Soils - Determination of In-Place Density of Soil Using an Elastic Membrane - Washington Type Apparatus

Standard CAN/BNQ 2501-052
Soils - Determination of In-Place Density of Soil Using an Elastic Membrane - Washington Type Apparatus

CAN/BNQ 2501-052 is a national standard that specifies the test method used to determine the in-place density of soil using a rubber elastic membrane (Washington-type apparatus). Note that this test cannot be used on soil that deforms under slight pressure or when the volume of the hole cannot be kept constant. The test is limited to soils containing particles no greater than 80 mm in diameter. The standard sets out requirements regarding four main elements:

• apparatus (container, membrane, ring, base plat, support, scales, water content equipment and other equipment);
• procedure (initial reading, sampling, final reading and determination of test hole volume);
• calculating and expressing the results (calculating the wet and dry soil densities);
• test report.