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Designation: D854 − 14

Standard Test Methods for

Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D854; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. 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* increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil contains analysis methods for engineering design.
particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C127 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are
and these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing mathematical conversions which are provided for information
the 4.75-mm sieve. purposes only and are not considered standard.
1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-

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organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water. priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
NOTE 1—The use of Test Method D5550 may be used to determine the bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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specific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily dissolve in water
or float in water, or where it is impracticable to use water.2. Referenced Documents
1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity are 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Document
provided. The method to be used shall be specified by the
requesting authority, except when testing the types of soils Preview
C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
listed in 1.2.1 D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described Fluids
in 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organic
ASTM D854-14
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
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soils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and soils (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
containing halloysite, Method A shall be used. D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de- Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
scribed in 9.3. D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Used in Engineering Design and Construction
Practice D6026. D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the Construction Materials Testing
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the D5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- Gas Pycnometer
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider- Data
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
2
and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D854 – 10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D0854-14. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D854 − 14
ASTM Test Methods 5.3 Drying Oven—Thermostatically controlled oven, ca-
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to pable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C
Determine the Precision of a Test Method throughout the drying chamber. These requirements usually
require the use of a forced-draft oven.
3. Terminology
5.4 Thermometric Device, capable of measuring the tem-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of technical terms used in perature range within which the test is being performed, having
these test methods, refer to Terminology D653. a readability of 0.1°C and a maximum permissible error of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 0.5°C. The device must be capable of being immersed in the
3.2.1 specific gravity of soil solids, Gs, n—the ratio of the sample and calibration solutions to a depth ranging between 25
mass of a unit volume of a soil solids to the mass of the same and 80 mm. Full immersion thermometers shall not be used. To
volume of gas-free distilled water at 20°C. ensure the accuracy of the thermometric device, the thermo-
metric device shall be standardized by comparison to a NIST
4. Significance and Use traceable thermometric device. The standardization shall in-
4.1 The specific gravity of a soil solids is used in calculating clude at least one temperature reading within the range of
the phase relationships of soils, such as void ratio and degree testing. The thermometric device shall be standardized at least
of saturation. once every twelve months.
4.1.1 The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculate 5.5 Desiccator—A desiccator cabinet or large desiccator jar
the density of the soil solids. This is done by multiplying its of suitable size containing silica gel or anhydrous calcium
specific gravity by the density of water (at proper temperature). sulfate.
4.2 The term soil solids is typically assumed to mean NOTE 3—It is preferable to use a desiccant that changes color to indicate
naturally occurring mineral particles or soil like particles that when it needs reconstitution.
are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity
of soil solids containing extraneous matter, such as cement, 5.6 Entrapped Air Removal Apparatus—To remove en-
lime, and the like, water-soluble matter, such as sodium trapped air (deairing process), use one of the following:
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chloride, and soils containing matter with a specific gravity less
than one, typically require special treatment (see Note 1) or a
5.6.1 Hot Plate or Bunsen Burner, capable of maintaining a
temperature adequate to boil water.

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qualified definition of their specific gravity.
4.3 The balances, pycnometer sizes, and specimen masses
5.6.2 Vacuum System, a vacuum pump or water aspirator,
capable of producing a partial vacuum of 100 mm of mercury
(Hg) or less absolute pressure.
digits. Document Preview
are established to obtain test results with three significant
NOTE 4—A partial vacuum of 100 mm Hg absolute pressure is
approximately equivalent to a 660 mm (26 in.) Hg reading on vacuum
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by these test methods is gauge at sea level.
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
ASTM D854-14
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the 5.7 Insulated Container—A Styrofoam cooler and cover or
criteriahttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/2d902b8f-b0e5-48db-96e0-2d14f9e355bf/astm-d854-14
of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent equivalent container that can hold between three and six
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of these test methods pycnometers plus a beaker (or bottle) of deaired water, and a
are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself thermometer. This is required to maintain a controlled tem-
assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice
D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors. perature environment where changes will be uniform and
gradual.
5. Apparatus 5.8 Funnel—A non-corrosive smooth surface funnel with a
5.1 Pycnometer—The water pycnometer shall be either a stem that extends past the calibration mark on the volumetric
stoppered flask, stoppered iodine flask, or volumetric flask with flask or stoppered seal on the stoppered flasks. The diameter of
a minimum capacity of 250 mL. The volume of the pycnometer the stem of the funnel must be large enough that soil solids will
must be 2 to 3 times greater than the volume of the soil-water easily pass through.
mixture used during the deairing portion of the test.
5.9 Pycnometer Filling Tube with Lateral Vents
5.1.1 The stoppered flask mechanically sets the volume. The
(optional)—A device to assist in adding deaired water to the
stoppered iodine flask has a flared collar that allows the stopper
pycnometer without disturbing the soil-water mixture. The
to be placed at an angle during thermal equilibration and
device may be fabricated as follows. Plug a 6 to 10-mm (1⁄4 to
prevents water from spilling down the sides of the flask when 3⁄8 in.) diameter plastic tube at one end and cut two small vents
the stopper is installed. The wetting of the outside of the flask
(notches) just above the plug. The vents should be perpendicu-
is undesirable because it creates changes in the thermal
lar to the axis of the tube and diametrically opposed. Connect
equilibrium. When using a stopper flask, make sure that the
a valve to the other end of the tube and run a line to the valve
stopper is properly labeled to correspond to the flask.
from a supply of deaired water.
5.2 Balance—A balance meeting the requirements of Guide
D4753 for a balance of 0.01 g readability. When using the 5.10 Sieve—4.75 mm (No. 4) conforming to the require-
250–mL pycnometers, the balance capacity shall be at least 500 ments of Specification E11.
g and when using the 500–mL pycnometers, the balance 5.11 Blender (optional)—A blender with mixing blades built
capacity shall be at least 1000 g. into the base of the mixing container.

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 D854 − 14
5.12 Miscellaneous Equipment, such as a computer or 3 h). The equilibrium temperature should be within 4°C of
calculator (optional), specimen dishes, and insulated gloves. room temperature and between 15 and 30°C.
6. Reagents 8.4 Move the insulated container near the balance or vice
versa. Open the container and remove one pycnometer. Only
6.1 Purity of Water—Distilled water is used in this test
the rim of the pycnometer shall be touched as to prevent the
method. This water may be purchased and is readily available
heat from handling changing the thermal equilibrium. Either
at most grocery stores; hereafter, distilled water will be referred
work in the container or place the pycnometer on an insulated
to as water.
block (Styrofoam) while making water level adjustments.
7. Test Specimen 8.4.1 If using a volumetric flask as a pycnometer, adjust the
water to the calibration mark, with the bottom of the meniscus
7.1 The test specimen may be moist or oven-dry soil and
level with the mark. If water has to be added, use the thermally
shall be representative of the soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm
equilibrated water from the insulated container. If water has to
(No. 4) sieve in the total sample. Table 1 gives guidelines on
be removed, use a small suction tube or paper towel. Check for
recommended dry soil mass versus soil type and pycnometer
and remove any water beads on the pycnometer stem or on the
size.
exterior of the flask. Measure and record the mass of pycnom-
7.1.1 Two important factors concerning the amount of soil
eter and water to the nearest 0.01 g.
solids being tested are as follows. First, the mass of the soil
solids divided by its specific gravity will yield four-significant 8.4.2 If a stoppered flask is used, adjust the water to prevent
digits. Secondly, the mixture of soil solids and water is a slurry entrapment of any air bubbles below the stopper during its
not a highly viscous fluid (thick paint) during the deairing placement. If water has to be added, use the thermally
process. equilibrated water from the insulated container. Then, place the
stopper in the bottle. If water has to be removed, before or after
8. Calibration of Pycnometer inserting the stopper, use an eyedropper. Dry the rim using a
8.1 Determine the mass of the clean and dry pycnometer to paper towel. Be sure the entire exterior of the flask is dry.
Measure and record the mass of pycnometer and water to the
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the nearest 0.01 g (typically five significant digits). Repeat this
determination five times. One balance should be used for all of nearest 0.01 g.
the mass measurements. Determine and record the average and8.5 Measure and record the temperature of the water to the
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standard deviation. The standard deviation shall be less than or
nearest 0.1°C using the thermometric device that has been
equal to 0.02 g. If it is greater, attempt additional measure-
thermally equilibrated in the insulated container. Insert the

Document
ments or use a more stable or precise balance.
8.2 Fill the pycnometer with deaired water to above or Preview
thermometric device (or the temperature sensing portion of the
thermometric device) to the appropriate depth of immersion
below the calibration mark depending on the type of pycnom- (see 5.4). Return the pycnometer to the insulated container.
eter and laboratory preference to add or remove water. Repeat the measurements for all pycnometers in the container.
ASTM D854-14
8.2.1 It is recommended that water be removed to bring the 8.6 Readjust the water level in each pycnometer to above or
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level to the calibration mark. The removal method below the calibration line or empty the pycnometer and fill to
reduces the chances of altering the thermal equilibrium by the above or below the calibration line. Allow the pycnometers
reducing the number of times the insulated container is opened. to thermally equilibrate (for at least 3 h) in the covered
8.2.2 The water must be deaired to ensure that there are no insulated container. Adjust the water level to the calibration
air bubbles in the water. The water may be deaired using either line by removing water from the pycnometer or by filling the
boiling, vacuum, combination of vacuum and heat, or a pycnometer to the calibration mark with the thermally equili-
deairing device. This deaired water should not be used until it brated deaired water from the insulated container. Measure and
has equilibrated to room temperature. Also, this water shall be record the mass and temperature of the filled pycnometer.
added to the pycnometer following the guidance given in 9.6.
8.6.1 Repeat the procedure in 8.6 until a total of five
8.3 Up to six pycnometers can be calibrated concurrently in independent measurements of the mass of the filled pycnom-
each insulated container. Put the pycnometer(s) into a covered eter and temperature readings are obtained. The temperatures
insulated container along with the thermometric device (or the do not need to bracket any particular temperature range.
temperature sensing portion of the thermometric device), a
beaker (or bottle) of deaired water, stopper(s) (if a stoppered 8.7 Using each of these five data points, compute the
pycnometer is being used), and either an eyedropper or pipette. calibrated volume of each pycnometer, Vp, using the following
Let the pycnometer(s) come to thermal equilibrium (for at least equation:
~ M pw,c 2 M p !
Vp 5 (1)
TABLE 1 Recommended Mass for Test Specimen ρ w,c
Soil Type Specimen Dry Mass (g) Specimen Dry Mass (g) where:
When Using 250 mL When Using 500 mL
Pycnometer Pycnometer Mpw,c = the mass of the pycnometer and water at the cali-
SP, SP-SM 60 ± 10 100 ± 10 bration temperature, g,
SP-SC, SM, SC 45 ± 10 75 ± 10 Mp = the average mass of the dry pycnometer at
Silt or Clay 35 ± 5 50 ± 10
calibration, g, and

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 D854 − 14

ρw,c = the mass density of water at the calibration tempera- 9. Procedure

ture g/mL, (Table 2). 9.1 Pycnometer Mass—Using the same balance used to
8.8 Calculate the average and the standard deviation of the calibrate the pycnometer, verify that the mass of the pycnom-
five volume determinations. The standard deviation shall be eter is within 0.06 g of the average calibrated mass. If it is not,
less than or equal to 0.05 mL (rounded to two decimal places). re-calibrate the dry mass of the pycnometer.
If the standard deviation is greater than 0.05 mL, the calibra-
tion procedure has too much variability and will not yield 9.2 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens:
accurate specific gravity determinations. Evaluate areas of 9.2.1 Determine the water content of a portion of the sample
possible refinement (adjusting the volume to the calibration in accordance with Test Method D2216. Using this water
mark, achieving temperature equilibrium, measuring content, calculate the range of wet masses for the specific
temperature, deairing method or changing to the stoppered gravity specimen in accordance with 7.1. From the sample,
flasks) and revise the procedure until the standard deviation is obtain a specimen within this range. Do not sample to obtain an
less than or equal to 0.05 mL. exact predetermined mass.

TABLE 2 Density of Water and Temperature Coefficient (K) for Various TemperaturesA,B
Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature
Temperature Density Temperature Density Temperature Density Temperature Density
Coefficient Coefficient Coefficient Coefficient
(°C) (g/mL)C (°C) (g/mL)C (°C) (g/mL)C (°C) (g/mL)C
(K) (K) (K) (K)
15.0 0.99910 1.00090 16.0 0.99895 1.00074 17.0 0.99878 1.00057 18.0 0.99860 1.00039
.1 0.99909 1.00088 .1 0.99893 1.00072 .1 0.99876 1.00055 .1 0.99858 1.00037
.2 0.99907 1.00087 .2 0.99891 1.00071 .2 0.99874 1.00054 .2 0.99856 1.00035
.3 0.99906 1.00085 .3 0.99890 1.00069 .3 0.99872 1.00052 .3 0.99854 1.00034
.4 0.99904 1.00084 .4 0.99888 1.00067 .4 0.99871 1.00050 .4 0.99852 1.00032
.5 0.99902 1.00082 .5 0.99886 1.00066 .5 0.99869 1.00048 .5 0.99850 1.00030
.6 0.99901 1.00080 .6 0.99885 1.00064 .6 0.99867 1.00047 .6 0.99848 1.00028

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.7 0.99899 1.00079 .7 0.99883 1.00062 .7 0.99865 1.00045 .7 0.99847 1.00026
.8 0.99898 1.00077 .8 0.99881 1.00061 .8 0.99863 1.00043 .8 0.99845 1.00024
.9 0.99896 1.00076 .9 0.99879 1.00059 .9 0.99862 1.00041 .9 0.99843 1.00022
19.0 0.99841 1.00020 20.0 0.99821 1.00000 21.0 0.99799 0.99979 22.0 0.99777 0.99957
.1
.2
.3
0.99839
0.99837
0.99835
1.00018
1.00016
1.00014
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.1
.2
.3
0.99819
0.99816
0.99814
0.99998
0.99996
0.99994
.1
.2
.3
0.99797
0.99795
0.99793
0.99977
0.99974
0.99972
.1
.2
.3
0.99775
0.99773
0.99770
0.99954
0.99952
0.99950
.4
.5
.6
0.99833
0.99831
0.99829
1.00012
1.00010
1.00008
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.4
.5
.6
0.99812
0.99810
0.99808
0.99992
0.99990
0.99987
.4
.5
.6
0.99791
0.99789
0.99786
0.99970
0.99968
0.99966
.4
.5
.6
0.99768
0.99766
0.99764
0.99947
0.99945
0.99943
.7 0.99827 1.00006 .7 0.99806 0.99985 .7 0.99784 0.99963 .7 0.99761 0.99940
.8 0.99825 1.00004 .8 0.99804 0.99983 .8 0.99782 0.99961 .8 0.99759 0.99938
.9 0.99823 1.00002 .9 ASTM D854-14
0.99802 0.99981 .9 0.99780 0.99959 .9 0.99756 0.99936
23.0 0.99754 0.99933 24.0 0.99730 0.99909 25.0 0.99705 0.99884 26.0 0.99679 0.99858
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.1 0.99752 0.99931 .1 0.99727 0.99907 .1 0.99702 0.99881 .1 0.99676 0.99855
.2 0.99749 0.99929 .2 0.99725 0.99904 .2 0.99700 0.99879 .2 0.99673 0.99852
.3 0.99747 0.99926 .3 0.99723 0.99902 .3 0.99697 0.99876 .3 0.99671 0.99850
.4 0.99745 0.99924 .4 0.99720 0.99899 .4 0.99694 0.99874 .4 0.99668 0.99847
.5 0.99742 0.99921 .5 0.99717 0.99897 .5 0.99692 0.99871 .5 0.99665 0.99844
.6 0.99740 0.99919 .6 0.99715 0.99894 .6 0.99689 0.99868 .6 0.99663 0.99842
.7 0.99737 0.99917 .7 0.99712 0.99892 .7 0.99687 0.99866 .7 0.99660 0.99839
.8 0.99735 0.99914 .8 0.99710 0.99889 .8 0.99684 0.99863 .8 0.99657 0.99836
.9 0.99732 0.99912 .9 0.99707 0.99887 .9 0.99681 0.99860 .9 0.99654 0.99833
27.0 0.99652 0.99831 28.0 0.99624 0.99803 29.0 0.99595 0.99774 30.0 0.99565 0.99744
.1 0.99649 0.99828 .1 0.99621 0.99800 .1 0.99592 0.99771 .1 0.99562 0.99741
.2 0.99646 0.99825 .2 0.99618 0.99797 .2 0.99589 0.99768 .2 0.99559 0.99738
.3 0.99643 0.99822 .3 0.99615 0.99794 .3 0.99586 0.99765 .3 0.99556 0.99735
.4 0.99641 0.99820 .4 0.99612 0.99791 .4 0.99583 0.99762 .4 0.99553 0.99732
.5 0.99638 0.99817 .5 0.99609 0.99788 .5 0.99580 0.99759 .5 0.99550 0.99729
.6 0.99635 0.99814 .6 0.99607 0.99785 .6 0.99577 0.99756 .6 0.99547 0.99726
.7 0.99632 0.99811 .7 0.99604 0.99783 .7 0.99574 0.99753 .7 0.99544 0.99723
.8 0.99629 0.99808 .8 0.99601 0.99780 .8 0.99571 0.99750 .8 0.99541 0.99720
.9 0.99627 0.99806 .9 0.99598 0.99777 .9 0.99568 0.99747 .9 0.99538 0.99716
A
Reference: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, David R. Lide, Editor-in-Chief, 74th Edition, 1993–1994.
B
ρ w 51.000340382 s 7.77310 26 d 3T2 s 4.95310 26 d 3T 2

where:
ρw = Density of water in g/mL,
T = the test temperature in °C, and
K = ρw⁄0.9982063
C
mL = cm3.