This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6938 − 17a

Standard Test Methods for

In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-
Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6938; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* ratio of the mass of the water in pore spaces to the total mass
of solids, expressed as a percentage.
1.1 This test method describes the procedures for measuring
in-place density and moisture of soil and soil-aggregate by use 1.4 Two alternative procedures are provided.
of nuclear equipment (hereafter referred to as “gauge”). The 1.4.1 Procedure A describes the direct transmission method
density of the material may be measured by direct in which the probe extends through the base of the gauge into
transmission, backscatter, or backscatter/air-gap ratio methods. a pre-formed hole to a desired depth. The direct transmission is
Measurements for water (moisture) content are taken at the the preferred method.
surface in backscatter mode regardless of the mode being used 1.4.2 Procedure B involves the use of a dedicated backscat-
for density. ter gauge or the probe in the backscatter position. This places
1.1.1 For limitations see Section 5 on Interferences. the gamma and neutron sources and the detectors in the same
1.2 The total or wet density of soil and soil-aggregate is plane.
measured by the attenuation of gamma radiation where, in 1.4.3 Mark the test area to allow the placement of the gauge
direct transmission, the source is placed at a known depth up to over the test site and to align the probe to the hole.
300 mm (12 in.) and the detector(s) remains on the surface 1.5 SI Units—The values stated in SI units are to be
(some gauges may reverse this orientation); or in backscatter or regarded as the standard. The values in inch-pound units (ft –
backscatter/air-gap the source and detector(s) both remain on lb units) are provided for information only.
the surface.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
1.2.1 The density of the test sample in mass per unit volume guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
is calculated by comparing the detected rate of gamma radia- D6026.
tion with previously established calibration data.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected,
1.2.2 The dry density of the test sample is obtained by recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
subtracting the water mass per unit volume from the test industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
sample wet density (Section 11). Most gauges display this significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
value directly. dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
1.3 The gauge is calibrated to read the water mass per unit obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
volume of soil or soil-aggregate. When divided by the density ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
of water and then multiplied by 100, the water mass per unit increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
volume is equivalent to the volumetric water content. The commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
water mass per unit volume is determined by the thermalizing of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
or slowing of fast neutrons by hydrogen, a component of water. methods for engineering design.
The neutron source and the thermal neutron detector are both 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
located at the surface of the material being tested. The water safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
content most prevalent in engineering and construction activi- responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ties is known as the gravimetric water content, w, and is the priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Construction Control Tests.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published December 2017. Originally
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D6938–17. DOI: mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
10.1520/D6938-17A. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

*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

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 D6938 − 17a
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.2 gamma (radiation) source—a sealed source of radio-
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 active material that emits gamma radiation as it decays.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained 3.2.3 neutron (radiation) source—a sealed source of radio-
Fluids active material that emits neutron radiation as it decays.
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character- 3.2.4 Compton scattering—the interaction between a
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 gamma ray (photon) and an orbital electron where the gamma
kN-m/m3)) ray loses energy and rebounds in a different direction.
D1556 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in 3.2.5 detector—a device to detect and measure radiation.
Place by Sand-Cone Method
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character- 3.2.6 gravimetric water content—same as water content (as
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 defined in Terminology D653), a nomenclature used in some
(2,700 kN-m/m3)) scientific fields to differentiate it from volumetric water con-
D2167 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in tent.
Place by the Rubber Balloon Method 3.2.7 thermalization—the process of “slowing down” fast
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering neutrons by collisions with light-weight atoms, such as hydro-
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System) gen.
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils 3.2.8 volumetric water content—the volume of water as a
(Visual-Manual Procedures) percent of the total volume of soil or rock material.
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
3.2.9 test count, n—the measured output of a detector for a
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
specific type of radiation for a given test.
D2937 Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the
Drive-Cylinder Method 3.2.10 prepared blocks—blocks prepared of soil, solid rock,
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies concrete, and engineered materials, that have characteristics of
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as various degrees of reproducible uniformity.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D4253 Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit 4. Significance and Use
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table 4.1 The test method described is useful as a rapid, nonde-
D4254 Test Methods for Minimum Index Density and Unit structive technique for in-place measurements of wet density
Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density and water content of soil and soil-aggregate and the determi-
D4643 Test Method for Determination of Water Content of nation of dry density.
Soil and Rock by Microwave Oven Heating 4.2 The test method is used for quality control and accep-
D4718 Practice for Correction of Unit Weight and Water tance testing of compacted soil and soil-aggregate mixtures as
Content for Soils Containing Oversize Particles used in construction and also for research and development.
D4944 Test Method for Field Determination of Water (Mois- The nondestructive nature allows repetitive measurements at a
ture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure single test location and statistical analysis of the results.
Tester
D4959 Test Method for Determination of Water Content of 4.3 Density—The fundamental assumptions inherent in the
Soil By Direct Heating methods are that Compton scattering is the dominant interac-
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical tion and that the material is homogeneous.
Data 4.4 Water Content—The fundamental assumptions inherent
D7013 Guide for Nuclear Surface Moisture and Density in the test method are that the hydrogen ions present in the soil
Gauge Calibration Facility Setup or soil-aggregate are in the form of water as defined by the
D7759 Guide for Nuclear Surface Moisture and Density water content derived from Test Methods D2216, and that the
Gauge Calibration material is homogeneous. (See 5.2)
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard test method
3. Terminology is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology D653 for general defini- suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
tions. and objective testing/sampling/inspection, and the like. Users of this
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in
3.2.1 nuclear gauge—a device containing one or more itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors;
Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
radioactive sources used to measure certain properties of soil
and soil-aggregates. 5. Interferences
5.1 In-Place Density Interferences
2
5.1.1 Measurements may be affected by the chemical com-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
position of the material being tested.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 5.1.2 Measurements may be affected by non-homogeneous
the ASTM website. soils and surface texture (see 10.2). Excessive voids in the

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 D6938 − 17a
prepared test surface beneath the gauge can cause density 6.1.1 Gamma Source—A sealed source of high-energy
measurements that are lower than the actual soil density. gamma radiation such as cesium or radium.
Excessive use of fill material to compensate for these voids 6.1.2 Gamma Detector—Any type of gamma detector such
may likewise cause biased density measurements, or biased as a Geiger-Mueller tube(s).
water content measurements, or both. 6.1.3 Fast Neutron Source—A sealed mixture of a radioac-
5.1.3 Measurements in the Backscatter Mode are influenced tive material such as americium, radium and a target material
more by the density and water content of the material in such as beryllium, or a neutron emitter such as californium-
proximity to the surface. 252.
5.1.4 Measurements in the Direct Transmission mode are an 6.1.4 Slow Neutron Detector—Any type of slow neutron
average of the density from the bottom of the probe in the soil detector such as boron trifluoride or helium-3 proportional
or soil aggregate back up to the surface of the gauge. counter.
5.1.5 Gravel particles or large voids in the source-detector 6.2 Reference Standard—A block of material used for
path may cause higher or lower density measurments. Where checking instrument operation, correction of source decay, and
lack of uniformity in the soil due to layering, aggregate or to establish conditions for a reproducible reference count rate.
voids is suspected, the test site should be excavated and
visually examined to determine whether the test material is 6.3 Site Preparation Device—A plate, straightedge, or other
representative of the in situ material in general and whether an suitable leveling tool that may be used for planing the test site
oversize correction is required in accordance with Practice to the required smoothness, and in the Direct Transmission
D4718. Method, guiding the drive pin to prepare a perpendicular hole.
5.1.6 Oversize particles or large voids in the source-detector 6.4 Drive Pin—A pin of slightly larger diameter than the
path may cause higher or lower density measurements. Where probe in the Direct Transmission Instrument used to prepare a
lack of uniformity in the soil due to layering, aggregate or hole in the test site for inserting the probe.
voids is suspected, the test site should be excavated and 6.4.1 Drive Pin Guide—A fixture that keeps the drive pin
visually examined to determine if the test material is represen- perpendicular to the test site. Generally part of the site
tative of the in situ material in general and if an oversize preparation device.
correction is required in accordance with Practice D4718. 6.5 Hammer—Heavy enough to drive the pin to the required
5.1.7 The measured volume is approximately 0.0028 m3 depth without undue distortion of the hole.
(0.10 ft3) for the Backscatter Mode and 0.0057 m3 (0.20 ft3) for
the Direct Transmission Mode when the test depth is 150 mm 6.6 Drive Pin Extractor—A tool that may be used to remove
(6 in.). The actual measured volume is indeterminate and varies the drive pin in a vertical direction so that the pin will not
with the apparatus and the density of the material. distort the hole in the extraction process.
5.1.8 Other radioactive sources must not be within 9 m (30 6.7 Slide Hammer, with a drive pin attached, may also be
ft) of equipment in operation. used both to prepare a hole in the material to be tested and to
5.2 In-Place Water (Moisture) Content Interferences extract the pin without distortion to the hole.
5.2.1 The chemical composition of the material being tested 6.8 Probe, a slender, elongated device, part of the gauge,
can affect the measurement and adjustments may be necessary that is inserted into the soil under measurement by the gauge.
(see Section 10.6). Hydrogen in forms other than water and This device may contain either a radioactive source, a radiation
carbon will cause measurements in excess of the true value. detection device, or both. Probes containing only a radioactive
Some chemical elements such as boron, chlorine, and cadmium source are commonly referred to as “source rods.”
will cause measurements lower than the true value.
5.2.2 The water content measured by this test method is not 7. Hazards
necessarily the average water content within the volume of the 7.1 These gauges utilize radioactive materials that may be
sample involved in the measurement. Since this measurement hazardous to the health of the users unless proper precautions
is by backscatter in all cases, the value is biased by the water are taken. Users of these gauges must become familiar with
content of the material closest to the surface. The volume of applicable safety procedures and government regulations.
soil and soil-aggregate represented in the measurement is
indeterminate and will vary with the water content of the 7.2 Effective user instructions, together with routine safety
material. In general, the greater the water content of the procedures and knowledge of and compliance with Regulatory
material, the smaller the volume involved in the measurement. Requirements, are a mandatory part of the operation and
Approximately 50 % of the typical measurement results from storage of these gauges.
the water content of the upper 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 in.).
5.2.3 Other neutron sources must not be within 9 m (30 ft) 8. Calibration
of equipment in operation. 8.1 Gauge calibration shall be performed in accordance with
Guides D7013 and D7759.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Nuclear Density / Moisture Gauge—While exact details 9. Standardization
of construction of the apparatus may vary, the system shall 9.1 Nuclear moisture density gauges are subject to long-
consist of: term aging of the radioactive sources, which may change the