DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

AND HIGHWAYS
Bureau of Research
and Standards

Online Comprehensive Materials Testing

Technology Seminar

ENGR. JEFFERSON ALBERT P. AN

 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD

Density of soil is defined as the weight/mass per unit volume. It is

a very significant engineering property of soils as strength is
dependent upon density.

The field density test is widely used as a control test in

embankment construction to ensure adequate compaction.
Highway specifications usually require that embankment should be
compacted to not less than 95% of a maximum density. Another
application of the test in highway work is in connection with the
determination of “pay quantity” of borrow materials, when the
borrow pit is not amenable to direct volumetric measurements.
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD
What Is Field Density Test?

Various types of field density tests are being practiced in different

parts of the world for the evaluation of in-situ soil compaction and knowing
the relative degree of Compaction.

FDT, Full name is Field Density Test, is a Quality Control test carried out at
the site for knowing the increased Compaction or Density or achieved at a
site on the soil layer.

The FDT is carried out by Laboratory persons of Contractor under the

supervision of the QC team by the Consultant after completion of the
required number of passes by compactor/roller determined in test fills at
the site.

https://civiljungle.com/field-dry-density-test/
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD
Degree of Compaction Requirement for Commonly Used Items
Item 104 Embankment
a. For Earth 95% minimum
b. For Berms 90% minimum
Item 200 Aggregate Sub-base Course 100% minimum
Item 201 Aggregate Base Course Same as Item 200
Item 202 Crushed Aggregate Base Course Same as Item 201
Item 203 Lime Stabilized Road Mix Base Same as Item 201
Course
Item 204 Portland Cement Stabilized Road Mix Same as Item 201
Base Course
Item 300 Aggregate Surface Course Same as Item 201

NOTE: Please always refer to Blue Book for the standard specifications of
different Items of Works
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD

REQUIREMENT FOR SAND TO BE USED FOR FDT

1.Any Ordinary Sand

2.Clean and Un-cemented
3.Free-flowing
4.Passing No. 10 Sieve
5.Retained No. 200 Sieve
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-CONE METHOD
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-CONE METHOD
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-CONE METHOD

Laboratory Testing
Procedure
Video Presentation
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-CONE METHOD

SAMPLE COMPUTATION
NUMBER 1
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD
Unit weight of air-dry sand Actual moisture content
1. Container full of water 8.175 Trial I Trial II
2. Container, kg 6.067 11. Container + wet soil, g 604 664
3. Water, kg (1) – (2) 2.108 12. Container + dry soil, g 570 625
4. Volume of container, m3 (3)/1000 0.002108 13. Moisture, g (11) – (12) 34 39
5. Container filled w/air 14. Container, g 134 128
dry sand, kg 9.269 15. Dry soil, g (12) – (14) 436 497
6. Air-dry sand, kg (5) – (2) 3.202 16. Actual moisture content,
7. Unit weight of dry sand, % (13) / (15) x 100 7.8 7.85
kg/m3 (6) / (4) 1519 17. Average actual moisture
content, % 7.83

Mass of Sand to Fill Funnel

8. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg 10.885 SAMPLE IS ITEM 104: EMBANKMENT
9. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg
(after pouring) 10.435
10. Sand in Funnel, kg (8) – (9) 0.457
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD

Field Density

18. Total material taken from hole, kg 5.873 24. Dry unit weight,
kg/m3 (23) / (17) / 100) + 1 1966
19. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg 10.885
25. Lab. compaction test data
20. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg (after pouring) 6.227 a. Maximum dry density, kg/m3 2006
b. Optimum moisture content, % 8.1
21. Sand to fill hole, kg (19) – (20) – (10) 4.201
26. Degree of compaction,
22. Volume of hole, m3 (21) / (7) 0.00277 % (24) / (25a) X 100 98%

23. Wet unit weight, kg/m3 (18) / (22) 2120

 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-CONE METHOD

SAMPLE COMPUTATION
NUMBER 2
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD
Unit weight of air-dry sand Actual moisture content
1. Container full of water 8.175 Trial I Trial II
2. Container, kg 6.067 11. Container + wet soil, g 635 659
3. Water, kg (1) – (2) 2.108 12. Container + dry soil, g 579 600
4. Volume of container, m3 (3)/1000 0.002108 13. Moisture, g (11) – (12) 56 59
5. Container filled w/air 14. Container, g 131 132
dry sand, kg 9.556 15. Dry soil, g (12) – (14) 448 468
6. Air-dry sand, kg (5) – (2) 3.489 16. Actual moisture content,
7. Unit weight of dry sand, % (13) / (15) x 100 12.5 12.6
kg/m3 (6) / (4) 1655 17. Average actual moisture
content, % 12.55

Mass of Sand to Fill Funnel

8. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg 10.974 SAMPLE IS ITEM 201: AGGREGATE BASE COURSE
9. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg
(after pouring) 10.495
10. Sand in Funnel, kg (8) – (9) 0.479
 Module 1- Soil and Soil Aggregates
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF SOIL IN-PLACE BY THE SAND-
CONE METHOD

Field Density

18. Total material taken from hole, kg 5.356 24. Dry unit weight,
kg/m3 (23) / (17) / 100) + 1 2232
19. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg 10.974
25. Lab. compaction test data
20. Mass of Jar + Sand, kg (after pouring) 6.577 a. Maximum dry density, kg/m3 2320
b. Optimum moisture content, % 7.8
21. Sand to fill hole, kg (19) – (20) – (10) 3.918
26. Degree of compaction,
22. Volume of hole, m3 (21) / (7) 0.00237 % (24) / (25a) X 100 96%

23. Wet unit weight, kg/m3 (18) / (22) 2260

END OF SLIDES
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