EXPERIMENT#6

TO determine the Find field density by core cutter

Determination of Soil Density by using Core Cutter.

Object and Scope:

The object of the test is to determine the dry density of soil in-place by the core cutter.

Materials and Apparatus:

1. Cylindrical core cutter of steel, 127.4 mm long and 10 cm, internal diameter with a wall
thickness of 3 mm, beveled at one end.
2. Steel dolly, 2.5 cm high and 10 cm internal diameter, with wall thickness 7.5 mm fitted
with a lip to enable it to be fitted on top of the core cutter.
3. Steel Rammer.
4. Knife.
5. Steel Rule.
6. Spade or grafting tool.
7. Balance accurate to 1 gm and 0.01 gm.
8. Containers for water content determination.
9. Straight edge.

Introduction:

In certain cases, it is necessary to determine the density of a soil either as it exists naturally in the
ground or as it may be compacted in a fill. In the former case, this density of soil in-place may be
used to estimate the comparative strength of the soil. In the latter case, it may be used to
document the results of field compaction to meet contract specifications. The principal use of the
in-place soil density test is in documentation of field compaction.

In practice, representative samples of the soil that is to be used for fill material are aubjected to
the laboratory compaction test to determine the optimum moisture content and the maximum dry
density. This maximum dry density is used by the designer in specifying the design shear
strength, resistance to future settlement, and permeability characteristics.

The fill soil is then compacted mechanically in the field by field compaction methods to achieve
the laboratory maximum dry density (or a percentage of it). In order to determine if the
laboratory maximum dry density (or an acceptable percentage there of) has been achieved, in-
place soil density tests must be performed in the field on compacted soil.

There are several methods for determining the density of soil in-place. However only two
methods which we perform are discussed in detail.

Procedure:

1. Measure the inside dimensions of the core cutter and calculate its volume. Weigh the core
cutter (without dolly), accurate to 1 gm.
2. Expose the small area, about 30 cm square, to be tested and level it. Put the dolly on the
top of the core cutter and drive the assembly into the soil with the help of a diameter
untill the top of the dolly remains about 1 cm above the surface.
3. Dig out the container from the surrounding soil, and allow some soil to project from the
lower end of the cutter. With the help of the straight edge, trim flat the end of the cutter.
Take out the dolly and also trim flat the other end of the cutter.
4. Weigh the cutter full of soil, accurately to 1 gm.
5. Keep some representative specimen of soil for water content determination.
6. Repeat the test at three locations.
7. Core Cutter Method:

8. Dated: ______________________

9. Height of the core cutter: ______________________

10. Dia of the core cutter: ______________________

 11. Observation Sheet:

Sr Description Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

1 Weight of core cutter W1 (g)

2 Weight of core cutter + Wet soil W2 (g)

3 Weight of wet soil W3 = W2 – W1 (g)

4 Volume of the core cutter V (cc)

5 Bulk density (γb = W / V = W3 / V) (g / cc)

6 Container number

7 Weight of container Wa (g)

8 Weight of container + Wet soil Wb (g)

9 Weight of container + Dry soil Wc (g)

10 Weight of water Ww = Wb - Wc (g)

11 Weight of dry soil Ws = Wc – Wa (g)

12 Water content (w) = Ww / Ws x 100%

13 Dry density = γd = γb / (1 + w) (g / cc)

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