Overview

This document deals with the equipment requirements, execution of and reporting of the determination of the bulk density of soils. The bulk density of a soil is useful in the determination of the in-situ overburden stresses at various depth (geostatic stresses). Furthermore, bulk and dry density can qualitatively describe the mechanical characteristics of a soil via empirical relationships which are to be found in the technical literature. Such relationships should be used only as guidelines and should be supplemented by direct measurements of the mechanical characteristics. This document describes three methods: a) linear measurement method; b) immersion in fluid method; c) fluid displacement method. The linear measurement method is suitable for the determination of the bulk density of a specimen of soil of regular shape, including specimens prepared for other tests. The specimens used are either rectangular or cylindrical prisms. The immersion in fluid method covers the determination of the bulk density of a specimen of natural or compacted soil by measuring its mass in air and its apparent mass when suspended in fluid. The method may be used when lumps of material of suitable size can be obtained. The fluid displacement method covers the determination of the bulk density of a specimen of soil by measuring its mass in air and the mass of fluid displaced by immersion. The method may be used when lumps of material of suitable size can be obtained. The committee responsible for this standard is NA 005-05-03 AA "Baugrund; Laborversuche (SpA zu CEN/TC 341/WG 6)" ("Soil, laboratory tests (Mirror Committee of CEN/TC 341/WG 6)") at DIN.

Document: references other documents

Document: referenced in other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 005-05-03 AA - Laboratory tests on soils (national mirror committee for parts of CEN/TC 341, CEN/TC 396 and ISO/TC 182/WG 10 and WG 13)  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 341 - Geotechnical Investigation and Testing  

Responsible international committee

ISO/TC 182 - Geotechnics