Designation:D7263–09
StandardTestMethodsfor
LaboratoryDeterminationofDensity(UnitWeight)ofSoil
Specimens1
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationD7263;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearof origi
nal adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.A
superscriptepsilon(´)indicatesaneditorialchangesincethelastrevisionorreapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods describe two ways of determining
the total/moist and dry densities (unit weights) of intact,
disturbed,remolded,andreconstituted(compacted)soilspeci-
mens.Density(unitweight)asusedinthisstandardmeansthe
same as “bulk density” of soil as defined by the Soil Science
Society of America. Intact specimens may be obtained from
thin-walled sampling tubes, block samples, or clods. Speci-
mens that are remolded by dynamic or static compaction
procedures may also be measured by these methods. These
methods apply to soils that will retain their shape during the
measurement process and may also apply to other materials
suchassoil-cement,soil-lime,soil-bentoniteorsolidified
soil-bentonite-cement slurries. It is common for the density
(unitweight)ofspecimensafterremovalfromsamplingtubes
andcompactionmoldstobelessthanthevaluebasedontube
ormoldvolumes,orofin-situconditions.Thisisduetothe
specimen swelling after removal of lateral pressures.
2.1.1 Method A covers the procedure for measuring the
volumeofwaxcoatedspecimensbydeterminingthequantity
ofwaterdisplaced.
2.1.1.1 Thismethodonlyappliestospecimensinwhichthe
waxwillnotpenetratetheoutersurfaceofthespecimen.
2.1.2 MethodBcoverstheprocedurebymeansofthedirect
measurement of the dimensions and mass of a specimen,
usually one of cylindrical shape. Intact and reconstituted/ remolded
specimens may be tested by this method in conjunc-
tion withstrength, permeability(air/water)andcompressibility
determinations.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard.Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsareapproxi-
mate.
1.3 Allobservedandcalculatedvaluesshallconformtothe
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
PracticeD6026.
1.3.1 Themethodusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected,
calculated,orrecordedinthisstandardisnotdirectlyrelatedto
theaccuracywithwhichthedatacanbeappliedindesignor
1 Thesetestmethodsareunderthe jurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoil
andRockandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommittee D18.03 onTexture,
PlasticityandDensityCharacteristicsofSoils.
Current edition approved March 15, 2009. Published April 2009.
1
otheruses,orboth.Howoneappliestheresultsobtainedusing
this standard is beyond its scope.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibilityoftheuserofthisstandardtoestablishappro-
 priatesafetyandhealthpracticesanddeterminetheapplica-
bilityofregulatorylimitationspriortouse.
2. ReferencedDocuments
2
2.1  ASTMStandards:
D653TerminologyRelatingtoSoil,Rock,andContained Fluids
D698 TestMethodsforLaboratoryCompactionCharacter-3
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3
kN-m/m ))
D854TestMethodsforSpecificGravityofSoilSolidsby
WaterPycnometer
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Charac-
teristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ ft
3 3
(2,700 kN-m/m))
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils
for Geotechnical Purposes
D2166TestMethodforUnconfinedCompressiveStrength
ofCohesiveSoil
D2216TestMethodsforLaboratoryDeterminationofWa-
ter (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D2487PracticeforClassificationofSoilsforEngineering
Purposes(UnifiedSoilClassificationSystem)
D2488PracticeforDescriptionandIdentificationofSoils
(Visual-ManualProcedure)
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
Drive Sampling of Soils
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
EngagedinTestingand/orInspectionofSoiland Rockas
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil
Samples
D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org,or
contactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For   AnnualBookofASTM 
Standardsvolumeinformation,refertothestandard’sDocumentSummarypageon
the ASTM website.
 D 7263 – 09
Plasticity Index of Soils
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying
BalancesandStandardMassesforUseinSoil,Rock,and
ConstructionMaterialsTesting
D6026PracticeforUsingSignificantDigitsinGeotechni-
calData
E2251 SpecificationforLiquid-in-GlassASTMThermom-
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
2.2 OtherReference:
SoilScienceSocietyofAmerica GlossaryofSoilScience
Terms3
3. Terminology
3.1 RefertoTerminologyD653 forstandarddefinitionsof 
terms.
4. SignificanceandUse
4.1 Dry density, as defined as “density of soil or rock” in
TerminologyD653and“bulkdensity”bysoilscientists,can
beusedtoconvertthewaterfractionofsoilfromamassbasis
toavolumebasisandvise-versa.Whenparticledensity,thatis,
specific gravity (Test Methods D854) is also known, dry
densitycanbeusedtocalculateporosityandvoidratio(see
AppendixX1).Drydensitymeasurementsarealsousefulfor
determiningdegreeofsoilcompaction.Sincemoisturecontent
isvariable,moistsoildensityprovideslittleusefulinformation
except to estimate the weight of soil per unit volume, for
example,poundspercubicyard,atthetimeofsampling.Since
soilvolumeshrinkswithdryingofswellingsoils,bulkdensity
willvarywithmoisturecontent.Hence,thewatercontentof the
soilshouldbedeterminedatthetimeofsampling.
4.2 Densities (unit weights) ofremolded/reconstituted
specimens are commonly used to evaluate the degree
of compactionof earthen fills, embankments, etc. Dry density
values
areusuallyusedinconjunctionwithcompactioncurvevalues
(TestMethodsD698andD1557).
4.3 Density(unitweight)isoneofthekeycomponentsin
determiningthemasscomposition/phaserelationsofsoil,see
AppendixX1.
NOTE1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the
suitabilityoftheequipmentandfacilitiesused.Agenciesthatmeetthe
criteriaofPracticeD3740are generallyconsideredcapableofcompetent
andobjectivetesting/sampling/inspection/etc.Usersofthisstandardare
cautionedthatcompliancewithPracticeD3740doesnotinitselfassure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on several factors; Practice
D3740providesameansofevaluatingsomeofthesefactors.
5. Apparatus
5.1 ForMethodAthefollowingapparatusarerequired:
5.1.1  Balance—All balances must meet the requirements
of SpecificationD4753andthis section.AClass GP1 balance of 0.01
g readability is requiredforspecimenshavingamassup
to 200 grams and a Class GP2 balance of 0.1 g readability is
requiredforspecimenshavingamassover200grams.For
methodA,thebalancemustbecapableofmeasuringthemass
2
ofthespecimensuspendedinwater.Thisisusuallyaccom-
plished by a weighing hook built into the balance for that
purpose,orayokeassemblageisplaceduponthepanwhich
suspendsathin,non-absorbentstringorwire,thatis,anylon
line,etc.,belowthebalanceintothewaterreservoir.
5.1.2  DryingOven—Athermostaticallycontrolled,prefer-
ablyoftheforced-drafttype, capableof maintainingauniform
temperatureof110 65°Cthroughoutthedryingchamber.
5.1.3 Wax —Non-
shrinking,paraffinand/or microcrystalline r
waxthathasaknownandconstantdensity, r , to four
significant figures and that does not change after repeated
meltingandcoolingcycles.
NOTE 2—The waxes generally used are commercially available and
3 3
havedensityvaluesintherangeof0.87to0.91g/cm or Mg/m .
5.1.4 Wax-Melting Container —Used to melt the wax, but
shouldnotallowthewaxtooverheat.Acontainerheatedbyhot
water, preferably thermostatically controlled, is satisfactory.
The wax should be heated to only slightly above the melting
pointtoavoidflashingofthewaxvaporsandtopermitquickly
formingauniformsurfacecoatingofwax. Warning—Vapors
given off by molten wax ignite spontaneously above 205°C
(400°F) and should not be allowed to come in contact with the
heatingelementoropenflame.
5.1.5 Wire Basket —
Awirebasketof3.35mmorfinermesh
ofapproximatelyequalwidthandheightofsufficientsizeto
contain the specimen. The basket shall be constructed to
prevent trapping air when it is submerged. The basket is
suspendedfromthebalancebyafinethreadorstring.Ahairnet
may also be used in lieu of the basket for smaller soil
specimens.
5.1.6 Container A container or tank of sufficient size to
— 
contain the submerged basket and specimen.
5.1.7 SpecimenContainer —Acorrosion-resistantcontainer
of sufficient size to contain the specimen for water content
determination.
5.1.8 Thermometer Capableofmeasuringthetemperature
— 
rangewithinwhichthetestisbeingperformedgraduatedina 0.1
degree C division scale and meeting the requirements
of SpecificationE2251.
5.1.9 Container Handling Apparatus —Gloves or suitable
holderformovingandhandlinghotcontainers.
5.1.10  Miscellaneous—Paintbrush, trimming tools, speci-
mencontainers,anddatasheetsprovidedasrequired.
5.2 ForMethodBthefollowingapparatusareneeded:
5.2.1  Balance—See5.1.1.
5.2.2  DryingOven —See5.1.2.
5.2.3 Specimen-Size Measurement Devices —Devices used
todeterminetheheightandwidthordiameterofthespecimen
shall measure the respective dimensions to four significant
digitsandshallbeconstructedsothattheirusewillnotindent
orpenetrateintothespecimen.
NOTE3—Circumferentialm easuringtapesarerecommendedovercali-
 D 7263 – 09
pers for measuring the diameter of cylindrical specimens.
3
Availableonline:www.soils.org/sssagloss/index.php. 5.2.4  Apparatus for PreparingReconstituted or
Remolded Specimens (Optional) —Such apparatus is only
required if these typesofspecimensarebeingtested.

3
 5.2.5  Miscellaneous Apparatus —Specimen trimmingand
carvingtoolsincludingawiresaw,steelstraightedge,miter
boxandverticaltrimminglathe,specimencontainers,anddata
sheetsshallbeprovidedasrequired.
6. SamplesandTestSpecimens
6.1 Samples—Intactsamplesshallbepreservedandtrans-
ported in accordance with Practice D4220 Groups C and D
soil.Compactedorremoldedspecimensshallbepreservedin
accordance with Practice D4220 Group B soil. Maintain the
samples that are stored prior to testing in non-corrodible
airtightcontainersatatemperaturebetweenapproximately3°
and 30°C and in an area that prevents direct contact with
sunlight.
6.2 Specimens—Specimensfortestingshallbesufficiently
cohesive and firm to maintain shape during the measuring
procedure if Method A is used, see 1.1.1.1. Specimens shall
haveaminimumdimensionof30mm(1.3in.)andthelargest
particle contained within the test specimen shall be smaller
than one-tenth of the specimen’s smallest dimension. For
specimenshavingadimensionof72 mm(2.8in.)or larger, the
largest particle size shall be smaller than one-sixth of the
specimen’ssmallestdimension.If,aftercompletionofateston
an intact specimen, visual observations indicate thatlarger
particlesthanpermittedarepresent,indicatethisinformationin
the remarks section of the report of test data.
NOTE4—Ifoverheatedw axcomesincontact iththe soilspecimen,it
w
maycausethemoisturetovaporizeandformairbubblesunderthewax.
Bubblesmaybetrimmedoutandfilledwithwax.
7.2.6 Determine and record the mass of the wax-coated
specimeninair( MC )  tofoursignificantfiguresingorkg.
7.2.7 Determine and record the submerged mass ofthe
wax-coatedspecimen( Ms  ub)tofoursignificantdigitsingor
kg. This is done by placing the specimen in a wire basket
hookedontoabalanceandimmersingthe basketandspecimen
inacontainerofwater.Inordertodirectlymeasurethe
submergedmassofthewetsoilandwax,thebalancemusthave
beenpreviouslybalanced(taredtozero)withthewirebasket
completelysubmergedinthecontainerofwater.Makesure
thatthespecimenandbasketisfullysubmerged,andthatthe
basketisnottouchingthesidesorbottomofthecontainer.
7.2.8 Recordthetemperatureofthewaterto0.1degreesC.
NOTE5—Maintainwaterbathtemperatureandsubmergedbasketdepth
thesameaswhencalibratedorzeroed.
7.2.9 Removethewaxfromthespecimen.Itcanbepeeled
offafterabreakismadeinthewaxsurface.
7.2.10 Determine the water content to the nearest 0.1
percentinaccordancewithMethodD2216.
NOTE6—Thew atercontent aybedeterminedfroman adjacentpiece
m
ofsoilorfromtrimmingsifappropriate,forexample,ifthe axbecomes
w
that it dries the soil.

7. Procedure
7.1 Record all identifying information for the specimen,
such as project, boring number, depth, sample type (that is,
tube, trimmed, etc.), visual soil classification (Practice
D2488), orotherpertinentdata.
7.2  MethodA—WaterDisplacement :
7.2.1 Determine,ifnotpreviouslyestablished,thedensity
ofthewaxtobeusedtofoursignificantdigits(see 5.1.3).
7.2.2 Prepare specimens in an environment that minimizes
anychanges inwatercontent.Forsomesoils,changesinwater
contentareminimizedbytrimmingspecimensinacontrolled
environment, such as a controlled high-
humidityroom/ enclosure.
7.2.3 Ifrequired,cutaspecimenmeetingthesizerequire-
mentsgivenin6.2fromthesampletobetested.Ifrequired,
trimthespecimentoafairlyregularshape.Re-entrantangles
shouldbeavoided,andanycavitiesformedbylargeparticles
being pulled out should be patched carefully with material
fromthetrimmings.Handlespecimenscarefullytominimize
disturbance, change in shape, or change in water content.
Typically, for most samples, changes in water content are
minimizedbytrimmingspecimens,inacontrolledenviron-
ment,suchasacontrolledhigh-humidityroom/enclosure.
7.2.4 Determine and record the moist mass of the soil
specimen( Mt )  tofoursignificantfiguresingorkg.
7.2.5 Coverthespecimenwithathincoatofmeltedwax,
either with a paintbrush or by dipping the specimen in a
containerofmeltedwax.Applyasecondcoatofwaxafterthe
firstcoathashardened.Thewaxshouldbesufficientlywarmto
flowwhenbrushedonthespecimen,yetitshouldnotbesohot
difficult toremovefromthespecimen.Noteinthereportif watercontent
is not from the specimen itself.

7.3  MethodB—DirectMeasurement :
7.3.1  Intact Specimens —Prepare intact specimens
from large block samples or from samples secured in
accordance with Practice D1587 or other acceptable tube
sampling pro- cedures, such as Practice D3550.
Specimens can be obtained from intact block samples
using a sharp cutting ring. Handle
samples/specimenscarefullytominimizedisturbance,chang
es
incrosssection,orchangeinwatercontent,see6.1.Specimens
are usually cubical or cylindrical in shape.
NOTE7—
Coresamplingmightbedifficultorimpossibleingravelly or hard
dry soils. Wet soils tend to be more plastic and subject to
compression.

7.3.1.1 Specimensobtainedbytubesamplingmaybetes
ted
withoutextrusionexceptforcuttingtheendsurfacesplanea
nd
perpendiculartothelongitudinalaxisofthesamplingtube.T
he height and inner dimensions of the tube may be
taken to representspecimendimensions.
NOTE8—Some soils may expand into the sampling tube with a
resultant change in volume from the original in-situ condition.

7.3.1.2 Trimspecimensinanenvironmentthatminimize
s any change in water content, see 7.2.2. Where
removal of gravel or crumbling resulting from trimming
causes voids on the surface of the specimen, carefully
fill the voids with
remoldedsoilobtainedfromthetrimmings.Whenthesampl
e condition permits, a vertical trimming lathe may be
used to
reducecylindricalspecimenstoauniformdiameter.
7.3.1.3 Afterobtaininguniformdimensions,placethesp
eci-
meninamiterboxortrimmingcollar(especiallyforfriable
soils)andcutthespecimentoauniformheightwithawiresa
w
orothersuitabledevice,suchasasharpenedsteelstraighted
ge.
Performoneormorewatercontentdeterminationsonmaterial
d = average specimendiameter, mm,and
obtainedduringthetrimmingofthespecimeninaccordance h = average specimen height, mm.
with Test Method D2216 for the estimated water 8.2.2.2 Cubical Shape :
content(s).
V   5 ~ lwh! /4000 (4)
Finalwatercontentshallbeperformedonthewholespecimen
orrepresentativeslice(ifothertestingsuchasplasticitylimits, where:
Test Methods D4318, are required) at the end of the test. l = average length,mm,
Determineandrecordthemass(g)anddimensions(mm)ofthe w= average width, mm, and
specimentofoursignificantdigitsusingtheapplicableappa- h = average height,mm.
ratus described in 5.2. A minimum of three height measure- 8.3 CalculatethedrydensityforeithermethodAorBas
ments(approximately120°apartifthree,90°apartiffour,etc.) follows:
andatleastthreediametermeasurementsatthequarterpoints of
rd   5r m /  ~ 1 1w /100 ! (5)
the height shall be made to determine each the average
heightanddiameterofcylindricalspecimens.Aminimumof thre where:
e measurements each of length, width and height shall be rd  =drydensityofsoil,g/cm
3 3
orMg/m,and
madetodeterminethevolumeofcubicalspecimens. w =watercontentofsoilspecimen(inpercent),tonearest
NOTE9—TestMethodD2166,section6.2,describesaprocedurefor
foursignificantdigits.
preparingintacttestspecimensforstrengthtesting. 8.4 Calculatethemoist/totalanddryunitweightstofour
significantfiguresforeithermethodAorBasfollows:
7.3.2  Remolded/Reconstituted (Compacted) Specimens—
Specimensshallbepreparedasprescribedbytheindividual
gm 562.428 rm inlbf/ft3 and g 5 62.428 r inlbf/ft3 (6)
assigningthetestorasprescribedbytheapplicablerelatedtest d  d 

procedure.Afteraspecimenisformed,trim(ifnecessary)the gm 59.80665 rminkN/m 3
and g 5
d  9.80665 rinkN/m
d 
3

endsperpendiculartothelongitudinalaxis,removethemold,
anddeterminethemassanddimensionsofthetestspecimens where:
inaccordancewith7.3.1.3.Theheightandinnerdimensionsof the gm =moist/totalunitweightofspecimen,and
moldmaybetakentorepresentspecimendimensions. gd  =dryunitweightofsoilspecimen.

NOTE10—Itiscommonforthedensity(unitweight)ofthespecimen 9. Report:TestDataSheet/Form
afterremovalfromthemoldtobelessthanthevaluebasedonthevolume
9.1 Thereport(datasheet)shallcontainthefollowing(see
ofthemold.Thisoccursasaresultofthespecimenswellingafterremoval
ofthelateralconfinementduetothemold. AppendixX2andAppendixX3):
9.1.1 Identification of the sample (material) being tested,
8. Calculations suchasproject,boringnumber,samplenumber,testnumber,
8.1 Water Content, w —Calculate in accordance withTest containernumber,etc.,
MethodD2216to foursignificantdigits. 9.1.2 Sampledepthinmeters(feet)belowgroundsurfaceor
8.2 Calculatethemoistdensitytofoursignificantfiguresas elevationinmeters(feet)(ifapplicable),
follows: 9.1.3 Classification of soil by Practice D2487, if deter-
8.2.1  MethodA—WaterDisplacement : mined,orvisualclassificationofsoil(groupnameandsymbol)
asdeterminedbyPracticeD2488,
rm 5  Mt     /  @~~  M  c–  Ms  ub! / rw!– ~~  M  c–  M  t  ! / rr !# (1)
9.1.4 Moist/total and dry density (unit weight), to four
where: significantdigits,
 Mt    =massofmoist/totalsoilspecimen,g, 9.1.5 Watercontent(inpercent),tofoursignificantdigits,
 M = mass ofwax-coated specimen, g, 9.1.6 Methodused(AorB),and
c 
 Ms  ub =massofsubmergedparaffin-coatedspecimen,g, 9.1.7 Whetherthespecimenwasintact,disturbed,re-
rr
3 3
=densityofparaffin,g/cm or Mg/m, 3
molded, or reconstituted (compacted).
rw =densityofwaterattesttemperature,g/cm or
10. PrecisionandBias
3
Mg/m , (see Test MethodsD854, Table1), and
3
rm =densityoftotal(moist)soilspecimen, g/cm 10.1 Precision—Theprecisionoftheprocedureinthistest
3
methodformeasuringthedensity(unitweight)ofcohesivesoil
orMg/m. specimens is being determined. In addition,Subcommittee
8.2.2  MethodB—DirectMeasurement :
rm 5 ~  Mt     / V  ! (2) D18.03isseekingpertinentdatafromusersofthetestmethod.
10.2  Bias—Sincethereisnotanacceptedreferencematerial
where: 3 suitableformeasuringthebiasforthisprocedure,astatement
V  =volumeofmoistsoilspecimen,cm . on bias cannot be made.
8.2.2.1 CylindricalShape :
V   5 ~pd2  h! /4000 (3) 11. Keywords
11.1 density; porosity; saturation; specimen; unit weight;
where:
voidratio
 APPENDIXES

(NonmandatoryInformation)

X1. RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SOIL PHASES; POROSITY, VOID RATIO, & SATURATION USING METRIC UNITS

X1.1 Let: X1.2 Then:

 M d V –G
V v 
n =porosity, %, V – V 
s3100 5 s3100 5
e
 3100
n 5 3100 5 V  1 1e
e = voidratio, V  V 
(X1.1)
S  = saturation,%,
3
V  =volumeofsoilspecimen,cm ,  Md   V –G
V =volumeofvoidsinsoilspecimen,cm
3
, Vv  V – V  n Gsw
5 s5 5  5 (X1.2)
v  =volumeofsolidsinsoilspecimen,cm
3
, e 5 s
V  s Vs   M d 100–nS 
V Gs
s 
w =watercontentofsoilspecimen,%, wGsrd  Gs w
S  5G–  r5 e
Gs = specific gravity of soil solids in soil specimen as sd 

determinedbyTestMethodsD854, (X1.3)
3
rd  =drydensityofsoilspecimen,Mg/m ,and
 Md    =drymassofsoilinsoilspecimen,g.
 X2. EXAMPLE DATA SHEET
DISPLACEMENT METHOD—A

UNITWEIGHTS,VOIDRATIO,POROSITY,ANDDEGREEOFSATURATION
(DISPLACEMENT METHOD—A)

NAME DATE JOBNO.

LOCATION

BORINGNO . SAMPLENO . DEPTH/ELEV.

DESCRIPTIONOFSAMPLE

WATERCONTENT
SAMPLEORSPECIMENNO.
TARE NO.
TAREPLUSWETSOIL
TAREPLUSDRYSOIL
MASS
WATER TARE DRYSOIL Mw  
INGRAMS

Md  
WATERCONTENT w  % % % %
WEIGHT-VOLUMERELATIONS
SAMPLE OR SPECIMEN NO.
TEST TEMPERATURE OF WATER, T, °C
SOILANDWAXINAIR
WET SOIL Mt  
MASS WAX
INGRAMS WETSOILANDWAXINWATER DRYSOILA
M d 
SPECIFICGRAVITYOFSOIL Gs  
B
WETSOILANDWAX
VOLUME WAX
IN CC WET SOIL V 
DRYSOIL=M  d   / G  s  Vs   
LBS PER WETUNITWEIGHT= ~Mt    /  3 62.4 gm 
V  !
CU FT DRYUNITWEIGHT= ~Md    /  3 62.4 gd 
V  !
VOIDRATIO=~V– V  s  ! / V  s  e 
POROSITY,%=@~V– V  s  ! / V]  3 100 n  % % % %
DEGREEOFSATURATION= @Vw    /  ~V– V  s  !#3100
VOLUMEOFWAX=WEIGHTOFWAX/SPECIFICGRAVITYOFWAX= S  % % % %
C
VOLUMEOFWATER=V =M  /SPECIFICGRAVITYOFWATER
w  w 

5
d t  M  /  ~1 1 0.01w !
A IFNOTMEASUREDDIRECTLY,MAYBECOMPUTEDASFOLLOWS:M 
~WTOFWETSOIL&WAXINAIR!– ~WTOFWETSOIL&WAXINWATER!
B VOLUME OF WET SOILAND WAX =

DENSITYOFWATERATTESTTEMPERATURE

C SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF WATER IN METRIC SYSTEM = 1 (APPROX)

REMARKS COMPUTEDBY CHECKEDBY

 X3. EXAMPLE DATA SHEET
VOLUMETRIC METHOD—B

UNITWEIGHTS,VOIDRATIO,POROSITY,ANDDEGREEOFSATURATION
(VOLUMETRIC METHOD—B)

NAME DATE JOBNO.

LOCATION

BORINGNO . SAMPLENO . DEPTH/ELEV.

DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE

WATERCONTENT
SAMPLEORSPECIMENNO.
TARE NO.
TAREPLUSWETSOIL
TAREPLUSDRYSOIL
MASS WATER TARE DRY SOIL
INGRAMS M w   

Md  
WATERCONTENT w  % % % %
WEIGHT-VOLUMERELATIONS
SAMPLEORSPECIMENNO.
CYLINDER NO.
CENTIMETERS HEIGHTOFCYLINDER H 
INSIDE DIAMETER OF CYLINDER D 
WET SOILAND TARE
MASS TARE
IN GRAMS WET SOIL Mt   
DRYSOIL A Md   
SPECIFICGRAVITYOFSOIL Gs   
VOLUME WET SOIL (VOLUME OF CYLINDER)
IN CC DRYSOIL=M  d   / G  s  Vs   
LBS PER WETUNITWEIGHT= ~Mt    / V  !362.4 gm 
CU FT DRYUNITWEIGHT= ~Md    / V  !362.4 gd 
VOIDRATIO=~V– V  s  ! / V  s  e 
POROSITY,%=@~V– V  s  ! / V]  3 100 n  % % % %
DEGREEOFSATURATION= @Vw    /  ~V– V  s  !#3100 S  % % % %

VOLUMEOFCYLINDER,V =(pD2 H) /4
B
VOLUMEOFWATER=V =M  /SPECIFICGRAVITYOFWATER
w  w 

5
d t  M  /  ~1 1 0.01w !
AIFNOTMEASUREDONENTIRESPECIMEN,MAYBECOMPUTEDASFOLLOWS:M 
BSPECIFICGRAVITYOFWATERINMETRICSYSTEM=1(APPROX)

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