ASTM_D_4254_-_14.pdf

Designation:D425414Standard Test Methods forMinimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils andCalculation of Relative Density1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4254;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 theminimum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless,free-draining soils.The adjective“dry”before density or unitweight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of thisstandards to be be consistent with the applicable definitionsgiven in Section 3 on Terminology.1.2 System of Units:1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard hasbeen developed and manufactured using values in the gravi-metric or inch-pound system.Therefore,test apparatus dimen-sions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as thestandard.1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession toconcurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass(lbm)and a unit of force(lbf).This implicitly combines two separatesystems of units;that is,the absolute system and the gravita-tional system.It is scientifically undesirable to combine the useof two separate sets of inch-pound units within a singlestandard.This test method has been written using the gravita-tional system of units when dealing with the inch-poundsystem.In this system,the pound(lbf)represents a unit of force(weight).However,balances or scales measure mass;andweight must be calculated.In the inch-pound system,it iscommon to assume that 1 lbf is equal to 1 lbm.While reportingdensity is not regarded as nonconformance with this standard,unit weights should be calculated and reported since the resultsmay be used to determine force or stress.1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often usedinterchangeably.Density is mass per unit volume,whereas unitweight is force per unit volume.In this standard,density isgiven only in SI units.After the density has been determined,the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units,or both.1.3 Three alternative methods are provided to determine theminimum index density/unit weight,as follows:1.3.1 Method AUsing a funnel pouring device or a handscoop to place material in mold.1.3.2 Method BDepositing material into a mold by ex-tracting a soil filled tube.1.3.3 Method C2Depositing material by inverting agraduated cylinder.1.4 The method to be used should be specified by theagency requesting the test.If no method is specified,theprovisions of Method A shall govern.Test Method A is thepreferred procedure for determining minimum index density/unit weight as used in conjunction with the procedures of TestMethods D4253.Methods B and C are provided for guidanceof testing used in conjunction with special studies,especiallywhere there is not enough material available to use a 0.100 ft3(2830 cm3)or 0.500 ft3(14 200 cm3)mold as required byMethod A.1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that maycontain up to 15%,by dry mass,of soil particles passing a No.200(75-m)sieve,provided they still have cohesionless,free-draining characteristics(nominal sieve dimensions are inaccordance with Specification E11).1.5.1 MethodAis applicable to soils in which 100%,by drymass,of soil particles pass a 3-in.(75-mm)sieve and whichmay contain up to 30%,by dry mass,of soil particles retainedon a 112-inch(37.5-mm)sieve.1.5.2 Method B is applicable to soils in which 100%,by drymass,of soil particles pass a34-inch(19.0-mm)sieve.1.5.3 Method C is applicable only to fine and medium sandsin which 100%,by dry mass,of soil particles pass a38-in.(9.5-mm)sieve and which may contain up to 10%,by drymass,of soil particles retained on a No.10(2.00-mm)sieve.1.5.4 Soils,for the purposes of these test methods,shall beregarded as naturally occurring cohesionless soils,processed1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,Plasticityand Density Characteristics of Soils.Current edition approved Dec.15,2014.Published January 2015.Originallyapproved in 1983.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4254 00(2006)1.DOI:10.1520/D4254-14.2Kolbuszewski,J.J.,“An Experimental Study of the Maximum and MinimumPorosities of Sands,”Proceedings,Second International Conference on SoilMechanics and Foundation Engineering,Rotterdam Vol I,1948,pp.158165.*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 particles,or composites or mixtures of natural soils,or mix-tures of natural and processed particles,provided they arefree-draining.1.6 All obs