11 Soils Field Procedures Using the Sand Cone Method Apparatus Cone

Correction and Bulk Density Factors Procedure 11-1 CHAPTER ELEVEN: SOILS
FIELD PROCEDURES USING THE SAND CONE METHOD Field density
determination of soil compaction is done in accordance with AASHTO T 191
(Sand Cone) or AASHTO T 310 (Nuclear Gauge). This chapter discusses the
procedures for using AASHTO T 191. AASHTO T 191 contains three very
distinct and important sections. These are: 1) Section 3: Apparatus 2) Section
4: Cone Correction and Bulk Density Factors 3) Section 5: Procedure The
following references are required to be reviewed for this chapter: Standard
Specifications 1) Section 203.24(b) AASHTO 1) T 191 - Density of Soil InPlace by the Sand-Cone Method 2) T 224 - Correction for Coarse Particles in
the Soil Compaction Test 3) T 255 - Total Evaporable Moisture Content of
Aggregate by Drying ITM 1) 506 - Field Determination of Moisture Content of
Soils 11-2 APPARATUS The apparatus (Figure 11-1) required for the Sand
Cone Method consists of a one-gallon jar, a detachable metal appliance, and
a base plate. The metal appliance is attached to the jar to allow the sand to
flow from the jar during calibrations or density testing. The density apparatus
and base plate are detailed in AASHTO T 191 Section 3. A calibration
container is also required for this test. The calibration container is used to
determine the sand density. The requirements for this container are also
detailed in AASHTO T 191 Section 3. The volume of the container is
determined annually at the District Testing lab in accordance with AASHTO T
19. The volume of the container is marked on the side of the container to an
accuracy of 0.0001 ft3 . Figure 11-1. Base Plate, Apparatus, and Calibration
Container 11-3 CONE CORRECTION AND BULK DENSITY FACTORS Prior to
determining the bulk density of the sand and conducting density tests, the
Technician determines the weight of sand required to fill the large cone of the
density apparatus and the accompanying base plate. This weight is
determined to the nearest 0.01 pounds and is referred to as the Cone
Correction. The density apparatus and the base plate are required to remain
together and not be interchanged with other devices without recalculating
the Cone Correction. The Cone Correction is calculated daily on Form IT 625
(for soil) and on Form TD 320 (granular material). The procedure for
determination of the Cone Correction is detailed in AASHTO T 191 and is
summarized as follows: 1) Fill the apparatus with the calibration sand and
record the weight to the nearest 0.01 lb 2) Place the base plate on a clean,
level surface 3) Invert the apparatus onto the base plate and open the valve
to allow the cone and the base plate to fill with sand 4) When the sand stops
flowing into the cone, shut the valve and weigh the apparatus to the nearest

0.01 lb 5) The difference between the full weight of the apparatus and the
final weight after filling the cone is referred to as the Cone Correction.
Determination of the bulk density of the calibration sand is a procedure done
daily by the Technician prior to conducting in-place density tests. The bulk
density of the calibration sand is referred to as the sand calibration factor.
The gradation of the calibration sand required for this test is required to be in
accordance with Section 203.24 (b), which is an exception to AASHTO T 191.
Sand complying with this requirement is furnished by District Testing and is
obtained with the density equipment. The determination of the calibration
sand density is done in accordance with AASHTO T 191 and recorded on
Form IT 625, Daily Summary of Soil In-Place Density Tests or on Form TD 320,
Daily Summary of InPlace Density Tests (+3/4 material). The determination of
the bulk density of the calibration sand is done daily and when a new bag of
sand is used. 11-4 A calibration container with a known volume is required to
determine the bulk density of the calibration sand. By knowing the volume of
the calibration container and the weight of calibration sand required to fill
the container, the bulk density of the calibration sand in pounds per cubic
foot may be calculated. The process of determining the bulk density of the
sand is detailed in AASHTO T191 Section 4 and is summarized as follows: 1)
Fill the apparatus with the calibration sand and record the weight to the
nearest 0.01 lb 2) Place the base plate on the calibration container 3) Invert
the apparatus on the base plate and open the valve to allow the calibration
container and the large cone to fill with sand 4) Shut the valve on the
apparatus and weigh the apparatus to the nearest 0.01 lb The initial weight
of the apparatus minus the final weight and minus the Cone Correction is the
weight of the calibration sand required to fill the container. Divide the weight
of the sand in the container by the volume of the container to determine the
bulk density of the sand. The bulk density of the sand is calculated to the
nearest 0.1 lb/ft3 . Sections 203.18 through 203.23 detail the methods of
embankment construction with density control and without density control.
The Frequency Manual lists the frequency of tests on embankment
construction. Embankment layers so granular that density testing is
impractical may be controlled visually and documented as such on Form IT
625 or Form TD 320. Documentation of visually accepted lifts of
embankment maintains a record of the method of acceptance of the lift for
coordination with the frequency manual requirements. PROCEDURE With the
calculations of the Bulk Density of the calibration sand and the Cone
Correction Factor completed, the Technician has all of the information
necessary to begin in-place density tests. Using Form IT 625, the procedure
for an in-place sand cone density tests on soil is as follows: 11-5 1) Fill the

apparatus with calibration sand and record the weight on Line 5 of form IT
625 2) Weigh and record the weight of an empty pan on Line 2 and Line C of
form IT 625 3) Locate a representative area to conduct the density test 4)
Remove any loose and uncompacted soil from the test site and level the area
for the base plate to be seated 5) Dig a hole into the soil through the hole in
the base plate for the full depth of the layer being tested 6) Place the soil in
a pan, weigh immediately, and record the weight on Form IT 625 Line 1 (Wet
Wt. of Material from Hole & Pan) and Line A (Weight of Pan & Wet Material) 7)
Reset the base plate over the test hole and invert the apparatus onto the
base plate and open the valve to allow sand to flow into the test hole. When
the sand flow stops, shut off the valve and remove and weigh the apparatus.
Do not tap or vibrate the apparatus during this process. The weight obtained
is entered on Form IT 625 Line 6 (Final Wt. Apparatus and Sand). Form IT 625
may now be completed for Lines 7 through 9. Determination of moisture for
Line MCT is obtained in accordance with AASHTO T 217, ITM 506, or AASHTO
T 255 depending upon the type of soil. If the soil is cohesive, AASHTO T 217
or ITM 506 may be used; however, ITM 506 is the preferred method for
obtaining the moisture for cohesive soil. If the soil is a sand then AASHTO T
255 is required. Form IT 625 is used for calculation of the percent moisture of
the soil using ITM 506 or AASHTO T 255. This calculation is required before
line 4 of the IT 625 may be calculated. The moisture sample for ITM 506 or
AASHTO T 255 is the entire amount of the material removed from the test
hole. The last step after the soil is dried is to sieve the moisture sample over
the No. 4 sieve. Any particles retained on that sieve are weighed and the
result recorded on Line 16 of the IT 625. Lines 1-9 of the IT 625 should now
be complete. 11-6 Line 12 of the IT 625 is the dry density of the material
tested. The dry density is determined by dividing the dry weight of the soil
removed from the hole (Line 4 of the IT 625) by the calculated volume of the
hole (Line 9 of the IT 625) unless plus No. 4 sieve particles exist in the soil.
When the soil contains plus No 4 particles, the density is adjusted to account
for the material as required by Section 203.24(b)2. This density correction is
made in accordance with AASHTO T 224, Correction for Coarse Particles in
the Soil Compaction Test. The required calculations are detailed on Form IT
625 Lines 16-23. Lines 16-23 are only done when Line 16 contains a number
other than zero, i.e. the soil contained plus No. 4 sieve particles. The dry
density value is determined to the nearest 0.1 pounds per cubic foot and is
the actual in-place density of the soil. The Specifications indicate whether
the dry density requirement is 95 % or 100 % of the proctor value. On Form
IT 625 line 13, the target density is listed from the laboratory test or from the
one-point proctor test for the specific soil being tested. On line 11, the

optimum moisture content is listed from the same report. The Specifications
require passing results for both the density and moisture content of the soil.
Care should always be taken when selecting a target density and optimum
moisture content from laboratory results from samples submitted to the
District. Typically, representative samples of the soil are retained at the jobsite in small jars and compared to field test site soil. This comparison is made
by color, texture, and plasticity to determine which soil samples more closely
represent the layer being tested and thus which target density should be
used. The one-point proctor is the preferred method to determine the
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Form IT 625 may now
be completed. The density of coarse, granular material is also required to be
determined. Density for embankment layers constructed with coarse
granular material requires the use of Form TD 320. Some granular fill
material, coarse aggregate size No.53, coarse aggregate size No.73, and
some structural backfill (1 in. and larger B-Borrow) require the use of this
form. The density process for coarse, granular material is the same as
described previously for sand except with the following: 1) The percent
moisture is required to be obtained using AASHTO T255. As before, the entire
sample removed from the test hole is dried. 11-7 2) The sample removed
from the test hole is required to be weighed, dried, and then sieved through
a 3/4 in. sieve. The weight of the dry plus 3/4 in. material is also obtained
and recorded as dry weight of + 3/4 in. material on Form TD 320, Line 16.
This dry weight of + 3/4 in. material is used to correct the field density of the
material being tested based on an assumed moisture content of 2 percent
and an assumed specific gravity of 2.60 for the + 3/4 material. The
laboratory proctor for aggregate material is obtained on the minus 3/4 in.
material only, and using the above procedure corrects the field in-place
density so the field test results also represent only the minus 3/4 in. material.
3) The target density and optimum moisture content are required to be
obtained from the District Soils laboratory. Form TD 320 contains the
procedures for cone correction, bulk density of the sand, percent moisture,
and plus 3/4 in. correction required to complete the calculations for the inplace density of the granular material Section 203.23 allows for the moisture
content of granular materials to be several percentage points below the
optimum moisture content. This means that dry density is required to be
obtained; however, the moisture content obtained in accordance with
AASHTO T 255 is not required to be within +1 and -2 percent of optimum for
the lift to pass the specified dry density. Several percentage points below
optimum has been interpreted to be no less than 50 % of the optimum
moisture content as indicated on the laboratory tested sample. The sand

from the test hole is not salvaged and reused. The salvaged sand may
contain soil from the hole and the mixture of salvaged calibration sand and
soil from the test site may change the sand bulk density and affect the
volume calculations and the Cone Correction.

DETERMINATION OF FIELD DENSITY OF SOIL BY SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD (IS2720-PART-28)

AIM
To determine the field density of soil at a given location by sand replacement method

REFERENCE
IS-2720-Part-28-Determination of dry density of soils in place, by the sand replacement method

APPARATUS
1.

Sand pouring cylinder

2.

Calibrating can

3.

Metal tray with a central hole

4.

Dry sand (passing through 600 micron sieve)

5.

Balance

6.

Moisture content bins

7.

Glass plate

8.

Metal tray

9.

Scraper tool

THEORY AND APPLICATION

Determination of field density of cohesion less soil is not possible by core cutter method, because it
is not possible to obtain a core sample. In such situation, the sand replacement method is employed
to determine the unit weight. In sand replacement method, a small cylindrical pit is excavated and
the weight of the soil excavated from the pit is measured. Sand whose density is known is filled into
the pit. By measuring the weight of sand required to fill the pit and knowing its density the volume of
pit is calculated. Knowing the weight of soil excavated from the pit and the volume of pit, the density
of soil is calculated. Therefore, in this experiment there are two stages, namely
1.

Calibration of sand density

2.

Measurement of soil density

Sand Replacement Method

PROCEDURE
STAGE-1 (CALIBRATION OF SAND DENSITY)
1.

Measure the internal dimensions (diameter, d and height, h) of the calibrating

can and compute its internal volume, Vc = d2h/4.

2.

Fill the sand pouring cylinder (SPC) with sand with 1 cm top clearance (to avoid
any spillover during operation) and find its weight (W1)

3.

Place the SPC on a glass plate, open the slit above the cone by operating the
valve and allow the sand to run down. The sand will freely run down till it fills the
conical portion. When there is no further downward movement of sand in the SPC,
close the slit. Measure the weight of the sand required to fill the cone. Let it be W2.

4.

Place back this W2 amount of sand into the SPC, so that its weight becomes equal
to W1 (As mentioned in point-2). Place the SPC concentrically on top of the
calibrating can. Open the slit to allow the sand to run down until the sand flow stops
by itself. This operation will fill the calibrating can and the conical portion of the
SPC. Now close the slit and find the weight of the SPC with the remaining sand (W3)

STAGE-2 (MEASUREMENT OF SOIL DENSITY)

1.

Clean and level the ground surface where the field density is to be determined

2.

Place the tray with a central hole over the portion of the soil to be tested.

3.

Excavate a pit into the ground, through the hole in the plate, approximately 12
cm deep (same as the height of the calibrating can). The hole in the tray will guide
the diameter of the pit to be made in the ground.

4.

Collect the excavated soil into the tray and weigh the soil (W)

5.

Determine the moisture content of the excavated soil.

6.

Place the SPC, with sand having the latest weight of W1, over the pit so that the
base of the cylinder covers the pit concentrically.

7.

Open the slit of the SPC and allow the sand to run into the pit freely, till there is
no downward movement of sand level in the SPC and then close the slit.

8.

Find the weight of the SPC with the remaining sand (W4).

PRECAUTIONS
If for any reason it is necessary to excavate the pit to a depth other than 12 cm,

the standard calibrating can should be replaced by one with an internal height
same as the depth of pit to be made in the ground.
Care should be taken in excavating the pit, so that it is not enlarged by levering,

as this will result in lower density being recorded.

No loose material should be left in the pit.

There should be no vibrations during this test.

It should not be forgotten to remove the tray, before placing the SPC over the pit.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Enter all the data as per the table given below and calculate accordingly.
Sl

Trial

no

Data (Calibration of Unit Weight of Sand)

Volume of the calibrating container, V (cm3)

Weight of SPC + sand, W1 (g)

Weight of sand required to fill the conical portion on a flat

surface, W2 (g)

-1

Weight of SPC + sand (after filling calibrating can), W3 (g)

Weight of sand required to fill the calibrating container,

Wc = (W1-W2 W3) (g)

Unit weight of sand,

sand = (Wc)/V (g/cm3)

Sl.

Trial-

no

Data (Determination of Density of Soil)

Weight of the excavated from the pit (W) (g)

Weight of sand + SPC, before pouring, W1 (g)

Weight of SPC after filling the hole & conical portion, W4 (g)

Weight of sand in the pit

4

Wp = (W1-W4-W2) (g)
Volume of sand required to fill the pit

Vp=Wp/sand (cm3)
Wet unit weight of the soil

wet=W/Vp (g/cm3)

Dry unit weight of the soil dry=wet/(1+m) (g/cm3)

(where m is the moisture content of soil)

FIELD DENSITY TEST

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD
OBJECTIVE
Determine the in situ density of natural or compacted soils using sand pouring
cylinders.
NEED AND SCOPE
The in situ density of natural soil is needed for the determination of bearing capacity
of soils, for the purpose of stability analysis of slopes, for the determination of
pressures on underlying strata for the calculation of settlement and the design of
underground structures.
It is very quality control test, where compaction is required, in the cases like
embankment and pavement construction.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Sand pouring cylinder of 3 litre/16.5 litre capacity, mounted above a pouring come
and separated by a shutter cover plate.
2. Tools for excavating holes; suitable tools such as scraper tool to make a level
surface.

3. Cylindrical calibrating container with an internal diameter of 100 mm/200 mm and

an internal depth of 150 mm/250 mm fitted with a flange 50 mm/75 mm wide and
about 5 mm surrounding the open end.
4. Balance to weigh unto an accuracy of 1g.
5. Metal containers to collect excavated soil.
6. Metal tray with 300 mm/450 mm square and 40 mm/50 mm deep with a 100
mm/200 mm diameter hole in the centre.
7. Glass plate about 450 mm/600 mm square and 10mm thick.
8. Clean, uniformly graded natural sand passing through 1.00 mm I.S.sieve and
retained on the 600micron I.S.sieve. It shall be free from organic matter and shall have
been oven dried and exposed to atmospheric humidity.(pass on 40 no sieve)
9. Suitable non-corrodible airtight containers.
10. Thermostatically controlled oven with interior on non-corroding material to
maintain the temperature between 1050C to 1100C.
11. A dessicator with any desiccating agent other than sulphuric acid.
THEORY
By conducting this test it is possible to determine the field density of the soil. The
moisture content is likely to vary from time and hence the field density also. So it is
required to report the test result in terms of dry density. The relationship that can be
established between the dry density with known moisture content is as follows:

PROCEDURE
Calibration of the Cylinder

1. Fill the sand pouring cylinder with clean sand so that the level of the sand in the
cylinder is within about 10 mm from the top. Find out the initial weight of the
cylinder plus sand (W1) and this weight should be maintained constant throughout the
test for which the calibration is used.
2. Allow the sand of volume equal to that of the calibrating container to run out of the
cylinder by opening the shutter, close the shutter and place the cylinder on the glass
sand takes place in the cylinder close the shutter and remove the cylinder carefully.
Weigh the sand collected on the glass plate. Its weight(W 2) gives the weight of sand
filling the cone portion of the sand pouring cylinder.
Repeat this step at least three times and take the mean weight (W 2) Put the sand back
into the sand pouring cylinder to have the same initial constant weight (W 1)
Determination of Bulk Density of Soil
3. Determine the volume (V) of the container be filling it with water to the brim.
Check this volume by calculating from the measured internal dimensions of the
container.
4. Place the sand poring cylinder centrally on yhe of the calibrating container making
sure that constant weight (W1) is maintained. Open the shutter and permit the sand to
run into the container. When no further movement of sand is seen close the shutter,
remove the pouring cylinder and find its weight (W 3).
Determination of Dry Density of Soil In Place
5. Approximately 60 sqcm of area of soil to be tested should be trimmed down to a
level surface,approximately of the size of the container. Keep the metal tray on the
level surface and excavate a circular hole of volume equal to that of the calibrating
container. Collect all the excavated soil in the tray and find out the weight of the
excavated soil (Ww). Remove the tray, and place the sand pouring cylinder filled to
constant weight so that the base of the cylinder covers the hole concentrically. Open
the shutter and permit the sand to run into the hole. Close the shutter when no further
movement of the sand is seen. Remove the cylinder and determine its weight (W 3).
6. Keep a representative sample of the excavated sample of the soil for water content
determination.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Sample Details
S. No.

Calibration

Weight of sand in cone (of pouring

cylinder) W2 gm
1.

Volume of calibrating container (V) in cc

2.

Weight of sand + cylinder before pouring

W3 gm

3.
4.

Weight of sand + cylinder after pouring

W3 gm

5.

Weight of sand to fill calibrating containers

6.

W
a = (W1-W3-W2) gm
Bulk density of sand gs = Wa / V gm/cc

S. No.

Measurement of Soil Density

1.

Weight of wet soil from hole Ww gm

2.

Weight of sand + cylinder before

pouring W1 gm

3.

Weight of sand + cylinder after

pouring W4 gm
4.
5.

Weight of sand in hole Wb = (W1-W2W4) gm

Bulk density gb = (Ww /Wb) gs gm/cc

6.

Water content determination

7.

Container number

8.

Weight of wet soil

9.

Weight of dry soil

10.

Moisture content (%)

Dry density gd = gb / (1+w) gm/cc

GENERAL REMARKS
1. While calibrating the bulk density of sand great care has to be taken.
2. The excavated hole must be equal to the volume of the calibrating container.

Back to Index

Field Density Test

The sand cone method is used for field density test in our highway construction. In the field, the dry
density test is carried out for check the compaction of layers.
Compaction is most useful for the preparation of sub base grade and other pavement layers and in
construction of embankment in order to increase the stability and to decrease settlement. In field
compaction, the compacting moisture content is first controlled at optimum moisture content and the
adequacy of rolling or compaction is controlled by checking the dry density achieved and comparing with
the maximum dry density.
Base layer-98%
Sub base layer-98%
Type 1 layer-95%
ABC layer-100%
Road shoulder- 98%

Field density test

Testing procedure:
The weight of empty sand cone is measured and then filled with dry sand and weighted.
The soil excavated from the hole is collected and weighted.
After weighting, a specimen of soil is taken to determine it water content.
The sand cone is placed on the test hole with the help of the base plate and sand is allowed to run by
opening the control value.
When the sand stops running, the valve is closed and the cone is weighted with the remaining sand.

Then the dry density of soil can be calculated and the present of compaction of otherwise the compaction
is failure. Then, the compacted place to be re-compacted and re-test.

Calculation:

Weight of used sand: 16000mg

Remain sand weight: 4286mg

Density of sand: 1.349mg/cm3

Weight of ABC: 15632.42mg

Volume of cone: 2274cm3

Volume of hole: 8683.47cm3

Density of ABC: 2.48mg/cm

Moisture content: 4.5%

Dry density: 2.33mg/cm3

Degree of compaction: 98%