SOIL DENSITY TESTING
FIELD TESTS
Sand Cone Test.
1. A hole is dug using a density plate as a guide.
2. The soil sample is removed from the shallow
density hole and preserved in a closed container
to prevent loss of moisture from the sample.
3. Sand of a known weight and volume is used to fill
the hole using the sand cone apparatus. The
volume of the density hole is then determined by
knowing the bulk density of the sand and the
amount of sand required to fill the hole.
4. The moisture content of the density sample is
determined.
5. From this data the dry density or dry weight per
cubic foot of the soil removed from the hole can
be calculated.
Water Balloon Test.
1. This is a diagram of the apparatus used to
demonstrate the Rubber Balloon test method.
Essentially, the apparatus consists of a calibrated
graduated glass cylinder which holds water, a
balloon attached to the cylinder, and an assembly
for applying pressure.
2. At the test location, the technician digs a hole,
using a density plate as a guide. This density
hole will be approximately four inches in diameter
and about six inches deep.
3. The loose material taken from the hole is placed
in a container for later determination of its weight
and moisture content for the density calculations.
4. Using this apparatus, the operator takes the initial
reading and pumps the water into the balloon,
which fills the hole. Then the final reading is
taken to determine the actual volume of the
density hole.
5. We must know the volume of the hole, the weight
of the sample material removed, and its moisture
content. Then we can determine the density of
the sample material and thus check compliance
with job specifications.
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