ASTM D2167-94

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Designation: D 2167 – 94
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber
Balloon Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2167; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the in-
place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded
2. Referenced Documents
soil using a rubber balloon apparatus.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This test method is suitable for use as a means of
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
acceptance for compacted fill or embankments constructed of
Fluids
fine-grained soils or granular soils without appreciable
D 698 Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of
amounts of rock or coarse material.
Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures, Using 5.5-lb (2.49-kg)
1.3 This test method also may be used for the determination
Rammer and 12-in. (305-mm) Drop
of the in-place density and unit weight of undisturbed or in situ
D 1557 Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of
soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures
Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures Using 10-lb (4.54-kg)
imposed during the test.
Rammer and 18-in. (457-mm) Drop
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic,
D 2216 Method for Laboratory Determination of Water
saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the
(Moisture) Content of Soil, Rock, and Soil-Aggregate
pressures applied during this test. This test method may require
Mixtures
special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded
D 3740 Practice for the Evaluation of Agencies Engaged in
granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in a small
Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse
Engineering Design and Construction
material in excess of 1 ⁄2 in. (37.5 mm), (3) granular soils
D 4643 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture)
having high void ratios, or (4) fill materials containing particles
Content of Soils by the Microwave Oven Method
with sharp edges. For soils containing appreciable amounts of
1 D 4718 Practice for the Correction of Unit Weight and
particles in excess of 1 ⁄2 in. (37.5 mm), Test Methods D 4914
Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
or D 5030 should be used.
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
1.5 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock,
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
and Related Construction Materials
and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate
D 4914 Test Method for Density of Soil and Rock in Place
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
by the Sand Replacement Method in a Test Pit
tional system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use
D 4944 Test Method for Field Determination of Water
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
(Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas
standard. This standard has been written using the gravitational
Pressure Tester
system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In
D 4959 Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture)
this system the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
Content of Soils by the Direct Heating Method
However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of
3 D 5030 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil
mass lbm/ft should not be regarded as nonconforming with
and Rock in Place by the Water Replacement Method in a
this test method.
Test Pit
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 The volume of an excavated hole in a given soil is
determined using a liquid-filled calibrated vessel for filling a
thin flexible rubber membrane; this membrane is displaced to
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil
fill the hole. The in-place wet density is determined by dividing
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
Construction Control Tests.
Current edition approved March 15, 1994. Published April 1994. Originally
published as D 2167 – 63 T. Last previous edition D 2167 – 66 (1990). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
D 2167
the wet mass of the soil removed by the volume of the hole. rock fragments or sharp edge materials which may puncture the
The water (moisture) content and the in-place wet density are rubber membrane.
used to calculate the dry in-place density and dry unit weight.
NOTE 1—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con-
tained in this test method, the precision of this test method is dependent on
4. Significance and Use
the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the
equipment and the facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of
4.1 This test method can be used to determine the in-place
Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and
density and unit weight of natural inorganic soil deposits,
objective testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance
soil-aggregate mixtures, or other similar firm materials.
with Practice D 3740 does not in itself ensure reliable testing. Reliable
4.2 This test method may be used to determine the density
testing depends on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of
and unit weight of compacted soils used in construction of
evaluating some of those factors.
earth embankments, road fill, and structural backfill. This test
5. Apparatus
method often is used as a basis of acceptance for soils
compacted to a specified density or a percentage of maximum 5.1 Balloon Apparatus—This is a calibrated vessel contain-
density or unit weight, as determined by a standard test
ing a liquid within a relatively thin, flexible, elastic membrane
method. (rubber balloon) designed for measuring the volume of the test
4.3 The use of this test method is generally limited to soil in
hole under the conditions of this test method. An example of
an unsaturated condition and is not recommended for soils that the essential elements for this apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. The
are soft or that deform easily. Such soils may undergo a volume apparatus shall be equipped so that an externally controlled
change during the application of pressure during testing. This pressure or partial vacuum can be applied to the contained
test method may not be suitable for soils containing crushed liquid. It shall be of such weight and size that will not cause
FIG. 1 Schematic Drawing of Calibrated Vessel Indicating Principle (Not to Scale)
D 2167
distortion of the excavated test hole and adjacent test area mum, and whenever damage, repair, or change of membrane
during the performance of the test. The apparatus shall provide that may affect the pressure or volume indicating portions of
for the use of an integral pressure gage or other means for the apparatus occurs.
controlling the applied pressure during calibration and testing.
Provision shall be made for placing loads (surcharge) on the 7. Procedure
apparatus. There shall be an indicator for determining the
7.1 Prepare the surface at the test location so that it is
volume of the test hole to the nearest 1 %. The flexible
reasonably plane and level. Dependent on the water (moisture)
membrane shall be of such size and shape as to fill the test hole
content and texture of the soil, the surface may be leveled using
completely without wrinkles or folds when inflated within the
a bulldozer or other heavy equipment blades, provided the test
test hole, and the membrane strength shall be sufficient to
area is not deformed, compressed, torn, or otherwise disturbed.
withstand such pressure as is necessary to ensure complete
7.2 Assemble the base plate and rubber balloon apparatus
filling of the test hole without loss of liquid. Withdrawal of the
on the test location. Using the same pressure and surcharge
membrane from the test hole shall be accomplished by the
determined during the calibration of the apparatus, take an
application of a partial vacuum to the liquid or by other means.
initial reading on the volume indicator and record. The base
5.1.1 The description and requirements given are intended
plate shall remain in place through completion of the test.
to be nonrestrictive. Any apparatus using a flexible (rubber)
7.3 Remove the apparatus from the test hole location. Using
membrane and liquid that can be used to measure within an
spoons, trowels, and other tools necessary, dig a hole within the
accuracy of 1 % the volume of a test hole in soil under the
base plate. Exercise care in digging the test hole so that soil
conditions of this test method is satisfactory. Larger apparatus
around the top edge of the hole is not disturbed. The test hole
and test hole volumes are required when particles over 1|n$ in.
shall be of the minimum volume shown in Table 1 based on the
(37.5 mm) are prevalent in the material being tested.
maximum particle size in the soil being tested. When material
5.2 Base Plate—A rigid metal plate machined to fit the base
being tested contains a small amount of oversize, and isolated
of the balloon apparatus. The base plate shall have a minimum
large particles are encountered, the test can be moved to a new
dimension of at least twice the test hole diameter to prevent
location or the changing to another test method, such as Test
deformation of the test hole while supporting the apparatus and 1
Method D 4914 or D 5030. When particles larger than 1 ⁄2 in.
surcharge loads (if used).
(37.5 mm) are prevalent, larger test apparatus and test volumes
5.3 Balances or Scales—A balance or scale having a mini-
are required. Larger test-hole volumes will provide improved
mum capacity of 20 kg meeting the requirements of Specifi-
accuracy and shall be used where practical. The optimum
cation D 4753 for a balance of 5.0 g readability. Balances or
dimensions of the test hole are related to the design of the
scales required for moisture determination or oversize correc-
apparatus and the pressure used. In general, the dimensions
tion are contained in those standards.
shall approximate those used in the calibration check proce-
5.4 Drying Apparatus—Equipment or ovens, or both, for
dure. The test hole shall be kept as free of pockets and sharp
the determination of moisture content in accordance with Test
obtrusions as possible, since they may affect accuracy or may
Methods D 2216, D 4643, D 4959, or D 4944.
puncture the rubber membrane. Place all soil removed from the
5.5 Miscellaneous Equipment—Equipment including: small
test hole in a moisture tight container for later mass and water
picks, chisels, spoons, brushes, and screwdrivers for digging
(moisture) content determination.
test holes; plastic bags, buckets with lids, or other suitable
7.4 After the test hole has been dug, place the apparatus
moisture proof containers with snug fitting lids for retaining the
over the base plate in the same position as used for the initial
soil taken from the test hole; shovels or spades and a straight
reading. Applying the same pressure and surcharge load as
edge for leveling and preparing test location; calculator or slide
used in the calibration check, take and record the reading on
rule for calculations; and surcharge weights, if required, for
the volume indicator. The difference between the initial and
apparatus.
final readings is the volume of the test hole, V .
h
7.5 Determine the mass of all the moist soil removed from
6. Calibration
the test hole to the nearest 5 g. Mix all the soil thoroughly and
6.1 Prior to first use, verify the procedure to be used and the
select a representative water (moisture) content sample and
accuracy of the volume indicator by using the apparatus to
determine the water (moisture) content in accordance with Test
measure containers or molds of known volume in accordance
Methods D 2216, D 4643, D 4959, or D 4944. If oversize
with Annex A1.
particles are present in the, perform field corrections in
6.2 Apparatus calibration checks should be periodically
accordance with Test Method D 4718.
performed. These should be performed annually, as a mini-
8. Calculation
TABLE 1 Minimum Test Hole Volumes Based on Maximum Size 8.1 Calculate the in-place wet density, r , of the soil
wet
of Included Particles
removed from the test hole as follows:
M
wet
Maximum Particle Size Minimum Test Hole Volumes
r 5 (1)
wet
3 3
V ~1 3 10 !
in. (mm) cm ft
h
1 2 (12.5) 1420 0.05
/
where:
1 (25.0) 2120 0.075
r 5 in-place wet density, mg/m ,
11 2 (37.5) 2840 0.1
/ wet
D 2167
9.1.11 If the in-place dry density or unit weight is expressed
M 5 mass of the moist soil removed from the test hole,
wet
as a percentage of another value, include the following:
kg, and
9.1.11.1 Identity of the reference method used,
V 5 volume of the test hole, m .
h
9.1.11.2 The comparative maximum dry density or unit
3 3
NOTE 2—m 5 ft (0.02832).
weight and the optimum water (moisture) content used, and
NOTE 3—Calculations shown are for using units in grams and cubic
9.1.11.3 Correction for oversized particles and details, if
metres. Other units are permissible provided the appropriate conversion
applicable.
factors are used to maintain consistency of units throughout the calcula-
tions. 9.1.11.4 The comparative percentage of the in-place mate-
rials to the comparison value.
8.2 Calculate the in-place dry density, r , of the soil as
d
9.1.11.5 If the in-place density, unit weight, or water content
follows:
are to be used for acceptance, include the acceptance criteria
r
wet
r 5 (2) applicable to the test.
d
w
1 1
S D
10. Precision and Bias
10.1 The precision of this test method is operator dependent
where:
and a function of the care exercised in performing the steps of
r 5 in-place dry density, mg/m ,
d
the procedure, giving particular attention to careful control and
r 5 in-place wet density, mg/m , and
wet
...