UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

Centre for Diploma Studies

________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY

LABORATORY REPORT

DAC 22103 / GEOTECHNICAL

Code / Course Name
ENGINEERING
Experiment No / Title U05 SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

Section 5

Group No. 6

Lecturer / Instructor’s CIK ANIS AYUNI BINTI SUIED

Name

Group Members Matric No.

1. NURSYAZWIY WAFIY BIN MOHD NOH
AA211232
2. MUHAMMAD MUHRIZ BIN MAZANI
AA212514

3. NUR AQILAH BINTI ADZMI AA212161

4. DENIEL NAJMUDDIN BIN NORHAIZAT AA211551

Date of
Experiment 30 MAY 2023

Date of
6 JUNE 2023
Submission

ULASAN COP DITERIMA/RECEIVED

PEMERIKSA/COMMENTS STAMP
 Experiment Title:
Lab Report Rubric DAC 22103 – GEOTECHNICAL
(Assessment Form) ENGINEERING
SC W R
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 TSC
R T (%)
Theory, • Theory and • Theory and • Theory and other • Theory and other • Theory and other
objective, other other information information information regarding
procedure information information regarding the regarding the the laboratory are well
(10%) regarding the regarding the laboratory are laboratory are presented 2 0
laboratory are laboratory are partly presented presented with some
not presented presented mistakes
minimally
Analysis / • Trends / • Trends / • Trends / patterns • Trends / • Trends / patterns are
Result patterns patterns are are logically patterns are logically analyzed
(25%) are not not analyzed analyzed for the logically • Analysis is insightful
Cognitive
analyzed • • Analysis is most part analyzed • 5 0
Analysis is inconsistent • Analysis is general Analysis is
not thoughtful
relevant
Referen • Reference • Reference • Reference was • Reference was • Reference was
ce (5%) was not was minimally partly presented in presented in proper presented in proper
presented in presented in somewhat proper format and relevant format and relevant to
1 0
the report the report format and to the laboratory the laboratory work /
relevant to the work with some 4
laboratory work minor mistakes 0
Data • Data is not • Data lacks • Good • Accurate • Accurate
(25% represented or precision representation of representation of representation of the
) is not • Greater than the data using the data using data using tables
accurate 20% tables and/or tables and/or graphs and/or graphs •
difference graphs • Data is fairly Graphs and tables are
with accepted labeled and titled 5 0
• Less than 15% precise
Psycho values • Data is precise with
difference with • Less than 10%
motor less than 5%
accepted values • difference with
Precision is accepted values difference with
acceptable accepted values
Participatio • Student was • Participation • Did the job but • Used time pretty • Showed interest, used /
n hostile about was minimal did not appear to well. Stayed time very well, guide 1 0 3
participating be very interested. focused on the 0
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Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

(during Focus lost on experiment most of other students and very

experiment several occasion the time focused on experiment
)
(5%)
Question & • Questions are •Answers • Questions are • Questions are • Questions are
Discussion not answered to answered in answered in answered thoroughly
(15%) • No discussion questions complete sentences complete sentences and in complete
was are • A statement of the • Accurate statement
sentences
• Accurate statement of
included or incomplete results of the lab of the results of the
shows little • A indicates whether lab indicates the results of lab
effort and statement results support the whether results indicates whether 3 0
reflection on of the hypothesis support the results support
the lab results is hypothesis hypothesis
incomplete • Possible sources of
• Possible sources of
Affective with little error identified error and what was
reflection learned from the lab
on the lab discussed
Conclusion • Conclusion • Conclusion • Conclusion & • Conclusion & • Conclusion &
& & & recommendation recommendation recommendation was
Recommend recommendati recommendati was presented was presented presented accurately
ation (15%) on was not on was somewhat accurate accurately and and relevant to result
3 0
presented minimally and relevant to relevant to result obtain from the
presented result obtain from obtain from the laboratory work /
the laboratory laboratory work 3
work with minor mistakes 0
DAT
NAME OF LECTURER: SIGNATURE:
E:
Note: SCR = SCORE, WT = WEIGHTAGE, TSCR = TOTAL SCORE
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CENTRE FOR DIPLOMA STUDIES

We, hereby confess that we have prepared this report on our own effort. We also admit
not to receive any help from any third party during the preparation of this report and
pledge that everything mentioned in the report is true.

_________________
Student Signature (Group Representative)

Name : …………………………………………

Matric No. : …………………………………………..

Date : …………………………………………
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The field density or in-place density of embankments, road fills, sub-grade, sub-base or any
other compacted material is measured using the sand replacement test method. It is necessary
to record the test result in terms of dry density because the soil's moisture content and thus,
the field's density, vary over time. We have to examine the soil's moisture content using a
general method in order to calculate the dry density.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this experiment is to use sand pouring cylinders to measure the in situ density
of natural or compacted soils.

1.3 THEORY

For design purposes, it can be useful to know the density of in-situ materials. The sand
replacement approach can be used to accomplish this. Using sand pouring cylinders, the in
situ density of natural or compacted soils can be determined.

Technique for analyzing. For the aim of analysing slope stability, calculating settlement, and
designing underground constructions, it is necessary to determine the in situ density of
natural soil. It is also necessary to determine the pressures acting on the underlying strata.
This is one of the older, labor-intensive methods of estimating density, along with the Core
Cutter. It is applied on granular fillers and boulder clays.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

1.4 APPARATUS

1. Sand pouring cylinder of 3 litre/16.5 litre capacity mounted above a pouring cone
and separated by a shutter cover plate.
2. Tools for excavating holes; suitable tools such as scraper tool to make a level
surface.
3. Cylindrical calibrating container with an internal diameter of 100 mm/200 mm and
an internal depth of 150 mm/250 mm fitted with a flange 50 mm/75 mm wide and
about 5 mm thick surrounding the open end.
4. Balance to weigh up to an accuracy of 1 g.
5. Metal containers to collect excavated soil.
6. Metal tray with 300 mm/450 mm square and 40 mm/50 mm deep with a 100
mm/200 mm diameter hole in the centre.
7. Suitable non-corrodible airtight containers.
8. Thermostatically controlled oven with interior on non-corroding material to maintain
the temperature between 105°C to 110°C.
9. Glass plate about 450 mm/600 mm square and 10mm thick.
10. MATERIAL: Clean, uniformly graded natural sand passing through 1.00 mm. Sieve
and retained on the 600micron sieve. It shall be free from organic matter and shall
have been oven dried and exposed to atmospheric humidity.
11. A desiccators with any desiccating agent other than sulfuric acid.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

1.5 PROCEDURES

I. Calibration of the cylinder:

1. Measure the calibrating container's inside dimensions to determine its
volume.
2. With the shutter closed, fill the sand pouring cylinder with clean, uniformly
graded standard sand to a height of 1 cm below the top. Identify the sand's
initial mass, (M0). This mass ought to be kept constant for the entire test that
the calibration is used for.

3. By opening the shutter, let sand with a volume equal to that of the calibrating
container flow out of the cylinder. Snap the shutter shut.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

4. The sand cone-pouring cylinder should be set down on a sheet of paper on a

horizontal table. Reopen the shutter to let more sand into the cone to fill it.

5. Snap the shutter shut. Locate the sand mass on the paper, (M)

6. At least three times, repeat steps 2-4 to determine the mean mass, or (Mi).
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

Ⅱ Determination of bulk density of sand:

1. Close the shutter and centre the sand-pouring cylinder on top of the
calibrating container, being careful to maintain constant mass (M0).

2. Sand should be allowed to enter the container by opening the cylinder's

shutter.
3. Close the shutter when you notice no more movement, then look for the
mound of sand that is still inside the cylinder (M2).
4. Determine the mean mass (M2) by performing steps 2-3 at least three times.

Ⅲ Determination of field density of soil:

1. Level surface of the soil in the open field.
2. Place a metal tray on the surface with a 10-cm-diameter hole in the centre.
Make a hole of this size and dig down about 15 cm. Find the mass of
excavated dirt, (M), by placing all of the soil in a tray.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

3. Take the tray out, then centre the sand-purring cylinder over the hole. Open
the shutter and let the sand flow into the opening until no further sand
movement is seen. Shut the shutter and calculate the sand mass which (M3) is
still within the cylinder.

4. In order to determine the soil's water content, a representative sample is

taken.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

1.6 DATA

1. Record the readings in the table below.

A) Determination of Mass of sand in the cone

Volume of calibrating container (Vc) (ml) 3534.3
Mass of sand in cylinder before pouring (M0) (g) 8400
Mean mass of sand in cone (Mi) (g) 1200

B) Determination of bulk density of sand

Mean mass of sand left in cylinder after pouring (M2) (g) 2800
Mass of sand filling calibrating container, Mc=Mo-Mi-M2 (g) 4400
Bulk density of sand p s = MC/VC (g/cm3) 1.2450

C) Bulk density and unit weight of soil

Mass of wet soil from the hole (M) (g) 3000
Mass of sand in cylinder after pouring in hole (M3) (g) 6000
Mass of sand in the hole MS=M0- mi - M3 (g) 1200
3.1125

Bulk density of soil,

2.4508

Dry density of soil,

APPROVED BY
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

1.7 CALCULATION
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Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

1.8 ANALYSIS DATA

Proceeding on the results, our team computed the capacity of the calibrating container as well
as the mass of the sand in the cylinder prior to pouring, yielding an average mass of 1200 g
for the sand in the cone. The bulk density of sand is 1.2450 g/cm3; the bulk density and unit
weight of soil are derived by the last of these calculations. Soil has a dry density of 2.4508
g/cm3 and a bulk density of 3.1125 g/cm3 according to data. In terms of moisture content, we
observed that the moisture content is 27 %.

The Sand Replacement Method, often called the Sand Cone Method, is a scientific test. A soil
density test was performed on the site field to see whether the necessary amount of
compaction had been reached. This is frequently done using the Sand Replacement Method.
An apparatus with a pouring cone attached to the bottom and a sand-pouring cylinder serves
as the equipment for this field test. To keep sand out, a shutter was put in between the
cylinder and the cone. For the first time, the cylinder was calibrated to determine the sand
unit weight. The sand needs to be homogeneous, dry, and clean, and it needs to pass through
a 1.0 mm screen in order to produce satisfactory results. After the test, keep the equipment
tidy. The excavated soil should be collected whole, and the sample taken to measure moisture
content should be kept covered, in order to reduce errors during the test.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

1.9 QUESTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Field engineers are often found talking of optimum moisture content (OMC)
conditions while constructing of road sub-grade. Define and explain this term, bringing
out clearly the importance it possesses and the methods by which it is controlled.

Field engineers typically refer to the OMC (optimum moisture content) conditions when
constructing a sub-grade. When the values of the dry density and moisture content are shown,
the resulting curve has a dry density peak value. The appropriate moisture level is known as
the optimal moisture content (OMC). This is because the soil is rigid and challenging to
compress at low w values, which results in a high void ratio and low dry density. However,
beyond OMC, pore water pressures begin to form and the water tends to keep the soil
particles apart, producing low dry densities. As w is increased, the water lubricates the soil,
making it more workable and providing high dry densities.

When the fill material is being compacted in the field, the optimal bulk density and moisture
content can be established in the lab. The density and field moisture are then calculated. This
knowledge will allow the on-site engineer to calculate the field density at 90% of the value
calculated in the lab. Field compaction may be deemed adequate at this time.

During construction, the danger of sub-grade damage can be decreased by managing the
moisture content of the road sub-grade. Unbound pavement materials often become less
stable when moisture content or Degree of Saturation (DOS) rises. The DOS is a
measurement of the proportion of water volume to the sum of water and air void volume
within a material. A material with a DOS of 100 has an extremely high pore pressure, severe
instability under load, and is totally saturated. As the DOS reduces, the reduction in pore
water pressure also reduces with a corresponding increase in stability.
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Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

2. Discuss the method of compaction of (a) cohesion less soil (b) cohesive soils.

The mechanically induced rise in soil density is known as soil compaction. This is crucial to
the construction process. If done incorrectly, earth settling could happen, costing more money
for maintenance or destroying the building. Mechanical compaction techniques are used on
essentially all types of construction sites and projects.

(a) Method of compaction of cohesion less soil.

The most effective way to cohesion less soil is through vibration. The best results can be
achieved when the vibration frequency is near to the natural frequency of soil that needs to be
compacted. The vibrating devices may be hydraulic or weight-dropping models.

(b) Method of compaction of cohesive soil.

For soils with a moderate degree of cohesion, compaction can be carried out in layers for the
best results. The earth is compacted with a roller. For sands with limited flexibility,
pneumatic rollers are preferred. For soils with a moderate level of flexibility, sheepsfoot
rollers are preferred.

2.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

We can deduce from the test that sand replacement uses sand pouring cylinders to estimate
the in-situ density of natural or compacted soils. The data obtained through experiments using
the sand fiber method is used to determine the dry soil's density. The aim of this experiment
is to find the density of either natural or sand-compressed soil. The possibility for
experimental error is in progress. One of them is that not enough sand was obtained, not
enough land was used as a sample, the hole was dug at a slightly different depth, and the soil
also contained impurities that could lead to different densities.
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Centre for Diploma Studies
Laboratory Instruction Manual

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

2.1 REFERENCE

1. Satheesh. (2019, June 13). Sand Replacement Test - Procedure [Civil Planets]. Retrieved
June 10, 2022, from Civil Planets website:

https://civilplanets.com/sand-replacement-test-method/

2. Ramiz. (2020). SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD. Retrieved from Civil click:

https://www.civilclick.com/sand-replacement-method/

3. Field Density Test Of Soil By Sand Cone Method. (2016, December 26). Retrieved June
10, 2022, from DAILY CIVIL website:

https://dailycivil.com/field-density-test-sand-cone-method/

4. Field Density TEST BY SAND Replacement. (2013). Retrieved June 10, 2022, from
StuDocu website: https:

https://www.studocu.com/my/document/universiti-teknologi-mara/civil-engineering/field-den
sity-test-by-sand-replacement/19497266

5. Patel, A. (2019). Geotechnical investigation. Geotechnical Investigations and Improvement

of Ground Conditions, 87–155.

https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-817048-9.00009-3