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JIS
Soil density test method by the sand
replacement method

JIS A 1214 : 2013

(JGS)

March 25, 2021 Revision

Japan Industrial Standards Committee Deliberation

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A 1214:2013

Table of Contents
PREFACE........................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Scope of Application ................................................................................................................ 3
2. Reference Standard .................................................................................................................. 3
3. Terms and Definitions .............................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Sand replacement method ..................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Wet density ............................................................................................................................ 3
3.3 Dry density ............................................................................................................................ 3
4. Test Equipment ........................................................................................................................ 4
4.1 Density tester ......................................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Base plate .............................................................................................................................. 4
4.3 Glass plate ............................................................................................................................. 4
4.4 Test sand ................................................................................................................................ 4
4.5 Scales ..................................................................................................................................... 5
4.6 Other equipment .................................................................................................................... 5
5. Test method .............................................................................................................................. 6
5.1 Calibration of measuring instrument volume and test sand density...................................... 6
5.2 Soil density measurement on site .......................................................................................... 8
6. Calculations.............................................................................................................................. 9
6.1 Volume of jar and pycnometer top ........................................................................................ 9
6.2 Density of Test Sand ......................................................................................................... 9
6.3 Soil Density ...................................................................................................................... 9
7. Reports ................................................................................................................................... 10
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A 1214:2013
Japanese Industrial Standards
JIS
A 1214:2013

Test Method for Soil Density by the Sand Replacement Method

PREFACE
This standard was established in 1953 and has been revised seven times since then. The previous
revision was made in 2001, but it has been revised to accommodate subsequent changes in notation
and revisions to the specification sheet format (JIS Z 8301:2008).
Note that no corresponding international standards have been established at this time.

1. Scope of Application
This standard specifies a test method for determining in-situ soil density using the sand
displacement method.
Note that testing using the equipment and methods specified in this standard is limited to soil
with a maximum particle size of 53 mm or less.

2. Reference Standard
The following standards constitute part of the provisions of this standard by being cited in this
standard. The latest version (including any amendments) of these cited standards shall be
applied.
JIS A 1203 – Test Method for water content of soils
JIS A 1210 – Test method for Soil compaction using a rammer
JIS Z 8801-1 Test sieve Part 1: Test sieves of metal wire cloth

3. Terms and Definitions

The main terms and definitions used in this standard are as follows:

3.1 Sand replacement method

A method in which a dig test hole is filled with sand material of known density, and the
volume of the test hole is determined from the filled mass.

3.2 Wet density

Mass of water contained in soil particles and pores per unit volume of soil.

3.3 Dry density

Mass of soil particles per unit volume of soil.
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A 1214:2013

4. Test Equipment
4.1 Density tester
The density measuring device (hereinafter referred to as the measuring device) is an
integrated container made by assembling a jar and an attachment, and as a general rule, it
shall consist of parts with the dimensions and shape shown in Figure 1.
a. Jar, a jar is a transparent container with a capacity of approximately 4000cm³ and a
height of approximately 200mm, and the tip is connected to an attachment. It shall
be threaded so that it can be attached. Air gaps in the shoulder of the jar when
measuring sand density. The shoulders of the jar should be smooth so that it does not
bleed. Note: It is desirable that the bottom shape of the measuring instrument be such
that it can be stably stood upside down when assembled.
b. Attachments, attachments shall be made of metal and include the following parts:
1) Pycnometer top, a small funnel-shaped piece whose top end has a female
thread to connect a jar, and whose bottom end is fixed to the valve guide.
2) Funnel, the inner diameter of the lower end shall be (162±1) mm, the height
from the lower end to the valve guide shall be (134±1) mm, and the upper
end shall be fixed to the valve guide.
3) Valve guide A part that fixes the pycnometer top and funnel, and shall have a
hole and a valve with a diameter of (12.5±0.5) mm.

4.2 Base plate

The base plate shall be a circular metal plate approximately 300 mm in diameter or square
approximately 300 mm on a side with the dimensions shown in Figure 1, and shall have a
hole in the center equal to the inside diameter of the funnel.

4.3 Glass plate

The glass plate shall be square with a thickness of approximately 5 mm and a side of
approximately 200 mm.

4.4 Test sand

The test sand shall be of a particle size range that passes through a 2 mm opening of a metal
mesh sieve specified in JIS Z 8801-1 and remains at 75 µm, and must be washed with water
and thoroughly dried.
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A 1214:2013

4.5 Scales
The scale shall be capable of reading up to 1 gr.

4.6 Other equipment

Other equipment shall be as follows:
a) Sieve The sieve shall be a metal mesh sieve specified in JIS Z 8801-1 with openings
of 75 µm, 2 mm, 26.5 mm, and 53 mm.
b) Moisture content measuring device. The moisture content measuring device shall be
specified in JIS A 1203.
c) Equipment for drilling test holes. The equipment for drilling test holes shall be as
follows.
1) Hand scoop or spoon
2) Chisels, chisels, or similar items
3) Mallet or hammer
d) Straight knife A straight knife shall be made of steel and have a single edge and a
length of 250 mm or more as specified in JIS A 1210.
e) Thermometer The thermometer shall have a minimum scale of 1°C or less.
f) Excavated soil storage equipment Excavated soil storage equipment shall be
containers or plastic bags.
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5. Test method
5.1 Calibration of measuring instrument volume and test sand density
5.1.1 Calibration of the volume of the jar and pycnometer top
Calibration of the volume of the jar and pycnometer top is as follows.
a) Assemble the measuring device and measure the mass m₁ (gr) of the measuring
device.
b) Stand the meter upside down (funnel facing up, jar facing down) and open the valve.
c) Fill the jar and pycnometer top with water by filling the meter with water from the
top of the funnel. At this time, make sure that there are no air bubbles left in the jar
and the top of the pycnometer.
d) Close the valve, discard any remaining water in the funnel, and thoroughly wipe the
outside of the meter and the inside of the funnel with a dry cloth.
e) After measuring the mass m2 (gr) of the measuring device filled with water,
immediately measure the temperature (°C) of the water in the measuring device.
f) Calculate the volume V₁ (cm³) of the jar and pycnometer top for the measured water
temperature using the method shown in 6.1.
g) Repeat steps a) to f) three times. If the difference between the maximum and
minimum values of the three measurements is less than 5 cm², the average value shall
be taken as the volume of the jar and the top of the pycnometer, V₁ (cm³). If the
difference between the maximum and minimum values exceeds 5cm, repeat steps a)
to f) until the difference is 5 cm² or less.
Note 1: The volume V₁ (cm³) of the jar and pycnometer top obtained from this test remains
unchanged as long as the instrument temperature remains constant and the assembled
position of the jar and attachment does not change, so the connection position during the test
should always be kept constant. It's a good idea to mark the jars to keep them in check.
Note 2: It is desirable that the temperature of the measuring device remains constant.
Note that if the temperature of the measuring device changes over a wide range, the V₁ (cm³)
value will also vary accordingly. It is a good idea to perform the operation and obtain a
calibration curve for the change in 1 (cm³) value due to temperature change.

5.1.2 Calibration of test sand density

Calibration of the density of test sand shall be as follows.
Note: When the sand is subjected to vibration, the sand becomes densely packed and the
density of the sand is required to be large. As a result, the desired density of the soil is
obtained.
a) After drying the inside, stand the meter upside down on a horizontal surface [same
as 5.1.1 b)] and close the valve.
b) Fill the funnel with test sand to the top, open the valve and add sand until the jar and
pycnometer are full. At this time, the sand in the funnel moves to the bottom, so the
sand level gradually lowers, but that level is always at the height of the funnel. Add
sand to make it more than half full.
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c) Once the sand has stopped moving and the jar and pycnometer top are filled with
sand, close the valve and let the sand remain in the funnel. Discard the sand and
measure the mass m3 (gr) of the measuring device filled with sand.
d) Subtract the mass of the measuring device alone, m₁ (gr), from the mass of the
measuring device filled with sand, m3 (gr), to determine the quality of the sand in the
measuring device. Find the quantity m4 (gr).
e) The density of the test sand is determined by calculating the volume of the measuring
device obtained in 5.1.1, V₁ (cm³), and the mass of sand in the measuring device m4
(gr), using the calculation in 6.2.
f) Repeat steps a) to e) three or more times. If the difference between the maximum and
minimum values of the three measurements is within 0.85% of the average value, the
average value shall be taken as the density pas of the test sand. If the difference
between the maximum and minimum values exceeds 0.85%, repeat steps a) to e)
until a calibration result that satisfies the specifications is obtained.
Note 1 The volume of the measuring device V₁ (cm³) is the value corresponding to
the temperature of the measuring device when performing operations a) to d), and
if necessary, determine the value of V₁ (cm³) from the calibration curve described
in note 2 of 5.1.1.
Note 2 The density of the test sand is measured using a container whose volume is
known to be approximately the same as the volume of the test hole to be excavated
on site. It is okay. In that case, the method for measuring the volume of the test hole
specified in 5.2.2 shall be applied mutatis mutandis.
Note 3: The density of the test sand varies depending on the moisture content or
particle size of the sand, which affects the soil density test results. For this reason,
during transportation, storage, and on-site testing of test sand, control should be
taken to ensure that the moisture content and particle size do not change from those
at the time of calibration.

5.1.3 Calibration of the mass of test sand required to fill the funnel
Calibration of the mass of test sand required to fill the funnel is as follows.
a) Pre-fill the jar with enough test sand to fill the funnel, close the valve and connect
the meter to the jar. Measure the mass of the sand in m3' (gr). If you perform this
calibration following the calibration in 5.1.2, use the java obtained in 5.1.2 c). Let
m3 (gr) be the mass of sand filled in the top of the pycnometer.
b) Place the base plate on a horizontal glass plate, and then stand the measuring device
on top of it so that the funnel is in close contact with it (with the funnel mouth facing
down and the jar facing up).
c) Open the valve and pour the sand in the jar into the funnel. Close the valve after the
sand has stopped moving.
d) Remove the sand that has moved into the funnel, measure the mass m5 (gr) of the
measuring device and the remaining sand, and calculate the mass m6 (gr) of sand
required to fill the funnel from m₃' – m5 (gr).
e) Repeat steps a) to d) three or more times. If the difference between the maximum and
minimum values of the three measurements is within 0.85% of the average value, the
average value shall be the mass of test sand m6 (g) required to fill the funnel. If the
difference between the maximum and minimum values exceeds 0.85%, repeat steps
a) to d) until a calibration result that satisfies the specifications is obtained.
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5.2 Soil density measurement on site

5.2.1 Preparation before measurement and method of drilling test holes
Preparation before measurement and method of drilling test holes shall be as follows.
a) Level the ground surface at the test location with a straight knife. At this time, remove
any loose soil, stones, or debris on the ground surface.
b) Place the base plate in close contact with the level ground surface.
c) Remove the soil inside the hole in the base plate using a test hole drilling tool to
ensure that the hole is as vertical as possible and undisturbed. dig. Place the entire
amount of excavated soil in a plastic bag or container, and store by sealing the
opening of the plastic bag or covering the container to prevent the moisture content
from changing.
d) The depth of the test hole shall be approximately 10 to 15 cm.
Note: When the maximum soil particle size is large, the minimum volume of the
test hole should be as shown in Table 1. Approximate maximum particle size of soil
should be determined using a sieve or visually.

5.2.2 Measurement of the mass of soil excavated from the test hole and the volume of the
test hole.
The mass of soil excavated from the test hole and the volume of the test hole shall be
measured as follows.
a) Measure the total mass m7 (gr) of the soil excavated from the test hole.
b) Mix the weighed soil thoroughly and determine the water content ratio w (%)
from it by the method specified in JIS A 1203.
c) Perform the same operations as in 5.1.2 a) to c) to find m3 (gr).
d) Align the funnel with the hole in the base plate and stand the meter upright.
e) Open the valve and close the valve after sand movement in the jar has stopped.
f) Measure the mass m8 (gr) of the measuring device and the remaining sand, and
calculate the mass m9 (gr) of the sand that entered the test hole and funnel from
m3-m8 (gr). Subtract the mass of sand required to fill the funnel, m6 (gr), from m9
(gr) to find the mass of sand, m10 (gr), required to fill the test hole. The volume of
the test hole Vo (cm³) is calculated according to 6.3a).
NOTE It is desirable to avoid imparting vibrations to the sand throughout the
measurement of the volume of the test hole.

5.2.3 How to determine soil density

Using the values of m7 (gr), Vo (cm³) and w (%) obtained from the test in 5.2.2, calculate
the density of the soil from 6.3. The number of measurements per test hole shall be one.
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6. Calculations
6.1 Volume of jar and pycnometer top
The volume of the top of the pycnometer, including the volume of the jar and valve hole,
is calculated using the following formula (1).
1
𝑉1 = ρ (𝑚2 − 𝑚1 ) ……………………………………………. (1)
𝑤

V1: Volume of pycnometer top including volume of jar and valve hole (cm3)
m1: Mass of measuring instrument (gr)
m2: Mass when the jar and top of the pycnometer are filled with water (gr)
ρw: Density of water (gr/cm3) at measured water temperature (°C) (see Table 2)

6.2 Density of Test Sand

The density if the test sand is calculated using the following formula (2).
𝑚3 −𝑚1 𝑚4
𝜌𝑑𝑠 = = ………………………………………………… (2)
𝑉1 𝑉1

ρds : Density of test sand (gr/cm3)

V1 : Volume of pycnometer top including volume of jar and valve hole (cm3)
m1 : Mass of measuring instrument (gr)
m3 : Mass when jar and pycnometer top are filled with sand (gr)
m4 : Mass of sand in measuring device (gr)

6.3 Soil Density

Soil density is calculated as follows. The water content ratio is expressed in units of 0.1%.
the density of soil is expressed in units of 0.001 gr/cm3, and numbers are rounded off to the
nearest whole number.
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a) Volume of the test hole. The volume of the test hole shall be calculated using the
following formula (3).

𝑚9 −𝑚6 𝑚10
𝑉0 = = ………………………………………………… (3)
𝜌𝑑𝑠 𝜌𝑑𝑠

V0 : Test hole volume (cm3)

m6 : Mass of sand required to fill the funnel (gr)
m9 : Mass of sand in the test hole and funnel (gr)
m10 : Mass of sand required to fill the test hole (gr)

b) Wet Density. Wet density is calculated using the following equation (4).
𝑚
𝜌𝑡 = 𝑉 7 ………………………………………………………… (4)
0

ρt : Wet density (gr/cm3)

m7 : Mass of wet soil excavated from the test hole (gr)

c) Dry density. The dry density is calculated using the following formula (5).
𝜌
𝜌𝑑 = 1+(𝑤 𝑡 ) …………………………………………………… (5)
⁄100

Ρd : Dry density (gr/cm3)

w : Moisture content ratio (%)

7. Reports
Regarding the test results, the following items shall be reported.
Note that items marked with * are required to be recorded. Other information may be recorded
as necessary.
a) *Point number and location
b) *Exam date
c) *Test person
d) *Maximum particle size (mm)
e) *Moisture content ratio (%)
f) *Wet density (g/cm³)
g) *Dry density (g/cm³)
h) Types of excavated soil preservation tools
i) Density of test sand (g/cm³)
j) Depth of test hole (cm)
k) Other noteworthy matters