Mapua University: Experiment No. 6 Field Density Test
Mapua University: Experiment No. 6 Field Density Test
Mapua University: Experiment No. 6 Field Density Test
EXPERIMENT NO. 6
PROCEDURES
Two calibration procedures are required for this test – one to determine the
density and unit weight of sand used in the test and the other to determine the
weight of sand required to fill the sand cone (funnel). These procedures are as
follows:
1. Digging tools, such as earth auger, chisel hammers, picks and spoons
- Use for digging hole
2. Spoons
- Use to transfer the dug material to the container
3. Guide plate, about 304.8 mm by 304.8 mm by 4.76 mm with a 152.4 mm
diameter hole in the center
- Use as guide for digging hole
4. Balance, 10 kg capacity, readable to 1.0 gram
- Use to weight the material
5. Oven with temperature control
- Use to dry the material
6. Sand, clean, dry, free-flowing, uncemented sand having a maximum particle
size smaller than 2.0 mm (No. 10) sieve and less than 3 % by weight passing
250 μm (No. 60) sieve.
- Use for the sand cone test
7. Sand cone apparatus, with metal funnel (sand-cone), valve and sand container
- Use to test the field density
8. Sieves No. 4, 20, and 30
- Use to separate fine materials
9. Soil pans
- Use to contain soil
Earth Auger Chisel
Hammer Pick
The experiment focuses on determining the density of soil, knowing the dry
density of soil is important for evaluating the degree of compaction. In previous
experiment it is discuss that the compaction of soil plays vital role in construction
process. It is needed to be considered in designs to improve structural integrity of
the structure, since compaction deals mostly in the settlement. This is because the
pressure exerted by the soil would determine if soil would settle and following
design and procedures are required to avoid failure.
Since the dry density of the compacted soil is a common measure of the
amount of compaction achieved during the construction process. Thu field density
test plays vital role as field control test for the degree of compaction soil. This serve
as the measuring procedure if the soil is suitable for the structure designed, since
the degree of compaction deals with increasing the bearing stress to avoid
settlements and failure in the future. Field density test would be the quality checker
in the field for the degree of compaction of soil.
TECHNICAL OBSERVATION
First, this experiment would require the bulk density of sand, which would be
needed to compute the volume of the hole made in the embankment. This is
determined prior to using the test. Another important requirement is the cone
correction factor, which is, determine by calibrating the instrument. The cone
correction factor is the amount of sand it takes to fill the cone of testing apparatus;
this includes space between the baser plate and the surface of the test. In the
video it was discuss that the weight of the removed soil and the bulk density are
use to determine the volume of the test hole, the volume of the test hole is used to
determine the dry density.
There are also ways to improve the accuracy of the data results, first is that
when removing the soil from the test hole proceed with caution not lose the
material, and fine brush must be used for the removing particle from apparatus
and the plate. Another is to make sure that the container is fully dry and non-
absorbent, because this would affect the recorded weight for the soil removed.
Lastly, is when doing the test make sure that there are no disturbances such as
vibrations because vibration could affect the bulk density of the sand and decrease
the accuracy of the result.
REFERENCE/S
1- http://www.mocivilengineering.com/2019/12/field-density-test-sand-cone-
method.html#:~:text=Knowing%20the%20dry%20density%20of,of%20the%2
0soil%20or%20pavement.
2- http://www.prbdb.gov.in/files/Quality%20Control%20Training/Tests%20on%2
0Soils/Field%20Density%20Test%20by%20Sand%20Replacement%20Meth
od.pdf