Relative Density of Soil
1. objective
Porosity of a soil depends on the shape of grain, uniformity of grain size and condition of sedimentation. Hence porosity itself does not indicate whether a soil is in loose or dense state. This information can only be obtained by comparing the porosity or void ratio of the given soil with that of the same soil in its loosest and densest possible state and hence the term, relative density is introduced.
Relative density is the measure of compactness of cohesionless soil. Relative density or density index is the ratio of the difference between the void ratios of a cohesionless soil in its loosest state and existing natural state to the difference between its void ratio in the loosest and densest states.
Determination of relative density is helpful in evaluating compaction state of coarse grained soils and also assessing the safe bearing capacity in case of sandy soils.
2. apparatus required
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Fig. 1: Relative Density ApparatusThe Apparatus consists of(a) Cushioned steel vibrating deck 75X75 cm size, R.P.M : 3600 ; under a net mass of over 45 kg. (b) Two cylindrical metallic moulds, 3000 cc and 15000 cc conforming to requirements given in IS : 10837-1984. (c) 10 mm thick surcharge base plate with handle separately for each mould. (d) Surcharge weights, one for each size mould conforming to requirements given in IS : 10837-1984. (e) Guide sleeves with clamps for each mould separately. (f) Calibration bar of metal and 75X300X3 mm in size. |
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Fig. 2: Mixing PanSuitable size are 60 x 90 cm and 10 cm deep and 40 x 40 cm and 5 cm deep. |
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Fig. 3: Weighing ScalePortable platform scale, 100 kg capacity with sensitivity of 20 g in accordance with IS:1435-l960. |
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Dial Gauge : 50 mm travel with 0.025 mm graduations.
Pouring Devices :Consisting of funnels 12 mm and 25 mm in diameter and 15 cm long, with cylindrical spouts and lipped brims for attaching to 15 cm diameter and 30 cm high metal cans.
Hoist : of atleast 135 kg capacity.
Timing Device : indicating in minutes and seconds.
Metal straight edge : about 40 cm long.
Micrometer : 0-25 mm, accurate to 0.025 mm
3. reference
- IS 2720(Part 14):1983 Methods of test for soils: Determination of density Index (Relative Density)
of Cohesionless Soil (First revision). Reaffirmed- Dec 2020.
4. procedure
4.1 Calibration of mould
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(i) Measure inside diameter of mould at different depths using a bore gauge and take the average.
(ii) Keep the mould on a flat surface or flat plate. Measure the height at different positions and take the average (accuracy = 0.025 mm). Calculate the volume. Volume of the 3000 cm3 mould should be calculated to the nearest 3 cm3 and that of 15000 cm3 mould to the nearest 30 cm3.
(iii) Alternatively, fill the mould with distilled water till over flowing takes place. Slide thick glass plate over the top surface of mould. Weigh the water filling the mould.
(iv) Note the temperature of water. Obtain density of water for the above temperature from physical tables.
(v) Calculate the volume of the mould which is weight of water filling the mould /density of water.
4.2 Calibration of mould
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(i) Measure inside diameter of mould at different depths using a bore gauge and take the average.
(ii) Keep the mould on a flat surface or flat plate. Measure the height at different positions and take the average (accuracy = 0.025 mm). Calculate the volume. Volume of the 3000 cm3 mould should be calculated to the nearest 3 cm3 and that of 15000 cm3 mould to the nearest 30 cm3.
(iii) Alternatively, fill the mould with distilled water till over flowing takes place. Slide thick glass plate over the top surface of mould. Weigh the water filling the mould.
(iv) Note the temperature of water. Obtain density of water for the above temperature from physical tables.
(v) Calculate the volume of the mould which is weight of water filling the mould /density of water.
4.3 Preparation of the Sample
A representative sample of soil should be selected. The mass of soil sample to be taken depends upon the maximum size of particle in the soil as given in Table 1.
Table 1 : Mass of the Soil Sample to be taken for the Test
| Maximum size of the soil particle (mm) | Mass of Soil Sample required (kg) | Pouring Device to be used in Test for the determination of minimum density | Size of Mould to be used (cm3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 45 | Shovel or extra large Scoop | 15000 |
| 37.5 | 12 | Scoop | 3000 |
| 19.0 | 12 | Scoop | 3000 |
| 9.50 | 12 | Pouring Device (25 mm dia Spout) | 3000 |
| 4.75 | 12 | Pouring Device (12 mm dia Spout) | 3000 |
The soil sample should be dried in an oven at a temperature of 105 to 110°C. The soil sample should be pulverized without breaking the individual soil particles and sieved through the requited sieve.
4.4 Determination of Minimum Density
(i) The pouring device and mould should be selected according to the maximum size of particle as indicated in Table 1. The mould should be weighed and the mass recorded. Oven-dry soils should be used.
(ii) Soil containing particles smaller than 9.50 mm should be placed as loosely as possible in the mould by pouring the soil through the spout in a steady stream. The spout should be adjusted so that the height of free fall of the soil is always 25 mm. While pouring the soil, the pouring device should be moved in a spiral motion from the outside towards the centre to form a soil layer of uniform thickness without segregation. The mould should be filled approximately 25 mm above the top and levelled with top by making one continuous pass with the steel straight edge. If all excess matter is not removed, an additional continuous pass should be made. Great care shall be exercised to avoid jarring the mould during the entire pouring and trimming operation. The mould and the soil should be weighed and the mass recorded.
(iii) Soil containing particles larger than 9.50 mm should be placed by means of a large scoop (or shovel) held as close as possible to and just above the soil surface to cause the material to slide rather than fall into the previously placed soil. If necessary, large particles may be held by hand to prevent them from rolling off the scoop. The mould should be filled to overflowing but not more than 25 mm above the top. The surface of the soil should be levelled with the top of the mould using the steel straightedge (and the fingers, if necessary) in such a way that any slight projections of the larger particles above the top of the mould shall approximately balance the larger voids in the surface below the top of the mould. The mould and the soil should be weighed and the mass recorded.
4.5 Determination of Maximum Density
(i) The guide sleeve should be assembled on top of the mould and the clamp assemblies tightened so that the inner surfaces of the walls of the mould and the sleeve are in line. The lock nuts on the two set screws equipped with them should be tightened. The third clamp should be loosened, the guide sleeve removed, the empty mould weighed and its mass recorded.
(ii) The mould should then be filled with the thoroughly mixed ovendry soil by the procedure explained in Para 2 and Para 3 above. The mould filled for the determination of minimum density may also be used for this test.
(iii) The guide sleeves should be attached to the mould and the surcharge base plate should be placed on the soil surface. The surcharge weight should then be lowered on the base-plate using the hoist in the case of the 15000 cm3 mould.
(iv) The mould should be fixed to the vibrator deck for assembly. The vibrator control should be set at maximum amplitude and the loaded soil specimen should be vibrated for 8 minutes.
(v) The surcharge weight and guide sleeves should be removed from the mould. The dial gauge readings on two opposite sides of the surcharge base plate should be obtained and the average recorded. The mould with the soil should be weighed and its mass recorded.
5. Calculations
5.1 Minimum Density
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Minimum density (γmin) in g/cm3= Wsm/Vc
Where, Wsm = mass of the dry soil in the minimum density in g/cm
Vc = calibrated volume of the mould in cm3
5.2 Maximum Density
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Maximum desnity, (γmax) in g/cm3)= Ws/Vs
Where, Ws = mass of the dry soil in the maximum density test in g
Vs = volume of soil in maximum density test in cm3 = Vc - (Δi-Δf)A
Δi = initial dial gauge reading in cm
Δf = final dial gauge reading on the surcharge base plate after completion of the vibraion period in cm
A = cross sectional area of mould in cm2
5.3 Density of soil In-place
- This (γd) should be determined as per IS : 2720 (Part-28)
5.4 Density Index (Id or Relative Density (Dr)
- Id (or Dr) = (γmax)/γd) * [(γd-γmin)/(γmax-γmin)]*100