LaboratoryCompactionCharacteristicsofSoil Using StandardTestMethodsfor
original adpti or i the case of reisin th year of last revisn. Anmber in pretheses ndicates the yer f last reapal. This standard is issd under the fixed designation D1557; he numher mmdiately following the dsignation indicates the year ofsuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an ediorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This s hs be apprdl for ase by eies f rhe US. Deprmt ef Dfs.
1. Scope
1.3.1.4 Blows per layer25.
material is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve. However if 1.3.1.5 UsageMay be used if 25 % or less by mass of the5 to 25 % by mass of the material is retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve Method A can be used but oversize correc-tions will be required (See 1.4) and there are no advantages to using Method A in this case.
ods used to determine the relationship between molding water 1.1 These test methods cover laboratory paction meth-pacted in a 4- or 6-in. (101.6- or 152.4-mm) diameter mold content and dry unit weight of soils (paction curve)with a 10.00-Ibf. (44.48-N) rammer dropped from a height of18.00 in. (457.2 mm) producing a pactive effort of 56 00 fi-Ibf/f? (2700 kN-m/m²).
1.3.1.6 Orher Use-If this gradation requirement cannot bemet then Methods B or C may be used.
pd n pbthe U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1945. The modified effoet test (see 3.1.3) is sometimes referred to as the Modified Proctor Compaction Test.
1.3.2.1 Mold4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.
1.3.2.2 MaterialPassing %s-in. (9.5-mm） sieve.
natural occurring fine- or coarse-grained soils or posites or 1.1.1Soils and soil-aggregate mixtures are to be regared assoils or aggregates such as gravel or crushed rock. Hereafter mixtures of natural soils or mixtures of natural and processedreferred to as either soil or material.
1.3.2.3 Layers-Five. 1.3.2.4 Blows per layer-25.
1.3.2.5 UsageMay be used if 25 % or less by mass of thematerial is retained on the %-in. (9.5-mm) sieve. However if 5 to 25 % of the material is retained on the %-in. (9.5-mm)sieve Method B can be used but oversize corrections will be required (See 1.4). In this case the only advantages to usingsample is nceded and the smaller mold is easier to use. Method B rather than Method C are that a smaller amount of
have 30 % or less by mass of their particles retained on the 1.2These test methods apply only to soils (materials) that34-in. (19.0-mm) sieve and have not been previously - pacted in the laboratory: that is do not reuse pacted soil.
1.3.2.6Other Usage-If this gradation requirement cannotbe met then Method C may be used.
1.2.1For relationships between unit weights and moldingwater contents of soils with 30 % or less by weight of material retained on the 34-in. (19.0-mm) sieve to unit weights and(19.0-mm) sieve see Practice D4718/D4718M. molding water contents of the fraction passing the %-in.
1.3.3.1 Mold6-in. (152.4-mm) diameter.
1.3 Three altermative methods are provided. The methodused shall be as indicated in the specification for the material being tested. If no method is specified the choice should bebased on the material gradation.
1.3.3.4 Blows per layer-56.1.3.3.5 Usage-May be used if 30 % or less (see 1.4） bymass of the material is retained on the %a-in. (19.0-mm) sieve.
1.3.4 The 6-in. (152.4-mm) diameter mold shall not be usedwith Method A or B.
1.3.1 Method A:1.3.1.1 Mold4-in. (101.6-mm) diameter.1.3.1.3 LayersFive. 1.3.1.2 MaterialPassing No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.
tested at the same pactive effort in different size molds with the Nors 2Resalts have been found to vary sliglhtly when a material isdensity (1). pue wm iun jo sones odue luip iesdi ozs pfo soees
oversize fraction (coarse fraction) and the material will not be 1.4 If the test specimen contains more than 5 % by mass of
included in the test corrections must be made to the unit weight and molding water content of the test specimen or to theapropriat fldinlacnit weigh o dnity） test pmenusing Practice D4718/D4718M.
tion. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury od qeu es o o qq o snpd uby state law.
dance with intermationally recognied principles on stanard 1.10 This intermational standard was developed in accor-ication established in she Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of Intermational Standards Guides and Re- mendations issued by theWorld Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade (TBT) Commirtee.
maximum dry unit weight for non-free draining soils. If this 1.5 This test method will generally produce a well-definedtest method is used for free-draining soils the maximum unit weight may not be well defined and can be less than obtainedusing Test Methods D4253.
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in 1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to thePractice D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.
2.Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
C127 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and and Absorption of Coarse AggregateC670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements Coarsc AggregatesD6S3Terminology Relating to Soil. Rock.and Contained for Test Methods for Construction MaterialsFluidsD698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character- istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12.400 ft-Ib/ft² (600D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by kN-m/m'))Water PyenometerD2168 Practices for Calibration of Laboratory Mechanical- Rammer Soil CompactorsD2216Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by MassD2487 Praetice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)D2488 Practice for Descripion and Identification of SoilsD3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies (Visual-Manual Procedures)Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and ConstructionD4220/D4220M Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil SamplesD4253Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and UnitD4718/D4718M Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory TableD4753 Guide for Evalating Selecting and Specifying Bal Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particlesances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil. Rock. and Construetion Materials TestingD4914/D4914M Test Methods for Density of Soil and RockD5030/D5030M Test Methods for Density of In-Place Soil in Place by the Sand Replacement Method in a Test Pitand Rock Materials by the Water Replacement Method in D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re- cords in GeoMechnical DataD6913/D6913M Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution
1.6.1 For purposes of paring measured or calculatedvalue(s) with specified limits the measured or calculatedvalue(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant digits in the specified limits
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the 1.6.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/industry standard. In addition they are representative of thedures used do not consider material variation purpose for significant digits that eerally should eretained.heproceobtaining thedatapecial pupose studiesranycnid ations for the user's objectives; it is mon practice tomensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to beof these test methods to consider significant digits used inanalytical methods for engineering design.
1.7 The values in inch-pound units are to be regarded as thestandard. The values stated in SI units are provided forare given in SI units only g or kg. information only except for units of mass. The units for mass
1.7.1 It is mon practice in the engineering profession toand a force (Ibi). This implicitly bines two separate concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (Ibm)tional system. It is scientifically undesirable to bine the use systems of units; that is the absolute system and the gravita-standard. These test methods have been writen using thegravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-poundsystem.In this system te pound (Ibf) rpresents aunit of fe (weight). However the use of balances or scales recordingpounds of mass (Ibm) or the recording of density in Ibmft shall not be regarded as a nonconformance with this standard.
1.8 This standard does not purport to adress all of thesafety concems if anyassociated with its ase.I is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priatesaferyealhndevirommalpructices and r mine the applicabiliry of regulatory limitarions prior to use.
1.9 Warning-Mercury has been designated by EPA andmany state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system kidney and liver damage. Mercury orits vapor may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury andmercury containing products. See the applicable product Ma-( for additional informa- terial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA's website
D1557-12 (2021)
EllSpecifeation forWovenWire Test Sieve Clothand Test (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve AnalysisSievesE319 Practice for the Evaluation of Single-Pan Mechanieal BalancesIEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the Intermational System of Units (SI): The Modem Metric System
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 See Terminology D653 for general definitions.
3.1.2 molding water content nthe water content of thesoil (material specimen n themold afer it has been reconsti tuted and pacted.
3.1.3 modifed eforrin paction testing. the term forthe56 000 f-lbf/n² (2700 kN-m/m²) pactive effort applied by the cquipment and methods of this test.
3.1.4modifiedmaximwm dryunit weight 7ama （bf(N/nr)）in paction testing.the maximum value defined by the paction curve forapaction test usingmodifiedeffort.
3.1.5 modifed optimm water content w(%)in -paction testing the water content at which the soil can bepactive efort. o sn mn p xe on ped
3.2.1 oversize fraction (coarse fraction) Pc (%)the por-tion of total specimen not used in performing the pactiontest; it may be the portion of total specimen retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve in Method A %-in. (9.5-mm) sieve inMethod B or %4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve in Method C.
3.2.2 tesr fraction (finer fraction). P (%)the portion ofthe total specimen used in performing the paction test; itmay be fraction passing the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve in Method A. passing the %-in. (9.5-mm) sieve in Method B or passingthe %-in. (19.0-mm) sieve in Method C.
4. Summary of Test Method
five layers into a mold of given dimensions with each layer 4.1 A soil at a selected molding water content is placed inpacted by 25 or 56 blows of a 10.00-lbf (44.48-N) rammer dropped from a distance of 18.00 in. (457.2 mm) subjecting(2700 kN-m/m?). The resulting dry unit weight is determined. the soil to a total pactive effort of about 56 000 ft-lbf/ft²The procedure is repeated for a sufficient number of moldingwater contents to establish a relationship between the dry unitwhen plotted represent a curvilinear relationship known as the paction curve. The values of optimum water content andmodified maximum dry unit weight are determined from thepaction curve.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Soil placed as engineering fll (embuankments founda-tion pads road bases) is pacted to a dense state to obtainpressibility or permcability. In addition foundation soils satisfactory cngineering properties such as shear strength.
are often pacted to improve their engineering properties. Laboratory paction tests provide the basis for determiningthe percent paction and molding water content needed toachieve the required engineering properties and fr controlling construction to assure that the required paction and watercontents are achieved.
enginecring properties is often specified as a percentage of the modified Nore 3The degree of soil paction required to achieve the desiredrequired degrce of paction is substantially less than the modified maximum dry unit weight as detemined using this test method. If themaximm dy nit weigh using thistest method it may be practicable for testing to be performed using Test Method and to specify the degree ofp sode aousno dde s soil particles are more closely packed than when D698 is used Thegeneral overall result is a higher maximum dry unit weigh. lower ptimmmos otnratr har srthtr stiffsslowrpressibility lower air voids and dereased pemeability. However for highly pacted fine-grained soils absorption of water may result inswelling. with reduced shear strength and increased pessibility. reducing the benefits of thenreased effort used for pction 2）.UsenerllyathigherpimmmiseThcmtedimy of D698 on the other hand allows paction using less effort andof swelling and shrinking. Inmany applications building or struction be lessitlmore fexibemre emeblend ess sjt o fftscodes may direct which test method D698 or this one should e used when specifying the parison of laboratoey test nesults to the degree ofpaction of the in-place soil in the field.
5.2 During design of an engineered fill testing perfomed todetmie haronoliatnabilitrh ties requires test specimens to be prepared by pacting thethe optimum water content (wop）and maximum dry unit termined unit weight. It is mon practice to first determineare pacted at a selected molding water content (w) either weight (Yam) by means of a paction test. Test specimens pue (d) wunudo e ao (a) unundo jo Aup o 1amdry unit weight (Yamax). The selection of molding water content selected dry unit weight related to a percentage of maximum(w) cither wet or dry of optimum (wp) r at optimum (w) and the dry unit weight (Yamax)may be based on pastcxperience or a range of values may be investigated to determine the necessary percent of paction.
5.3 Experience indicates that the methods outlined in 5.2 orthe construction control aspects discussed in 5.1 are extremely difficult to implement or yield erroneous results when dealingwith some soils.The following subsections describe typicalproblem soils the problems cncountered when dealing with such soils and possible solutions for these problems.
oversize fraction (material retained on the %-in. (19-mm) 5.3.1 Oversize FractioSoils containing more than 30 %sieve) are a problem. For such soils there is no ASTM test method to control their paction and very few laboratoriesare cquipped to determine the laboratory maximum unit weightCO and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg. MS). (density) of such soils (USDI Bureau of Reclamation Denver determine the “field" dry unit weight of such soils they are Although Test Methods D4914/D4914M and D5030/D5030Mdifficult and expensive to perform.
5.3.1.1One method to design and control the paction ofsuch soils is to use a test fill to determine the required degree
of paction and the method to obtain that paction. Then use a method specification to control the paction. Compo-nents of a method specification typically contain the type andsize of paction equipment to be used the lift thickness acceptable range of molding water content and number ofpasses.
suitability of the gipment and facilities used. Agencies thatmeet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capahle of petentand objective testing/ampling/inspection/ete. Users of this standard are cautioned that pliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assurereliable resuls. Reliable reslts depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a mcans of evaluating some of those factors.
6. Apparatus
NorE 4Success in executing the paction control of an carthworkdependent upon the quality and experience of the contractor and imspector.
6.1 Mold AssemblyThe molds shall be cylindrical inshape made of rigid metal and be within the capacity and dimensions indicated in 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 and Fig. 1 and Fig. 2See also Table 1. The walls of the mold may be solid split orsections or a section of pipe split along one element which canbe securely locked together to form a cylinder meeting the requirements of this section. The “tapered" type shall have aninternal diameter taper that is uniform and not more than 0.200 in./ft (16.7 mm/m) of mold height. Each mold shall have a baseplate and an extension collar assembly both made of rigid metal and constructed so they can be securely attached andshall have a height extending above the top of themold of at easily detached from the mold. The extension collar assemblyflares out to form a funnel provided there is at least a 0.75-in. (19-mm) straight cylindrical section beneath it. The extensioncollar shall align with the inside of the mold. The bottom of the base plate and bottom of the centrally recessed area thataccepts the cylindrical mold shall be planar within ±0.005 in.(±0.1 mm).
5.3.1.2 Another method is to apply the use of densitycorrection factors developed by the USDI Bureau of Reclama- tion (3 4) and U.S. Corps of Engincers (5). These correctionfactors may be applied for soils containing up to about 50 to70 % oversize fraction. Both agencies use a different term for these density correction factors. The USDI Bureau of Recla-mation uses D ratio (or D VALUE) whil the U.S.Corps of Engincers uses Density Interference Coeficient (f.).
D155778 Method D). in which the oversize fraction is 5.3.1.3 The use of the replacement technique (Test Methodreplaced with a finer fraction is inappropriate to determine themaximum dry unit weight Yamax of soils containing oversize fractions (5).
during paction are a problem. especially when more 5.3.2 DegradationSoils containing particles that degradedegradation occurs during laboratory paction than field paction.the typical case. Degradation typically occursase ao os enpisar o uoedo uucreases (1) so that the resulting laboratory maximum value isnot representative of field conditions.Often in these cases the maximum dry unit weight is impossible to achieve in the field.
6.1.1 Mold 4 in.-A mold having a 4.000 ± 0.016-in.0.018 in. (116.4 ± 0.5 mm) and a volume of 0.0333 ± 0.0005 (101.6 ± 0.4-mm) average inside diameter a height of 4.584 ±f² (943.0 ± 14.0 cm²). A mold assembly having the minimum required features is shown in Fig. 1.
fills and method specifications may help. Use of replacement 5.3.2.1 Again for soils subject to degradation the use of testtechniques is not correct.
6.1.2 Mold 6 im.-A mold having a 6.000 ± 0.026-in.0.018 in. (116.4 ± 0.5 mm) and a volume of 0.0750 ± 0.0009 (152.4 ± 0.7-mm) average inside diameter a height of 4.584 ±ft² (2124 ± 25 cm²). A mold assembly having the minimum required features is shown in Fig. 2.
many large particles with limited small particles) are a problem 5.3.3 Gap GradedGap-graded soils (soils containingTo handle these large voids standard test methods (laboratory because the pacted soil will have larger voids than usual.or field) typically have to be modified using engineeringjudgement.
6.2 Rammer-A rammer cither manually operated as de-in 6.2.2. The rammer shall fall freely through a distance of scribed further in 6.2.1 or mechanically operated as described18.00 ± 0.05 in. (457.2 ± 1.3 mm) from the surface of the
Nore 5The quality of the result peoduced by this standard isdependent on the petence of the personnel perfoming it and the
No: 15See Table 1 for SI oquivalents. FIG. 1 Cylindrical Mold 4.0-in.
Nore ISee Table 1 for SI oquivalents. FIG.2 Cylindrical Mold 6.0-in.
TABLE 1 SI Equivalents for Figs. 1 and 2
in. mm0.016 0.026 0.032 0.41 0.66 0.810.028 19 12.70 0.712% 2 60.33 63.502%6 4% 4 101.60 114.30 66.704.584 4% 116.43 120.606 6 152.40 165.106%4 6% 8% 168.30 171.40 208.601% (0.0333) 电 943 cm? (0.0750) 0.0005 2 124 140.0011 31
specimen. The weight of the rammer shall be 10.00 ± 0.02 Ibf 2x(3x 6000 9J0 s3oN 600 8)the weight of the mechanical rammers may be adjusted as described in Practices D2168 (see Note 6). The striking face ofthe rammer shall be planar and circular except as noted in6.2.2.1 with a diameter when new of 2.000 ± 0.005 in. (50.80 ± 0.13 mm). The rammer shall be replaced if the striking face2.000 ± 0.01 in. (50.80 ± 0.25 mm). bees worm or bellied to the extent that the diameter excceds
NorE 6t is a mon and acceptable practice to determine theweight of the rammer using either a kilogram or pound balance and assume 1 Ibf is equivalent to 0.4536 kg 1 If is equivalent to 1 Ibm or 1N is cquivalent to 0.2248 Ibf or 0.1020 kg.
6.2.1 Manl RommerThe rammer shall be cquipped witha guide sleeve that has sufficient clcarance that the free fall of the rammer shaft and hcad is not restricted. The guide sleeveshall have at least four vent holes at cach cnd (eight holes total)located with centers % ± %is in. (19 ± 2 mm) from cach end and spaced 90° apart. The minimum diameter of the vent holes
shall be % in. (9.5 mm). Additional holes or slots may beincorporated in the guide sleeve.
6.2.2 Mechanical Rammer-Circurlar Face-The rammershall operate mechanically in such a manner as to provideuniform and plete coverage of the specimen surface. There shall be 0.10 ± 0.03-in. (2.5 ± 0.8-mm) clearance between thediameter.The mechanical rammer shallmeet the rammer and the inside surface of the mold at its smallestThe mechanical rammer shall be equipped with a positive standardization/calibration requirements of Practices D2168.mechanical means to support the rammer when not in opera-tion.
6.2.2.1 Mechanical Rammer-Sector FaceThe sector faceto the circular face mechanical rammer described in 6.2.2. The can be used with the 6.0-in. (152.4-mm) mold as an alternativestriking face shall have the shape of a sector of a circle of radius equal to 2.90 ± 0.02 in. (73.7 ± 0.5 mm) and an areaabout the same as the circular face (see 6.2). The rammer shalloperate in such a manner that the vertex of the sector is positioned at the center of the specimen and follow thepaction pattern given in Fig. 3(b).
other device adapted for the purpose of extruding pacted 6.3 Sample Extruder (oprional)A jack with frame orspecimens from the mold.
6.4 BalanceA Class GP5 balance meeting the require-ments of Specification D4753 for a balance of 1-g readability. If the water content of the pacted specimens is deteminedusing a representative portion of the specimen rather than the1000 g. a Class GP2 balance having a 0.1-g readability is whole specimen and if the representative portion is less thanneeded in order to ply with Test Methods D2216 require- ments for determining water content to 0.1 %.
Nore 7Use of a balance having an equivalent capacity and anot be regarded as nonconformance to this standand. readability of 0.002 Ibm as an altemative to a class GP5 balance should
pable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 230 ± 9°F (110 6.5 Drying Oven-Thermostatically controlled oven ca-5°C) throughout the drying chamber. These requirementstypically require the use of a forced-draft type oven. Preferably the oven should be vented outside the building.
