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Experiment 5 FDT Standard by Sand Cone Method

This document describes procedures for measuring field density using the sand cone method. The method involves excavating a hole in soil, filling it with sand of a known density, and calculating the density of the soil based on the volume of sand used and properties of the excavated soil. Key steps include determining the mass and density of standard sand, excavating a soil sample, and performing calculations to find dry density of the soil in place.

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Khem Espinosa
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40 views

Experiment 5 FDT Standard by Sand Cone Method

This document describes procedures for measuring field density using the sand cone method. The method involves excavating a hole in soil, filling it with sand of a known density, and calculating the density of the soil based on the volume of sand used and properties of the excavated soil. Key steps include determining the mass and density of standard sand, excavating a soil sample, and performing calculations to find dry density of the soil in place.

Uploaded by

Khem Espinosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Experiment No.

5
MEASUREMENT OF FIELD DENSITY
BY SAND CONE METHOD

Introduction:
The sand cone method employs the use of a uniformly graded sand to fill a test hole.
The hole is hand excavated in the soil and all the material from the hole is saved in a
container. The hole is filled with free-flowing sand of a known density, and the volume
is determined. The wet density of the soil is calculated and by determining the water
content of the material from the hole, the in-place dry density can be obtained.

Purpose and significance:


• To determine the in-place density/unit weight of soils of natural soil.
• To determine the density and water content of compacted soils. It often is used as a
basis of acceptance for compacted soils.

Standard Reference:
ASTM D1556: Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by
the Sand Cone Method.

Apparatus:
 Sand-cone density apparatus, consisting of sand container, sand cone (funnel), and
base plate.
 Small digging tools (e.g., shovels, trowels).
 Balance.
 Large sealable plastic bag or airtight container.

CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)


LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
Fig.1—Sand cone device. Parts include A) base plate, B) funnel, and C) sand container

Specimen Preparation:
The sand must be clean, dry, uniformly graded sand with a coefficient of uniformity
D60
(𝐶𝑢 = 𝐷 ) < 2, a maximum particle size < 2.0 mm and < 3 % by weight passing the 250μm
10
[No. 60] sieve size. The sand should consist of rounded particles rather than angular.

Testing Procedure:
Select a location/elevation that is representative of the area to be tested, and determine
the density of the soil in-place as follows:
1. Fill the jar with a standard sand – a sand with known density – and determine the
mass of the sand cone apparatus with the jar filled with sand (M𝟏). The American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recommends Ottawa sand as the
standard.

2. Determine the mass of sand to fill the cone (M2).


3. Excavate a small hole in the soil and determine the mass of the excavated soil (M3).
4. Determine the water content of the excavated soil (ѡ).
5. Fill the hole with the standard sand by inverting the sand cone apparatus over the
hole and opening the valve.
6. Determine the mass of the sand cone apparatus with the remaining sand in the jar
(M4).
7. Calculate the mass of the soil as follows:
Mass of sand to fill the hole (Ms) = M1 – (M2 + M4)
𝑴𝒔
Volume of hole (V) =
𝝆𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅
𝑴𝟑
Mass of dry soil (Md) =
𝟏+ ѡ
𝐌𝒅
Dry density (ρd) =
𝑽
CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
FIELD DENSITY MEASUREMENT BY SAND CONE METHOD
DATA SHEET

Date Tested: _____________________________


Tested by: _____________________________
Project Name: _____________________________

Calibration to find Dry unit weight of the standard sand

Mass of Proctor mold, M1 (kg)


Mass of Proctor mold and sand, M2 (kg)
Volume of mold, V1 (m3)
(𝑴𝟐 −𝑴𝟏 )
Dry density of sand (kg/m3), ρds = 𝑽𝟏

Calibration of sand cone

Mass of sand cone apparatus and jar filled with sand, Ma


Mass of sand cone apparatus with remaining sand in jar, Mb
Mass of sand to fill the cone, M2 = Ma - Mb
Sand cone test results
Mass of sand cone apparatus and jar filled with sand, M1
Mass of excavated soil, M3
Mass of sand cone apparatus with remaining sand in jar, M4
Water content of excavated soil, ѡ (%)
Mass of sand to fill hole, Ms = M1 – (M2 + M4)
𝑴𝒔
Volume of hole: 𝑽=
ρds
𝟑𝑴
Mass of dry soil, Md = 𝝎+𝟏
𝑴𝒅
Dry density, ρd = (kg/m3)
𝑽

Calculations:

CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)


LABORATORY EXPERIMENT

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