DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGG.

GCEM

EXPERIMENT NO 5 DATE: ________

DETERMINATION OF IN-SITU DENSITY BY CORE CUTTER METHOD

Aim:

To determine the field density or unit weight of soil by Core cutter method.

Field density is used in calculating the stress in the soil due to its overburden
pressure. It is needed in estimating the bearing capacity of soil foundation system,
settlement of footing, earth pressures behind the retaining walls and embankments.
Stability of natural slopes, dams, embankments and cuts is checked with the help of
density of soil. It is the density that controls the field compaction of soils. Permeability of
soils depends upon its density. Relative density of cohesionless soils is determined by
knowing the dry density of soil in natural, loosest and densest states. Void ratio, porosity
and degree of saturation need the help of density of soil.

Specifications:

This test is done to determine the in-situ dry density of soil by core cutter method
as per IS-2720-Part-29 (1975). Core cutter method in particular, is suitable for soft to
medium cohesive soils, in which the cutter can be driven. It is not possible to drive the
cutter into hard and boulder soils.

Equipments Required:
1) Cylindrical core cutter, 100mm internal diameter and 130mm long.
2) Steel dolley, 25mm high and 100mm internal diameter.
3) Steel rammer mass 9kg, overall length with the foot and staff about 900mm.
4) Balance, with an accuracy of 1g.
5) Palette knife, Straight edge, steel rule etc.
6) Square metal tray – 300mm x 300mm x 40mm.
7) Trowel.

Theory:

Field density is defined as weight per unit volume of soil mass in the field at in-
situ conditions. In the spot adjacent to that where the field density by sand replacement
method has been determined or planned, drive the core cutter using the dolly over the
core cutter. Stop ramming when the dolly is just proud of the surface. Dig out the cutter

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containing the soil out of the ground and trim off any solid extruding from its ends, so
that the cutter contains a volume of soil equal to its internal volume which is determined
from the dimensions of the cutter. The weight of the contained soil is found and its
moisture content determined.

Equations are;
d = t/(1+w) gm/cm³

OR d = t/(1+w) kN/m³
Where, d = dry density in g/cm3,
d = dry unit weight in g/cm3,
t = field moist density in g/cm3,
t =field moist unit weight in g/cm3,
w =water content %/100,
w = unit weight of water = 9.81 kN/m³

Precautions:
1. Core cutter method of determining the field density of soil is only suitable for fine
grained soil (Silts and clay). That is, core cutter should not be used for gravels,
boulders or any hard surface. This is because collection of undisturbed soil
sample from a coarse grained soil is difficult and hence the field properties,
including unit weight, cannot be maintained in a core sample.
2. Core cutter should be driven into the ground till the steel dolly penetrates into the
ground half way only so as to avoid compaction of the soil in the core.
3. Before lifting the core cutter, soil around the cutter should be removed to
minimize the disturbances.
4. While lifting the cutter, no soil should drop down.

Procedure:
a) Measure the height and internal diameter of the core cutter to the nearest 0.25
mm.
b) Calculate the internal volume of the core-cutter Vc in cm³.
c) Determine the weight of the clean cutter accurate to 1 g (W1 in g).
d) Select the area in the field where the density is required to be found out.
Clean and level the ground where the density is to be determined.
e) Place the dolley over the top of the core cutter and press the core cutter into the
soil mass using the rammer. Stop the pressing when about 15mm of the dolley
protrudes above the soil surface.

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f) Remove the soil surrounding the core cutter by digging using spade, up to the
bottom level of the cutter. Lift up the cutter and remove the dolley and trim both
sides of the cutter with knife and straight edge.
g) Clean the outside surface of the cutter and determine mass of the cutter with the
soil (W2 in g).
h) Remove the soil core from the cutter and take the representative sample in the
water content containers to determine the moisture content
i) The field test may be repeated at other places if required.
j) The water content of sample collected is determined in the laboratory as per
Experiment no 3 (Determination of water content of soil solids by Oven Drying
Method).
k) Use the above equation, given the theory section, for determining density of soil
(d OR d).

Pre-Viva Questions:
1. Out of wet density, dry density, and saturated density, which one of them is maximum
and minimum? Explain.
2. What are the main factors which affect in-situ density of soil? Explain.
3. Beside the density, what other properties do you need to calculate the void ratio and
degree of saturation of soils?
4.What are the other methods to calculate the field density of soil?
5. Which is the most accurate method to determine the field density?

Observations:

Length of core cutter l=-----------------cm

Diameter of core cutter d=--------------cm

Volume of core cutter=Vc=------------cm

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Table:

Table 5: Weights of core cutter

1. Weight of empty cutter (W1), gms

2. Weight of cutter + wet soil (W2), gms

3. Volume of core cutter (Vc) cm³

4. Weight ass of empty container (W3), gms

5. Weight of container + wet soil (W4), gms

6. Weight of container + dry soil (W5), gms

7. Water content (w)=(W4-W5)/(W5-W3)

8. Field moist density t (kN/m³) = (W2-W1)/Vc

9. Dry density d (kN/m³) = t /(1+w)

10. Average density, Avg d

Specimen calculations:
Avg d = (d1+ d2 + d3)/3

Result:

Average in-situ field dry density: = --------------

Verification/ Validation:

The dry density of most soils varies within the range of 1.1-1.6 g/cm3. In sandy soils, dry
density can be as high as 1.6 g/cm3; in clayey soils and aggregated loams, it can be as
low as 1.1 g/cm3.

Conclusion:
The value of dry density of the soil is ____. The type of soil is ____.

Post-Viva Questions:

1. Can we use core cutter method on stony or non-cohesive soils?

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2. Which method is more accurate, sand replacement method or core cutter method?

3. What is the practical application of the current test?

4. Do we get undisturbed sample using core cutter?

5. Why is field density required?

6. Out of wet density, dry density, and saturated density, which one of them is maximum
and minimum? Explain

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