Sand Replacement Apparatus

To determine the field density of soil at a given location by sand replacement method
REFERENCE
IS-2720-Part-28-Determination of dry density of soils in place, by the sand replacement method
APPARATUS
1. Sand pouring cylinder 2. Calibrating can
3. Metal tray with a central hole
4. Dry sand (passing through 600 micron sieve)
5. Balance
6. Moisture content bins
7. Glass plate
8. Metal tray
9. Scraper tool
THEORY AND APPLICATION
Determination of field density of cohesion less soil is not possible by core cutter method, because it is not possible to obtain a core sample. In such situation, the sand replacement method is employed to determine the unit weight. In sand replacement method, a small cylindrical pit is excavated and the weight of the soil excavated from the pit is measured. Sand whose density is known is filled into the pit. By measuring the weight of sand required to fill the pit and knowing its density the volume of pit is calculated. Knowing the weight of soil excavated from the pit and the volume of pit, the density of soil is calculated. Therefore, in this experiment there are two stages, namely
1. Calibration of sand density
2. Measurement of soil density 
Sand Replacement Method PROCEDURE