ASTM D1557

Applies only to soils that have 30% or less by mass of their particles retained on the 19mm sieve and have n

3 Different testing methods are available, namely Methods A, B or C - Gradation requirements are used to de

Sieve size % Retained Method

19mm 10 Note 1
9,5mm 26 Note 3
4,75mm 100 Note 4
Note 1 Relevant test method with oversize correction
Note 2 ASTM D1557 not applicable
Note 3 Method B not applicable, consider method C
Note 4 Method A not applicable, consider methods B or C

Highlighted cells require user input.

Method A
Minimum specimen size (kg) 16 dry 23 wet
No of layers 5
Blows per layer 25
Average inside Diameter (mm) 101,6 +/- 0,4
Mould Height (mm) 116,4 +/- 0,5
dimensions Extending at least 51mm above the top of the mould, sho
Collar (mm)
funnel, a 19mm straight cylindrical section is re
Passing sieve 4,75mm
Material
Max % by mass retained 25
Fall distance (mm) 457,2 +/- 1,3
Mass (kg) 4,5364 +/- 0,009
Rammer Diameter (mm) 50,80 +/- 0,13: must be replaced should diame
Vent holes 4 at each end at 19 +/- 2mm from the end, 90o a
Balance Class GP5 or GP2 when used for determin
Drying oven Thermostatically controlled oven capable of maintaini
No less than 250mm in length, machined straight to a tolera
Straightedge
the scraping edge shall be b

Sample preparation
1. In the absence of gradation data, determine test and oversize fractions using specified test method sieve.
procedure detailed in clause 8.2 to determine relevant test method.
2. Moist preparation method:
2.1 Process the test sample over the relevant sieve to determine the masses of the retained and passing
2.2 Oven dry the oversize (retained) fraction and determine its mass to the nearest g. If it appears that m
adhering to the oversize fraction, wash that fraction then determine and record its oven dry mass
2.3 Determine and record the water content of the test fraction (passing), determine the oven dry mass u
2.4 The percent oversize fraction and test fraction can then be determined using these oven dry masses
2.5 Select and prepare at least 4 (preferably 5) subspecimens from the test fraction with molding water c
optimum water content, water contents should allow for at least 2 wet and 2 dry of the OMC.
2.6 Subspecimens shall be obtained from the test fraction using a scoop after having been thoroughly mi
about 2,3kg and for C about 5,9kg should suffice. Add or remove water to achieve the desired molding w
each subspecimen.
2.7 Each subspecimen should then be allowed to cure in a separate covered container in accordance with
3. Dry preparation method:
3.1 Applicable to material which are too damp to be friable, this material should first be dried either by a
apparatus provided the sample temperature does not exceed 60oC.
3.2 Thoroughly break up the aggregations in such a way to avoid breaking individual particles, the mater
the appropriate sieve.
3.3 When processing material to pass the 19mm sieve for compaction in the 152,4mm mould, break up t
pass the 9,75mm sieve - this will allow molding water to be distributed evenly in later mixing.
3.4 Determine and record the water content of the test fraction and all masses as covered in 10.2 of AST
test and oversize fractions.
3.5 Prepare the test fraction as set out in 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 in ASTM D1557 except when using either a m
process to obtain the subspecimens.
4. Compaction:
4.1 Determine and record the mass of the mould or mould and base plate.
4.2 Assemble and secure the mould and collar to the base plate. Check and adjust, if necessary, the align
and extension collar assembly.
4.3 Secure the base plate to a rigid uniform foundation which shall ensure that the mould does not rock o
provided by a concrete cube or cylinder with a mass not less than 91kg.
4.4 Compact the soil in 5 layers, after compaction the layers should be approximately equal in thickness,
the collar (not more than 6mm).
4.5 To achieve this the loose soil should be placed in the mould and spread into a layer of uniform thickne
longer in a loose state.
4.6 After compaction of the 4th layer, any soil which has not been compacted such as soil adjacent to the
above the compacted surface (up the mould walls) must be trimmed and discarded.
4.7 The subspecimen shall be of such an amount that the 5th layer extends into the collar extension afte
this is the case the compaction point shall be discarded. Similarly, should the last rammer blow for the 5t
mould top, the compaction point shal be discarded.
4.8 Care shold be taken to not lift the rammer guide sleeve during the upstroke and to maintain the ramm
compaction. The rammer operator should attempt to apply blows at a steady rate of 25 blows/min follow
b and FIG 4 of ASTM D1557.
4.9 After compaction of the last layer, remove the collar and baseplate (except when the volume of the m
plate attached or in the event where water or soil will be lost upon removal of the base plate), then use a
with the mould top surface taking care not to disturb the sample beneath the mould top too much. Any h
firmly pressed in with the fingers.

4.10 Determine and record the mass of the specimen and the mould (specimen, mould and base plate sh
nearest g, remove the material from the mould and obtain a specimen for determining the water content
a representative portion from the 5 layers the mass of which is to conform to the requirements of Table 1

4.11 Following compaction of the last specimen, plot wet unit weights against molding water contents to
M D1557
1. Preliminaries

ained on the 19mm sieve and have not been previously compacted. Applies to soils within a grading envelope, s
3 Different tests methods with procedural a
adation requirements are used to determine the test method. the test method.

2. Selection of test method

Relevant test method

C
B
A

Method B Method C
16 dry 23 wet 29 dry 45 wet
5 5
25 56
101,6 +/- 0,4 152,4 +/-0,7
116,4 +/- 0,5 116,4 +/- 0,5
1mm above the top of the mould, should a portion of it flare out to form a
9mm straight cylindrical section is required beneath the funnel.
9,5mm 19mm
25 30
457,2 +/- 1,3
4,5364 +/- 0,009
0,13: must be replaced should diameter exceed 50,80 +/- 0,25
nd at 19 +/- 2mm from the end, 90o apart, min diameter 9,5mm
GP5 or GP2 when used for determining moisture content.
controlled oven capable of maintaining a uniform temp of 110 +/- 5 oC
length, machined straight to a tolerance of +/-0,1mm, if thicker than 3mm
the scraping edge shall be beveled.

preparation
ns using specified test method sieve. If test method is not specified follow
1. Determine whether material is susceptib
2. Ascertain the approximate percentages (
material shall not be dried if it is too be use
measuring the moisture content of a repres
 2. Ascertain the approximate percentages (
material shall not be dried if it is too be use
masses of the retained and passing portions to the nearest g. measuring the moisture content of a repres
to the nearest g. If it appears that more than 0,5% of the total dry mass is 3. Assign the material to a specific grading
and record its oven dry mass materials falling into grading zone X.
sing), determine the oven dry mass using that water content. 4. Using the grading results, material natur
mined using these oven dry masses as per section 11. below.
he test fraction with molding water contents which bracket the estimated Grading
et and 2 dry of the OMC. zone
oop after having been thoroughly mixed through, for methods A and B
ter to achieve the desired molding water content before thoroughly mixing
1 and 2
covered container in accordance with Table 2 of ASTM D1557.

erial should first be dried either by air drying or by the use of a drying
2, 3, 4 and
aking individual particles, the material should thereafter be processed over 5

n in the 152,4mm mould, break up the aggregations sufficiently to at least

ed evenly in later mixing.
all masses as covered in 10.2 of ASTM D1557 - for the determination of the

D1557 except when using either a mechanical splitting or quartering

plate.
eck and adjust, if necessary, the alignment of the inner walls of the mould

nsure that the mould does not rock or wobble, such a foundation can be
1kg.
be approximately equal in thickness, the final layer can extend slightly into

spread into a layer of uniform thickness then lightly tamped until it is no

mpacted such as soil adjacent to the mould wall or soil which extends
and discarded.
extends into the collar extension after compaction by no more than 6mm, if
hould the last rammer blow for the 5th compaction layer extend below the

he upstroke and to maintain the rammer within 5 o of the vertical during

a steady rate of 25 blows/min following the patterns provided in FIGS 3a &

te (except when the volume of the mould was determined with the base
emoval of the base plate), then use a straightedge to trim the soil level
neath the mould top too much. Any holes should be filled and the material

(specimen, mould and base plate should the base plate be left on) to the
en for determining the water content by either using the entire specimen or
nform to the requirements of Table 1, Method B of Test Method D2216

s against molding water contents to determine the OMC and MDD.

 BS 1377-4
minaries

pplies to soils within a grading envelope, soils in zone X in figure 1 of the standard are not suited to the testing methods
Different tests methods with procedural and equipment variations dependent on the nature of the soil, figure 2 shows a
e test method.

of test method

Sample Preparation
Determine whether material is susceptible to crushing during compaction, if in doubt, assume it is.
Ascertain the approximate percentages (to an accuracy of +/-5%) by mass of particles in the soil sample passing the 2
aterial shall not be dried if it is too be used for the compaction tes and the dry mass of the fraction passing the 20mm s
easuring the moisture content of a representative sample.
 Ascertain the approximate percentages (to an accuracy of +/-5%) by mass of particles in the soil sample passing the 2
aterial shall not be dried if it is too be used for the compaction tes and the dry mass of the fraction passing the 20mm s
easuring the moisture content of a representative sample.
Assign the material to a specific grading zone based on the results from the previous step, test methods specified in BS
aterials falling into grading zone X.
Using the grading results, material nature, mould type and flowchart above follow the appropriate sample preparation
elow.
Nature of Compaction Sample preparation
Particles removed Mould
material procedure procedure
2,5kg rammer 3.3.4.1
None - GZ 1 A
4,5kg rammer 3.5.4.1
1L
2,5kg rammer 3.3.4.2
+20mm - GZ 2 B
4,5kg rammer 3.5.4.2
None - GZ 2 2,5kg rammer 3.4.4.1
None - GZ 3 A 4,5kg rammer 3.6.4.1
Vibrating rammer 3.7.5.1
+37,5mm - GZ 4 CBR
2,5kg rammer 3.4.4.2
+37,5mm - GZ 5 replaced B 4,5kg rammer 3.6.4.2
by 20 to 37,5mm. Vibrating rammer 3.7.5.2
o the testing methods specified.
soil, figure 2 shows a diagram used to determine

s.
sample passing the 20 and 37,5mm sieves. This
n passing the 20mm sieve may be determined by
ethods specified in BS1377 cannot be used with

e sample preparation method from BS1377as listed