ASTM D7263-09
Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens

Standard No.

ASTM D7263-09

Release Date

2009

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM D7263-09(2018)

Latest

ASTM D7263-21

Scope

Dry density, as defined as “density of soil or rock” in Terminology D 653 and “bulk density” by soil scientists, can be used to convert the water fraction of soil from a mass basis to a volume basis and vise-versa. When particle density, that is, specific gravity (Test Methods D 854) is also known, dry density can be used to calculate porosity and void ratio (see Appendix X1). Dry density measurements are also useful for determining degree of soil compaction. Since moisture content is variable, moist soil density provides little useful information except to estimate the weight of soil per unit volume, for example, pounds per cubic yard, at the time of sampling. Since soil volume shrinks with drying of swelling soils, bulk density will vary with moisture content. Hence, the water content of the soil should be determined at the time of sampling.

Densities (unit weights) of remolded/reconstituted specimens are commonly used to evaluate the degree of compaction of earthen fills, embankments, etc. Dry density values are usually used in conjunction with compaction curve values (Test Methods D 698 and D 1557).

Density (unit weight) is one of the key components in determining the mass composition/phase relations of soil, see Appendix X1.

Note 18212;The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on several factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of these factors.

1.1 These test methods describe two ways of determining the total/moist and dry densities (unit weights) of intact, disturbed, remolded, and reconstituted (compacted) soil specimens. Density (unit weight) as used in this standard means the same as “bulk density” of soil as defined by the Soil Science Society of America. Intact specimens may be obtained from thin-walled sampling tubes, block samples, or clods. Specimens that are remolded by dynamic or static compaction procedures may also be measured by these methods. These methods apply to soils that will retain their shape during the measurement process and may also apply to other materials such as soil-cement, soil-lime, soil-bentonite or solidified soil-bentonite-cement slurries. It is common for the density (unit weight) of specimens after removal from sampling tubes and compaction molds to be less than the value based on tube or mold volumes, or of in-situ conditions. This is due to the specimen swelling after removal of lateral pressures.

1.1.1 Method A covers the procedure for measuring the volume of wax coated specimens by determining the quantity of water displaced.

1.1.1.1 This method only applies to specimens in which the wax will not penetrate the outer surface of the specimen.

1.1.2 Method B covers the procedure by means of the direct measurement of the dimensions and mass of a specimen, usually one of cylindrical shape. Intact and reconstituted/remolded specimens may be tested by this method in conjunction with strength, permeability (air/water) and compressibility determinations.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are......

ASTM D7263-09 Referenced Document

• ASTM D1557 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft³ (2,700 kN-m/m³))
• ASTM D1587 Standard Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
• ASTM D2166 Standard Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil
• ASTM D2216 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
• ASTM D2487 Standard Test Method for Classification Of Soils For Engineering Purposes
• ASTM D2488 Recommended Practice for Description Of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)
• ASTM D3550 Standard Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D4220 Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
• ASTM D4318 Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
• ASTM D4753 Standard Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM D698 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft³ (600 kN-m/m³))*， 2024-04-19 Update
• ASTM D854 Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by the Water Displacement Method
• ASTM E2251 Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids

ASTM D7263-09 history

• 2021 ASTM D7263-21 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density and Unit Weight of Soil Specimens
• 2018 ASTM D7263-09(2018)e2 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens
• 2018 ASTM D7263-09(2018)e1 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens
• 2018 ASTM D7263-09(2018) Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens
• 2009 ASTM D7263-09 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens