ASTM_D_1556_-_D_1556M_-_15.pdf

Designation:D1556/D1556M15Standard Test Method forDensity and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by Sand-ConeMethod1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1556/D1556M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript 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 This test method may be used to determine the in-placedensity and unit weight of soils using a sand cone apparatus.1.2 This test method is applicable for soils without appre-ciable amounts of rock or coarse materials in excess of 112in.38 mm in diameter.1.3 This test method may also be used for the determinationof the in-place density and unit weight of intact or in situ soils,provided the natural void or pore openings in the soil are smallenough to prevent the sand used in the test from entering thevoids.The soil or other material being tested should havesufficient cohesion or particle attraction to maintain stable sideson a small hole or excavation,and be firm enough to withstandthe minor pressures exerted in digging the hole and placing theapparatus over it,without deforming or sloughing.1.4 This test method is not suitable for organic,saturated,orhighly plastic soils that would deform or compress during theexcavation of the test hole.This test method may not besuitable for soils consisting of unbound granular materials thatwill not maintain stable sides in the test hole,soils containingappreciable amounts of coarse material larger than 112in.38mm,and granular soils having high void ratios.1.5 When materials to be tested contain appreciableamounts of particles larger than 112in.38 mm,or when testhole volumes larger than 0.1 ft32830 cm3 are required,TestMethod D4914 or D5030/D5030M is applicable.1.6 UnitsThe values stated in either inch-pound units orSI units presented in brackets are to be regarded separately asstandard.The values stated in each system may not be exactequivalents;therefore each system shall be used independentlyof the other.Combining values from the two systems mayresult in non-conformance with the standard.1.6.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is usedwhen dealing with inch-pound units.In this system,the pound(lbf)represents a unit of force(weight).1.6.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession toconcurrently use units representing both mass and force unlessdynamic calculations(F=Ma)are involved.This implicitlycombines two separate systems within a single standard.Thesetest methods have been written using inch-pound units(gravi-tational system);however,conversions are given in the SIsystem.The use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass(lbm),or the recording of density in lbm/ft3should not beregarded as nonconformance with this standard.1.6.3 The sieve designations are identified using the“stan-dard”system in accordance with Specification E11,such as 25mm and 75 m,followed by the“alternative”system of 1 in.and No.200,respectively.1.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.7.1 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.1.7.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or 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 or reported data to becommensurate with these considerations.It is beyond the scopeof this standard to consider significant digits used in analyticalmethods for engineering design.1.8 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.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special andConstruction Control Tests.Current edition approved Feb.1,2015.Published March 2015.Originallyapproved in 1958.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D1556 07.DOI:10.1520/D1556_D1556M-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 2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Sta