Revised 6/17/2011 T 99 and T 180

AASHTO T 99 AND T 180 - MOISTURE-DENSITY RELATIONS OF SOILS

Conduct this procedure according to AASHTO T 99 or AASHTO T 180.

Consult the current edition of AASHTO for procedure in its entirety and equipment
specification details.

The NDDOT modifies this standard to only allow the use of Method A and D.
Method D shall only be used in lieu of Method A when there is more than 5% by
weight of material retained on the No. 4 sieve.

Method D shall be used without correction for all soil-aggregates which have all
materials passing the 3/4" sieve. Corrections must be made according to AASHTO
T 224 for all materials which have 30% or less retained on the 3/4" sieve.

If the specified oversized maximum of 30% is exceeded, other methods of

compaction control must be used.

SCOPE

The moisture-density relationship test is also called the Proctor test. This test
method determines the relationship between the moisture content and the density
of soils compacted in a mold. Two different standards of moisture-density
relationships are presently in use by the NDDOT. They vary mainly in the
compaction energy applied to the soil in the mold. The two standards and their
features are summarized below.

METHOD A

FEATURE AASHTO T 99 AASHTO T 180

Weight of Compaction Rammer 5.5 lbs 10 lbs
Distance of Drop 12" 18"
Number of Soil Layers 3 5
Diameter of Mold 4" 4"
Soil Passing Sieve Size No. 4 No. 4
Rammer, Blows/Layer 25 25

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Revised 6/17/2011 T 99 and T 180

METHOD D

FEATURE AASHTO T 99 AASHTO T 180

Weight of Compaction Rammer 5.5 lbs 10 lbs
Distance of Drop 12" 18"
Number of Soil Layers 3 5
Diameter of Mold 6" 6"
Soil Passing Sieve Size No. 4 No. 4
Rammer, Blows/Layer 56 56

REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

AASHTO T 217, Determination of Moisture in Soil by Means of Calcium Carbide

Gas Pressure Moisture Tester (Speedy)
AASHTO T 265, Laboratory Determination of Moisture Content of Soils
ASTM D 2167, Density and Unit Weight of Soil In Place by the Rubber-Balloon
Method
ASTM D 4643, Determination of Moisture Content of Soil by Microwave Oven
Heating

APPARATUS

Compaction equipment including density mold, base and collar, compacting

rammer and guide
Balance, readable to 0.01 lbs (5 g)
Oven
No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve
Mixing tools
Moisture sample cans with lids
Straightedge, 10" long
Knife

SAMPLE SIZE

Method A - A representative soil sample of approximately 35 lbs (15.9 kg) is

required for the Multi-Point Moisture Density Relationship Test, and approximately
7 lbs (3.2 kg) is required for the One-Point Moisture Density Relationship Test.

Method D - A representative soil sample of approximately 125 lbs (55 kg) is

required for the Multi-Point Moisture Density Relationship Test, and approximately
25 lbs (11 kg) is required for the One-Point Moisture Density Relationship Test.

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Revised 6/17/2011 T 99 and T 180

PROCEDURE

Multi-Point Moisture Density Relationship - Mechanical and Manual

Record information on SFN 10063, "Moisture Density Relationship Test."

Calculate and record to the accuracy indicated.

If the soil is damp when received, dry until it is easily crumbled under a trowel. It
can be air dried or oven dried at a temperature up to 140°F (60°C). Break up the
soil chunks so that the entire sample passes through the No. 4 sieve. Avoid
reducing the natural size of the particles. Discard any individual particles of
material retained on the No. 4 sieve or organic material. Divide the sample into five
representative samples of 7 lbs each.

Thoroughly mix the first test sample with water to dampen it approximately four
percentage points below optimum moisture. A good indication of a soil being right
for the first point is if the soil barely forms a “cast” when squeezed together.
Specimen shall be placed in moisture proof container and covered to prevent
moisture loss. Mix remaining specimens in the same manner as test sample one,
increasing water content by approximately one or two percentage points (not
exceeding 2.5%) over each preceding specimen. This can be accomplished by
adding approximately 60 mL* of water. Allow soil samples to cure in moisture proof
containers for a minimum of 12 hours.

*If using Method D, the water added to the sample must be increased from
approximately 60 mL to approximately 215 mL.

Weigh the empty mold without the base plate or collar and record to the nearest
0.01 lb (5 g).

From test sample one: add sufficient material to the mold to produce a compacted
layer of approximately 1-3/4" for AASHTO T 99, or 1" for AASHTO T 180. Gently
level the soil surface in the mold. *Using a manual compaction rammer or a similar
device with a 2" face (50 mm), lightly tamp the soil until it is no longer loose or
fluffy. Compact the soil with **25 evenly distributed blows of the compaction
rammer. After each layer, trim any soil along the mold walls that has not been
compacted with a knife and distribute on top of the layer.

*When completing this process using a mechanical compactor, it is

recommended to use a spare or extra replacement rammer.

**If using Method D, compact the soil with **56 evenly distributed blows.

When using a manual compactor, remember to hold the rammer perpendicular to

the base of the mold and lift the rammer to its maximum upward position.

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Revised 6/17/2011 T 99 and T 180

Repeat this procedure adding more soil from the same sample each time so that at
the end of the last cycle, the top surface of the compacted soil is above the top rim
of the mold when the collar is removed.

Remove the collar and trim off the extruding soil level with the top of the mold. In
removing the collar, rotate it to break the bond between it and the soil before lifting
it off the mold. This prevents dislodging chunks of compacted soil when lifting the
collar off. The trimming consists of many small scraping motions with a knife or
straightedge.

After trimming the soil level with the top of the mold, clean all loose material from
the outside of the mold. Weigh the soil and mold to the nearest 0.01 lb (5 g) and
record. Subtract the weight of the mold from this weight and divide the result by
the volume of the mold. Record results as wet density in pounds per cubic foot
(pcf). Compute and record wet density to the nearest 0.1 pcf.

Wet Weight of Soil = Weight of Mold + Soil – Weight of Mold

Wet Density, pcf = Wet Weight of Soil/Volume of Mold

Remove the soil from the mold and slice through the center vertically. Obtain a
representative sample of approximately 100 grams from one of the cut faces.
Take the sample from the full length of the inside of the soil cylinder. Place the
moist sample in a container, cover and weigh. Record the weight of the wet soil.
Record this and all moisture weights to the nearest 0.1 gram.

Dry the sample to a constant weight according to AASHTO T 265, Laboratory

Determination of Moisture Content of Soils.

Calculate the percent moisture to the nearest 0.1% using the following formula:

Calculate the percent moisture as follows:

(mass of moisture/mass of dry sample X 100) or

% Moisture = [(Wet Weight – Dry Weight)/(Dry Weight – Tare)] x 100

Tare = Tare weight of container and lid

Wet Weight = Wet weight of sample, container and lid
Dry Weight = Dry weight of sample, container and lid

Compute and record dry density to the nearest 0.1 pcf.

The formula is as follows:

Dry Density, pcf = (Wet Density X 100)/(100 + % Moisture)

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Revised 6/17/2011 T 99 and T 180

Using specimen number two, repeat the compaction procedure previously

described. Continue this process, with the remaining samples, until there is a
decrease in the wet density per cubic foot.

GRAPH

The objective of this procedure is to determine the maximum dry density and
optimum moisture content for this particular soil. Based on the results obtained
from conducting consecutive Proctors with changes in moisture, plot each test
result on the cross-ruled area on the form with the moisture content plotted on the
abscissa (x) and the density on the ordinate (y).

After all the results are plotted, draw a smooth flowing curve through or close to the
plotted points. From the peak of the curve, select the maximum dry density and
optimum moisture. Report maximum dry density to the nearest 1 lb/ft³ and
optimum moisture to the nearest 0.1%.

NOTES

During compaction, the mold shall rest firmly on a dense, uniform, rigid, and stable
foundation or base. This base shall remain stationary during the compaction
process. Each of the following has been found to be a satisfactory base on which
to rest the mold during compaction of the soil: (1) a block of concrete with a mass
not less than 200 lbs (90 kg) supported by a relatively stable foundation; (2) a
sound concrete floor; and (3) for field applications, such surfaces are found in
concrete box culverts, bridges, and pavements.

The moisture-density test is used to establish a value of density on which

construction requirements can be based. It is a test conducted on a single
identifiable soil and results may vary considerably between different soils.

Make every effort to space the moisture contents no further apart than 2.5% in
order to accurately determine the maximum dry density and optimum moisture
content.

CALIBRATION

A calibration check of the equipment should be performed annually as a minimum,

or whenever damage or repair occurs.

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Revised 6/17/2011 T 99 and T 180

One-Point Moisture Density Relationship with Typical Moisture-Density

Curve Method

After analyzing a large number of both T 99 and T 180 moisture-density curves

that generally represent statewide soil types, it was found the curves follow the
trends shown on the graphs on the following pages. The graphs with the following
procedure may be used in place of performing the entire moisture-density
relationship test. It is recommended that the Multi-Point Moisture Density
Relationship be used whenever possible.

PROCEDURE

The procedure that follows is written for a test using one sample of approximately
7 lbs (3.2 kg) of material. Thoroughly mix the soil sample with water and dampen it
approximately to, but not over Optimum Moisture. Conduct a Proctor test as
previously described in the Multi-Point Moisture Density Relationship.

GRAPH

Use the following graph, whichever is appropriate either T 99 or T 180, to locate

the point defined by the two values obtained from the Proctor.

If the point lies directly on a curve, follow this curve to its peak and read off the
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. If the point lies in-between
two curves, follow the two curves to their peaks and interpolate the maximum dry
density and optimum moisture content. Report maximum dry density to the nearest
1 lb/ft³ and optimum moisture to the nearest 0.1%.

NOTES

When the rubber balloon method is used for the density test, use the same
material from the hole for the one-point determination. To get sufficient material,
enlarge the hole after the rubber balloon test is complete and use the additional
material collected.

In order to perform the test in conjunction with and at the same location as the in-
place density test, there are steel-capped, wooden pedestals available to support
the mold base plate. During compaction, place the mold and pedestal on firm level
ground.

Perform moisture content test according to AASHTO T 217, Determination of

Moisture in Soil by Means of Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Moisture Tester
(Speedy). Or, if there is a field lab available to conduct the moisture determination,
obtain the sample in the same manner described previously according to ASTM D
4643, Determination of Moisture Content of Soil by Microwave Oven Heating, and
AASHTO T 265, Laboratory Determination of Moisture Content of Soils.

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Revised 6/17/2011 T 99 and T 180

When using the graphs, a soil on the wet side of optimum could result in a
substantial error when selecting the maximum dry density. Most specifications
require the moisture content to be at or above optimum, thus it can be assumed
that this is the condition that most samples are in. If the sample is judged to be
slightly wetter than optimum, dry it to a condition slightly drier than optimum before
compacting.

CALIBRATION

A calibration check of the equipment should be performed annually as a minimum,

or whenever damage or repair occurs.

T 99 and T 180 Page 7 of 7

 114

110

106

102

100% Saturation
98 Specific Gravity
2.65
94
Dry Density PCF

90

86

82

78

74

70
4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 38

Moisture Content Percent

Typical Moisture-Density Relationship Curves for T-99 Compaction
 134

130

126

122

118
Dry Density PCF

114

110
100% Saturation
Specific Gravity
106 2.65

102

98

94

90

86
4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32

Moisture Content Percent

Typical Moisture-Density Relationship Curves for T-180 Compaction