ASTM D2167-94(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D 2167–94 (Reapproved 2001)
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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the in-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
place density and unit weight of compacted or firmly bonded
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
soil using a rubber balloon apparatus.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This test method is suitable for use as a means of
acceptance for compacted fill or embankments constructed of
2. Referenced Documents
fine-grained soils or granular soils without appreciable
2.1 ASTM Standards:
amounts of rock or coarse material.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 Thistestmethodalsomaybeusedforthedetermination
Fluids
ofthein-placedensityandunitweightofundisturbedorinsitu
D698 Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of
soils, provided the soil will not deform under the pressures
Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures, Using 5.5-lb (2.49-kg)
imposed during the test.
Rammer and 12-in. (305-mm) Drop
1.4 This test method is not suitable for use in organic,
D1557 Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of
saturated, or highly plastic soils that would deform under the
Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures Using 10-lb (4.54-kg)
pressuresappliedduringthistest.Thistestmethodmayrequire
Rammer and 18-in. (457-mm) Drop
special care for use on (1) soils consisting of unbonded
D2216 Method for Laboratory Determination of Water
granular materials that will not maintain stable sides in a small
(Moisture) Content of Soil, Rock, and Soil-Aggregate
hole, (2) soils containing appreciable amounts of coarse
Mixtures
material in excess of 1 ⁄2 in. (37.5 mm), (3) granular soils
D3740 Practice for the Evaluation ofAgencies Engaged in
havinghighvoidratios,or(4)fillmaterialscontainingparticles
Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
with sharp edges. For soils containing appreciable amounts of
Engineering Design and Construction
particles in excess of 1 ⁄2 in. (37.5 mm), Test Methods D4914
D4643 Test Method for Determination ofWater (Moisture)
or D5030 should be used.
Content of Soils by the Microwave Oven Method
1.5 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
D4718 Practice for the Correction of Unit Weight and
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles
and a unit of force (lbf).This implicitly combines two separate
D4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock,
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
and Related Construction Materials
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
D4914 Test Method for Density of Soil and Rock in Place
standard.Thisstandardhasbeenwrittenusingthegravitational
by the Sand Replacement Method in a Test Pit
system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In
D4944 Test Method for Field Determination of Water
this system the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
(Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas
However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of
Pressure Tester
mass lbm/ft should not be regarded as nonconforming with
D4959 Test Method for Determination ofWater (Moisture)
this test method.
Content of Soils by the Direct Heating Method
D5030 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil
and Rock in Place by the Water Replacement Method in a
Test Pit
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
Construction Control Tests.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2001. Published April 1994. Originally
published as D2167–63T. Last previous edition D2167–66(1990). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 2167–94 (2001)
testing depends on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of
3. Summary of Test Method
evaluating some of those factors.
3.1 The volume of an excavated hole in a given soil is
determined using a liquid-filled calibrated vessel for filling a
5. Apparatus
thin flexible rubber membrane; this membrane is displaced to
5.1 Balloon Apparatus—This is a calibrated vessel contain-
fillthehole.Thein-placewetdensityisdeterminedbydividing
ing a liquid within a relatively thin, flexible, elastic membrane
the wet mass of the soil removed by the volume of the hole.
(rubber balloon) designed for measuring the volume of the test
The water (moisture) content and the in-place wet density are
hole under the conditions of this test method. An example of
used to calculate the dry in-place density and dry unit weight.
theessentialelementsforthisapparatusisshowninFig.1.The
4. Significance and Use
apparatus shall be equipped so that an externally controlled
4.1 This test method can be used to determine the in-place pressure or partial vacuum can be applied to the contained
density and unit weight of natural inorganic soil deposits,
liquid. It shall be of such weight and size that will not cause
soil-aggregate mixtures, or other similar firm materials.
distortion of the excavated test hole and adjacent test area
4.2 This test method may be used to determine the density
duringtheperformanceofthetest.Theapparatusshallprovide
and unit weight of compacted soils used in construction of
for the use of an integral pressure gage or other means for
earth embankments, road fill, and structural backfill. This test
controlling the applied pressure during calibration and testing.
method often is used as a basis of acceptance for soils
Provision shall be made for placing loads (surcharge) on the
compacted to a specified density or a percentage of maximum
apparatus. There shall be an indicator for determining the
density or unit weight, as determined by a standard test
volume of the test hole to the nearest 1%. The flexible
method.
membraneshallbeofsuchsizeandshapeastofillthetesthole
4.3 Theuseofthistestmethodisgenerallylimitedtosoilin
completely without wrinkles or folds when inflated within the
anunsaturatedconditionandisnotrecommendedforsoilsthat
test hole, and the membrane strength shall be sufficient to
aresoftorthatdeformeasily.Suchsoilsmayundergoavolume
withstand such pressure as is necessary to ensure complete
change during the application of pressure during testing. This
filling of the test hole without loss of liquid.Withdrawal of the
test method may not be suitable for soils containing crushed
membrane from the test hole shall be accomplished by the
rockfragmentsorsharpedgematerialswhichmaypuncturethe
applicationofapartialvacuumtotheliquidorbyothermeans.
rubber membrane.
5.1.1 The description and requirements given are intended
NOTE 1—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con-
to be nonrestrictive. Any apparatus using a flexible (rubber)
tainedinthistestmethod,theprecisionofthistestmethodisdependenton
membrane and liquid that can be used to measure within an
the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the
accuracy of 1% the volume of a test hole in soil under the
equipment and the facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of
conditions of this test method is satisfactory. Larger apparatus
Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and
andtestholevolumesarerequiredwhenparticlesover11/2in.
objective testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance
with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable testing. Reliable (37.5 mm) are prevalent in the material being tested.
FIG. 1 Schematic Drawing of Calibrated Vessel Indicating Principle (Not to Scale)
D 2167–94 (2001)
5.2 Base Plate—Arigidmetalplatemachinedtofitthebase 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
deformationofthetestholewhilesupportingtheapparatusand Method D4914 or D5030. When particles larger than 1 ⁄2 in.
surcharge loads (if used). (37.5mm)areprevalent,largertestapparatusandtestvolumes
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 D4753 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 D2216, D4643, D4959, or D4944. puncturetherubbermembrane.Placeallsoilremovedfromthe
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
moistureproofcontainerswithsnugfittinglidsforretainingthe 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
edgeforlevelingandpreparingtestlocation;calculatororslide 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 Priortofirstuse,verifytheproceduretobeusedandthe select a representative water (moisture) content sample and
accuracy of the volume indicator by using the apparatus to determinethewater(moisture)contentinaccordancewithTest
measure containers or molds of known volume in accordance Methods D2216, D4643, D4959, or D4944. 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 D4718.
performed. These should be performed annually, as a mini-
8. Calculation
mum, and whenever damage, repair, or change of membrane
8.1 Calculate the in-place wet density, r , of the soil
wet
that may affect the pressure or volume indicating portions of
removed from the test hole as follows:
the apparatus occurs.
M
wet
r 5 (1)
7. Procedure
wet 3
V ~1 310 !
h
7.1 Prepare the surface at the test location so that it is
where:
reasonably plane and level. Dependent on the water (moisture)
r = in-place wet density, mg/m ,
wet
contentandtextureofthesoil,thesurfacemaybeleveledusing
M = mass of the moist soil removed from the test hole,
wet
a bulldozer or other heavy equipment blades, provided the test
kg, and
areaisnotdeformed,compressed,torn,orotherwisedisturbed.
V = volume of the test hole, m .
h
7.2 Assemble the base plate and rubber balloon apparatus
3 3
on the test location. Using the same pressure and surcharge NOTE 2—m =ft (0.02832).
NOTE 3—Calculations shown are for using units in grams and cubic
determined during the calibration of the apparatus, take an
metres. Other units are permissible provided the appropriate conversion
initial reading on the volume indicator and record. The base
factors are used to maintain consistency of units throughout the calcula-
plate shall remain in place through completion of the test.
tions.
7.3 Removetheapparatusfromthetestholelocation.Using
8.2 Calculate the in-place dry density, r , of the soil as
spoons,trowels,andothertoolsnecessary,digaholewithinthe d
follows:
base plate. Exercise care in digging the test hole so that soil
around the top edge of the hole is not disturbed. The test hole r
wet
r 5 (2)
d
shallbeoftheminimumvolumeshowninTable1basedonthe w
1 1
S D
maximum particle size in the soil being tested. When material
where:
TABLE 1 Minimum Test Hole Volumes Based on Maximum Size
r = in-place dry density, mg/m ,
d
of Included Particles 3
r = in-place wet density, mg/m , and
wet
w = water (moisture) content of the soil removed from
Maximum Particle Size Minimum Test Hole Volumes
3 3
the test hole, expressed as a percentage of the dry
in. (mm) cm ft
mass of the soil to the nearest 1%.
1 2 (12.5) 1420 0.05
/
1 (25.0) 2120 0.075
8.3 Calculate the in-place dry unit weight, d , as follows:
d
11 2 (37.5) 2840 0.1
/
d 5r ~9.807 !in kN/m (3)
d d
D 2167–94 (2001)
10. Precision and Bias
d 5r ~62.43!in lbf/ft
d d
10.1 Theprecisionofthistestmethodisoperatordependent
where:
and a function of the care exercised in performing the steps of
d = in-place dry unit weight, and
d
theprocedure,givingparticularattentiontocarefulcontroland
r = in-place dry density, mg/m .
d
systematic repetition of the procedure used. No standard soils
NOTE 4—It may be desirable to express the in-place density as a
exist for determination of the overall precision of this test
percentage of some other density or unit weight, for example, the
method under field conditions.
laboratory maximum dry density or unit weight as determined in accor-
dance with Test Methods D698. This relationship can be determined by
10.2 Laboratory studies have determined the precision of
dividing the in-place dry density or unit weight by the ma
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