Experiment No.

: 6

DETERMINATION OF IN-SITU BULK AND DRY DENSITY OF THE SOIL BY CORE

CUTTER METHOD

As per IS 2720 (Part XXIX)-1975

AIM: To determine in-situ/field bulk and dry densities of a soil mass by core cutter
method

THEORY: The in-situ/in-place/field density determination is essential when dealing

with ascertaining the degree of compaction of compacted soil, which helps to determine
bearing capacity of soils, stability analysis, and for calculation of settlement, etc.
In this technique core cutter is pressed into the soil mass in order to extract
known volume of soil sample for determining in-situ bulk and dry density. This method
is suitable for soft and fine-grained soils (i.e., soil 90% of which passes the 4.75 rnm-IS
sieve) and the selected site should be free from stones or aggregations or rocks. It is less
accurate than the sand-replacement method and is not recommended unless speed is
essential or unless the soil is well compacted.
Bulk density is typically 15 kN/m3 for many top soils but can vary between 11
kN/m3 for loose dry soils to 18 kN/m3 for dense wet soils.

APPARATUS:
1. Cylindrical cast iron core-cutter of 130 mm long and 100 mm ID
2. Steel dolly of 25 mm high and 100 mm ID
3. Steel Rammer
4. Crowbar/Pick Axe or Spade
5. Trowel
6. Spatula or straight edge
7. Sample extruder
8. Scale or weighing balance to an accuracy of 0.01g, and
9. Oven
 100 mm
Dolly

Cutter
130 mm

Schematic diagram of core cutter

PROCEDURE:
1. Clean the core-cutter and measure its internal volume (V) in cm3. Record the mass of
core cutter (M1) to the possible nearest gram and apply the grease or oil inside
portions of the core cutter and dolly properly.
2. Clean and level the selected exposed area where in-situ density need to determined.
Insert the dolly on top of the core cutter and place this assembly on a leveled and
cleaned site. Later, drive this assembly vertically in to soil layer with the help of steel
rammer until only about 15 mm of the dolly protrudes or projects above the ground
surface.
3. Dig out the soil outside around the core-cutter with the help of crowbar and remove it.
Lift the core-cutter separated it from the surrounding soil carefully with the help of a
trowel.
4. Separate dolly from core cutter with out disturbing extruded soil sample and trim the
top and bottom surfaces of the extracted soil sample in to core cutter using spatula or
a straight edge. Record the weight of the core-cutter with in-situ wet soil (M2).
5. Extrude the soil sample from the core-cutter with the help of a sample extruder and
collect the soil sample from top, middle and bottom portions of the extracted
cylindrical core for determining its in-situ water content using oven drying method.
CALCULATIONS: [5 marks]
The bulk density of the soil can be calculated as follows:
M
In-situ bulk density (kN/m3), γ b =
V
γ
In-situ dry density, kN/m3, γ d =
1+ w
Gγ w
Void ratio, e = −1
γd
wG
Degree of saturation, S r =
e
Where M = Mass of wet soil extracted from core cutter
V= volume of the core cutter used for testing
w = water content of the soil in decimals
G=specific gravity of soil solids
γw=unit weight of water

Data Sheet for Determination of Density by Core Cutter method:-

Soil type
Observation and calculations 1 2 3
observations for density
Core cutter No.
Internal diameter, D
Internal height, H
Mass of empty core cutter, (M1)
Mass of core cutter with in-situ soil, (M2)
observation for water content
Container No.
Mass of empty container, (M3)
Mass of container with wet soil, (M4)
Mass of container with dry soil, (M5)
Calculations
Mass of wet soil in core cutter, M=M2-M1
Volume of core cutter, V=A×H
M4−M5
Water content, w =
M5−M3
In-situ bulk density, γb=M/V
In-situ dry density, γd=γb/(1+w)
RESULTS:
In-situ bulk density of the soil sample (kN/m3)=
In-situ dry density of the soil sample (kN/m3)=

OBSERVATIONS AND INFERENCE:

REVIEW/CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS: [5 Marks]

1. Where does this method best suitable in practical application?

2. Can this method be suitable for pavements, earthen embankments, railway, and
roads?

3. Write down the possible values of bulk and dry densities for different soils?

4. What is relative density of a soil? Can you able to determine it using this method?