What is the purpose of a sand cone test?

• A. In-Situ Density Measurement Using Sand Replacement
• B. In-Situ Density Measurement Using A Nuclear Gauge
• C. Laboratory Proctor Test
• D. Soil Strength Test

Answer: (A)

The sand cone test is used to determine in-situ dry density of soil by sand replacement. You drive a small hole in the soil, attach a calibrated sand-filled cone, and let a known amount of sand flow into the hole until the surface level with the surrounding ground, which lets you calculate the volume of soil that was removed. Since the density of the sand is known, this volume-to-mass relationship gives the soil’s dry density in place. This is a quick field method for verifying compaction on the job site. It differs from other options because a nuclear gauge uses radiation to measure density, a Laboratory Proctor test determines maximum dry density and optimum moisture content in the lab, and a soil strength test evaluates shear strength rather than density.