ASTM D1557-09
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2,700 kN-m/m3))
Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft<sup>3</sup> (2,700 kN-m/m<sup>3</sup>))
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Soil placed as engineering fill (embankments, foundation pads, road bases) is compacted to a dense state to obtain satisfactory engineering properties such as shear strength, compressibility, or permeability. In addition, foundation soils are often compacted to improve their engineering properties. Laboratory compaction tests provide the basis for determining the percent compaction and molding water content needed to achieve the required engineering properties, and for controlling construction to assure that the required compaction and water contents are achieved.
Note 3—The degree of soil compaction required to achieve the desired engineering properties is often specified as a percentage of the modified maximum dry unit weight as determined using this test method. If the required degree of compaction is substantially less than the modified maximum dry unit weight using this test method, it may be practicable for testing to be performed using Test Method D698 and to specify the degree of compaction as a percentage of the standard maximum dry unit weight. Since more energy is applied for compaction using this test method, the soil particles are more closely packed than when D698 is used. The general overall result is a higher maximum dry unit weight, lower optimum moisture content, greater shear strength, greater stiffness, lower compressibility, lower air voids, and decreased permeability. However, for highly compacted fine-grained soils, absorption of water may result in swelling, with reduced shear strength and increased compressibility, reducing the benefits of the increased effort used for compaction (2). Use of D698, on the other hand, allows compaction using less effort and generally at a higher optimum moisture content. The compacted soil may be less brittle, more flexible, more permeable, and less subject to effects of swelling and shrinking. In many applications, building or construction codes may direct which test method, D698 or this one, should be use...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory compaction methods used to determine the relationship between molding water content and dry unit weight of soils (compaction curve) compacted in a 4- or 6-in. (101.6- or 152.4-mm) diameter mold with a 10.00-lbf. (44.48-N) rammer dropped from a height of 18.00 in. (457.2 mm) producing a compactive effort of 56 000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2700 kN-m/m3).
Note 1—The equipment and procedures are the same as proposed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1945. The modified effort test (see 3.1.2) is sometimes referred to as the Modified Proctor Compaction Test.
1.1.1 Soils and soil-aggregate mixtures are to be regarded as natural occurring fine- or coarse-grained soils, or composites or mixtures of natural soils, or mixtures of natural and processed soils or aggregates such as gravel or crushed rock. Hereafter referred to as either soil or material.
1.2 These test methods apply only to soils (materials) that have 30 % or less by mass of their particles retained on the ¾-in. (19.0-mm) sieve and have not been previously compacted in the laboratory; that is, do not reuse compacted soil.
1.2.1 For relationships between unit weights and molding water contents of soils with 30 % or less by weight of material retained on the ¾ -in. (19.0-mm) sieve to unit weights and molding water contents of the fraction passing the ¾ -in. (19.0-mm) sieve, see Practice D4718.
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided. The method used shall be as indicated in the specification for the material being tested. If no method is specified, the choice should be based on the material gradation.
1.3.1 Method A:
1.3.1.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
1.3.1.2 Material—Passing No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.
1.3.1.3 Layers—Five.
1.3.1.4 Blows per layer—25.
1.3.1.5 Usage—May be used if 25 % or less by mass of the material is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. However, if 5 to 25 % by mass of the material is retained...
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
Designation: D1557 −09
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using
3 3 1
Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft (2,700 kN-m/m ))
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1557; 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 (´) 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* 1.3.1.4 Blows per layer—25.
1.3.1.5 Usage—May be used if 25% or less by mass of the
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory compaction meth-
material is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. However, if
ods used to determine the relationship between molding water
5 to 25% by mass of the material is retained on the No. 4
content and dry unit weight of soils (compaction curve)
(4.75-mm) sieve, Method A can be used but oversize correc-
compactedina4-or6-in.(101.6-or152.4-mm)diametermold
tions will be required (See 1.4) and there are no advantages to
with a 10.00-lbf. (44.48-N) rammer dropped from a height of
using Method A in this case.
18.00 in. (457.2 mm) producing a compactive effort of 56 000
3 3 1.3.1.6 Other Use—If this gradation requirement cannot be
ft-lbf/ft (2700 kN-m/m ).
met, then Methods B or C may be used.
NOTE 1—The equipment and procedures are the same as proposed by
1.3.2 Method B:
the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1945. The modified effort test (see 3.1.3)
1.3.2.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
is sometimes referred to as the Modified Proctor Compaction Test.
3
1.3.2.2 Material—Passing ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve.
1.1.1 Soilsandsoil-aggregatemixturesaretoberegardedas
1.3.2.3 Layers—Five.
naturaloccurringfine-orcoarse-grainedsoils,orcompositesor
1.3.2.4 Blows per layer—25.
mixtures of natural soils, or mixtures of natural and processed
1.3.2.5 Usage—May be used if 25% or less by mass of the
soils or aggregates such as gravel or crushed rock. Hereafter 3
material is retained on the ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve. However, if
referred to as either soil or material.
3
5 to 25% of the material is retained on the ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm)
sieve, Method B can be used but oversize corrections will be
1.2 These test methods apply only to soils (materials) that
have 30% or less by mass of their particles retained on the required (See 1.4). In this case, the only advantages to using
3
⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve and have not been previously com- Method B rather than Method C are that a smaller amount of
sample is needed and the smaller mold is easier to use.
pacted in the laboratory; that is, do not reuse compacted soil.
1.2.1 For relationships between unit weights and molding 1.3.2.6 Other Usage—If this gradation requirement cannot
be met, then Method C may be used.
water contents of soils with 30% or less by weight of material
3
retained on the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve to unit weights and 1.3.3 Method C:
3
1.3.3.1 Mold—6-in. (152.4-mm) diameter.
molding water contents of the fraction passing the ⁄4-in.
3
(19.0-mm) sieve, see Practice D4718. 1.3.3.2 Material—Passing ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve.
1.3.3.3 Layers—Five.
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided. The method
1.3.3.4 Blows per layer—56.
used shall be as indicated in the specification for the material
1.3.3.5 Usage—May be used if 30% or less (see 1.4)by
being tested. If no method is specified, the choice should be
3
mass of the material is retained on the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve.
based on the material gradation.
1.3.4 The6-in.(152.4-mm)diametermoldshallnotbeused
1.3.1 Method A:
with Method A or B.
1.3.1.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
1.3.1.2 Material—Passing No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. NOTE 2—Results have been found to vary slightly when a material is
tested at the same compactive effort in different size molds, with the
1.3.1.3 Layers—Five.
smaller mold size typically yielding larger values of unit weight and
2
density (1).
1.4 If the test specimen contains more than 5% by mass of
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoil
oversize fraction (coarse fraction) and the material will not be
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,
Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published October 2009. Originally
2
approved in 1958. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D1557–07. DOI: Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
10.1520/D1557-09. this standard.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1557 − 09
included in the test, corrections must be made to the unit Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
weightandmoldingwatercontentofthetestspecimenortothe C136Test
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D 1557–00 Designation: D1557 – 09
Standard Test Methods for
Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using
3 3
1
Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft (2,700 kN-m/m ))
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1557; 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 (ϵ) 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*
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory compaction methods used to determine the relationship between molding water content
and dry unit weight of soils (compaction curve) compacted in a 4- or 6-in. (101.6- or 152.4-mm) diameter mold with a 10.00-lbf.
3
(44.548-N) rammer dropped from a height of 18.00 in. (457.2 mm) producing a compactive effort of 56,00056 000 ft-lbf/ft (2,700
3
(2700 kN-m/m
kN-m/m ).
NOTE1—Soils and soil-aggregate mixtures should be regarded as natural occurring fine- or coarse-grained soils or composites or mixtures of natural
soils, or mixtures of natural and processed soils or aggregates such as silt, gravel, or crushed rock.
NOTE2—The equipment and procedures are the same as proposed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1945. The modified effort test (see 3.2.2 1—The
equipment and procedures are the same as proposed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1945. The modified effort test (see 3.1.2) is sometimes referred
to as the Modified Proctor Compaction Test.
1.1.1 Soils and soil-aggregate mixtures are to be regarded as natural occurring fine- or coarse-grained soils, or composites or
mixturesofnaturalsoils,ormixturesofnaturalandprocessedsoilsoraggregatessuchasgravelorcrushedrock.Hereafterreferred
to as either soil or material.
3
1.2 These test methods apply only to soils (materials) that have 30 % or less by mass of their particles retained on the ⁄4-in.
(19.0-mm) sieve.
3
NOTE3—For relationships between unit weights and water contents of soils with 30% or less by weight of material retained on the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm)
3
sieve to unit weights and water contents of the fraction passing the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve, see Practice D 4718D 4718-in. (19.0-mm) sieve and have not
been previously compacted in the laboratory; that is, do not reuse compacted soil.
1.2.1 For relationships between unit weights and molding water contents of soils with 30 % or less by weight of material
3 3
retained on the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve to unit weights and molding water contents of the fraction passing the ⁄4-in. (19.0-mm)
sieve, see Practice D4718.
1.3 Three alternative methods are provided. The method used shall be as indicated in the specification for the material being
tested. If no method is specified, the choice should be based on the material gradation.
1.3.1 Method A:
1.3.1.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
1.3.1.2 Material—Passing No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.
1.3.1.3 Layers—Five.
1.3.1.4 Blows per layer—25.
1.3.1.5 Use—May be used if 20% or less by mass of the material is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. Usage—May be
usedif25 %orlessbymassofthematerialisretainedontheNo.4(4.75-mm)sieve.However,if5to25 %bymassofthematerial
is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve, Method A can be used but oversize corrections will be required (See 1.4) and there are
no advantages to using Method A in this case.
1.3.1.6 Other Use—If this method is not specified, materials that meet these gradation requirements may be tested using
Methods B or C. —If this gradation requirement cannot be met, then Methods B or C may be used.
1.3.2 Method B:
1.3.2.1 Mold—4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRockandisarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.03onTexture,Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils.
Current edition approved March 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally published as D 1557–58. Last previous edition D 1557–91 (1998).
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published October 2009. Originally approved in 1958. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D1557 – 07. DOI:
10.1520/D1557-09.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1557 – 09
3
1.3.2.2 Ma
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.