FIELD DENSITY TEST (FDT) Sand Replacement Method

The field density test of soil is conducted in the field to know whether the specified compaction is
achieved or not. Normally Sand Replacement Method is adopted for this purpose. Sand
Replacement Method is also known as Sand Cone Method.

The apparatus used in this field density test consists of a sand pouring cylinder, with pouring cone at
its base.

There is a shutter between the cylinder and the cone. The cylinder is first calibrated to determine
the unit Weight of sand.

For good results, the sand used should be uniform, dry and clean passing a 1.0 mm sieve and
retained on a 600-micron sieve.

Test Standard:

AASHTO T99-86

ASTM D 446-82

BS1377: Part 4.

Apparatus:

1. Sand cone apparatus, filled with uniformly graded sand passing through No. 20 sieve and retained
on No. 30 sieve.

2. Density Plate, with a central circular hole of diameter equal to the diameter of pouring cone.

3. Digging tools.

4. Balances sensitive to 1 gm & 0.1 gm.

5. Spoon.

6. Brush.

7. Moisture containers.

8. Oven.

Sand-Replacement-Method
(a) Calibration of Apparatus.

The cylinder is filled with sand weighed. A calibrating container is placed below the pouring cylinder,
and the shutter is opened.

The sand fills the calibrating container and the cone.

The weight of the sand in the container and the cone is equal to the difference between the two
observations.

The pouring cylinder is again filled to the initial weight.

The sand is allowed to run out of the cylinder, equal to the volume of the container and the shutter
is closed.

The cylinder is then placed over a plain surface, and the shutter is opened, the sand runs out of the
of the cylinder and fills the cone.

The shutter is closed when no further movement of sand takes place. The cylinder is removed and
the sand formerly filling the cone is collected and weighed.

The unit weight of the sand is determined as under:

γ = (w1-w2)-w3 / Vc

Where,

w1 = initial weight of cylinder, with sand.

w2 = weight of sand in the cone only.

w3 = weight of cylinder after pouring sand into the cone and the container.

Vc= Volume of the container.

(b) Measurement of volume of the hole.

A tray with a central hole is placed on the prepared ground surface which had been cleaned and
properly leveled.

A hole about 100 mm diameter and 150 mm deep is excavated in the ground, using the hole in the
tray as a pattern.

The soil removed, is carefully collected and weighed (w).

The sand pouring cylinder is placed over the excavated hole. The shutter is opened, and the sand is
filled in the cone and the hole.

When the sand stops running out, the shutter is closed. The cylinder is removed and weighed.

The volume of the hole is determined by the weight of sand filled in the hole and the unit weight of
sand.

γs = (w1-w2)-w3 / Vc.

Where,

w1 = weight of cylinder and sand before pouring into the hole.

w2 = weight of sand in the cone only.

w3= weight of cylinder after pouring sand into the hole.

γs= unit weight of sand, as found from calibration.

The bulk unit in-situ soil is determined from the weight of soil excavated and the volume of the hole.

The Wet density or bulk density of soil is computed as:

γ = W/V

After determining the water content (mc) of soil, the dry density of soil is computed as:

γd = γ/1+m.c

Watch the Video Below for Better Understanding.

Sand Replacement Method Procedure:

1. Calibration of cone apparatus should be done firstly:

2. Weigh the sand cone apparatus full of known density sand.

3. Seat the density plate on leveled clean test ground.

4. Dig out soil 4” to 6″ deep with the same diameter as the density plate hole. Clean all loose soil out
of the test hole with brush and spoon.

5. Collect all the excavated soil and weigh it.

6. Invert the sand cone apparatus over the density plate and open the valve to tilt the hole with
sand. When the sand stops flowing, close the valve and remove the apparatus from the test hole.

7. Weigh the sand cone apparatus with remaining sand.

8. Collect as much of the sand from the hole as possible.

9. Put a sample of the excavated soil in the weighed moisture container and place it in the oven for
water content determination.

Precautions.

1. Sand used in this test should be dry.

2. Excavated soil should be collected as the whole.

3. Sample collected for determination of water content should be kept covered.

4. Calibration of cone apparatus should be done before starting the test.