ASTM D6780-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Water Content and Density of Soil in Place by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)
Standard Test Method for Water Content and Density of Soil in Place by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method may be used to determine the water content of soils and the in-place density of soils using a TDR apparatus.
1.2 This test method applies to soils that have 30 % or less by weight of their particles retained on the 19.0-mm ( 3/4-in.) sieve.
1.3 This test method is suitable for use as a means of acceptance for compacted fill or embankments.
1.4 This test method may not be suitable for organic and highly plastic soils.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D 6026.
1.5.1 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this standard is beyond its scope.
1.6 Two alternative procedures are provided.
1.6.1 Procedure A involves two tests in the field, an in-place test and a test in a mold containing material excavated from the in-place test location. The apparent dielectric constant is determined in both tests.
1.6.2 Procedure B involves only an in-place test by incorporating a bulk electrical conductivity in addition to the apparent dielectric constant.
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. For additional information consult ASTM SI 10
1,8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6780 −05
StandardTest Method for
Water Content and Density of Soil in Place by Time Domain
1
Reflectometry (TDR)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6780; 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.
1. Scope* 1.8 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 may be used to determine the water
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
content of soils and the in-place density of soils using a TDR
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
apparatus.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This test method applies to soils that have 30% or less
3
by weight of their particles retained on the 19.0-mm ( ⁄4-in.)
2. Referenced Documents
sieve.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 This test method is suitable for use as a means of
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
acceptance for compacted fill or embankments.
Fluids
D698Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
1.4 This test method may not be suitable for organic and
3
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft (600
highly plastic soils.
3
kN-m/m ))
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
D2216TestMethodsforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
Practice D6026.
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.5.1 The method used to specify how data are collected,
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
calculated,orrecordedinthisstandardisnotdirectlyrelatedto
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
theaccuracytowhichthedatacanbeappliedindesignorother
D4753Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
standard is beyond its scope.
Construction Materials Testing
1.6 Two alternative procedures are provided.
D6026Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
1.6.1 ProcedureAinvolvestwotestsinthefield,anin-place
Data
testandatestinamoldcontainingmaterialexcavatedfromthe
D6565Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture)
in-place test location. The apparent dielectric constant is
Content of Soil by the Time-Domain Reflectometry
determined in both tests.
(TDR) Method
1.6.2 Procedure B involves only an in-place test by incor-
E1Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
porating a bulk electrical conductivity in addition to the
SI10Standard for Use of the International System of Units
apparent dielectric constant.
(SI): The Modern Metric System
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3. Terminology
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology D653 for standard
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
definitions of terms.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
with the standard. For additional information consult SI10.
3.2.1 apparent dielectric constant, K ,K —the
insitu mold
squared ratio of the velocity of light in air to the apparent
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
2
Construction Control Tests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D6780–02. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D6780-05. the ASTM website.
*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 ----------------------
D6780−05
velocity of electromagnetic wave propagation in the soil 3.2.7 probe length, L—the length of the TDR probe that is
measured by a TDR apparatus in place and in the cylindrical below the surface of the soil.
mold, respectively.
3.2.8 scaled distance, l—the product of the velocity of light
3.2.2 apparentlength,l —onaplotofelectromagneticwave in air and electromagnetic wave travel time in the soil divided
a
signal versus scaled distan
...








Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.