The Sand Cone method and Rubber Balloon Density method

are techniques used to determine the quality of

compacted operations in fills and embankments or to
evaluate the density of soils.
The Sand cone method is performed by removing a soil sample
from the earth and measuring its weight (W). The volume (V)
of the excavated soil is then determined by measuring the
volume of fine sand required to fill the hole.
The rubber balloon density test is performed in a similar manner
with the exception being the method of determining the
volume of the excavated soil. A certain amount of soil
is removed from the groundand placed in a moisture-tight container
for evaluation of its weight (W) and water content (w). A base
plate and rubber balloon apparatus are placed over the test hole.
..
This technique cannot be used in saturated or soft soils that
may deform when the balloon inflates while measuring the soil
volume. This technique should not be used in compacted fills that
contain crushed gravel, as the sharp edges of the aggregate may
puncture the rubber membrane [1].
Density Test: Rubber Balloon Method - determines the in-place soil
density of compacted or firmly bonded soil using a rubber ballon
apparatus: ASTM
Sand cone method - a sand replacement method for determining the
field unit weight or the in-situ density of natural or compacted soil.
The main application of this test is in cases like embankment
and pavement construction: this is basically a quality control test
where a certain degree of compaction is required: ASTM [2]
In-situ density of a granular deposit at or near the ground surface is
generally determined by field tests. These include sand cone and rubber balloon
methods. Field density tests are used extensively to determine if modification
is needed and to monitor the progress and results of compaction efforts.
-----------------The laboratory compaction test gives
maximum dry density for a given soil
effort. During construction, control
extent the compaction specifications

the optimum moisture content and the

to be compacted with a given amount of
tests are run to to find out to what
are being met

There are many methods for determining the in-situ density of soils. These
include: (a) The Sand Cone method, (b) The Rubber Balloon method
------Field density. Common methods are based on excavating a hole at the site and
measuring the volume of the hole and the mass of the excavated soil. Field
density is the ratio of the excavated soil to the volume of the hole. The volume
of the hole is measured in a variety of ways using mostly sand or water
replacement methods.
References:
[1]https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=BzBBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA80&dq=determining+the+density+and+unit+weight+by
+rubber+balloon&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=determining%20the%20density%2
0and
%20unit%20weight%20by%20rubber%20balloon&f=false

[2]https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=zSwpSlSMfEMC&pg=PA328&dq=field+density+t
est+using+rubber+balloon+and
+sand+cone&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=
y#v=onepage&q=field%20density%20test%20using%20rubber%20balloon%20and%20sand%20c
one&f=false