1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of in-place density of soil by the drive-cylinder method. The test method involves obtaining a relatively undisturbed soil sample by driving a thin-walled cylinder and the subsequent activities for the determination of in-place density. When sampling or in-place density is required at depth, Test Method D1587 should be used.

1.2 This test method is not appropriate for sampling organic soils which can compress upon sampling, very hard natural soils and heavily compacted soils which cannot be easily penetrated by the drive sampler, soils of low plasticity which will not be readily retained in the cylinder, or soils which contain appreciable amounts of gravel (particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16 in.)). The presence of particles coarser than 4.75 mm (3/16in.) may introduce significant errors in density measurements by causing voids along the wall of the cylinder during driving, and when coarse materials have to be dislodged by the trimming of the sample obtained by the cylinder.

1.3 This test method is limited to the procedures necessary for obtaining specimens suitable for determining the in-place density and water content of certain soils. The procedures and precautions necessary for selecting locations and obtaining undisturbed samples suitable for laboratory testing or otherwise determining engineering properties is beyond the scope of this test method.

1.4 It is common practice in the engineering profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate systems of units, that is, the absolute system and the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. This test method has been written using the gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this system the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm), or the recording of density in lbm/ft ³ should not be regarded as nonconformance with this test method.

1.5 The standard values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids

D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3))

D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2,700 kN-m/m3))

D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes

D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass

D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)

D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction

D4643 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by Microwave Oven Heating

D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing

D4944 Test Method for Field Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Tester

D4959 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil By Direct Heating

D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data

Keywords

compaction control; density testing; drive cylinder; drive cylinder test; field density; in-place density; plug sampler; quality control; subsurface sampler; surface sampler; unit weight; Backfill--testing; Subsurface investigation--soil/rock; Surface analysis--soil/rock/related materials; Unit weight; Compaction control; Compaction measurement--soils; Density--soil/rock/related materials; Drive cylinder test; Field density; In-place density (of soil); Plug sampler;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 93.020 (Earth works. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works)

DOI: 10.1520/D2937-00E01

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