AASHTO T 180-01 (2004)

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:

• Method A—A 101.60-mm (4-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve;
• Method B—A 152.40-mm (6-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve;
• Method C—A 101.60-mm (4-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve; or
• Method D—A 152.40-mm (6-in.) mold: Soil material passing a 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve.

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.

This test method applies to soils 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 (3/4-in.) sieve, when Method C or D is used. The material retained on these sieves shall be defined as oversize particles (coarse particles).

If the test specimen contains oversize particles, and the test specimen used for field density compaction control, corrections must be made according to AASHTO T 224 to compare the total field density with the compacted specimen. The person or agency specifying this method shall specify a minimum percentage of oversize particles below which correction for oversize need not be applied. If no minimum percentage is specified, correction shall be applied to samples with more than 5 percent by mass of oversize particles.

If the specified oversized maximum tolerances are exceeded, other methods of compaction control must be used.

Note—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.