Sand-Displacement Method

A full discussion of the procedures used in the sand-displacement method can be found in Test Method for Pavement Subgrade, Subbase, and Base-Course Material, MILSTD- 621A, and in NAVFAC MO-330. This method, often called the sand-cone method, may be used for both fine-grained and coarse-grained materials. In general, the test consists of digging out a sample of the material to be tested, using calibrated sand to determine the volume of the hole from which the sample was removed and the dry unit weight of the sample.