NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.

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Designation: D 854 – 00

Standard Test Methods for

Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 854; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope * 1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the as standard. No other units of measurement are included in
specific gravity of soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) these test methods.
sieve, by means of a water pycnometer. When the soil contains 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
particles larger than the 4.75-mm sieve, Test Method C 127 safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
shall be used for the soil solids retained on the 4.75-mm sieve responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and these test methods shall be used for the soil solids passing priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the 4.75-mm sieve. bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1.1 Soil solids for these test methods do not include solids 2. Referenced Documents
which can be altered by these methods, contaminated with a
substance that prohibits the use of these methods, or are highly 2.1 ASTM Standards:
organic soil solids, such as fibrous matter which floats in water. C 127 Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of
Coarse Aggregate2
NOTE 1—The use of Test Method D 5550 may be used to determine the
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D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
specific gravity of soil solids having solids which readily dissolve in water
Fluids3
or float in water, or where it is impracticable to use water.
D 1140 Test Method for Amount of Material in Soils Finer
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1.2 Two methods for performing the specific gravity are
provided. The method to be used shall be specified by the
Than the No. 200 (75-µm) Sieve3
D 2216 Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water

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requesting authority, except when testing the types of soils (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass3
listed in 1.2.1 D 2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
1.2.1 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens, described Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)3
in 9.2. This procedure is the preferred method. For organic D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
soils; highly plastic, fine grained soils; tropical soils; and ASTM soils D854-00
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
containinghttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/263fc59b-4f90-4ffc-b8f2-a5743e815c94/astm-d854-00
halloysite, Method A shall be used. as Used in Engineering Design and Construction3
1.2.2 Method B—Procedure for Oven-Dry Specimens, de- D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
scribed in 9.3. fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the Related Construction Materials Testing3
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in D 5550 Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
Practice D 6026. Gas Pycnometer3
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ D 6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechni-
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the cal Data4
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- poses5
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider- ASTM Test Methods5
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be Determine the Precision of a Test Method5
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in 3. Terminology
analysis methods for engineering design. 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
2
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
3
and Density Characteristics of Soils. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
4
Current edition approved June 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
5
published as D 854 – 45. Last previous edition D 854 – 98. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.

*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.

1
 D 854
methods, refer to Terminology D 653. eter or a digital thermometer with a –1 to 57°C range will meet
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: this requirement.
3.2.1 specific gravity of soil solids, Gs, n—the ratio of the 5.5 Desiccator—A desiccator cabinet or large desiccator jar
mass of a unit volume of a soil solids to the mass of the same of suitable size containing silica gel or anhydrous calcium
volume of gas-free distilled water at 20°C. sulfate.
NOTE 3—It is preferable to use a desiccant that changes color to
4. Significance and Use indicate when it needs reconstitution.
4.1 The specific gravity of a soil solids is used in calculating 5.6 Entrapped Air Removal Apparatus—To remove en-
the phase relationships of soils, such as void ratio and degree trapped air (deairing process), use one of the following:
of saturation. 5.6.1 Hot Plate or Bunsen Burner, capable of maintaining a
4.1.1 The specific gravity of soil solids is used to calculate temperature adequate to boil water.
the density of the soil solids. This is done by multiplying its 5.6.2 Vacuum System, a vacuum pump or water aspirator,
specific gravity by the density of water (at proper temperature). capable of producing a partial vacuum of 100 mm of mercury
4.2 The term soil solids is typically assumed to mean (Hg) or less absolute pressure.
naturally occurring mineral particles or soil like particles that
are not readily soluble in water. Therefore, the specific gravity NOTE 4—A partial vacuum of 100 mm Hg absolute pressure is
of soil solids containing extraneous matter, such as cement, approximately equivalent to a 660 mm (26 in.) Hg reading on vacuum
gauge at sea level.
lime, and the like, water-soluble matter, such as sodium
chloride, and soils containing matter with a specific gravity less 5.7 Insulated Container—A Styrofoam cooler and cover or
than one, typically require special treatment (see Note 1) or a equivalent container that can hold between three and six
qualified definition of their specific gravity. pycnometers plus a beaker, a water bottle, and a thermometer.
4.3 The balances, pycnometer sizes, and specimen masses This is required to maintain a controlled temperature environ-
are established to obtain test results with three significant ment where changes will be uniform and gradual.
digits. 5.8 Funnel—A non-corrosive smooth surface funnel with a

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NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by these test methods is
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
stem that extends past the calibration mark on the volumetric
flask or stoppered seal on the stoppered flasks. The diameter of

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suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the the stem of the funnel must be large enough that soil solids will
criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent easily pass through.
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of these test methods 5.9 Pycnometer Filling Tube with Lateral Vents
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are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself
assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice
D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
(optional)—A device to assist in adding deaired water to the
pycnometer without disturbing the soil-water mixture. The
device may be fabricated as follows. Plug a 1⁄4 to 3⁄8 in.
diameter plastic tube at one end and cut two small vents
5. Apparatus ASTM(notches)
D854-00 just above the plug. The vents should be perpendicu-
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5.1 Pycnometer—The water pycnometer shall be either a lar to the axis of the tube and diametrically opposed. Connect
stoppered flask, stoppered iodine flask, or volumetric flask with a valve to the other end of the tube and run a line to the valve
a minimum capacity of 250 mL. The volume of the pycnometer from a supply of deaired water.
must be 2 to 3 times greater than the volume of the soil-water 5.10 Sieve—No. 4 (4.75 mm) conforming to the require-
mixture used during the deairing portion of the test. ments of Specification E 11.
5.1.1 The stoppered flask mechanically sets the volume. The 5.11 Blender (optional)—A blender with mixing blades
stoppered iodine flask has a flared collar that allows the stopper built into the base of the mixing container.6
to be placed at an angle during thermal equilibration and 5.12 Miscellaneous Equipment, such as a computer or
prevents water from spilling down the sides of the flask when calculator (optional), specimen dishes, and insulated gloves.
the stopper is installed. The wetting the outside of the flask is
undesirable because it creates changes in the thermal equilib- 6. Reagents
rium. When using a stopper flask, make sure that the stopper is 6.1 Purity of Water—Distilled water is used in this test
properly labeled to correspond to the flask. method. This water may be purchased and is readily available
5.2 Balance—Meeting the requirements of Specification at most grocery stores; hereafter, distilled water will be referred
D 4753, class GP1. This balance has a readability of 0.01 g and to as water.
capacity of at least 2000 g.
5.3 Drying Oven—Thermostatically controlled oven, ca- 7. Test Specimen
pable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C 7.1 The test specimen may be moist or oven-dry soil and
throughout the drying chamber. These requirements usually shall be representative of the soil solids that passes the U. S.
require the use of a forced-draft oven. Standard No. 4 sieve in the total sample. Table 1 gives
5.4 Thermometer—Thermometer capable of measuring the guidelines on recommended dry soil mass versus soil type and
temperature range within which the test is being performed, pycnometer size.
readable to the nearest 0.1°C and an immersion depth ranging
between 25 to 80 mm. Full immersion thermometers shall not 6
Manufacturers of such blenders include, but are not limited to, Waring or
be used. Either a general-purpose precision mercury thermom- Osterizer.

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 D 854
TABLE 1 Recommended Mass for Test Specimen bottle, then remove the excess water using an eyedropper. Dry
Soil Type Specimen Dry Mass (g) Specimen Dry Mass (g) the rim using a paper towel. Be sure the entire exterior of the
When Using 250 mL When Using 500 mL flask is dry. Measure and record the mass of pycnometer and
Pycnometer Pycnometer
water to the nearest 0.01 g.
SP, SP-SM 60 6 10 1006 10
SP-SC, SM, SC 45 6 10 756 10
8.5 Measure and record the temperature of the water to the
Silt or Clay 35 6 5 506 10 nearest 0.1°C using the thermometer that has been thermally
equilibrated in the insulated container. Insert the thermometer
to the appropriate depth of immersion (see 5.4). Return the
7.1.1 Two important factors concerning the amount of soil pycnometer to the insulated container. Repeat the measure-
solids being tested are as follows. First, the mass of the soil ments for all pycnometers in the container.
solids divided by its specific gravity will yield four-significant 8.6 Readjust the water level in each pycnometer to prepare
digits. Secondly, the mixture of soil solids and water is a slurry for the next calibration and allow the pycnometers to thermally
not a highly viscous fluid (thick paint) during the deairing equilibrate (for at least 3 h). Repeat the procedure to obtain five
process. independent measurements on each pycnometer. The tempera-
tures do not need to bracket any particular temperature range.
8. Calibration of Pycnometer 8.7 Using each of these five data points, compute the
8.1 Determine the mass of the clean and dry pycnometer to calibrated volume of each pycnometer, Vp, using the following
the nearest 0.01 g (typically five significant digits). Repeat this equation:
determination five times. One balance should be used for all of
~Mpw,c – Mp!
the mass measurements. Determine and record the average and Vp 5 rw,c (1)
standard deviation. The standard deviation shall be less than or
equal to 0.02 g. If it is greater, attempt additional measure- where:
ments or use a more stable or precise balance. Mpw,c = the mass of the pycnometer and water at the
8.2 Fill the pycnometer with deaired water to above or calibration temperature, g,

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below the calibration mark depending on the type of pycnom- Mp = the average mass of the dry pycnometer at
eter and laboratory preference to add or remove water. calibration, g, and
8.2.1 It is recommended that water be removed to bring the r = the mass density of water at the calibration
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w,c
water level to the calibration mark. The removal method temperature g/mL, (Table 2).
reduces the chances of altering the thermal equilibrium by 8.8 Calculate the average and the standard deviation of the

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reducing the number of times the insulated container is opened. five volume determinations. The standard deviation shall be
8.2.2 The water must be deaired to ensure that there are no less than or equal to 0.05 mL (rounded to two decimal places).
air bubbles in the water. The water may be deaired using either If the standard deviation is greater than 0.05 mL, the calibra-
boiling, vacuum, combination of vacuum and heat, or a tion procedure has too much variability and will not yield
ASTM
deairing device. This deaired water should not be used until it D854-00
accurate specific gravity determinations. Evaluate areas of
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has equilibrated to room temperature. Also, this water shall be possible refinement (adjusting the volume to the calibration
added to the pycnometer following the guidance given in 9.6. mark, achieving temperature equilibrium, measuring tempera-
8.3 Up to six pycnometers can be calibrated concurrently in ture, deairing method or changing to the stoppered flasks) and
each insulated container. Put the pycnometer(s) into a covered revise the procedure until the standard deviation is less than or
insulated container along with the thermometer (in a beaker of equal to 0.05 mL.
water), stopper(s) (if a stoppered pycnometer is being used),
and deaired water in a bottle along with either an eyedropper or 9. Procedure
pipette. Let the pycnometer(s) come to thermal equilibrium 9.1 Pycnometer Mass—Using the same balance used to
(for at least 3 h). The equilibrium temperature should be within calibrate the pycnometer, verify that the mass of the pycnom-
4°C of room temperature and between 15 and 30°C. eter is within 0.06 g of the average calibrated mass. If it is not,
8.4 Move the insulated container near the balance or vice re-calibrate the dry mass of the pycnometer.
versa. Open the container and remove one pycnometer. Only 9.2 Method A—Procedure for Moist Specimens:
the rim of the pycnometer shall be touched as to prevent the 9.2.1 Determine the water content of a portion of the sample
heat from handling changing the thermal equilibrium. Either in accordance with Test Method D 2216. Using this water
work in the container or place the pycnometer on an insulated content, calculate the range of wet masses for the specific
block (Styrofoam) while making water level adjustments. gravity specimen in accordance with 7.1. From the sample,
8.4.1 If using a volumetric flask as a pycnometer, adjust the obtain a specimen within this range. Do not sample to obtain an
water to the calibration mark, with the bottom of the meniscus exact predetermined mass.
level with the mark. If water has to be added, use the thermally 9.2.2 Disperse the soil using a blender or equivalent device
equilibrated water from the insulated container. If water has to to disperse the soil. Add the soil to about 100 mL of water. The
be removed, use a small suction tube or paper towel. Check for minimum volume of slurry that can be prepared by this
and remove any water beads on the pycnometer stem or on the equipment will typically require using a 500-mL pycnometer.
exterior of the flask. Measure and record the mass of pycnom- 9.2.3 Using the funnel, pour the slurry into the pycnometer.
eter and water to the nearest 0.01 g. Rinse any soil particles remaining on the funnel into the
8.4.2 If a stoppered flask is used, place the stopper in the pycnometer using a wash/spray squirt bottle.