Determining the Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method - Soil Properties: Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation - page 197

Figure 14-2
Density/Unit Weight
Apparatus

Sand: a clean, dry, free-flowing, uncemented sand having a maxi-
mum particle size smaller than 2.0 mm (No. 10) sieve and less than
3% by weight passing 250 µm (No. 60) sieve; the uniformity coeffi-
cient (C u D 60 /D 10 ) must be less than 2.0
Balances: one with a 10-kg capacity and accuracy to 1.0 g, and one
with a 500-g capacity and accuracy to 0.1 g
Drying equipment: calcium carbide gas pressure tester or oven or
other suitable equipment for drying moisture content samples
Digging tools: chisels, hammers, picks, and spoons
Miscellaneous equipment: suitable containers for retaining density
samples, moisture samples, and salvaged density sand

Two calibration procedures are required for this test—one to determine
the density and unit weight of the sand used in the test and the other to
determine the mass of sand required to fill the sand cone (the funnel).
These procedures are as follows (see ASTM D 1556-00 [1]):

CALIBRATION OF
MECHANICAL
DEVICE

[A] Determination of Bulk Density and Unit Weight of Sand

The bulk density of sand to be used in the field test is determined by first
finding the volume of the container and then by using the container to
measure a volume and mass of sand as follows:

(1) Select a container of known volume. The 1 ⁄ 30 ft 3 (944 cm 3 ) and
1/13.33 ft 3 (2,124 cm 3 ) molds specified in ASTM Test Method D 698
(Chapter 12), or the 0.1 ft 3 (2,830 cm 3 ) mold specified in Test
Method D 4253 are recommended.