Test Method Title
Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer
Reference Number
ASTM D854
Material
Soil
Test Property
Specific Gravity
Description of Test
This test method covers the determination of the specific gravity of soils that pass the 4.75-mm (#4) sieve, by means of a pycnometer. When the soil contains particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C 127 shall be used for the material retained on the 4.75-mm sieve and this test method shall be used for the material passing the 4.75-mm sieve. The specific gravity of a soil is used in calculating the phase relationships of soils (that is, the relative volumes of solids to water and air in a given volume of soil). The term solid particles is typically assumed to mean naturally occurring mineral particles that are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity of materials containing extraneous matter (such as cement, lime and the like), water-soluble matter (such as sodium chloride), and soils containing matter with a specific gravity less than one, typically require special treatment or a qualified definition of their specific gravity.
Number of Test Specimens
1
Test Specimen Size
20-100 grams dry, passing the #4 sieve
Keywords
soil, Specific Gravity