ASTM D8167/D8167M-23e1
Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)

Standard No.

ASTM D8167/D8167M-23e1

Release Date

2023

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D8167/D8167M-23e1

Scope

1.1 This test method describes the procedures for measuring in-place bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate using nuclear equipment with radioactive sources (hereafter referred to simply as “gauges”). These gauges are distinct from those described in Test Method D6938 insofar as: 1.1.1 These gauges do not contain a system (nuclear or otherwise) for the determination of the water content of the material under measurement. 1.1.2 These gauges have photon yields sufficiently low as to require the inclusion of background radiation effects on the response during normal operation. 1.1.2.1 For the devices described in Test Method D6938, the contribution of gamma rays detected from the naturallyoccurring radioisotopes in most soils (hereafter referred to as “background”) compared to the contribution of gamma rays used by the device to measure in-place bulk density is typically small enough to be negligible in terms of their effect on measurement accuracy. However, for these low-activity gauges, the gamma ray yield from the gauge is low enough that the background contribution from most soils compared to the contribution of gamma rays from the gauge is no longer negligible, and changes in this background can adversely affect the accuracy of the bulk density reading. 1.1.2.2 In order to compensate for potentially differing background contribution to low-activity gauge measurements at different test sites, a background reading must be taken in conjunction with gauge measurements obtained at a given test site. This background reading is utilized in the bulk density calculation performed by the gauge with the goal of minimizing these background effects on the density measurement accuracy. 1.2 For limitations see Section 5 on Interferences. 1.3 The bulk density of soil and soil-aggregate is measured by the attenuation of gamma radiation where the source is placed at a known depth up to 300 mm [12 in.] and the detector(s) remains on the surface (some gauges may reverse this orientation). 1.3.1 The bulk density of the test sample in mass per unit volume is calculated by comparing the detected rate of gamma radiation with previously established calibration data. 1.3.2 Neither the dry density nor the water content of the test sample is measured by this device. However, the results of this test can be used with the water content or water mass per unit volume value determined by alternative methods to determine the dry density of the test sample. 1.4 The gauge is calibrated to read the bulk density of soil or soil-aggregate. 1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026. 1.5.1 For purposes of comparing, a measured or calculated value(s) with specified limits, the measured or calculated value(s) shall be rounded to the nearest decimal or significant digits in the specified limits. 1.5.2 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design. 1.6 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inchpound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; 1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and Construction Control Tests. Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D8167/D8167M–18a. DOI: 10.1520/D8167_D8167M–23E01. *A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 1 therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard. Reporting test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard. 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. NOTE 1—Nuclear density gauge manuals and reference materials, as well as the gauge displays themselves, typically refer to bulk density as “wet density” or “WD.” NOTE 2—The term “bulk density” is used throughout this standard. This term has different definitions in Terminology D653, depending on the context of its use. For this standard, however, “bulk density” refers to, as defined in Terminology D653, “the total mass of partially saturated or saturated soil or rock per unit total volume.” 1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM D8167/D8167M-23e1 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 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 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 D4253 Standard test method for maximum index density and unit weight of soil using a shaking table*， 2024-04-21 Update
• ASTM D4254 Standard Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density*， 2024-04-21 Update
• ASTM D4643 Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil and Rock by Microwave Oven Heating
• ASTM D4718/D4718M Standard Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles*， 2023-08-01 Update
• ASTM D4944 Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Tester Method
• ASTM D4959 Standard Test Method for Determination of Water Content of Soil By Direct Heating*， 2024-02-01 Update
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM D6938 Standard Test Methods for In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)*， 2023-05-17 Update
• ASTM D698 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft³ (600 kN-m/m³))*， 2024-04-21 Update
• ASTM D7013/D7013M Standard Guide for Calibration Facility Setup for Nuclear Surface Gauges
• ASTM D7382 Standard Test Methods for Determination of Maximum Dry Unit Weight of Granular Soils Using a Vibrating Hammer
• ASTM D7759/D7759M Standard Guide for Nuclear Surface Moisture and Density Gauge Calibration
• ASTM E177 Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• ASTM E691 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

ASTM D8167/D8167M-23e1 history

• 2023 ASTM D8167/D8167M-23e1 Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
• 2023 ASTM D8167/D8167M-23 Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
• 2018 ASTM D8167/D8167M-18a Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)
• 2018 ASTM D8167/D8167M-18 Standard Test Method for In-Place Bulk Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by a Low-Activity Nuclear Method (Shallow Depth)