ASTM_D_854_-_14.pdf

Designation:D85414Standard Test Methods forSpecific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D854;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope*1.1 These test methods cover the determination of thespecific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm(No.4)sieve,by means of a water pycnometer.When the soil containsparticles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve,Test Method C127shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieveand these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passingthe 4.75-mm sieve.1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solidswhich can be altered by these methods,contaminated with asubstance that prohibits the use of these methods,or are highlyorganic soil solids,such as fibrous matter which floats in water.NOTE1The use of Test Method D5550 may be used to determine thespecific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily dissolve in wateror float in water,or where it is impracticable to use water.1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity areprovided.The method to be used shall be specified by therequesting authority,except when testing the types of soilslisted in 1.2.11.2.1 Method AProcedure for Moist Specimens,describedin 9.2.This procedure is the preferred method.For organicsoils;highly plastic,fine grained soils;tropical soils;and soilscontaining halloysite,Method A shall be used.1.2.2 Method BProcedure for Oven-Dry Specimens,de-scribed in 9.3.1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as theindustry standard.In addition,they are representative of thesignificant digits that generally should be retained.The proce-dures used do not consider material variation,purpose forobtaining the data,special purpose studies,or any consider-ations for the users objectives;and it is common practice toincrease or reduce significant digits of reported data to becommensurate with these considerations.It is beyond the scopeof these test methods to consider significant digits used inanalysis methods for engineering design.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.The inch-pound units given in parentheses aremathematical conversions which are provided for informationpurposes only and are not considered standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C127 Test Method for Density,Relative Density(SpecificGravity),and Absorption of Coarse AggregateD653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water(Moisture)Content of Soil and Rock by MassD2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for EngineeringPurposes(Unified Soil Classification System)D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD4753 Guide for Evaluating,Selecting,and Specifying Bal-ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil,Rock,andConstruction Materials TestingD5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byGas PycnometerD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalDataE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and TestSievesE177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in1This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,Plasticityand Density Characteristics of Soils.Current edition approved May 1,2014.Published May 2014.Originallyapproved in 1945.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D854 10.DOI:10.1520/D0854-14.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 ASTM Test MethodsE691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study toDetermine the Precision of a Test Method3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of technical terms used inthese test methods,refer to T