Apparatus Required

Sand pouring cylinder

Calibrating
Metal tray
Excavating tool
Balance
Glass plate
Metal tray
Clean uniform sand (1mm pass 600 mirco retain)
Water content determination apparatus

Introduction

Sand replacement test method is used to determine the field density or in-place density of
earth embankments, road fills, sub-grade, sub-base or any of compacted material. This
method serves as base upon which one can accept the density of a compacted material to
a specified magnitude or to a percentage of maximum unit dry density determined as
proctor.

As we know that moisture content of the soil vary from time to time and hence the field
density also, so we are required to report the test result in terms of dry density. In order
to determine the dry density we must have to examine the moisture content in the soil by
using general method.
Moisture content (%) = m = ((wt. of wet soil wt of dry soil) / wt of dry soil) x 100
Dry density = (bulk density ) / (1 + w)
Background

As we know density means weight per unit volume or in other words how much mass is
being enclosed in a specific quantum of volume. We can easily determine the mass of soil
by using the physical balance or digital balance, but the problem lies in finding the volume
of the hole dug.
This problem is solved with the help of a calibrated sand whose unit weight or density is
already being determined and thus if we could determine how much weight
of calibratedsand is going to rest in the dug hole we can find the volume of the hole by using
following formula;
Volume of dug hole = weight of soil in hole dug / unit weight of calibrated soil

THEORY AND APPLICATION

Determination of field density of cohesion less soil is not possible by core cutter method, because it
is not possible to obtain a core sample. In such situation, the sand replacement method is employed
to determine the unit weight. In sand replacement method, a small cylindrical pit is excavated and
the weight of the soil excavated from the pit is measured. Sand whose density is known is filled into
the pit. By measuring the weight of sand required to fill the pit and knowing its density the volume of
pit is calculated. Knowing the weight of soil excavated from the pit and the volume of pit, the density
of soil is calculated. Therefore, in this experiment there are two stages, namely

1. Calibration of sand density

2. Measurement of soil density

CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the relationship between compaction effort and the density of soil are thecompaction is a
process of increasing soil density and removing air. The size of the individualsoil particles does not
change, neither is water removed. There is usually no change in water content.

The degree of compaction is measured by dry unit weight and depends on the water content and
compactive effort. The factors will effect the compaction and density are nature andtype of soil such as
sand, clay, grading or plasticity; water content at the time of compaction, siteconditions include with
weather, type of site, layer thickness; and compactive effort.The other two methods that can be used are
sand replacement method and water displacement method. Each method is selected based on the type of
soil to be tested, as well asthe limitation or restriction that may be present in the soil sample to be tested