AASHTO T 180

Abstract

This method of test is intended for determining the relationship between the moisture content and density of soils when compacted in a given mold of a given size with a 4.54-kg (10-lb) rammer dropped from a height of 457 mm (18 in.). Four alternate procedures are provided as follows: <br>&#8226; <em>Method A</em>&#8212;A 101.60-mm (4-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve Sections 4 and 5. <br>&#8226; <em>Method B</em>&#8212;A 152.40-mm (6-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve Sections 6 and 7. <br>&#8226; <em>Method C</em>&#8212;A 101.60-mm (4-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 19.0-mm (0.75-in.) sieve Sections 8 and 9. <br>&#8226; <em>Method D</em>&#8212;A 152.40-mm (6-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 19.0-mm (0.75-in.) sieve Sections 10 and 11. <br>The method to be used should be indicated in the specifications for the material being tested. If no method is specified, the provisions of Method A shall govern. <br>This test method applies to soil mixtures that have 40 percent or less retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, when Method A or B is used and 30 percent or less retained on the 19.0-mm (0.75-in.) sieve, when Method C or D is used. Material retained on these sieves shall be defined as oversize particles (coarse particles). <br>If the test specimen contains oversized particles, dry density and moisture corrections must be made in accordance with Annex A1. <br>If the specified oversized particle maximum percentage is exceeded, other methods of compaction control must be used. <br><strong>Note 1</strong>&#8212;One method for the design and control of the compaction of such soils is to use a test fill to determine the required degree of compaction and a method to obtain that compaction. Then use a method specification to control the compaction by specifying the type and size of compaction equipment, the lift thickness, and the number of passes. <br>The following applies to all specified limits in this standard: For the purposes of determining conformance with these specifications, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off "to the nearest unit'' in the last right-hand place of figures used in expressing the limiting value, in accordance with ASTM E29. <br>The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.