Field Density test Calculation in Sand Replacement Method

In case of field density test by sand replacement method the steps involved for calculation are as
follows:-

1. Determine the Bulk Density of Sand

The first step in case of sand replacement method is to calibrate the sand to be used i.e. to
determine its bulk density.

This step should be carried out in the laboratory in order to avoid any error or mistake because the
sanctity of test calculation is based on this parameter.

The calculation is as follows :-

 Volume of the calibrating cylinder; V = ((Pi) d^2/4) x h =5500 ml. ; where ‘d’ is dia of cylinder and
‘h’ is height of cylinder
 Weight of calibrating cylinder; W1 = 819 gm
 Weight of calibrating cylinder full of sand; W2 = 8650 gm
 Weight of sand: WS = W1 – W2 = 7831 gm
 Bulk Density of Sand ρs = WS / V = 7831 gm/ 5500 ml. = 1.4238 gm/cc = 8 kg/m3
In the field the first step is to excavate the hole by securing the excavated soil. A flat metal plate is
placed on the soil. The hole is excavated around the hole of the metal plate by hammering the chisel
into the soil up to sufficient depth.

Background of Field Density Test Calculations

2. Determine the weight of the sand in the hole

In this step a hole of at least 150 mm depth is excavated in the soil carefully. The apparatus full of
sand is placed on the hole and shutter is opened to fill the hole with sand.
When the sand stops from further going in the hole, apparatus is removed.

But in this process a heap of sand contained in the funnel would also accumulate on the hole whose
weight should be subtracted to get the correct weight of sand in the hole.

For this the sand apparatus is placed on a flat glass and shutter is opened just to know the weight of
sand in the funnel.

 Weight of apparatus full of sand; W3 = 8650 gm.

 Weight of apparatus with remaining sand; W4 = 8100 gm.
 Weight of sand filling the funnel / cone = W5 = W3-W4 = 8650 -8100 = 550 gm.
Now the apparatus is placed on hole and process is repeated.

 Weight of apparatus full of sand; W6 = 8650 gm.

 Weight of apparatus with remaining sand; W7 = 6704.7 gm.
 Weight of sand filled in soil hole plus funnel heap = W8 = 1945.3 gm.
 Weight of sand in the hole = W9 = W8 – W5 = 1945.3 – 550 gm = 1395.3 gm.

3. Calculate the volume of hole

 Volume of hole: Vh = (weight of sand in hole W9) / (bulk density of sand ρs) = 1.3953 kg / 1423.8
kg/m3 = 9.8 x 10-4 m3.

4. Determine the bulk weight of soil

The weight of the soil excavated from the hole i.e. secured in the metal plate is then weighed.

W10 = bulk weight of the excavated soil = 1896.5 gm.

5. Calculate the in-situ bulk density of soil

Bulk density of the soil ρb= bulk weight of soil W10 / Volume of hole Vh = 1.8965 gm / 9.8 x 10-
4 m3 = 1934.6 kg / m3

γb = 1934.6 kg / m3
6. Determine the in-situ moisture content of the soil
The excavated sample of soil is placed in a moisture container whose weight is already noted and is
than placed in oven for drying and afterwards dry weight is estimated to calculate the moisture
content as follows.

 weight of empty container = W11 = 14.6 gm.

 weight of wet soil + container = W12 = 62.9 gm.
 weight of wet soil = W13 = W12 – W11 = 56.6 gm.
 weight of dry soil = W14 = 42 gm.
 moisture content = m = (W13 – W14 )/ W14 x 100 = 15 %
7. Calculate the dry density of soil
γd = γb / (1+m/100) = 1934.6 / (1+0.15) = 1682.2 kg/m3
γd = 1682.2 kg / m3
8. Determine the degree of compaction by comparing with MDD (Maximum Dry Density)

 Maximum dry density MDD obtained by Proctor Test = 1766.31 kg/m3

 Degree of Compaction (DOC) = (dry density of soil / MDD) x 100 = (1682.2 / 1766.31) x 100
DOC = 95.2 %