16 – FIELD UNIT WEIGHT

HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER
STUDIESDAMPAS DISTR., TAGBILARAN
CITY, BOHOL

Experiment No. 16
FIELD UNIT WEIGHT

Submitted by:
Bernadas,
Harvey
Pahamutang,
Jeisa
Painagan, Mheg
Louche
Penales,
Kenneth Darryl

Subject: Geotechnical Engineering (CEN 113)

Date Performed: March 24, 2023

Date Submitted: May

27, 2023Rate:

Submitted to: Engr. Ma. Xilca Lofranco

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 16 – FIELD UNIT WEIGHT

EXPERIMENT NO. 16
TITLE: FIELD UNIT WEIGHT

I. OBJECTIVE
a. To determine the field unit weight of compaction by Sand Cone
Method.
b. To determine the relative compaction between the field dry unit
weight and the maximum dry unit weight identified from the
laboratory through Standard and Modified Compaction Test.

II. EQUIPMENT
a. Sand cone apparatus. This consists of a one-gallon glass or
plastic bottle with a metal cone attached to it.

b. Base plate

c. Digging Bar

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d. Balance

e. Spring Balance

f. Sand

g. Proctor compaction mold

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h. Pan/Container

i. Pail

III. PROCEDURE

i. LABORATORY WORK
a. Prepare and sieve sand to be used, passing sieve no. 20 and
will retain on sieve no. 30. Oven dry after to prepare for the
tests.

b. Determine the dry unit weight of the 20-30 sand that will be
used in the field. This can be done by taking a Proctor

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compaction mold, filling it with sand. Avoid any vibration or

other means of compaction of the sand poured into the mold.
When the mold is full, strike off the top of the mold with the
steel straight edge. Determine the weight of the sand in the
mold (𝑊1).

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c. Calibrate the cone. That is, we need to determine the weight of

the sand that is required to fill the cone. This can be done as
follows: Fill the one-gallon bottle with Ottawa sand. Determine
the weight of the bottle + cone + sand (𝑊2).

d. Close the valve of the cone which is attached to bottle. Turn

the bottle with the cone attached to it upside down, on a flat
surface, and place the open mouth of the cone. Open the cone
valve.

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e. Sand will flow out of the bottle and gradually fill the cone.
When the cone is filled with sand, the flow of sand from the
bottle will stop.
f. Close the cone valve. Remove the bottle and cone
combination from the base plate, and determine its weight
(𝑊3).
g. Determine the weight of empty pan/container (for the
determination of moisture content) to be used. (𝑊4).

h. Before proceeding to the field, fill the one-gallon bottle (with

sand cone attached to it) with sand. Close the valve of the
cone. Determine the weight of the bottle + cone + sand (𝑊5).

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ii. Field Work

a. Now proceed to the field with the bottle with the cone attached
to it (filled with Ottawa sand – Step 4), the base plate, the
digging tools, and the one-gallon can with its cap.

b. Place the base plate on a level ground in the field. Under the
center hole of the base plate, dig a hole in the ground using
digging tools. The volume of the hole should be smaller than
the volume of the sand in the bottle minus the volume of the
cone.

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c. Remove all the loose soil from the hole, and keep it carefully
so as not to lose any moisture. Be careful not to move the base
plate.

d. Turn the gallon bottle filled with sand with cone attached to it
upside down, and place it on the center of the baseplate. Open
the valve of the cone. Sand will flow from the bottle to fill the
hole in the ground and the cone. When the flow of sand from
bottle stops, close the valve of the cone and remove it.

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e. Determine the weight (𝑊6) of the pan + moist soil from the field
(without the cap). Also, determine the weight of the bottle + can
+sand after use (𝑊7).
f. Put the gallon can with the moist soil in the oven to dry to a
constant weight. Determine the weight of the can +oven-dry
soil (𝑊8).

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IV. Formula
a. Determine the dry unit weight of the sand

𝑊1
𝛾𝑑 (𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑) =
𝑉1
Where 𝛾𝑑 (𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑) = dry unit weight of Ottawa sand
𝑉1 = volume of Proctor mold

b. The weight of sand necessary to fill the cone can now be

determined as

𝑊𝑐 = 𝑊2 − 𝑊3

c. Determine the moisture content of the soil in the field as

𝑊6 − 𝑊8
𝑤(%) = (100)
𝑊8 − 𝑊4

d. Determine the moist unit weight of the soil in the field as follows

𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒

𝛾=
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒

Weight of the moist soil from the hole = 𝑊6 − 𝑊4

𝑊5 − 𝑊7 − 𝑊𝑐
Volume of the hole =
𝑦𝑑(𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑)

e. Determine the dry unit weight of the soil in the field as

𝛾
𝛾𝑑 (𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑) =
𝑤%
1 + 100

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V. DATA & CALCULATIONS

𝑊1 8.98 lb.

𝑉1 1/30 ft3

𝑊2 15.51 lb.

𝑊3 12.45 lb

𝑊4 0.23 lb

𝑊5 15.63 lb.

𝑊6 2.74 lb

𝑊7 10.99 lb

𝑊8 2.28 lb

Measurements of the mold at the time of the test:

Inner Diameter = 4”
Inner Height = 4.6”

Calculating the Dry Unit Weight of Sand

𝛾𝑑 (𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑) = 𝑊1 = 8.98 lb. = 269.4 lb./ ft3
𝑉1 1/30 ft3

Calibration of Cone

𝑊𝑐 = 𝑊2 − 𝑊3
=15.51 lb-12.45 lb= 3.06 lb.

Calculating the Volume of Hole

𝑊5 − 𝑊7 − 𝑊𝑐 = 15.63-10.99-3.06
Volume of the hole =
𝑦𝑑(𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑) 269.4
𝟏𝟕 3
=
𝟏𝟑𝟒𝟕𝟎
ft

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Calculating for the moist unit weight of soil

Weight of the moist soil from the hole = 𝑊6 − 𝑊4= 2.74-0.23= 2.51lb

(𝑊6−𝑊4)(𝑌𝑑𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑)
𝛾= 𝑊5−𝑊7−𝑊𝐶

(2.74−0.23)(269.4)
= 15.63−10.99−3.06

=427.97 lb./ ft3

Calculating for the Moisture Content of soil

𝑊6−𝑊8 2.74−2.28
𝑤(%) =𝑊8−𝑊4(100) = 2.28−0.23(100) = 22.44%

Calculating for the Dry Unit Weight

𝑌
𝛾𝑑 (𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑) = 𝑊%
1+
100

427.97
22.44 =349.53 lb./ ft3
1+
100

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Calculating for the Relative Compaction using the maximum dryunit weight
determined from the Standard Compaction Test.

Relative Compaction (%) = (Field Dry Unit Weight / Maximum Dry Unit Weight) × 100
= (54.95 kN/m³ / 352.8 kN/m³) × 100 = 15.59% (rounded to two decimal places).

Therefore, the Relative Compaction is approximately 15.59%.

Calculating for the Relative Compaction using the maximum dryunit weight
determined from the Modified Compaction Test.

Relative Compaction (%) = (Field Dry Unit Weight / Maximum Dry Unit Weight) × 100
= (54.95 kN/m³ / 32.68 kN/m³) × 100 = 168.17% (rounded to two decimal places).

Therefore, the Relative Compaction is approximately 168.17%.

VI. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the determination of field density using the sand replacement

soil method provides a reliable measure of the in-situ density of compacted
soil. This method involves using a pouring cylinder to assess the density.
Upon conducting the test, the collected data is utilized to determine crucial
factors such as moisture content, bulk density, and dry density of the soil.
However, it is important to note that there is a possibility of experimental error
during the progress of this experiment.
For instance, if insufficient sand is taken, the sample of soil might not be
adequate to conduct the test accurately. Moreover, variations in the depth of
the excavated hole and the presence of impurities in the soil can result in
different densities being measured.
By being mindful of these potential sources of error and ensuring proper
procedures are followed, the accuracy and reliability of the test results can be
improved.

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VII. APPENDIX

FIELD UNIT WEIGHT – SAND CONE METHOD

Calibration of Unit Weight of Ottawa Sand

Weight of sand in the mold 𝑊1 8.98lb.

Volume if mold 𝑉1 =1/30 ft3

𝑊
𝛾𝑑(𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑) = 1
𝑉1
3
=269.4 lb./ ft

Calibration Cone

Weight of bottle + cone + sand (before use), 𝑊2 15.51 lb.

Weight of bottle + cone + sand (after use), 𝑊3 12.45 lb

Weight of sand to fill the cone, 𝑊𝑐 = 𝑊2 − 𝑊3 3.06 lb.

Results from Field Tests

Weight of bottle + cone + sand (before use), 𝑊5 15.63 lb.

Weight of bottle + cone + sand (after use), 𝑊7 10.99 lb

𝟏𝟕
Volume of the hole, 𝑊5−𝑊7−𝑊𝑐 𝟏𝟑𝟒𝟕𝟎
ft3
𝛾𝑑(𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑)

Weight of the pan, 𝑊4 0.23 lb

Weight of pan + moist soil, 𝑊6 2.74 lb

Weight of pan + dry soil, 𝑊8 2.28 lb

Weight of moist soil, 𝑊6 − 𝑊4 2.51lb

(𝑊6−𝑊4) 𝛾𝑑(𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑)
Moist unit weight of soil in the field, 𝛾 = 427.97lb./ ft3
𝑊5 − 𝑊7−𝑊𝐶

Moisture content in the field, 𝑤(%) = 𝑊6−𝑊8 (100) 22.44%

𝑊8 − 𝑊 4

𝑌
Dry unit weight in the field 𝛾𝑑 = 𝑤% 349.53 lb./ ft3
1+100

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