ASTM_D_4015_-_15.pdf

Designation:D401515Standard Test Methods forModulus and Damping of Soils by Fixed-Base ResonantColumn Devices1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4015;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 These test methods cover the determination of shearmodulus and shear damping as a function of shear strainamplitude for solid cylindrical specimens of soil in intact andremolded conditions by vibration using resonant column de-vices.The vibration of the specimen may be superposed on acontrolled static state of stress in the specimen.The vibrationapparatus and specimen may be enclosed in a triaxial chamberand subjected to an all-around pressure and axial load.Inaddition,the specimen may be subjected to other controlledconditions(for example,pore-water pressure,degree ofsaturation,temperature).These test methods of modulus anddamping determination are considered nondestructive when theshear strain amplitudes of vibration are less than 102%(104in.in.),and many measurements may be made on thesame specimen and with various states of static stress.1.2 Two device configurations are covered by these testmethods:Device Type 1 where a known torque is applied to thetop of the specimen and the resulting rotational motion ismeasured at the top of the specimen,and Device Type 2 wherean uncalibrated torque is applied to the top of the specimen andthe torque transmitted through the specimen is measured by atorque transducer at the base of the specimen.For both devices,the torque is applied to the active end(usually top)of thespecimen and the rotational motion also is measured at theactive end of the specimen.1.3 These test methods are limited to the determination ofthe shear modulus and shear damping,the necessary vibration,and specimen preparation procedures related to the vibration,etc.,and do not cover the application,measurement,or controlof the axial and lateral static normal stresses.The latterprocedures may be covered by,but are not limited to,TestMethod D2850,D3999/D3999M,D4767,D5311/D5311M,orD7181.1.4 Significant DigitsAll recorded and calculated valuesshall conform to the guide for significant digits and roundingestablished in Practice D6026.1.4.1 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 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.1.4.2 Measurements made to more significant digits orbetter sensitivity than specified in this standard shall not beregarded a nonconformance with this standard.1.5 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.Reporting oftest results in units other than SI shall not be regarded asnonconformance with these test methods.1.5.1 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.1.5.2 It is common practice in the engineering/constructionprofession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unitof mass(lbm)and of force(lbf).This implicitly combines twoseparate systems of units;that is,the absolute system and thegravitational system.It is scientifically undesirable to combinethe use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a singlestandard.As stated,this standard includes the gravitationalsystem of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug1These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soiland Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.09 on Cyclic andDynamic Properties of Soils.Current edition approved Oct.1,2015.Published November 2015.Originallyapproved in 1981.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4015 07.DOI:10.1520/D4015-15.*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 unit for mass.However,the use of balances or scales recordingpounds of mass(lbm)or recording density in lbm/ft3shall notbe regarded as nonconformance with this standard.1.6 Th