Standard Method of Test for Moisture-Density Relations of Soil-Cement Mixtures AASHTO Designation: T 134-05 1. 14 12. 13 14. SCOPE ‘These methods of test are intended for determining the relation between the moisture content and density of soil-cement mixtures when compacted before cement hydration as prescribed. A 944-cm? (1/30-ft°) mold and a 2.5-kg (5.5-Ib) rammer dropped from a height of 305 mm (12 in.) are used and two methods, depending on soil gradation, are covered, as follows: © Method A—Soil material passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve. This method shall be used when 100 percent of the soil sample passes the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve. Method B— Soil material passing a 19.0-mm ('/-in.) sieve. This method shall be used when part of the soil sample is retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve. This test method applies to soil-cement mixtures that have 30 percent or less retained an the 19.0- mm (‘/,-in.) sieve, when Method B is used. The material retained on these sieves shall be defined as oversized particles (coarse particles). ‘The following applies to all specified limits in this standard: For the purposes of determining conformance with these specifications, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand place of figures used in expressing the limiting value. in accordance with R 11 24. 22, REFERENCED DOCUMENTS AASHTO Standards M92, Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes M85, Portland Cement M 231, Weighing Devices Used in the Testing of Material M 240 Blended Hydraulic Cements R II, Indicating Which Places of Figures Are to Be Considered Significant in Specified Limiting Values T I9MIT 19, Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate ‘T 224, Correction for Coarse Particles in the Soil Compaction Test 1265, Laboratory Determination of Moisture Content of Soils ASTM Standard: 2168, Calibration of Laboratory Mechanical-Rammer Soil Compactors TS-1b T1344 ‘AASHTO34 3.2, 3.3, APPARATUS. ‘Molds—The molds shall be solid-wall, metal cylinders manufactured with dimensions and capacities shown in Sections 3.1.1. They shall have a detachable collar assembly approximately 660 mm (2.375 in.) in height, to permit preparation of compacted specimens of soil-cement mixtures of the desired weight and volume. The mold and collar assembly shall be so constructed that it can be fastened firmly to a detachable base plate made of the same material (Figure 1), Note 4—Altemnate types of molds with capacities as stipulated herein may be used, provided the test results are correlated with those of the solid-wall mold on several soil types and the same moisture-density results are obtained, Records of such correlation shall be maintained and readily available for inspection, when alternate types of molds are used. A 101.6-mm (4-in.) mold having a capacity of 0.000943 + 0,000008 m’ (1/30 (0.0333) + 0.0003 cubic ft) with an internal diameter of 101.60 + 0.41 mm (4.000 +: 0.016 in.) and a height of 116.43 + 0.13 mm (4.584 + 0.005 in.) (Figure 1). Molds Out of Tolerance Due to Use—A mold that fails to meet manufacturing tolerances after continued service may remain in use provided those tolerances are not exceeded by more than ‘50 percent; and the volume of the mold, calibrated in accordance with T 19M/T 19, for Unit Mass of Aggregate, is used in the calculations. Table 1—Dimensional Equivalents for Figure 1 mm) in. mm in. 3i8= 068 0.125 = 0028 30.802 064 72.000 = 0.025 381 0.150 60332127 2375 = 0.080 6382127 0.280 «0.050 101.60 +041 4.000 = 0.016 782 0.300 10795 2127 4.250 0.050 9532064 0.375 «0.02 114302254 4,500 0.100 12.7042:54 0.500 «0.100 116432013 4.584 «0.008 1778127 0.700 = 0.050 132.4022.56 6,000. 0.100 2032 0.300 165.104 2.54 6.500 0.100 38102254 1.500 + 0.100 r.724254 6.800. 0.100 0.000983 + 0.000008 a 730= 0.0003 TS-1b T 134-2 AASHTO® + 114.30 2540 ————— 93 60.3321.27 —| 50.80 +0.64—| | besse127 bb irzest27 _ |e 2258 3182068 4 9.53min 9.53066 10785 « 1.27 > 101.60 « 0.4 9 ——4 172724254 =| |oss+064 This volume fo be 0.00084 + 0.000008 m? Mid Height 116.49 10.13 NY Reenhrh) bomen! | b+ 17.78 + 1.27 vil I SHS ZU ALLE | 46.10 +255 ——______| 26102254 Section A-A 38.10#2.54 T % (8) Wing Nut (4) (8) Stud 2) (©) Hanger (4) (©) Weld (Top end Bottom of Each Hanger) ‘©)Coliar (1) (F) Mos(1) (G) Base Prato (1) +} 152.402 254 4 Location of Studs in Base Plate Yves: 1 Alldimensons shown in milmetes ules otherwise ated, 2. anger onthe mold prin only anno extend above the miheght in. 5. Fire to be wed forall compaction molds purchased ater the publication ofthe 2s ion (M21). 4 Nottosele, Figure 1—Cylindrical Mold and Bas Plate (101.6-mm mold) TS-1b T1343 ‘AASHTO.3.4. 3.4.1. 3.4.2. 3.4.3, 35. 3.6. 37. 3.8, Rammer: ‘Manually Operated—Metal rammer with a mass of 2.495 + 0.009 kg (5.5 + 0.02 Ib), and having a flat circular face of $0.80-mm (2.000-in.) diameter with a manufacturing tolerance of +0.25 mm (0.01 in). The in-service diameter of the flat circular face shall be not less than 50.42 mm, (1.985 in.) The ramier shall be equipped with a suitable guide-sleeve to control the height of drop to a free fall of 305 + 2 mm (12.00 + 0.06 in.) above the elevation of the soil. The guide- sleeve shall have at least four vent holes, no smaller than 9.5-mm ('/-in.) diameter spaced approximately 90 degrees (1.57 radius) apart and approximately 19 mm (*/ in.) from each end; and shall provide sufficient clearance so the free fall of the rammer shaft and head is unrestricted. ‘Mechanically Operated—A metal rammer which is equipped with a device to control the height of drop 10 2 free fall of 305 + 2 mm (12.00 = 0.06 in.) above the elevation of the soil and uniformly distributes such drops to the soil surface (Note 2). The rammer shall have a mass of 2.495 + 0.009 kg (5.5 + 0.02 Ib), and have a flat circular face of 50,80-mm (2.000-in.) diameter with a manufactured tolerance of + 0.25 mm (0.01 in.). The in-service diameter of the flat circular face shall be not less than 50.42 mm (1.985 in). Note 2— The rammer apparatus shall be calibrated with several soil-cement mixtures and the ‘mass of the rammer adjusted, if necessary, to give the same moisture-density results as with the ‘manually operated rammer. It may be impractical to adjust the mechanical apparatus so the free fall is 305 mm (12 in.) each time the rammer is dropped, as with the manually operated rammer. To make the adjustment of free fall, the portion of loose soil to receive the initial blow should be slightly compressed with the rammer to establish the point of impact from which the 12-in. (305- ‘mm) drop is determined. Subsequent blows on the layer of soil-cement may all be applied by dropping the rammer from a height of 305 mm (12 in.) above the initial-setting elevation, or when the mechanical apparatus is designed with a height adjustment for each blow, all subsequent blows should have rammer free fall of 12 in. (305 mm) measured from the elevation of the soil-cement as, compacted by the previous blow. Rammer Face—The circular face rammer shall be used, but a sector face may be used as an alternative, provided the report shall indicate type of face used other than the 50.8-mm (2-in.) circular face and it shall have an area equal to that of the circular face rammert. Sample Extruder—A jack, lever, frame, or other device adopted for the purpose of extruding compacted specimens from the mold, Not required when a split-type mold is used. Balances and Scales—A balance or scale conforming to the requirements of M 231, Class G 20. ‘Also, a balance conforming to the requirements of M 231, Class G 2. Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 + 5°C (230 + *F) for drying moisture samples, Straightedge—A hardened-stee! straightedge at least 254 mm (10 in.) in length. It shall have one beveled edge, and at least one longitudinal surface (used for final trimming) shall be plane within 0.250 mm per 250 mm (0.01 in, per 10 in.) (0.1 percent) of length within the portion used for trimming the soil (Note 3). Note 3—The beveled edge may be used for final trimming if the edge is true within a tolerance of 0.250 mm per 250 mm (0.1 percent) of length; however, with continued use, the cutting edge may become excessively worn and not suitable for trimming the soil to the level of the mold, The straightedge should not be so flexible that trimming the soil with the cutting edge will cause a concave soil surface. TS-1b T1344 ‘AASHTO.3.9. 3.10, att 3.12, 3.13. Steves—15-mm (3-in.), 19.0-mm (7-in.), and 4,75-mm (No. 4) sieves conforming to the requirements of M 92. Mixing Tools—Miscellaneous tools such as mixing pan, spoon, trowel, spatula, ec., or a suitable ‘mechanical device for thoroughly mixing the sample of soil with cement and with incremems of water. Container—A flat, round pan for moisture absorption by soil-cement mixtures, about 305 mm. (12 in.) in diameter and 50 mm (2 in.) deep. Moisture Containers—Suitable containers made of material resistant to corrosion and not subject to change in weight or disintegration on repeated heating and cooling. Containers shall have close- fitting lids to prevent loss of moisture from samples before initial weighing and to prevent absorption of moisture from the atmosphere following drying and before final weighing. One container is needed for each moisture content determination. Buicher Knife—A butcher knife approximately 250 mm (10 in.) in length for trimming the top of the specimens. METHOD A 44 42. SAMPLE If the soil sample is damp when received from the field, dry it until it becomes friable under a trowel. Drying may be in air or by use of a drying apparatus which is maintained at a temperature not exceeding 60°C (140°F). Then thoroughly break up the aggregations to pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, in such a manner as to avoid reducing the natural size of individual particles. Select a representative sample, with a mass of approximately 2.7 kg (6 Ib) ot more, of the soil prepared as described in Sections 4.1. 5.4 52. 5.3, 5A. PROCEDURE ‘Add to the soil the required amount of cement conforming to Specification M 85 or Specification M 240. Mix the cement and soil thoroughly to a uniform color. ‘When needed, add sufficient potable water to dampen the mixture to approximately four to six pefeentage points below optimum moisture content and mix thoroughly. At this moisture content, plastic soils, tightly squeezed in the palm of the hand, will form a cast that will fracture with only slight pressure applied by the thumb and fingestips; nonplastic soils will bulk noticeably. When the soil is a heavy textured clayey material, compact the mixture of soil, cement and water in the container to a depth of 50 mm (2 in.) using the rammer described in Section 3.2 or a similar hhand tamper. Cover and allow to stand for not less than S minutes but not more than 10 minutes to aid dispersion of the moisture and to permit more complete absorption by the soil-cement. After the absorption petiod, thoroughly break up the mixture, without reducing the natural size of individual particles, until it will pass a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve and then remix. TS-1b 7134-5 AASHTO.55. 56, 57. 58. Form a specimen by compacting the prepared soil-cement mixture in the mold (with collar attached) in three approximately equal layers to give a total compacted depth of about 130 mm (G in.). Compact each layer by 25 uniformly distributed blows from the rammer dropping free from a height of 305 mm (\2 in.) above the elevation of the soil-cement when a sleeve-type rammer is used, or from 305 mm (12 in.) above the approximate elevation of compacted soil when a stationary mounted type of rammer is used. During compaction, the mold shall rest firmly on 3 dense, uniform, rigid, and stable foundation or base, This base shall remain stationary during the compaction process (Note 4). Note 4—Each of the following has been found to be a satisfactory base on which to rest the mold during compaction of the soil: A block of concrete, with a mass not less than 90 kg (200 Ib), supported by a relatively stable foundation; a sound concrete floor; and for field application, such surfaces as are found in conerete box culverts, bridges, and pavements Following compaction, remove the extension collar, carefully trim the compacted soil-cement mixture even with the top of the mold by means of the knife and straightedge, and determine the ‘mass of the mold and moist soil in kilograms to the nearest five grams, of determine the mass in pounds fo the nearest 0.01 pounds. For molds conforming to tolerances given in Section 3.1.1 and ‘masses recorded in kilograms, multiply the mass of the compacted specimen and the mold, minus the mass of the mold, by 1060, and record the resw!t asthe wet density, 11, in kilograms per cubic meter, of compacted soil. For molds conforming to tolerances given in Section 3.1.1 and masses recorded in pounds, multiply the mass of the compacted specimen and the mold, minus the mass of the mold, by 30, and record the result as the wet density, 1, in pounds per cubic foot, of compacted soil. For used molds out of tolerance by not more than 50 percent (Section 3.1.2), use the factor for the mold as determined in accordance with Calibration of Measure in T 19M/T 19. Remove the material from the mold and slice vertically through the center. Take a representative sample of the material from one of the cut faces, weighing not less than 100 g, from the full height of one of the cut faces, weigh immediately and dry in accordance with T 265, to determine the moisture content, and record the results, ‘Thoroughly break up the remaining portion of the molded specimen until it will pass a 4.75-mm (No. 4} sieve as judged by eye, and add to the remaining portion of the sample being tested. Add water in sufficient amount to increase the moisture content of the soil one to two percentage Points, and sepeat the above procedure for each increment of water added. Continue this series of determinations until there is either a decrease or no change in the wet unit mass, 17, per cubic meter (cubic foot) of the compacted soil-cement mixture (Note 5). Note 5—In instances where the soil material is fragile in character and will reduce significantly in grain size due to repeated compaction a separate and new sample shall be used in each compaction test Note 6—To minimize the effect of cement hydration, perform the test expeditiously and continuously to completion. METHOD B 61. SAMPLE If the soil sample is damp when received from the field, dry it until it becomes friable under a trowel. Drying may be in air or by use of a drying apparatus which is maintained at a temperature not exceeding 60°C (140°F). Then thoroughly break up the aggregations in such @ manner as to avoid reducing the natural size of individual particles. Prepare the sample for testing by segregating the material retained on a.4,75-mm (No. 4) sieve and breaking up the remaining soil TS-1b T1346 ‘AASHTO.62. 6.3, 64 aggregations to pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve in such a manner as to avoid reducing the natural size of the individual particles. Sieve the prepared soil over the 75-mm (3-in.), 19.0-mm (/«in.) and 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieves. Discard the material retained on the 75-mm (3-in.) sieve. Determine the percentage of material, by oven-dry mass, retained on the 19.0-nmm ("/in.) and 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieves. Saturate the aggregate passing the 19.0-mm (/in.) sieve and retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve by soaking in potable water; surface dry che material as required for later testing. Note 7—Most soil-cement construction specifications covering soil gradation limit maximum size material to 75-mm (3-in.) or less. Select and maintain separate representative samples of soil passing the 4,75-mm (No. 4) sieve and of saturated, surface-dry aggregate passing the 19.0-mm ("/in.) sieve and retained on the 4.75- mm (No. 4) sieve so that the total sample will weigh approximately 4.99 kg (11 Ib) or more. The percentage, by oven- dry mass, of aggregate passing the 19.0-mm ('/-in.) sieve and retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve shall be the same as the percentage passing the 75-mm (3-in.) sieve and retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4 ) sieve in the original sample. TAL 72. 73. 7A, 75. 76. PROCEDURE ‘Add to the portion of the soil sample passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, the amount of cement conforming to Specification M8 5 or Specification M 240, required for the total sample specified in Section 6.4. Mix the cement and soil thoroughly to a uniform color. When needed, add water to this soil-cement mixture and facilitate moisture dispersion as described for Method A in Sections 5.2 to 5.4. After this preparation, add the saturated, surface-dry aggregate to the soil-cement mixture passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve and mix thoroughly. Form a specimen by compacting the prepared soil-cement mixture in the mold (with coltar attached) and trim and weigh the compacted specimen as described for Method A in Sections 5.5 and 5.6. Holes developed in the surface by removal of coarse material shall be patched with smaller sized material Remove the material from the mold and take a sample for determining the moisture content as, described for Method A in Section 5.7, except the sample shall weigh not less than 500 g, Thoroughly break up the remainder of the material as before until it will pass 19.0-mm (rin) sieve and 90 percent of the soil aggregations will pass a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve as judged by eye, and add to the remaining portion of the sample being tested. ‘Add water in sufficient amounts to inerease the moisture content ofthe soil-cement mixture by ‘ne or two percentage points, and repeat the above procedure for each increment of water added. Continue this series of determinations until there is either a decrease or no change in the wet mass, W,, per cubic meter (cubic foot) of compacted soil (Note 5 and 6). TS-1b T1347 ‘AASHTO.CALCULATIONS AND REPORT 8. CALCULATIONS 84 Calculate the moisture content and the dry unit mass of the soil-cement mixture as compacted for each trial, as follows: ao 2 percentage of moisture in the specimen, based on oven-dry mass of soil-cement; mass of container and wet soil-cement; ‘mass of container and oven-dry soil-cement; mass of moisture container; dry unit mass of compacted soil-cement, in kilograms per cubic meter, or pounds per cubic foot; and Wy = wet unit mass of compacted soil-cement, in kilograms per cubic meter, or pounds per cubic foot. 9. MOISTURE-DENSITY RELATIONSHIP 9.4, ‘The calculations in Section 8 shall be made to determine the moisture content and corresponding ‘oven-dry unit mass (density) in kilograms per cubic meter or pounds per cubic foot of the compacted soil-cement samples. The oven-dry densities (unit mass) of the soil-cement mixture shall be plotted as ordinates and the corresponding moisture content as abscissas. 92. Optimum Moisture Content—When the densities and corresponding moisture contents for the soil- cement mixture have been determined and plotted as indicated in Section 9.1, it will be found that by connecting the plotted points with a smooth line, a curve is produced. The moisture content corresponding to the peak of the curve shall be termed the “optimum moisture content” of the soil- cement mixture under the compaction prescribed in these methods. 9.3. ‘Maximum Density—The oven-dry density in kilograms per cubic meter or pounds per cubic foot of the soil-cement mixture at optimum moisture content shall be termed “maximum density” under the compaction prescribed in these methods. 10. REPORT 10.1 ‘The report shall include the following 10.1.1. ‘The method used (Method A or B). 10.1.2. ‘The optimum moisture content, as a percentage, to the nearest whole number. TS-1b T1368 ‘AASHTO10.1.3. 10.1.4. ‘The maximum density in kilograms per cubic meter to the nearest 10 kg/m? or in pounds per cubic foot, to the nearest whole number. Type of rammer face if other than $0,8-mm (2-in.) circular. 11. PRECISION STATEMENT Precision of this test method has not yet been established, TS-1b T1349 ‘AASHTO