Determining the Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method - Soil Properties: Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation - page 196

soil and soil-aggregate in place by nuclear methods,” is covered in
Chapter 16.
In documenting field compaction, it is necessary to determine the
moisture content of each sample, in addition to in-place unit weight of
the soil. The moisture content is needed to compute the dry unit weight of
the compacted soil. A relatively quick method for determining moisture
content was described in Chapter 13. Thus, Chapters 12, 13, and either
14, 15, or 16 are generally all used in an overall compaction project.

Density/unit weight apparatus: composed of a jar and detachable
appliance consisting of a cylindrical valve with an orifice and hav-
ing a small funnel continuing to a standard G mason jar top on one
end and a large funnel on the other end. Figure 14-1 gives specific
requirements for a standard density/unit weight apparatus suitable
for testing soils having maximum particle sizes of approximately
1 1 ⁄ 2 in. (37.5 mm) and test hole volumes of approximately 0.1 ft 3
(2830 cm 3 ); Figure 14-2 shows a photograph of the apparatus.
Base plate: a square or rectangular metal plate with a flanged cen-
ter hole cast or machined to receive the large funnel (cone) of the
sand-cone apparatus (Figure 14-1)

APPARATUS
AND SUPPLIES

Figure 14-1
Density/Unit
Weight
Apparatus [1]

Sand container
of appropriate shape & volume

Threads, latches, or other
provisions for attachment

Valve Body

Valve
Stops

A

DETAIL AA

A

Metal Funnel (Sand-Cone)

5.375

Flange Detail

.5 Dia

60 °

6.5 Dia
6.75 Dia

Base Plate

12

Metric Equivalents
in.
.5
5.375
6.5
6.75
12

No Scale

mm
12.5
136.5
165.1
171.5
304.8