Faculty of Sciences, Engineering & Health ENEC

13012 Transportation Engineering design

Practical Component
Field Density Sand Replacement Method
Omar Padia- s0260441
James Mellan- s0257192
Julie Mckay- s0211503
Craig Hopfe- s0242625

1. Purpose
To determine the bulk density and dry density of a soil using the sand
replacement method.
2. References
Australian Standard AS 1289.5.3.1 2004, Soil compaction and density tests
Determination of the field density of a soil sand replacement method using a sandcone pouring apparatus.
Australian Standard AS 1289.2.1.1 2005, Soil moisture content tests Determination
of the moisture content of a soil Oven drying method.
Budhu, M 2011, Soil Mechanics and foundations, 3rd ed, John Wiley & Sons.
3. Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this practical activity, you should be able to:
Describe the equipment and test procedure used
Perform data analysis and calculations to obtain test results
Describe the engineering purpose for conducting the test and application of the results
Describe the significance of performing the practical activity in terms of the course
content and learning outcomes

Aim
To determine the bulk density and dry density of a soil using the sand
replacement
Method.
Introduction
The density of a soil insitu that has been compacted or still in its natural state
can be determined using the sand replacement method, rendering this method
very useful within the field of engineering.

Equipment
Sand-cone apparatus

Base template

 Calibration cylinder

Electronic scales

Glass plate

Digging tools

6. Procedure
6.1 Calibration of apparatus
Calibration of equipment is required before any field measurements can be made:
1. Fill the sand-cone cylinder to approximately full with the sand supplied and
determine the mass of sand-cone cylinder + sand - ma (kg)
2. Place the base template onto the sheet of glass and place the sand-cone
cylinder centrally on the base template.
3. Open the flow valve on the sand-cone cylinder and allow the sand to completely fill
the cone + hole in base template. Close the flow valve.
4. Determine the mass of the sand-cone cylinder and remaining sand - mb (kg)
5. Determine the mass of sand required to fill the cone + hole in base template - m1 (kg):

6.2 Determination of bulk density of sand

Where the bulk density (mass/unit volume) of the sand is unknown, it is necessary to
perform a simple bulk density determination before any field measurements can be
made:
1. Record the volume of the calibrating container - V (m3)
2. Fill the sand-cone cylinder to approximately full with the sand supplied and
determine the mass of sand-cone cylinder + sand mc (kg)
3. Place the base template centrally onto the calibrating container and place the
sand-cone cylinder centrally on the base template.
4. Open the flow valve on the sand-cone cylinder and allow the sand to completely fill
the calibrating container + cone + hole in base template. Close the flow valve.
5. Determine the mass of the sand-cone cylinder and remaining sand md (kg)
4. Determine the bulk density of sand sand (t/m3):

6.3 Determination of insitu soil density

Laboratory staff will advise you of a site, adjacent to the engineering buildings, suitable
for the insitu testing:
NOTE: It is important that all the soil excavated is collected without any loss if an
accurate determination is to be made.
1. Fill the sand-cone cylinder to approximately full with the sand supplied and
determine
the mass of sand-cone cylinder + sand - m2 (kg).

2. Place the base template on a level surface at the test site and using the digging
equipment excavate a hole approximately 125mm deep. Collect all soil from the hole,
and store a plastic sample bag to prevent any moisture loss.
3. Place the sand-cone cylinder centrally on the base template over the excavated hole
and open the flow valve. Allow the sand to completely fill the excavated hole + cone +
hole in base template. Close the flow valve.
4. Return to the laboratory and determine the mass of sand-cone cylinder and remaining
sand m3 (kg).
6. Determine the mass of soil excavated from the hole m 4 (kg).
7. Determine the mass of sand used to fill the hole m 5 (kg)
8. Determine the wet (bulk) density of soil (t/m3):
9. Determine the moisture content of the soil w (%)

10. Determine the dry density of the soil - d (t/m3):

Soil
Graded sand

Results- Density of sand

Mass of sand-cone cylinder + sand: ma = 5349g
Mass of white container= 87.7g
Green cylinder diameter= 150.48mm
Green cylinder depth= 149.55mm
Sand-cone cylinder and remaining sand: mb = 3928g
Volume of calibrating container V= 2.6597x10-3m3
Mass green cylinder= 3739g
Mass of tray= 518g
m1=ma-mb
m1= 5349 - 3928=1421g
m1= 1421g

7534 3739/ (0.00124 x 1000)= 1426kg/m^3

Results- Determination of bulk density of soil
Mass of container +cone + sand: m2 = 5082g
Mass of container +cone after testing m3 = 1282g
Mass of soil + continer= 3223g
Mass of tray= 518g
Mass of soil m4 = 2705g
Mass of sand m5 = m2- m3b = 3390g

Wet bulk density of sand

= (2705/3390)x 1426.8
= 1138.49 kg/m^3

Moisture content
Mass of soil m4 = 2705g
Mass of dry soil try= 3136 518= 2618
W(%)= (Mm/ Md) x 100
= (2705/ 2618) x 100 = 3.323%

Dry bulk density of soil

= (1138/ ((1+3.323/100))= 1101.4 kg/m^3

Discussion
The sand replacement method was used to gather data about the density of the
sand to replace the insitu sample of soil. The bulk density of the insitu soil
sample was then found using this data which was then factored against its water
content to find the dry density of soil (1101.4 kg/ m^3).
Limitations
Limitations exist within the sand replacement method is that basically only the
sample of soil that is within the insitu ground and in particular within the base
plate is taken into consideration. To gain a greater understanding of the density
of soil, larger samples can be taken using excavation equipment, however this
may prove rather impractical and otherwise costly. It is inevitable that rocks lie on
the surface of the ground so if they are excavated within the sample this will lead
to error as they cant be used.
Sources of error
When excavating the insitu soil, samples could be dropped on the ground and
not brought back to the lab which will affect all calculations. When filling the hole
with sand, possible void space between the flat ground and the base plate will
give errors in calculation. Crumbling of the hole walls may reduce the volume of
the hole also leading to calculation errors. Exposure of soil to the sun will reduce
moisture content of sample before testing. Error in procedure of testing will more
than likely lead to errors. Miscalculation of data will also lead to error.
The advantages of using the sand replacement method is that it is practical,
non time consuming and is not dangerous.
Alternatives to find density of soil insitu
The balloon method and the method of nuclear density gauge testing are
other methods that can be employed to determine the density of soil insitu.