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Soil mechanics lab

Field dry density

Done by : arafa majd almoghrabi 200811982

Objective: Field Density Testing (Nuclear or Sand Cone) is performed in the field during construction on soil that is being placed in a fill and must provide a sufficient level of compaction to support a structure or roadway. This test compares the Laboratory Compaction Density to the Field Density in order to determine the percent compaction achieved.

he Sand Cone Apparatus is used to determine the in-place density of any soil that can be excavated to a stable condition with hand tools. This method is generally limited to materials with a maximum particle size of 2 in (5.1 cm). The Sand Cone Density Apparatus consists of a one gallon plastic container and a 6 in (16.5 cm) detachable metal cone with valve. The cone assembly is corrosion resistant. The Density Base Plate (ordered separately), also shown in the picture, provides a stable base for the Sand Cone. A center flanged 6 in (16.5 cm) diameter hole receives the standard Sand Cone Funnel (S-120). The center hole may also be used as a template to gauge the diameter of the test hole. The flanged Density Base Plate also helps in preventing loss of soil removed from the test hole. It is made from cast aluminum alloy. Size 12 x 12 in (30.5 x 30.5 cm). Ottawa Density Sand is used with the Sand Cone Density Apparatus to determine the volume of the excavated test hole.

Procedure: 1)Place the empty sand-cone apparatus upright on a firm level surface, close the valve and fill the funnel with sand. 2) Open valve and, keeping funnel at least half full of sand, fill the apparatus. 3) Close the valve sharply, empty excess sand, and weigh. 4) Determine the weight of sand required to fill the funnel by seating the inverted apparatus on a plane surface, opening the valve until the sand stops running, closing the valve sharply and weighing. (When the base plate is used it should be considered a part of the funnel). 5) Replace the sand removed in the funnel determination, close the valve and weigh. 6) Seat the density plate, if any, on the test hole, center the sand-cone apparatus, open the valve and, after the sand has stopped flowing, close the valve. 7) Weigh the apparatus with remaining sand. 8) Determine the volume of the jar and attachment up to and including the valve orifice by weighing the empty apparatus, filling with water until it appears over the valve, weighing the filled apparatus, and measuring the temperature of the water Calculation Mass of bottle+ sand = 2960 Mass of bottle + sand (after) = 1972 g The cone calibrated mass is (W1): 988 g Mass of bottle before field test = 3390 Mass of bottle after field test =727 Mass of sand in the whole = 3390-727-988=1675 g Since sand density is 1.2 g/cm^3 Volume = mass /density=1395.83 cm ^3

Density of field soil =1493 g /1395.83 cm^3 = 1.06 g/cm^3 Mass of soil before oven dry 61 g Mass of soil oven g dry =58 mass of moisture = 3g % mc = 3/61 %=4.91 dry field soil density = 1.06 / (1+0.0491)= 1.01