TEST METHOD FOR EARTHWORK COMPACTION CONTROL …

1 TEST METHOD FOR EARTHWORK COMPACTION CONTROL BY SAND CONE OR VOLUMETER APPARATUS GEOTECHNICAL TEST METHOD GTM-9 Revision #3 AUGUST 2015 EB 15-025 Page 1 of 13 GEOTECHNICAL TEST METHOD : TEST METHOD FOR EARTHWORK COMPACTION CONTROL BY SAND CONE OR VOLUMETER APPARATUS GTM-9 Revision #3 STATE OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING BUREAU AUGUST 2015 EB 15-025 Page 2 of 13 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. SCOPE ..3 2. SUMMARY OF METHOD ..3 3. 4. EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION ..5 Sand Cone Apparatus Volume Correction ..5 Sand Calibration Factor ..5 Volumeter ..6 5. TEST PROCEDURE ..7 Test Location Data ..7 Testing and Sampling ..7 Determination of Plus in. (19 mm) Material and Moisture Content.

2 9 CONTROL Density ..11 APPENDIX ..13 A. Sand Cone Apparatus Drawing SM 1685 .. A-1 Density Cylinder Drawing SM 1563 .. A-2 B. Sand Density Calibration - Form SM 85 R1 .. B-1 C. Density Correction Curves Plus 3/4" (19 mm) Material Specific Gravity - Figure 1 ..C-1 D. COMPACTION CONTROL Curves - Family 1 and Family 2 .. D-1 E. Field COMPACTION Sheet - Sand Cone or Volumeter Apparatus - Form SM 417b .. E-1 EB 15-025 Page 3 of 13 1. SCOPE This test METHOD describes the procedure for determining the in-place density and moisture of EARTHWORK through the use of a sand cone or volumeter apparatus. This METHOD may be used in conjunction with either the Standard (AASHTO T-99) or Modified proctor (AASHTO T-180) Density Test for determining the percent of Maximum Density.

3 The details included in this test METHOD are for use with the Standard proctor Test. 2. SUMMARY OF METHOD The test consists of the following steps which are explained in the test procedure: - Determining the Wet Density - Determining the Moisture Content - Calculating the Dry Density - Determining the Maximum Density - Calculating the percent of Maximum Density 3. EQUIPMENT a. Sand Cone Apparatus: The sand cone apparatus consists of a container for the calibrated sand; a conical, stopcock-controlled outlet; and a base plate. The base of the conical outlet shall have a nominal interior diameter of 6 in. (150 mm), and shall be flared flat to fit the base plate. The base plate and container are matched and fitted; they are not to be interchanged with other units.

4 The sand container shall be capable of holding no less than 8 lbs. ( kg) or 1 ( m3) of calibrated sand. See Geotechnical Engineering Bureau Drawing No. SM 1685 (Appendix A) for an acceptable apparatus. Volumeter: The sand cone displacement volumeter with its matching base plate may be substituted for the sand cone apparatus. The volumeter has been calibrated to read volume directly as opposed to the sand cone apparatus which requires a conversion from weight to volume. b. Density Cylinder: 1/30 (944 cm3) volume, in accordance with AASHTO Standard Density Test T-99 or Geotechnical Engineering Bureau Drawing No. SM 1563A (Appendix A). c. Rammer: Refer to AASHTO T-99 or T-180. d. Scale: Minimum of 30 lb. ( kg) capacity to weigh directly to the nearest lb.

5 (5 g). EB 15-025 Page 4 of 13 e. Balance: Approximately 1600 g capacity, to weigh directly to the nearest g. f. Steel Straight Edge: 9 to 12 in. (230 mm to 300 mm). g. Gas or Electric Stove. h. Sieve: in. (19 mm). i. Pail: 10 qt. ( L) size or larger. * j. Knife: Butcher. * k. Hammer: 1 lb. ( kg) minimum weight. * l. Chisel: 1 in. (25 mm) blade width by 9 in. (230 mm) length. * m. Skillet: 12 in. (300 mm) diameter. n. Spoon: Basting type. * o. Spatula: 6 in. (150 mm) length of blade. p. Cans: Friction top with covers, 1 gal ( L) size. * q. Pans: 24 in. (600 mm) square and 3 to 4 in. (75 mm to 100 mm) high. r. Tares: Numbered cake pans or pie plates for moisture content determinations. s. Paint Brush: 2 in. (50 mm) size. t. Calibrated Sand: Clean dry sand.

6 (a) Standard Ottawa Sand; or (b) Washed sand passing the No. 20 ( mm) sieve and retained on the No. 40 ( mm) sieve; or (c) Flint Shot Grade, Size 2Q. u. Calibrated Container: Having a capacity of (2832 cm3), an inside diameter of 6 in. (150 mm) and an inside height of in (155 mm): used for calibrating the sand. v. COMPACTION CONTROL Curves: Family 1 and Family 2, (3 sheets) dated 02/28/77, see Appendix D. w. Plus in. (19 mm) Correction Curve: A curve for a specific gravity of is included. See Appendix C. Curves for other specific gravities are available from the Regional Geotechnical Engineer. x. Form SM 417: Field COMPACTION Sheet, sand cone or volumeter apparatus (Appendix E). * The equipment annotated by asterisks are not essential, but are considered desirable.

7 EB 15-025 Page 5 of 13 4. EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION Sand Cone Apparatus Volume Correction A portion of the sand released from the sand cone apparatus during the test remains in the cone. The apparatus volume correction is the weight of this material. This correction value must be determined for each sand cone apparatus and is usually furnished by the Regional Geotechnical Engineer. Form SM 85 R1 Sand Density Calibration (Appendix B), may be used for the sand cone apparatus volume correction and the sand calibration factor (Section ). It is determined in the following manner: - Avoid all vibrations of the equipment while filling or emptying the apparatus. - On a level surface, fill the apparatus with sand through the cone at a uniform rate until sand stops.

8 - Close the stopcock carefully and pour off the excess sand remaining in the cone. - Weigh the filled sand cone apparatus. - Invert the sand cone apparatus on the base plate on a smooth and level surface such as a table. - Open the stopcock and allow the sand to flow out of the apparatus. Do not allow any sand to spill outside of the cone during this operation. - Close the stopcock after the flow of sand has stopped. - Remove and weigh the sand cone apparatus. The difference in weight is the Apparatus Volume Correction lbs. This value will remain constant for each apparatus unless the cone subsequently becomes dented or the calibrated sand changes. If the cone becomes dented or the calibrated sand changes, the apparatus volume correction must be re-determined.

9 Sand Calibration Factor The sand calibration factor is the loose unit weight of the calibrated sand. The Regional Geotechnical Engineer will normally furnish this value. It is determined in the following manner: - Weigh a filled sand cone apparatus. - Place the matched base plate over a calibrated container of known volume. Invert the filled sand cone apparatus on the base plate. - Open the stopcock until the sand tops flowing. - Close the stopcock. - Weigh the sand cone apparatus. - Subtract the second weight and the apparatus volume correction from the first (filled) weight. - Divide the difference in weights by the known volume of the calibrated container. This value is the Sand Calibration Factor pcf.

10 It should remain constant. EB 15-025 Page 6 of 13 The sand calibration factor and the apparatus volume correction must be for the calibrated sand actually being used for the test. Any time the sand supplied changes or there is any reason to suspect a difference in material, then both the Apparatus Volume Correction and the Sand Calibration Factor must be re-determined. Volumeter The volumeter and matching base plate have been calibrated. No additional calibration is required even if the appearance of the sand changes. To fill the volumeter: a). Make sure the volumeter is empty. b). Set the volumeter with the stopcock open on a firm, level area with the cone end up. c). Fill the plastic container completely by pouring the sand into the cone.