ASTM_D_5550_-_14.pdf

Designation:D555014Standard Test Method forSpecific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5550;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.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specificgravity of soil solids by means of a gas pycnometer.Particlesize is limited by the dimensions of the specimen container ofthe particular pycnometer being used.1.2 Test Method D854 may be used instead of or inconjunction with this test method for performing specificgravity tests on soils.Note that Test Method D854 does notrequire the specialized test apparatus needed by this testmethod.However,Test Method D854 may not be used if thespecimen contains matter that can readily dissolve in water,whereas this test method does not have that limitation.1.3 All measured and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.3.1 For purposes of comparing a measured or calculatedvalue(s)with specified limits,the measured or calculatedvalue(s)shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significantdigits in the specified limits.1.3.2 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 should generally 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 this standard to consider significant digits used in analysismethods for engineering design.1.4 UnitsThe values stated in SI units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to inch-pound units,which are provided forinformation only and are not considered standard.1.4.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitationalsystem of units.In this system,the pound(lbf)represents a unitof force(weight),while the unit for mass is slugs.Theconverted slug unit is not given,unless dynamic(F=ma)calculations are involved.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:2D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byWater PycnometerD2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water(Moisture)Content of Soil and Rock by MassD3740 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 TestingD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalData3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For common definitions of terms in this standard,referto Terminology D653.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method is used to determine the specificgravity of soil grains using a gas pycnometer.This test methodalso contains equations for correcting the initial specific gravityvalue for dissolved matter within the pore fluid.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeD18.03 on Texture,Plasticityand Density Characteristics of Soils.Current edition approved Dec.15,2014.Published January 2015.Originallyapproved in 1994.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5550 06.DOI:10.1520/D5550-14.2For 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 5.Significance and Use5.1 The specific gravity value is used in many phase relationequations to determine relative volumes of particle,water,andgas mixtures.5.2 The term soil particle typically refers to a naturallyoccurring mineral grain that is not readily soluble in water.Therefore,the specific gravity of soils that contain extraneousmatter(such as cement,lime,and the like)or water-solublematerial(such as salt)must be corrected for the precipitate thatfo