RELATIVE DENSITY OF SAND

submitted by
Latchireddi Abaddam
Scholar no.192111122

MAULANA AZAD NATIONAL INSTITUE OF TECHNOLOGY

BHOPAL-462003
OBJECTIVE
• To determine the relative density of given coarse grained material(Sand)

• Relative density or density index

It is the ratio of the difference between the void ratios of a cohesionless soil in loose
state and existing natural state to the difference between its void ratio in the loosest and
densest states.
𝑒 −𝑒
Rd(%)= 𝑚𝑎𝑥 * 100
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥−𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛
Compaction principles

• Compaction Tests are not commonly performed on soils with in 12% or fewer fines.
• Small percentage of fines means soils cannot easily hold water to examine range of water
and effect on dry density.
Compaction tests performed on clean sand may have this appearance
Dry density

w%
Minimum Density

• The mould is weighed accurately (W).pour the dry pulverized sand into the mould
through a funnel in a steady stream. The spout is adjusted so that the free fall of sand
particle is always 25mm.while pouring soil the spout must have a spiral motion from the
rim to centre. The process is continued to fill up the mould with sand up to about 25mm
above the top.it is then leaved, with the soil and weight is recorded(w1).

Volume of mould v cc
Mass of dry soil m =(w1-w)gm
γdmin= m/v g/cc
emax=gγw/(γd)min-1
Minimum Density Apparatus
Maximum density:

• Weight the empty mould(w).put the collar on top of the mould and clamp it. Fill the
mould with the oven dried sand sample is filled. Place the mould with the oven dried sand
sample is filled. Place the mould on the vibrating deck and fix it with nuts and bolts. Then
place the surcharge weight on it. The vibrator is allowed to run for 8 minutes.
Then mould is weighed with the soil and weight is recorded(w2).
Volume of mould V in CC
Mas of dry soil M = (W2-W1) gm
(γd) max = M/V g/cc
emin = Gγw/ (γd) - 1
Maximum Density
Surcharge plate

Weight on
sample inside
sleeve

Vibratory
table
 Sample
densified by
vibration

Measure D
height to
determine
new gd
 Void Ratio and Dry Density

The void Ratio is calculated for each state of denseness of sample.

Maximum void ratio occurs at minimum index density - For Example Min.gd = 1.5g/cc
Minimum void ratio occurs at maximum index density For Example Maximum gd = 1.7
g/cc
Calculate Void Ratio of Compacted Sand

Now, assume that the density of this sand was measured in a natural state it was 1.6
g/cc. First, calculate the void ratio of the fill:
Take sand specific gravity=2.65
e=(Gs*γw/γd)-1
e=(2.65*1/1.6)-1=0.66
 Minimum and Maximum Void Ratio
First Calculate void ratio at Minimum γd

emax=(2.65*1/1.5)-1=0.76

Next calculate void ratio at Maximum γd

emin=(2.65*1/1.7)-1=0.56
Relative Density Equation

Diagram below illustrates a

relative density of about 40 %

emeasured
emin emax

gdmax gd measured gd min

increasing density
 Compute Relative Density Equation
𝑒 −𝑒
Rd(%)= 𝑚𝑎𝑥 * 100
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥−𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛

0.76−0.66
Rd(%)= * 100
0.76−0.56

= 50%
Relative density(%) Type of soil

0-15 Very loose

15-50 Loose

50-70 Medium dense

70-85 Dense

85-100 Very dense

Applications:

The relative density gives a practically useful measure of compactness of such soils
The compactness characteristics of cohesionless soil and related properties of such soils are
dependent on factors like grain size distribution and shape of individual particles. Density
index is also affected by these factors and serves as a parameter to correlate properties of
soils. Various soil properties, such as penetration resistance, compressibility, permeability
and California bearing ratio are have simple relationships with density index(relative
density).
Thank you