FIELD DENSITY TEST

Field density test (Sand cone method)

The sand cone method is one of the most common methods that are used for field density test in construction.

Compaction is very useful for increasing the stability as well as for decreasing the settlement

Procedure of test

First of all measure the weight of the empty sand cone and then fill with dry sand and then weight it again.

Then collect the excavated soil from the hole and measure  the weight. 

After weighting, collected the specimen of soil to determine the water content in it

After that  place the sand cone on the test hole with the help of the base plate and allow the sand to run by opening the control valve.

After sand stop running, close control valve and weight the cone with the existing sand.

After that using all data  calculate the dry density of soil, if the test fails compact and performs the test again.

Calculation

The volume of the hole = Mass of sand in hole

                                          Density of used sand

Wet density                   = Mass of wet excavated soil

                                           Volume of hole

Dry density                    = Wet density × 100 %

                                           (Moisture content of soil + 100)

Degree of compaction    = Dry density ×100 %

                                           Maximum dry density 

Example calculation