EMBANKMENT AND BASE WAQTC FOP AASHTO T 99/T 180 (14)

IN-PLACE DENSITY

MOISTURE-DENSITY RELATIONS OF SOILS:

USING A 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) RAMMER AND A 305 mm (12 in.) DROP
FOP FOR AASHTO T 99
USING A 4.54 kg (10 lb) RAMMER AND A 457 mm (18 in.) DROP
FOP FOR AASHTO T 180

Scope

This procedure covers the determination of the moisture-density relations of soils and soil-
aggregate mixtures in accordance with two similar test methods:

• AASHTO T 99-10: Methods A, B, C, and D

• AASHTO T 180-10: Methods A, B, C, and D

This test method applies to soil mixtures having 40% or less retained on the 4.75 mm (No 4)
sieve for methods A or B, or, 30% or less retained on the 19 mm (¾”) with methods C or D.
The retained material is defined as oversize (coarse) material. If no minimum percentage is
specified, 5% will be used. Samples that contain oversize (coarse) material that meet percent
retained criteria should be corrected by using the FOP for AASHTO T 224. Samples of soil
or soil-aggregate mixture are prepared at several moisture contents and compacted into molds
of specified size, using manual or mechanical rammers that deliver a specified quantity of
compactive energy. The moist masses of the compacted samples are multiplied by the
appropriate factor to determine moist density values. Moisture contents of the compacted
samples are determined and used to obtain the dry density values of the same samples.
Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content for the soil or soil-aggregate mixture is
determined by plotting the relationship between dry density and moisture content.

Apparatus

• Mold – Cylindrical, made of metal and with the dimensions shown in Table 1 or
Table 2. It shall include a detachable collar and a base plate to which the mold can be
fastened. If permitted by the agency, the mold may be of the “split” type, consisting
of two half-round sections, which can be securely locked in place to form a cylinder.

• Rammer –Manually or mechanically-operated rammers as detailed in Table 1 or

Table 2. A manually-operated rammer shall be equipped with a guide sleeve to
control the path and height of drop. The guide sleeve shall have at least four vent
holes no smaller than 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) in diameter, spaced approximately 90 degrees
apart and approximately 19 mm (3/4 in.) from each end. A mechanically-operated
rammer will uniformly distribute blows over the sample and will be calibrated with
several soil types, and be adjusted, if necessary, to give the same moisture-density
results as with the manually operated rammer. For additional information concerning
calibration, see the FOP for AASHTO T 99 and T 180.

• Sample extruder – A jack, lever frame, or other device for extruding compacted
specimens from the mold quickly and with little disturbance.

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• Balance(s) or scale(s) of the capacity and sensitivity required for the procedure used
by the agency.

A balance or scale with a capacity of 20 kg (45 lb) and a sensitivity of 5 g

(0.01 lb) for obtaining the sample, meeting the requirements of AASHTO M 231.

A balance or scale with a capacity of 2 kg and a sensitivity of 0.1 g is used for

moisture content determinations done under both procedures, meeting the
requirements of AASHTO M 231.

• Drying apparatus – A thermostatically controlled drying oven, capable of maintaining

a temperature of 110 ±5°C (230 ±9°F) for drying moisture content samples in
accordance with the FOP for AASHTO T 255/T 265.

• Straightedge – A steel straightedge at least 250 mm (10 in.) long, with one beveled
edge and at least one surface plane within 0.1 percent of its length, used for final
trimming.

• Sieve(s) – 4.75 mm (No. 4) and/or 19.0 mm (3/4 in.), conforming to AASHTO M 92.

• Mixing tools – Miscellaneous tools such as a mixing pan, spoon, trowel, spatula, etc.,
or a suitable mechanical device, for mixing the sample with water.

• Containers with close-fitting lids to prevent gain or loss of moisture in the sample.

Table 1
Comparison of Apparatus, Sample, and Procedure – Metric
T 99 T 180
3
Mold Volume, m Methods A, C: 0.000943 Methods A, C: 0.000943
± 0.000008 ±0.000008
Methods B, D: 0.002124 Methods B, D: 0.002124
± 0.000021 ± 0.000021
Mold Diameter, mm Methods A, C: 101.6± 0.41 Methods A, C: 101.6± 0.41
Methods B, D: 152.4± 2.54 Methods B, D: 152.4± 2.54
Mold Height, mm 116.43± 0.13 116.43± 0.13
Detachable Collar Height, mm 50.80± 0.64 50.80± 0.64
Rammer Diameter, mm 50.80 50.80
Rammer Mass, kg 2.495 4.536
Rammer Drop, mm 305 457
Layers 3 5
Blows per Layer Methods A, C: 25 Methods A, C: 25
Methods B, D: 56 Methods B, D: 56
Material Size, mm Methods A, B: 4.75 minus Methods A, B: 4.75 minus
Methods C, D: 19.0 minus Methods C, D: 19.0 minus
Test Sample Size, kg Method A: 3 Method B: 7
Method C: 5 (1) Method D: 11(1)
Energy, kN-m/m3 592 2,693
(1) This may not be a large enough sample depending on your nominal maximum size for moisture content
samples.

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Table 2
Comparison of Apparatus, Sample, and Procedure – English
T 99 T 180
Mold Volume, ft3 Methods A, C: 1/30 Methods A, C: 1/30
(0.0333) ± 0.0003 (0.0333) ± 0.0003
Methods B, D: 1/13.33 Methods B, D: 1/13.33
(0.0750) ± 0.00075 (0.0750) ± 0.00075
Mold Diameter, in. Methods A, C: 4.000±0.016 Methods A, C: 4.000±0.016
Methods B, D: 6.000± 0.100 Methods B, D: 6.000± 0.100
Mold Height, in. 4.584± 0.005 4.584± 0.005
Detachable Collar Height, in. 2± 0.025 2± 0.025
Rammer Diameter, in. 2.000± 0.025 2.000± 0.025
Rammer Mass, lb 5.5± 0.02 10± 0.02
Rammer Drop, in. 12 18
Layers 3 5
Blows per Layer Methods A, C: 25 Methods A, C: 25
Methods B, D: 56 Methods B, D: 56
Material Size, in. Methods A, B: No. 4 minus Methods A, B: No.4 minus
Methods C, D: 3/4 minus Methods C, D: 3/4 minus
Test Sample Size, lb Method A: 7 Method B: 16
Method C: 12(1) Method D: 25(1)
Energy, lb-ft/ft3 12,375 56,250
(1) This may not be a large enough sample depending on your nominal maximum size for moisture content
samples.
Molds Out of Tolerance Due to Use—A mold that fails to meet manufacturing tolerances after continued
service may remain in use provided those tolerances are not exceeded by more than 50 percent; and the volume
of the mold, calibrated in accordance with T 19M/T 19, is used in the calculations.

Sample

If the sample is damp, dry it until it becomes friable under a trowel. Drying may be in air or
by use of a drying apparatus maintained at a temperature not exceeding 60°C (140°F).
Thoroughly break up aggregations in a manner that avoids reducing the natural size of
individual particles.

Obtain a representative test sample of the mass required by the agency by passing the
material through the sieve required by the agency. See Table 1 or Table 2 for test sample
mass and material size requirements.
Note 1: Both T 99 and T 180 have four methods (A, B, C, D) that require different masses and employ
different sieves.
Note 2: If the sample is plastic (clay types), it should stand for a minimum of 12 hours after the addition of
water to allow the moisture to be absorbed. In this case, several samples at different moisture contents
should be prepared, put in sealed containers and tested the next day. In instances where the material is
prone to degradation, i.e., granular material, a compaction sample with differing moisture contents should
be prepared for each point.

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Procedure

During compaction, the mold shall rest firmly on a dense, uniform, rigid, and stable
foundation or base. This base shall remain stationary during the compaction process.

1. Determine the mass of the clean, dry mold. Include the base plate, but exclude the
extension collar. Record the mass to the nearest 0.005 kg (0.01 lb).

2. Thoroughly mix the selected representative sample with sufficient water to dampen it to
approximately 4 to 8 percentage points below optimum moisture content. See Note 2.
For many materials this condition can be identified by forming a cast by hand.

3. Form a specimen by compacting the prepared soil in the mold (with collar attached) in
approximately equal layers. For each layer:

a. Spread the loose material uniformly in the mold.

Note 3: It is recommended to cover the remaining material with a non-absorbent sheet or damp cloth to
minimize loss of moisture.
b. Lightly tamp the loose material with the manual rammer or other similar device, this
establishes a firm surface.

c. Compact each layer with uniformly distributed blows from the rammer. See Table 1
for mold size, number of layers, number of blows, and rammer specification for the
various test methods. Use the method specified by the agency.

d. Trim down material that has not been compacted and remains adjacent to the walls of
the mold and extends above the compacted surface.

4. Remove the extension collar. Avoid shearing off the sample below the top of the mold.
A rule of thumb is that the material compacted in the mold should not be over 6 mm
(¼ in.) above the top of the mold once the collar has been removed.

5. Trim the compacted soil even with the top of the mold with the beveled side of the
straightedge.

6. Determine the mass of the mold and wet soil to the nearest 0.005 kg (0.01 lb) or better.

7. Determine the wet mass of the sample by subtracting the mass in Step 1 from the mass in
Step 6.

8. Calculate the wet density as indicated below under “Calculations.”

9. Extrude the material from the mold. For soils and soil-aggregate mixtures, slice vertically
through the center and take a representative moisture content sample from one of the cut
faces, ensuring that all layers are represented. For granular materials, a vertical face will

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not exist. Take a representative sample. This sample must meet the sample size
requirements of the test method used to determine moisture content.
Note 4: When developing a curve for free-draining soils such as uniform sands and gravels, where seepage
occurs at the bottom of the mold and base plate, taking a representative moisture content from the mixing
bowl may be preferred in order to determine the amount of moisture available for compaction.
10. Determine the moisture content of the sample in accordance with the FOP for AASHTO
T 255 / T 265.

11. Thoroughly break up the remaining portion of the molded specimen until it will again
pass through the sieve, as judged by eye, and add to the remaining portion of the sample
being tested. See Note 2.

12. Add sufficient water to increase the moisture content of the remaining soil by
approximately 1 to 2 percentage points and repeat steps 3 through 11.

13. Continue determinations until there is either a decrease or no change in the wet density.
There will be a minimum of three points on the dry side of the curve and two points on
the wet side.
Note 5: In cases of free-draining granular material, the development of points on the wet side of optimum may
not be practical.
Calculations

When the mold meets the criteria of Table 1 or Table 2 calculating unit mass can be
accomplished by multiplication using a Mold Factor, by division using a Mold volume; or by
division using a measured volume (determined by performing AASHTO T 19).

For molds not meeting the criteria of Table 1 or Table 2 but within 50%, a measured volume
must be used.

Mold Factor

1a. Calculate the wet density, in kg/m3 (lb/ft3), by multiplying the wet mass from Step 7
by the appropriate factor chosen from the two below.

Methods A and C molds: 1060 (30)

Methods B and D molds: 471 (13.33)

Note 6: The moist mass is in kg (lb). The factors are the inverses of the mold volumes in m3 (ft3) shown in
Table 1 or Table 2. If the moist mass is in grams, use 1.060 or 0.471 for factors when computing kg/m3.

Example – Methods A or C mold:

Wet mass = 1.916 kg (4.22 lb)

(1.916)(1060) = 2031 kg/m3 Wet Density* (4.22)(30) = 126.6 lb/ft3 Wet Density*

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Volume

1b. Calculate the wet density, in kg/m3 (lb/ft3), by dividing the wet mass from Step 7 by
the appropriate volume from Table 1 or Table 2.

Example – Methods A or C mold:

Wet mass = 1.916 kg (4.22 lb)

1.1916 𝑘𝑔 4.22 𝑙𝑏
= 2023𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 𝑊𝑒𝑡 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ∗ = 126.7𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3 𝑊𝑒𝑡 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ∗
0.000943 𝑚3 0.0333𝑓𝑡 3
* Differences in wet density are due to rounding in the respective calculations.

Measured Volume

1c. Calculate the wet density, in kg/m3 (lb/ft3), by dividing the wet mass by the measured
volume of the mold (T 19).

Example – Methods A or C mold:

39
Wet mass = 1.916 kg (4.22 lb)

Measured volume of the mold = 0.000946m3 (0.0334 ft3)

1.1916 𝑘𝑔 4.22 𝑙𝑏
= 2025𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 𝑊𝑒𝑡 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ∗ = 126.3𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3 𝑊𝑒𝑡 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ∗
0.000946 𝑚3 0.0334𝑓𝑡 3

2. Calculate the dry density as follows.

𝜌𝑤 𝜌𝑤
𝜌𝑑 = � � × 100 𝑜𝑟 𝜌𝑑 = 𝑤
𝑤 + 100 �100� + 1

Where:

ρ d = Dry density, kg/m3 (lb/ft3)

ρ w = Wet density, kg/m3 (lb/ft3)
w = Moisture content, as a percentage

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Example:

ρ w = 2030 kg/m3 (126.6 lb/ft3) and w = 14.7%

2030 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 3
126.6 𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3
𝜌𝑑 = � ⁄
� × 100 = 1770 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝜌𝑑 = � � × 100 = 110.4 𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3
14.7 + 100 14.7 + 100

or
2030 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 126.6 𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3
𝜌𝑑 = � � = 1770 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 𝜌𝑑 = � � = 110.4 𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3
14.7 14.7
100 + 1 100 + 1

Moisture-Density Curve Development

When dry density is plotted on the vertical axis versus moisture content on the horizontal
axis and the points are connected with a smooth line, a moisture-density curve is developed.
The coordinates of the peak of the curve are the maximum dry density, or just “maximum
density,” and the “optimum moisture content” of the soil.

Example:
Given the following dry density and corresponding moisture content values develop a
moisture-density relations curve and determine maximum dry density and optimum moisture
content.

Dry Density Moisture Content, %

kg/m3 lb/ft3
1846 114.3 11.3
1868 115.7 12.1
1887 116.9 12.8
1884 116.7 13.6
1871 115.9 14.2
Dry density – lb/ft3

117

115

113

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In this case, the curve has its peak at:

Maximum dry density = 1890 kg/m3 (117.0 lb/ft3)

Optimum water content = 13.2%

Note that both values are approximate, since they are based on sketching the curve to fit the
points.

Report

• Results on forms approved by the agency

• Maximum dry density to the closest 1 kg/m3 (0.1 lb/ft3)

• Optimum moisture content to the closest 0.1 percent

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