Procedure of Test for Density of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method
Ø Determine the density of the soil in place as follows.
Ø Fill the apparatus with sand according to section 4.1. Record the
total mass.
Ø Paper the surface of the location to be tested so that it is a
level plane.
Ø Seat the base plate on the prepared surface. Dig the test hole
inside the opening of the base plate, being very carefully to avoid disturbing
the soil that will be bound the hole. Soils that are essentially granular
require extreme care. Place all loosened soil in a container, being careful to
avoid losing any material. Care must be taken to avoid moisture loss during
excavation.
Ø Place the apparatus on the base plate and open the valve. After the
sand has stopped flowing, close the valve.
Ø Weigh the apparatus with the remaining sand and record.
Ø Weigh the moist material that was the removed from test hole.
Ø Mix the material thoroughly and secure and weigh a representative
sample for moisture determination.
Ø Dry and weigh the soil sample for moisture content determination in
accordance with T265 or in according with rapid method such as T217, ASTM D4959,
or ASTMD4643.The results obtained using these or other rapid test method must
be corrected to the values obtained in accordance with T265. Calculate the
moisture content to the nearest 0.1 Percent.
Ø The minimum test whole volumes suggested in determining the
in-place density of soil mixtures are given in Table 1. This table show the
suggested minimum mass of the moisture content sample in relation to the
maximum particle size in soil mixtures.
