standards, such as carrying safety badges with radiation-
sensitive films, must be enforced for these methods.
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Drive Cylinder Method (ASTM D2937 or AASHTO T 204)

In the drive cylinder method, a thin-walled cylinder may be driven into the cohesive soil to remove a
sample. The sample’s volume is known from the cylinder’s volume. This method is not applicable for
very hard soil that cannot be easily penetrated. Neither is it applicable for low plasticity or
cohesionless soils, which are not readily retained in the cylinder.

Questions

1. State the objective and principle of the sand cone method.

2. Why do we use particular sand for the sand-cone method? Why not use any sand?
3. Why is it important not to lose any soil from the excavated hole during the sand cone method?
4. Can you name two other test methods that are used to define the soil density in the field?

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FIGURE 11 Three methods of determining the unit weight of soils in the field

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FIGURE 12 Principle of Sand Cone Method

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FIGURE 13 In the field, level off the ground surface, position the base plate, and mark the base
plate opening using a screwdriver.

FIGURE 14 A hole is excavated with an opening size slightly larger than the base plate opening

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 FIGURE 15 Face up, the base plate is centered above the hole and cleaned up using a brush.

FIGURE 16 During the actual field test, the valve of the sand cone is opened and the sand flows down
to fill the excavated hole.

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 PRELIMINARY DATA SHEET

Name: ________________________________________ Group No._________________________

Course/Section: ________________________________ Date: _____________________________

Experiment No. 6
FIELD DENSITY TEST

Trial No. 1 2
Volume of bucket (cm3)
Weight of bucket (grams)
Weight of bucket + water (grams)
Weight of bucket + sand (grams)
Density of sand (g/cm3)
Weight of sand to fill the hole (grams)
Volume of hole (cm3)
Weight of excavated soil + container (grams)
Weight of container (grams)
Weight of soil passing in #4 sieve (grams)
Weight of soil retained in # 4 sieve (grams)
Weight of can (grams)
Weight of wet soil + can (grams)
Weight of dry soil + can (grams)
Moisture loss (grams)
Moisture content (%)
Wet density of soil (g/cm3)
Dry density of soil (g/cm3)
Average wet density (g/cm3)
Average dry density (g/cm3)
Percent compaction (%)

___________________________ ___________________________
Student’s Signature Instructor’s Signature
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 FINAL DATA SHEET

Name: ________________________________________ Group No._________________________

Course/Section: ________________________________ Date: _____________________________

Experiment No. 6
FIELD DENSITY TEST

Trial No. 1 2
3
Volume of bucket (cm )
Weight of bucket (grams)
Weight of bucket + water (grams)
Weight of bucket + sand (grams)
Density of sand (g/cm3)
Weight of sand to fill the hole (grams)
Volume of hole (cm3)
Weight of excavated soil + container (grams)
Weight of container (grams)
Weight of soil passing in #4 sieve (grams)
Weight of soil retained in # 4 sieve (grams)
Weight of can (grams)
Weight of wet soil + can (grams)
Weight of dry soil + can (grams)
Moisture loss (grams)
Moisture content (%)
Wet density of soil (g/cm3)
Dry density of soil (g/cm3)
Average wet density (g/cm3)
Average dry density (g/cm3)
Percent compaction (%)

___________________________
Student’s Signature

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