ASTM D2168-10(2018)

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.
Designation: D2168 − 10 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Practices for
Calibration of Laboratory Mechanical-Rammer Soil
Compactors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2168; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of
mass (lbm) or the recording of density in lbm/ft shall not be
1.1 These practices for the calibration of mechanical soil
regarded as a nonconformance with this standard.
compactors are for use in checking and adjusting mechanical
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
devices used in laboratory compacting of soil and soil-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
aggregate in accordance with Test Methods D698, D1557,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Practice D6026, and other methods of a similar nature that
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
might specify these practices. Calibration for use with one
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
practice does not qualify the equipment for use with another
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
practice.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 The weight of the mechanical rammer is adjusted as
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
described in 5.4 and 6.5 in order to provide for the mechanical
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
compactortoproducethesameresultasthemanualcompactor.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.3 Two alternative procedures are provided as follows:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Section
Practice A Calibration based on the compaction of a 5
2. Referenced Documents
selected soil sample
Practice B Calibration based on the deformation of a 6 2.1 ASTM Standards:
standard lead cylinder
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.4 If a mechanical compactor is calibrated in accordance
Fluids
with the requirements of either Practice A or Practice B, it is
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
not necessary for the mechanical compactor to meet the
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600
requirements of the other practice.
kN-m/m ))
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
information only.
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
1.5.1 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
and a force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
tional system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
Data
standard.This standard has been written using the gravitational
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In
Sieves
this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
Ventilation Ovens
ThesepracticesareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,
Plasticity and Density Characteristics of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2018. Published July 2018. Originally appr- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
roved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D2168–10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2168-10R18. the ASTM website.
*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
D2168 − 10 (2018)
3. Significance and Use 5. Procedure—Practice A
3.1 Mechanical compactors are commonly used to replace 5.1 Evaluate the mechanical and manual compactors for
the hand compactors required for Test Methods D698 and evidence of wear, malfunction, and need of servicing and
D1557 in cases where it is necessary to increase production. adjustment.Clean,adjust,andlubricatethecompactorssoasto
meet all requirements of the manufacturer, and the applicable
3.2 The design of mechanical compactors is such that it is
method under which they will be used and for which the
necessary to have a calibration process that goes beyond
mechanical compactor is to be calibrated. Operate the compac-
determining the mass and drop of the hammer.
tor for a minimum of 25 drops to cause friction in the parts to
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
become constant, allowing the rammer to fall on soil or other
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
soft material.
criteria in Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
NOTE 3—In order to provide satisfactory results, mechanical compac-
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/and the like. Users of this
tors must be in excellent working condition. Improper operation of the
standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in
raising and release mechanisms can introduce serious errors.
itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors;
Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
5.2 Obtain approximately 50 lb (23 kg) of soil classified as
CL in accordance with Classification D2487. If excessive
4. Apparatus
moistureispresent,drythesoiluntilitbecomesfriable.Drying
4.1 For PracticeA, in addition to the apparatus requirements
may be in air or by use of a drying apparatus such that the
specified in Test Methods D698 and D1557, the following is
temperature of the sample does not exceed 140°F (60°C). Pass
required:
the soil through a No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve conforming to the
4.1.1 DryingOven—Thermostatically controlled oven, pref-
requirements of Specification E11. Discard any material re-
erably of the forced-draft type, meeting the requirements for
maining on the sieve, and thoroughly blend the material
Specification E145 and capable of maintaining a uniform
passing the sieve until it is uniform. The material shall then be
temperature of 140 6 5°F (60 6 3°C) throughout the drying
prepared for compaction in accordance with either Methods
chamber.
D698 or D1557 as appropriate for the mechanical compactor
4.2 For Practice B, in addition to the apparatus requirements
being calibrated.
specified in Test Methods D698 and D1557, the following are
NOTE 4—The amount of soil used will vary greatly depending on the
required:
number of water content unit mass determinations required.
4.2.1 Lead Deformation Apparatus—A lead deformation
5.3 Using the soil prepared in accordance with 5.2, deter-
apparatus consisting of an anvil, guide collar, and striking pin,
mine optimum moisture and maximum dry unit weight by
as shown in Fig. 1.
MethodAof eitherTest Methods D698 or D1557 or whichever
4.2.2 Micrometer—Aone-inch (25-mm) outside micrometer
method is appropriate for the mechanical compactor being
or caliper reading to 0.001 in. (0.02 mm), for determining the
calibrated. Prepare one curve using the mechanical compactor
length of the lead cylinders. As an alternative, a one-inch
and another using the manual compactor. Record the values of
(25-mm) dial comparator reading to 0.001 in. (0.02 mm) may
γ , the maximum dry unit weight obtained with the manual
max
be used to determine either the length of the lead cylinder, or
compactor, and γ' , the maximum dry unit weight obtained
max
of the complete lead deformation apparatus assembly. To
with the mechanical compactor.
measure the complete assembly, a dial comparator with a
minimum opening of 2 in. (50 mm) is required (see Fig. 2). 5.4 Determine W, the percentage difference of maximum
dry unit weight values for a single set of data (see Section 7).
NOTE 2—The use of vernier calipers is not recommended since the
If the absolute value of W is equal to or less than 2.0, the
vernier calipers can produce erroneous readings if not zeroed correctly, or
mechanical compactor is satisfactory for immediate use. If the
if the vernier caliper is not of high quality.
absolute value of W is greater than 2.0, then obtain two
4.2.3 Guide Sleeve Pedestal—A guide sleeve pedestal for
additional sets of data. Use the same soil sample, prepared in
use with guide sleeves used to control the drop of the manual
accordance with 5.2, that was used previously. Determine W,
rammers in Test Methods D698 and D1557 (see Fig. 3).
the average percentage difference of maximum dry unit mass
4.2.4 Test Cylinders—A supply of commercially pure lead
values for three sets of data (see Section 7). If the absolute
test cylinders having individual weights such that the lightest
value of W is equal to or less than 2.0, the mechanical
cylinder is within 0.06 g of the heaviest, each having a length
compactor is satisfactory for immediate use. If the absolute
of 0.675 6 0.005 in. (17.1 6 0.1 mm) and a diameter of 0.310
¯
3 value of¯W is greater than 2.0, then adjust the rammer mass of
6 0.002 in. (7.87 6 0.05 mm). A minimum of ten test
the mechanical compactor in accordance with 5.5. Then secure
cylinders is required for the calibration of one mechanical
¯
three new values of γ' and compute a new value of W.
max
compactor. However, depending on circumstances, as many as
¯
Repeat this procedure until the absolute value of W is equal to
100 test cylinders may be required.
or less than 2.0.
5.5 Make changes in the weight of the mechanical hammer
The sole source of supply of the lead test cylinders known to the committee at
this time is Hornady Manufacturing Co., P.O. Box 1848, Grand Island, Nebr. 68801
with due consideration to good workmanship. Makeshift modi-
in lots of 500. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this
fications that could affect the operation
...