Soil Density in Field

Compaction Control Test

d Compaction
specifications
Compare!
d,field = ?
w
wfield = ?

compacted ground

2
 Field Tests
• It is important to know and control the soil
density during compaction.
• Following are common field tests to
determine on the spot if compaction densities
are being reached.
 DETERMINATION OF FIELD DENSITY
Core Cutter Method
Water/Oil Replacement Method
Water Displacement Method
Sand Cone Method
Rubber Balloon Method
Nuclear Method
 25 mm

100 mmφ Corner

Rounded off
108 mmφ
115 mmφ

900 mm
Approx.

125 mm

75 mm
Hardened
140 mmφ 10 mm 100 mmφ Cutting
Rommer Cutter edge
 150

Container with
Open top
Over flow level
60 Over flow
20 pipe

225 12

50
150 Water
Tight Clip
joint

Rubber tube
DETERMINATION OF FIELD UNIT
BY SAND CONE METHOD
 21

1 cm Pouring cylinder
. . . . . . . . . . (Volume 16.5 liters)
. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . Handle
. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . Standard
61 cm . . . . . . . . . . . . Stand
. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Shutter . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cover plate . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shutter
Coned screw
vessel
Sand co ne that will be formed
17.5 cm when sand is used to fill the hole
or container below and cylinder
is removed

35.5 cmØ
 35 cm φ
20 cm φ
Flat surface

Sifferning
Web
25 cm
Calibrating
container

Brass or
Plated steel
Hence, the density of
soil deposit
 Sand Cone Test
Field Density

Sand Cone Equipment Field Application

 Sand Cone Test
Field Density

Calibrating Sand Cone Equipment

 Sand Cone Test
Field Density

Calibrating Sand Cone Equipment

Sand Cone Test
Field Density

Calibrating Sand Cone Equipment

 Sand Cone Test
Field Density

Calibrating Sand Cone Equipment

 Setup for Density Tests

Digging Test Pit

Leveling Soil Surface

Ensuring Bottom is Level

Performing Density Tests
SAND CONE METHOD

Sand Cone Test in

Digging Test Hole
Progress
DETERMINATION OF FIELD UNIT
BY SAND CONE METHOD
Nuclear Density Sand Cone
Sand Cone Test (ASTM D1556-90)
• A small hole (6" x 6" deep) is dug in the
compacted material to be tested.
The soil is removed and weighed, then dried
and weighed again to determine its moisture
content.
• A soil's moisture is figured as a percentage.
• The specific volume of the hole is determined
by filling it with calibrated dry sand from a jar
and cone device.
Contd…
Contd…

• The dry weight of the soil removed is divided

by the volume of sand needed to fill the hole.
• This gives us the density of the compacted soil
in lbs per cubic foot.
This density is compared to the maximum
Proctor density obtained earlier, which gives
us the relative density of the soil that was just
compacted.
 Contd…

• The isotope source gives off photons (usually

Gamma rays) which radiate back to the
mater's detectors on the bottom of the unit.
• Dense soil absorbs more radiation than loose
soil and the readings reflect overall density.
Water content (ASTM D3017) can also be
read, all within a few minutes.
A relative Proctor density with the compaction
results from the test.
 Water Balloon Test
Field Density

Water Balloon Equipment Field Application

Water Balloon Test
Field Density

Calibrating Water Balloon Equipment

Performing Density Tests
Water Balloon Method

Reading Water Level

Nuclear Density (ASTM D2292-91)
Nuclear Density meters
are a quick and fairly
accurate way of
determining density and
moisture content. The
meter uses a radioactive
isotope source (Cesium
137) at the soil surface
(backscatter) or from a
probe placed into the soil
(direct transmission). Contd…
 Contd…

• The isotope source gives off photons (usually

Gamma rays) which radiate back to the
mater's detectors on the bottom of the unit.
• Dense soil absorbs more radiation than loose
soil and the readings reflect overall density.
Water content (ASTM D3017) can also be
read, all within a few minutes.
A relative Proctor density with the compaction
results from the test.
 Field Density Testing Method
Balloon Dens Nuclear
Sand Cone Shelby Tube
meter Gauge

•Large sample
•Fast * Fast
* Direct reading
* Large sample * Deep sample * Easy to redo
Advantages obtained
* Accurate * Under pipe * More tests
* Open
haunches (statistical reliability)
graded material
* Many steps
* Large area •No sample
•Small Sample
required * Slow * Radiation
* No gravel
Disadvantages * Slow * Balloon breakage * Moisture suspect
* Sample not always
* Halt Equipment * Awkward * Encourages
retained
* Tempting to accept • amateurs
flukes
* Miscalibrated
* Void under plate
* Surface not level * Overdrive * Rocks in path
* Sand bulking
Errors * Soil pumping * Rocks in path * Surface prep
* Sand compacted
* Void under plate * Plastic soil required
* Soil pumping
* Backscatter

Cost * Low * Moderate * Low * High

 Soil Modulus (soil stiffness)
• This field-test method is a very recent
development that replaces soil density
testing.
• Soil stiffness is the ratio of force-to-
displacement.
Testing is done by a machine that sends
vibrations into the soil and then measures the
deflection of the soil from the vibrations.

Contd….
 Contd…

• This is a very fast, safe method of testing soil

stiffness.
• Soil stiffness is the desired engineering
property, not just dry density and water
content.
• This method is currently being researched and
tested by the Federal Highway Administration