1、Designation: D854 10Standard Test Methods forSpecific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D854; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A
2、 number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.1. Scope*1.1 These test methods cover the determination of thespe
3、cific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4)sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil containsparticles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C127shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieveand these test methods shall be used for the soil solids pass
4、ingthe 4.75-mm sieve.1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solidswhich can be altered by these methods, contaminated with asubstance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highlyorganic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water.NOTE 1The use of Test Method
5、D5550 may be used to determine thespecific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily dissolve in wateror float in water, or where it is impracticable to use water.1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity areprovided. The method to be used shall be specified by therequesting autho
6、rity, except when testing the types of soilslisted in 1.2.11.2.1 Method AProcedure for Moist Specimens, describedin 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organicsoils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and soilscontaining halloysite, Method A shall be used.1.2.2 Method B
7、Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de-scribed in 9.3.1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded
8、 as theindustry standard. In addition, they are representative of thesignificant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-dures used do not consider material variation, purpose forobtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-ations for the users objectives; and it is commo
9、n practice toincrease or reduce significant digits of reported data to becommensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scopeof these test methods to consider significant digits used inanalysis methods for engineering design.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.
10、The inch-pound units given in parentheses aremathematical conversions which are provided for informationpurposes only and are not considered standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this
11、standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (SpecificGravity), and Absorption of Coarse AggregateD653 Terminology Relat
12、ing to Soil, Rock, and ContainedFluidsD2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Wa-ter (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by MassD2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for EngineeringPurposes (Unified Soil Classification System)D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngage
13、d in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and SpecifyingBalances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, andConstruction Materials TestingD5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byGas Pycnomete
14、rD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalDataE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and TestSievesE177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias inASTM Test MethodsE691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to1This standard is under the jurisdiction of
15、 ASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticityand Density Characteristics of Soils.Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published March 2010. Originallyapproved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D854 061. DOI:10.1
16、520/D0854-10.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1*A Summary of Changes section appears at the en
17、d of this standard.Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.Determine the Precision of a Test Method3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of technical terms used inthese test methods, refer to Terminology D653.3.2 Defini
18、tions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 specific gravity of soil solids, Gs, nthe ratio of themass of a unit volume of a soil solids to the mass of the samevolume of gas-free distilled water at 20C.4. Significance and Use4.1 The specific gravity of a soil solids is used in calculatingthe phas
19、e relationships of soils, such as void ratio and degreeof saturation.4.1.1 The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculatethe density of the soil solids. This is done by multiplying itsspecific gravity by the density of water (at proper temperature).4.2 The term soil solids is typically ass
20、umed to meannaturally occurring mineral particles or soil like particles thatare not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravityof soil solids containing extraneous matter, such as cement,lime, and the like, water-soluble matter, such as sodiumchloride, and soils containing matter with
21、 a specific gravity lessthan one, typically require special treatment (see Note 1)oraqualified definition of their specific gravity.4.3 The balances, pycnometer sizes, and specimen massesare established to obtain test results with three significantdigits.NOTE 2The quality of the result produced by t
22、hese test methods isdependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and thesuitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet thecriteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competentand objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of these test me
23、thodsare cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itselfassure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; PracticeD3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.5. Apparatus5.1 PycnometerThe water pycnometer shall be either astoppered flask, stoppered iod
24、ine flask, or volumetric flask witha minimum capacity of 250 mL. The volume of the pycnometermust be 2 to 3 times greater than the volume of the soil-watermixture used during the deairing portion of the test.5.1.1 The stoppered flask mechanically sets the volume. Thestoppered iodine flask has a flar
25、ed collar that allows the stopperto be placed at an angle during thermal equilibration andprevents water from spilling down the sides of the flask whenthe stopper is installed. The wetting the outside of the flask isundesirable because it creates changes in the thermal equilib-rium. When using a sto
26、pper flask, make sure that the stopper isproperly labeled to correspond to the flask.5.2 BalanceA balance meeting the requirements of GuideD4753 for a balance of 0.01 g readability. When using the250mLpycnometers, the balance capacity shall be at least 500g and when using the 500mL pycnometers, the
27、balancecapacity shall be at least 1000 g.5.3 Drying OvenThermostatically controlled oven, ca-pable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 6 5Cthroughout the drying chamber. These requirements usuallyrequire the use of a forced-draft oven.5.4 Thermometric Device, capable of measuring the tem-per
28、ature range within which the test is being performed, havinga readability of 0.1C and a maximum permissible error of0.5C. The device must be capable of being immersed in thesample and calibration solutions to a depth ranging between 25and 80 mm. Full immersion thermometers shall not be used. Toensur
29、e the accuracy of the thermometric device, the thermo-metric device shall be standardized by comparison to a NISTtraceable thermometric device. The standardization shall in-clude at least one temperature reading within the range oftesting. The thermometric device shall be standardized at leastonce e
30、very twelve months.5.5 DesiccatorA desiccator cabinet or large desiccator jarof suitable size containing silica gel or anhydrous calciumsulfate.NOTE 3It is preferable to use a desiccant that changes color toindicate when it needs reconstitution.5.6 Entrapped Air Removal ApparatusTo remove en-trapped
31、 air (deairing process), use one of the following:5.6.1 Hot Plate or Bunsen Burner, capable of maintaining atemperature adequate to boil water.5.6.2 Vacuum System, a vacuum pump or water aspirator,capable of producing a partial vacuum of 100 mm of mercury(Hg) or less absolute pressure. WarningMercur
32、y has beendesignated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardousmaterial that can cause central nervous system, kidney andliver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous tohealth and corrosive to materials. Caution should be takenwhen handling mercury and mercury containing products. Seethe
33、applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) fordetails and EPAs website http:/www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm - for additional information. Users should be awarethat selling mercury and/or mercury containing products intoyour state may be prohibited by state law.NOTE 4A partial vacuum of 100 mm
34、 Hg absolute pressure isapproximately equivalent to a 660 mm (26 in.) Hg reading on vacuumgauge at sea level.5.7 Insulated ContainerA Styrofoam cooler and cover orequivalent container that can hold between three and sixpycnometers plus a beaker (or bottle) of deaired water, and athermometer. This is
35、 required to maintain a controlled tem-perature environment where changes will be uniform andgradual.5.8 FunnelA non-corrosive smooth surface funnel with astem that extends past the calibration mark on the volumetricflask or stoppered seal on the stoppered flasks. The diameter ofthe stem of the funn
36、el must be large enough that soil solids willeasily pass through.5.9 Pycnometer Filling Tube with Lateral Vents(optional)A device to assist in adding deaired water to thepycnometer without disturbing the soil-water mixture. Thedevice may be fabricated as follows. Pluga6to10-mm (14 to38 in.) diameter
37、 plastic tube at one end and cut two small vents(notches) just above the plug. The vents should be perpendicu-lar to the axis of the tube and diametrically opposed. Connecta valve to the other end of the tube and run a line to the valvefrom a supply of deaired water.D854 1025.10 Sieve 4.75 mm (No. 4
38、) conforming to the require-ments of Specification E11.5.11 Blender (optional)A blender with mixing bladesbuilt into the base of the mixing container.5.12 Miscellaneous Equipment, such as a computer orcalculator (optional), specimen dishes, and insulated gloves.6. Reagents6.1 Purity of WaterDistille
39、d water is used in this testmethod. This water may be purchased and is readily availableat most grocery stores; hereafter, distilled water will be referredto as water.7. Test Specimen7.1 The test specimen may be moist or oven-dry soil andshall be representative of the soil solids that pass the 4.75-
40、mm(No. 4) sieve in the total sample. Table 1 gives guidelines onrecommended dry soil mass versus soil type and pycnometersize.7.1.1 Two important factors concerning the amount of soilsolids being tested are as follows. First, the mass of the soilsolids divided by its specific gravity will yield four
41、-significantdigits. Secondly, the mixture of soil solids and water is a slurrynot a highly viscous fluid (thick paint) during the deairingprocess.8. Calibration of Pycnometer8.1 Determine the mass of the clean and dry pycnometer tothe nearest 0.01 g (typically five significant digits). Repeat thisde
42、termination five times. One balance should be used for all ofthe mass measurements. Determine and record the average andstandard deviation. The standard deviation shall be less than orequal to 0.02 g. If it is greater, attempt additional measure-ments or use a more stable or precise balance.8.2 Fill
43、 the pycnometer with deaired water to above orbelow the calibration mark depending on the type of pycnom-eter and laboratory preference to add or remove water.8.2.1 It is recommended that water be removed to bring thewater level to the calibration mark. The removal methodreduces the chances of alter
44、ing the thermal equilibrium byreducing the number of times the insulated container is opened.8.2.2 The water must be deaired to ensure that there are noair bubbles in the water. The water may be deaired using eitherboiling, vacuum, combination of vacuum and heat, or adeairing device. This deaired wa
45、ter should not be used until ithas equilibrated to room temperature. Also, this water shall beadded to the pycnometer following the guidance given in 9.6.8.3 Up to six pycnometers can be calibrated concurrently ineach insulated container. Put the pycnometer(s) into a coveredinsulated container along
46、 with the thermometric device (or thetemperature sensing portion of the thermometric device), abeaker (or bottle) of deaired water, stopper(s) (if a stopperedpycnometer is being used), and either an eyedropper or pipette.Let the pycnometer(s) come to thermal equilibrium (for at least3 h). The equili
47、brium temperature should be within 4C ofroom temperature and between 15 and 30C.8.4 Move the insulated container near the balance or viceversa. Open the container and remove one pycnometer. Onlythe rim of the pycnometer shall be touched as to prevent theheat from handling changing the thermal equili
48、brium. Eitherwork in the container or place the pycnometer on an insulatedblock (Styrofoam) while making water level adjustments.8.4.1 If using a volumetric flask as a pycnometer, adjust thewater to the calibration mark, with the bottom of the meniscuslevel with the mark. If water has to be added, u
49、se the thermallyequilibrated water from the insulated container. If water has tobe removed, use a small suction tube or paper towel. Check forand remove any water beads on the pycnometer stem or on theexterior of the flask. Measure and record the mass of pycnom-eter and water to the nearest 0.01 g.8.4.2 If a stoppered flask is used, adjust the water to prevententrapment of any air bubbles below the stopper during itsplacement. If water has to be added, use the thermallyequilibrated water from the insulated container. Then, place thestopper in the
