Standard Method of Test for Density of Soil In-Place by the Rubber-Balloon Method AASHTO DESIGNATION: T 205-86 (ASTM DESIGNATION: D 2167-66 (1984)) 1. SCOPE LA This method covers the determi- nation of the density in place of com- pacted or firmly bonded soil using a rubber-balloon apparatus. The apparatus described in Section 2, is not suitable for very soft soil which will deform un- der slight pressure or in which the vol- ume of the hole cannot be maintained at a constant value 1.2 The following applies to all spec- ified limits in this standard: For the pur- poses of determining conformance with these specifications, an observed value fr a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unt” in the last right- hand place of figures used in expressing the limiting value, in accordance with the rounding-off method of R11, Rec- fomunended Practice For Indicating Which Places Of Figures Are To Be Considered Significant In Specified Lim- iting. Values, APPARATUS 21 Calibrated Vessel—A calibrated vessel designed to contain aliquid within a relatively thin, flexible, elastic mem- brane (rubber balloon) for measuring the volume of the test hole under the condi- tions of this method (see Figure 1). The apparatus shall be equipped so that an externally controlled pressure or partial vacuum can be applied to the contained Jiquid. Tt shall be of such weight and size that it will not cause distortion of the excavated test hole and adjacent test area during the performance of the test. Provision ‘shall be made for placing weights (surcharge) on the apparatus ‘There shall be 2 volume indicator for determining to the nearest 0.00025 cu ft (0.006 liter) any change in volume of the test hole. The exible membrane shall be 402 fof such size and shape as to fill the test hole completely without wrinkles or folds inflated within the test hole, and its strength shall be sufficient to with sand such pressure as is necessary 10 ‘ensure complete filling of the test hole (ote 1, NOTE 1—The description and require- ‘ments given in Section 21 ae intended to be ontestricive. Any apparatus using a flexible (cubber) membrane and liquid that can be sed to measure the volume of atest hoe in soil under the conditions of this mathod 10 an accuracy within 0 percent is satisfactory. 22. Balances—A balance conform: ing to the requirements of AASHTO M 231, Class G 20. Also, a balance con- forming to the requirements of AASHTO M231, Class G 2. 23 Drying Apparatus—A stove, coven, or other apparatus proven suitable for drying soil or moisture samples. 24 Miscellaneous Equipment— ‘Small pick, chisels, or spoons for diggin: test holes: plastic bags, buckets with lds fr other suitable metal containers that cean be closed for retaining the soil taken from the test holes; thermometer for de- termining temperature of water; small paint brash, CALIBRATION CHECK OF VOLUME INDICATOR 3A Verify the procedure to be used and the accuraey of the volume indicator X P___.waa to Fated sn Ester Procare w Apead FIGURE | Schematic Drawing of Calibrated Vessel Indicating Principle (Not to Seale)£205 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING 403 Cone eee TABLE! Vole of Water per Gram Based Temperate! sner or mols of determinable volume = Hua dimeionlly simulate tet holes a = hat willbe sedi the field. The appare, “TC =a = us and procedare shall be such that these —#.¢——_______ —— = Volumes wil be messed to witin L0 | 2 ae rod percent (Note 3) Container of diffrent 1 ap folumes shall be used sothat ihe eles, o toa of the volume indxator covers be 1S ae tangs of ancpated tet hole sie, 3 ne x ts2 NOTE2—Teandin mols descibed = wee Rat for More Deny Relcons ot 2 Ee Sait, Usng$3 Rammer and 12am Drop 32 wo ‘AASHTO T 99) and in the Test for Moisture Density Relations of Soils. Using 10-1b Ram mer and 18in. Drop (AASHTO T 180) oF other molds prepared 9 simulate actal test holes may be used. Where several sets of spparaivs are used, it may be desirable to cast duplicates of actual test holes. These sets should represent the range of sizes and iegularites in the walls of test holes that ‘will be encountered. These fabricated holes can be used as standards for the calibration check of the Volume indicator. This an be sccomplished by forming plaster of Pars neg tives im the test oles. and wsing these as forms for portland cement concrete esstings After removing the plaster of Pars negative ing. the inside surface ofthe Fabricated oles should be seated water ht and their volume dtermined as indicated in Section 3 BAL Volumes of Containers— Determine the mass of water. in grams, required (0 fill one of the containers. Slide a glass plate carefully over the top ‘of the container in such a manner as to fensure that the container is filled com- pletely with water, Determine the tem- perature of the water in the container. A thin film of cup grease smeared on the top surface of the container will make a watertight joint between the glass plate and the top of the container. Calculate the volume of the container, in cubic feet, by multiplying the mass of water, in grams, used to fill the container by the unit volume of water, in milliliters per gram, at the observed temperature, taken from Table 1 and dividing the re sult by 28.317 mL per eu ft. Repeat this procedure until three values are secured for the volume of the container having 4 maximum range of variation of 0.0001 cu fi. Repeat the procedure for each of the containers to be used in the calibra tion check Rather Pong Co. Cleland, Obi 31.2 Calibration Check Tests— Place the rubber-balloon apparatus on a relatively smooth horizontal surface and take an initial reading on the volume indicator. Transfer the apparatus to one of the containers and take the reading oon the volume indicator when the rubber balloon completely fills the container (Notes 3 and 4). Apply pressure to the Tiguid in the apparatus until there is no change indicated on the volume indica: tor. Note and record the pressure. De- pending upon the type of apparatus, this pressure may be as high as 5 psi 49 kPa). It will usually be necessary to add mass (surcharge) to the apparatus to pre vent it from rising (Note 5). Note and record the total amount of mass added. The difference between the initial and final readings of the volume indicator is the indicator volume value for the container. The membrane may be with: drawn from the container by applying 4 partial vacuum to the liquid in the apparatus. Repeat the procedure for the other containers, NOTE 3—1f the calibration container of told is airtight, it may be necessary to pro vide an air escape, since the rubber membrane can entrap within the container and cause fn erroneous volume measurement. After the volume of the contanes has heen determined with water and prior to the insertion of the rubber balloon, small ai escape-holes may be provided by placing lengths of small-diameter string over the edge of the container and down the inside wall slighty beyond the bot: tom center Ths will pemnit air leakage during the filing of the container sith the membrane If sch a procedure ie necessary in the labors tory. t may he necessary to use a simile procedure on tightly Bonded soi in the field NOTE 4—Before any measurements are sade, it may be necessary 10 distend the rubber balloon and remove air bubbles adher. ing 10 the inside of the membrane by aading, NOTE S—tn field tests the additional weights (surcharge) will increase the stress in the unsupported soil surrounding the test Dole and will tend to eause it to deform. The stress may be reduced by using base plate 4. PROCEDURE 4.1 Prepare the surface of the test hole site 50 that itis reasonably plane Set the apparatus on the test hole site land take an initial reading on the volume indicator of the calibrated vessel using the same pressure on the liquid in the vessel and the same amount of surcharge weight as was used in the calibration check. After taking this initial reading on the volume indicator, scribe the outline of the apparatus on the test hole site. Record the pressure used, the amount of the surcharge, and the inital volume reading AF the apparatus was calibrated with a base plate, the base plate shall remain in place throughout the field test 4.2. Remove the apparatus from the test hole site and dig a hole centered within the outline scribed for the appara- tus. Exercise care in digging the test hole 0 that soil around the top edge of the hhole is not disturbed. Place all the soil removed from the test hole in an airtight container for mass aad moisture content determinations. The test hole shall be of the minimum volume shown in Table 2408 TABLE? METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING Minimom Field Test Hole Volumes and Minin Moisture Content Sample ‘Siaes Based on Maximum Size of Particle SS Minimary Montore Minimom Test Hole Maximusn Panic Sine me (liemare) en 475 Wo. 4 sieve) 700) ns Ce inp 1300 250 ia} 2100) 50 Qin) 2800 Comte me Sample Si ef £ cos) 10 (0.030), 250 (0075) soo (0.100) 1000 3 ening 3800 (0135) 00, Larger holes will provide improved accu. racy and shall be used where practicable ‘The dimensions of the test hole are re- lied to the apparatus design and the pressure used. In general, the dimensions Shall approximate those used in the eal. bration check procedure. 4.3 After the test hole has been dug, Place the apparatus over the test hole in the same position used for the initial reading and inflate the flexible mem brane in the hole. Apply the surcharge ‘mass and pressure on the liquid in the vessel as used during the calibration ccheck procedure. Take and record the feading on the volume indicator. The difference between this reading and the initial reading obtained in Section 4.1 is the volume of the test hole (Note 6), NOTE 6—Atention is called to instances in weak soils where the pressre applied to the liquid in the vessel can deform the test hole to such an extent aso give an eroneous ‘olume. In such instanes, the appara shall be modified and recalibrated using less sur. charge mass and pressure om the liquid inthe ssl, or it may be necessary to resort to another method such asthe Test For Density, Of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method 44 Determine the mass of all the ‘moist soil removed from the test hole, to the nearest 5 g (0.01 Ib). Mix this T 205 Soil thoroughly, select a moisture-comtent sample in accordance with Table 2. and determine its mass to the nearest 0.1 3 Dry the moisture-content sample to a Constant mass at a temperature of 110 = 5°C 230 = 9° F) and determine the dry mass t0 the nearest 0.1 g. CALCULATIONS, $4 Calculate the moisture content, of the soil as follows: ‘ass of moisture ass of dry soil * 100 52. Calculate the wet density, 0 6, of the soil removed from the test hole, in pounds per cubic foot or liters, as fo lows: mass of moist soil T volume of est hole 53 Calculate the dry density, 8, of the soil removed from the test hole. in pounds per cubic foot, as follows: b= BS x 100