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Experiment 3-Unit Weight

This document describes a procedure to determine the in-place density of undisturbed soil samples by measuring their mass, volume, and moisture content. The bulk density and dry density are calculated from these measurements. Proper density determination is important for soils used in construction projects.

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Cheryl Shiny M
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© © All Rights Reserved
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17 views

Experiment 3-Unit Weight

This document describes a procedure to determine the in-place density of undisturbed soil samples by measuring their mass, volume, and moisture content. The bulk density and dry density are calculated from these measurements. Proper density determination is important for soils used in construction projects.

Uploaded by

Cheryl Shiny M
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPERIMENT 3

DENSITY (UNIT WEIGHT) DETERMINATIOM

Purpose:
This lab is performed to determine the in-place density of undisturbed soil
obtained by pushing or drilling a thin-walled cylinder. The bulk density is the ratio of
mass of moist soil to the volume of the soil sample, and the dry density is the ratio of the
mass of the dry soil to the volume the soil sample.

Standard Reference:
ASTM D 2937-00 – Standard Test for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-
Cylinder Method

Significance:
This test is used to determine the in-place density of soils. This test can also be
used to determine density of compacted soils used in the construction of structural fills,
highway embankments, or earth dams. This method is not recommended for organic or
friable soils.

Equipment:
Straightedge, Balance, Moisture can, Drying oven, Vernier caliper
Test Procedure:

(1) Extrude the soil sample from the cylinder using the extruder.

(2) Cut a representative soil specimen from the extruded sample.

(3) Determine and record the length (L), diameter (D) and mass (Mt) of the
soil specimen.

(4) Determine and record the moisture content of the soil (w). (See
Experiment 1)
(Note: If the soil is sandy or loose, weigh the cylinder and soil sample together.
Measure dimensions of the soil sample within the cylinder. Extrude and weigh the soil
sample and determine moisture content)

Data Analysis:
(1) Determine the moisture content as in Experiment 1

(2) Determine the volume of the soil sample

πD2L
V 4
cm3
(3) Calculate bulk density (t) of soil
M g
ρ t t
V cm3
or unit weight  t  t g

(4) Calculate dry density (d) of soil


ρt g
ρd 
1 w cm3
or dry unit weight   g
d d
EXAMPLE DATA
DENSITY (UNIT WEIGHT) DETERMINATION
DATA SHEET

Sample number: B-1, ST-1, 10’-12’ Date Tested: September 10, 2002
Soil description: Gray silty clay
Mass of the soil sample (Mt): 125.20 grams
Length of the soil sample (L): 7.26 cm
Diameter of the soil sample (D): 3.41 cm
Moisture content determination:
Specimen number 1
Moisture can and lid number 15
MC = Mass of empty, clean can + lid (grams) 7.83
MCMS = Mass of can, lid, and moist soil (grams) 13.43
MCDS = Mass of can, lid, and dry soil (grams) 12.69
MS = Mass of soil solids (grams) 4.86
MW = Mass of pore water (grams) 0.74
w = Water content, w% 15. 2
Example calculations: w=15.2%, Mt=125.2g, L=7.26cm, D=3.41cm

π3.41 2 7.26
V 
66.28 cm 3
4

125.20 g
ρ  66.28 Ib
t  1.89 cm or γ  1.89  62.4 
t 3
3 118 ft

1.89
ρ   1.64 g Ib3
d 1
15.20   1.64  62.4 
or γ102.3 ft
3 d
  cm
 100 
(Note: 62.4 is the conversion factor to convert density in g/cm3 to unit weight in
lb/ft3)
BLANK DATA SHEETS
DENSITY (UNIT WEIGHT) DETERMINATION
DATA SHEET

Sample number: Date Tested:


Soil description:

Mass of the soil sample (Mt): Length


of the soil sample (L): Diameter of the
soil sample (D):

Moisture content determination:


Specimen number 1
Moisture can and lid number
MC = Mass of empty, clean can + lid (grams)
MCMS = Mass of can, lid, and moist soil (grams)
MCDS = Mass of can, lid, and dry soil (grams)
MS = Mass of soil solids (grams)
MW = Mass of pore water (grams)
w = Water content, w%

Calculations:

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