Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soll Solids by Water Pycnometer" ‘hi ncn! is used ander he fed Uasinatin DASA, te ‘real adoption oie he ene of feo he ea oft ee. A 6 espnaion ctr eye of iter is pentose he yar of Ut Rapp A ‘Sepencep eps (aes sm orl espe sae the Lat eon ve ape, 1. Scopet Lt These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, by means of a water pycnometer, Wheat the soil contains particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C127 shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve arid these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing the 4.75-mm sieve. 1.11 Soil solids for these test methods do not include sols ‘which ean be altered by these methods, contaminated with a substance that prohibits the use of these methods, oF are highly ‘organi soil solids, such as fibrous matter Which floats in water, Nore |The we of Tst Methid D550 may be eto determine the specific grviy of sll sods having solide which ay dsslve fn war ‘oF Hest i water or where it impracticable to we wate 1.2 Two methods fur performing the specific gravity are Provided. The method w be used shall be specified by the requesting authority, exeepl whea testing the types of soils lised in 1.2.1 1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described in 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organic soil; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; und soils containing halloysite, Method A shall be used 1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de scribed in 8.3, 1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the uidelincs for significant digits and rounding established in Practice DSI, 131 The procedures used to specify how data are collected recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard, In adkition, they are representative of the ‘Significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- ures used da not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, ar any consider- ations for the user's objectives; and it is common practice 1 increase oF reduce significant digits of reported dats (0 be "The sd vader te acticin ASTM Commits DIR on So ant eek ste det epost of Sebcoeniine DIC OF on Tete, Pe sh Denil Charter of Ste ‘Coneatefitor pywel Am, 1, 2010. Feblshed Month 2010, Oriel approned 945. Lut pcre eis approved in 2006 a M5540, DOE 18 ben ond for we Dy ageaces ofthe Deane of Deena, ‘commensurate with these considerations. Itis beyond the scope Of these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design 14 The values stated in ST units are to be regared as standard, The inch-pound units given in parentheses are ‘mathematical conversions which are provided for information purposes only and are not considered standard LS This srindard does not purport 10 addvvss all of the safely concems, if any, assoclawed with ite use. it is the responsibility of the user of this standart to establish appro priate safety and health practices end determine the applica Diag of regulasory limitations prior to aze 2. Referenced Documents 2.) ASTM Standards? C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specitie Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate D653 ‘Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids [D216 ‘Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Wa- {er (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock hy Mass D24R7 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System) 13740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing andlor Inspection of Soil and Rock se Used ia Eingineering Design and Construction DAIS’ Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Seil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing S550 ‘Test Method for Specific Gravity of Scil Solids by Gas Pyenometer 16026 Practice for Using ifleant Digits in Geotechnical EI! Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM ‘Test Methods E691 Pructice for Conducting an Interaboratory Study to * or releremed ASTM stinkin, vst the ASTM. nelle wine ti or coe ASTM Custmce Service cece aay. Foe Ama Dok of ATA Stosbadr vole arate. eer o he stint Doves Seat Pato ‘ne ASTM weeAlly pasa — 10 Determine the Precision of a Test Method 3. Terminology 3.1 Definitons—For definitions of technical terms used in these test methods, refer to Terminology D653, 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to Thir Standard: 3.2.1 specific gravity of soil solids, Gy, nthe ratio of the ‘mass of a unit volume of a soil solids to Uke mass of the same volume of gasfice esiilled water at 20°C. 4. Significance and Use 4.1 The specifi gravity of a soil solids is used ineateutating the phase relationships of soils, such as void ratio anc degree of saturation, 4.41 The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculate the density of the soil solids. This is done by multiplying its specific gravity hy the density of water (at proper temperuture), 4.2. The tcrm soil solids is typically assumed to mean nawrally cecurring mineral particles or sol like particles that ‘re nit readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity Of soil solids containing extrancous matter, euch as cement, lime, and the Jike, water-toluble matter, such as sodium chloride, and soils containing matter with a specifie gravity less than one, typically require specisl treatment (see Note 1) ar 2 ‘quulfied definition of their specific gravity 4.3 The balances, pycnometer sizes, and specimen masses fac established to obtain test results’ with three significant digits Non. 2—The quality of the raul produced by these fest methods i Aependcat oa the compecece of the pemonncl performing i, ad the sibility of the equipment and faites used. Agcacis that meet the ‘rier of Pratie 3740 ae gencelly comidered cape of competent tnd objective ertnghamplingliaepectioncl. Unem of iene tert mets ‘Me cautioned tht complice with Practice D3740 doce not ia ise tse rcsbe relly. Reliable results depend om many factors Prastce 3710 posider u means af ereluating some of thor ftom 5. Apparatus 5.1 Pycnometr—The water pyenometee shall be either @ soppered flack, stoppered iodine flask, or volumettic Mask with minimum capacity of 250 ml. The volume of the pyenometer ‘must bs 2 0 3 times grester than the volume of the soil-vater ‘mixture used during the deairing portion of the test 3.1.1 The stoppered flask mechanically sete the volume. The stoppered iodine flask has a flared collar that allows the stopper vo be placed at an angle dusing thermal equilibration and prevents water from spilling down the sides of the flask when the stopper is installed. The wetting the outside of the flask is ble because it exeates changes in the thermal equilib rium, When using a stopper flask, make sure thatthe stopper is properly labeled to correspond to the flask. 5.2 Balunce—A balance mecting the requirements of Guide 14738 for a balance of OOF g readability. When using the 250-mL pycnometers, the balance capacity shall be at feast 300 g and when using the SOO—mL pyenometers, the balance ‘capacity shall be atleast 1000 g. 5.3 Deying Oven—Theemostatically controlled oven, ca- pable of maintrining a uniform temperature of 110 2 °C throughout the diying chamber These requirements usually require the ose of x foreed-draft oven, 54 Thermometric Device, capable of measuring the tem ‘perature range within which the testis being performed, having 8 readability of 0.1°C and a maximum permissible erry of 0.5°C. The device must be capable of being immersed in the ‘sample anc calibration solutions toa depth ranging betseccn 25 and 80 mm. Fell immersion thermometers shall not be used. To ensure the accuracy of the thermometrie device, the thermo ‘metic device shall be standardized by comparison to a NIST. ttaceable thermometiic device. ‘The standardization stall in- clude at feast one temperature reading within the range of testing. The thermometric device shall be standardized atleast ‘once every twelve months, 5.5 Deriecarr—A desicestor cabinet or large desiccator jar ‘of suitable size containing silica gel oF anhydrous caleiva, sulfate. Nore 31 is preferable wo une a desiccant that change color to indicate whea it cede eccoestiution 56 Bnmapped Air Removal Appanttus—To remove ea tapped sir Geaiting process), use one of the fellowing: 5.6.1 Hot Plate or Bunsen Barner, eapable of maintaining & teenperature adequate to boil water 5.6.2 Vacuum System, a vacttum pump or water aspirator, cupable of producing a paral vacuum of 100 mm of mercury (Hg) of fess absolute pressure, Warning—Mereury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous, material that ean cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be harardous 10 hhealth and corrosive to materials, Cantion should be taken when handling mereury ancl mercury containing prexlucts. See the applicable product Materiat Safety Data Shect (MSDS) for details ond EPA's website — hupivww.cpa.gav/mercury! fax, hun ~ for additional information, Users shotikl be aware that selling mereury andlor mercury containing products into your state may he prohibited by state law. Nose 4A pari! vaceom of 100 mm Hg sbvolute greasine is ppresinstcly equivaleal to « 660 au 26 in) Hg sewing on vacuum agnge ates level 5.7 Insulated Container—A Stysofoum eooles and cover or cqiivalent container that can hold between three and six pycnometers plus a beaker (or bottle) of desired water, and 3 thermometer, This is required 16° maintain a connolled temn- perwure environment where changes will be uniform and gradual S.8 Fonnel—A non-corposive smooth sueface funnest vith 9 fem that extends past the ealibration mark oa the volumetric ask or stoppered seal on the stoppered flasks. he diameter of the stem of the Funnel must be large enough that soll solids ill ceasily pass through 5.9 Pycnometer Filling Tube with Larerat feptionalj—A device to assist in adding desired water to the pyenometer without disturbing the soil-water mixture, The device may be fabricated as follows. Plug a 6 to 10-mam (¥4 10 24 in.) diameter plastic tube al one end and cut two small vents (notches) just ubove the plug. The vents should be perpendicu- lar to the axis of the tube and diametrically opposed. Connect a valve to the other end of the tube and run 2 fine to the valve from a supply of desired water: VentsAily pasa— 10 5.10 Sieve— 475 mm (No, 4) conforming to the require- ments of Specification B11 S.AL Blender (opional—A Mender with mixing blades built into the base of the mixing conteines. 5.12 Mircellaneous Equipment, such as a computer or ccaleulutor (optional), specimen dishes, and insulated gloves. 6. Reagents 4. Purity of Wiver—Distilled water is used in this fest method, This watce may be purchased and is readily available at most groeety stores: hereafter, clistilled water will be referred 7. Test Specimen, 7.4 The test specimen may be moist or oven-dry soil and shall be represeatative of the soll solids that pass the 4.75-mmm (No, 4) sieve in the total sample. Table I gives guidelines on recommended dry soil mass versus soil type and pycnometcr 7.1.1 Two important factors concerning the amount of soit solids being tested are as follows, First, the mass of the soil solids divided by its specific gravity will yield four-sgnificant digits. Secondly, the mixture of soil solids aad water isa slurry rot a highly viseous uid (thick paint) during the deairiag process, 8. Calibration of Pyenometer 4.1 Determine the mass of the clean and dry pycnometer to the nearest 0.01 g (eypically five signifieant digits), Repeat this determination five times. One balance should be used For all of the mass measitrements, Determine and record the average andi ‘standatdl deviation. The standard deviation shall be les than or caval 10 0.02 g. IF it is greater, aticmpt additional meusure- ments or usc a more stable oF precise balance. 8.2 Fill the pyenometer with desired water to above or below the calibration matk depending on the type of pyernom= ter and laboratory preference to add oF remove water 8.2.1 Ite recommended that water be removed to bring the water level to the calibration mark, The removal method reduces the chances of altering the thermal cquifibrium by reducing the aumber of times the insulated comtainer is opened. 13.2.2 The water must be desired to ensure that there are no tir bubbles in the water. The water may be desired using cither boiling, vacuum, combination of vacuum and heat, or deaiting device. This deaired water should not be used until it fnas equilibrated to room temperature. Also, this water shall be tdded to the pycnometer following the guidance given in 9.6. 8.3 Up to eix pyeaometers can be calibrated concurrently in ‘each insulated containet, Put the pycaometer(s) into a covered insulated container along with the thermometric device (or the ‘TABLE 1 Recommended Mass for Test Specimen ‘Gpacimen Bey Wars @) ‘ten Using $00 ‘Specioan Di Nove @) ‘Wie Ving 220 Prenat Baan wes Pe, 6H, 50 Sikorcky temperature sensing portion of the thenmomeitic device), beaker (or hottle) of desiced water, stopper(s) (if a stoppesed pyenometer is being used), and either an eyedropper or pipet Let the pyenometex(s) come to thesrnal equilibritum (for at Feast 3h). The equilibrium temperature should be within 4°C of room temperature and between 15 and 30°C. 84 Move the insulated conteiner near the balsnce or vice versa, Open the container and remove one pyenometes. Only the rim of the pyenometer shall be touched as 10 prevent the heat from handling changing the thermal equilibrium. Either ‘work in the container ar place the pyesometer on an insulated block (Styrofoam) while making water level adjustments 84.1 Ifusing a volumetric flask as a pyenometer, adjust the ‘water to the ealibration mark, with the bottom of the meniscus level with the mark. IF water has to be added, use the thermally equilibrated water from the insulated container. IF water has to be removed, use a small suction tube of paper towel, Check for ‘and remove any water beads on the pycpometer stm or on the exterior of the flask, Measure and record the mass of pyenom cter and water to the nearest O01 842 Ifa stoppered flask is used, adjust the water to prevent centtapment of any sit bubbles below the stopper dosing its placement. If water has to be added, se the thermally ‘equilibrated water foom the insulated container Then, place the stopper in the bottle, If water bas to be removed, before or after inserting the stapper, use an eyedropper. Dry the rim using a paper towel, Be sure the entire exterior of the flask is dry ‘Measure and record the mass of pycnometer and water to the nearest 0.01 g. 8.5 Measure and record the temperature of the water 19 the reatest O.1°C using the thermometsic device that lhas been thermally equilibrated ia he insulated container. Jasert the thermometric doviee (or the femperature sensing portion of the thermometric device) to the appropriate depth of immersion (sce 5.4). Return the pyenometes to the insulated container. Repeat the measurements for all pyenometers in the container. 18.6 Readjust the water fevel in each pycnometer to above or toelow the calibration line or empty the pycnometer and fill 10 the above or below the calibration line, Allow the pyenometers to thermally equilibrate (for at leust 3 h) in the covered insulated container. Adjust the water level to the calibration Tine by removing water from the pycnometcr or by filing the pyenometer to the calibration mark with the thermally cquil brated desired water from the insulated container. Measure and record the mass and temperature of the filled pycnomerer. 86.1 Repeal the procedure ia 8.6 until a total of five independent measurements of the mass of the filled pyenom- ter and temperature readings are obtained. The temperatures do not need to bracket any panicular temperature range. 8.7 Using each of these five data points, compute the calibrated voluane of each pycnometer, Vz. using the following cquation: Myue v, = Meee w where! Myus = the mass of the pycnometer and water at the calibration temperature,