Testing Procedures Manual

Volume II - Part IV - Soils


DOTD TR 401​​​ The Determination of In-Place Density
  This method of test is designed to determine the in-place density of soils, aggregates, or soil-aggregate mixtures, untreated, treated, or stabilized, using one of four different methods. The method shall be selected by the engineer.  Although all methods are considered acceptable, the nuclear device is hereby designated as the Department's official standard for in-place density.

DOTD TR 403 Determination of Moisture Content
  This procedure is designed to determine the moisture content of treated or untreated soil, aggregates, or soil-aggregate mixtures by drying the material on a hot plate or in an oven.

DOTD TR 407​ Mechanical Analysis of Soils
  This method describes the procedure for determining the distribution of particle sizes of soils by sieve and hydrometer analysis.  It also describes a procedure for determining the distribution of particle sizes of oils suitable for cement stabilization. It is recommended for use when it is needed to expedite soil cement construction.

DOTD TR 411 Dry Preparation of Disturbed Samples for Test
  This procedure is designed to summarize the sample sizes needed and basic preparation for DOTD test procedures for soil with less than 5% aggregate or for soil-aggregate mixtures with 5% or more aggregate.

DOTD TR 413 Organic Material in Soil
  This method describes a procedure for the determination of percentage of organic material present in soil.  This test shall be conducted on all soils in which there is evidence of organic matter present during the sampling, preparation of sample, or the conducting of physical or mechanical analysis.  Results obtained by this method shall be the referee for acceptance or rejection of a soil with organic content.

DOTD TR 415​
Field Moisture-Density Relationships
This method if test is designed to determine the optimum moisture and maximum dry density of material based on a curve obtained from the average of two one-point proctors developed from field-condition material. The procedure is applicable to all soils and soil aggregates with or without cement or lime additive, including recycled in¬ place material.
 
DOTD TR 416​ Determination of the Percentage of Lime for Treatment of Soils or Soil-Aggregate Mixtures
  This method of test is designed to determine the minimum percentage of hydrated or quick lime to be added to a soil or soil-aggregate mixture.

DOTD TR 417 The Mixing Loss of Aggregate Material
  This method of test has two parts. The first part is intended to determine the loss in volume (mixing loss) when two or more shell components, or sand and shell, are measured separately by wet volume, according to predetermined proportions, then mixed on the roadway. Mixing loss (percent shrinkage) is determined based on field conditions of the materials.  The second part is intended to determine the loss in volume (mixing loss) when two or more components of base course or shoulder surfacing material, other than shell or sand and shell, are measured separately, then mixed on the roadway.  This procedure provides proportions of components needed to produce a material which meets a specified gradation, such as sand-clay-gravel.  Mixing loss (percent shrinkage) is determined based on field conditions of the materials.

DOTD TR 418
English Version
Metric Version
Moisture-Density Relationships
These methods of test are designed to determine the relationship between the moisture content of the materials listed below and the resulting maximum dry weight density when the material is compacted in the laboratory as specified in this procedure.  This procedure is also applicable to previously stabilized or treated materials and existing materials, including materials containing asphaltic particles or particles of other surfacing, which are to be treated or stabilized.
 
DOTD TR 419 Determination of the Compaction Factor of Base Material
  This method of test is intended for determining the ratio of the loss in volume due to compaction.

DOTD TR 423 Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
  This method describes the procedure for classifying soils and soil-aggregate mixtures by arrangement into a soil group classification and assignment of a group index value based on laboratory determinations of particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, and organic content.  Also included in this method is the assignment of a textural name classification based on the particle size distribution.

DOTD TR 425​ Determination of the Conversion Ratio of Soils
  This method of test is intended for determining a ratio that may be used to convert a volume of compacted soil to the undisturbed (in situ) volume of the soil, and in particular to determine a ratio that may be used to convert a volume of soil computed from the in-place dimensions of a roadway base course or subbase course to a volume of undisturbed soil in a borrow area.

DOTD TR 426 Determination of Muck Elevation
  This method of test is intended to determine the muck elevation both before and after the mucking operation.  It is primarily intended for use in inundated areas or in highly saturated materials where conventional means of cross-sectioning would be impractical and unreliable.  This method is not intended for use in determining the extent of objectional material (muck) but is solely intended for use in determining the top elevation of the solid material.

DOTD TR 428​ Determining the Atterberg Limits of Soils​
  This method covers procedures for determining the liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils.

Atterberg Limits of Soils Training - Video           Atterberg Limits Checklist​

DOTD TR 429 Resistivity Values of Soils and Water
  This method describes the laboratory determination of electrical resistivity values of soil or water samples.

DOTD TR 430​ Determination of pH Value of Water or Soil
This method of test describes the procedure for determining the pH of water and soil samples.

DOTD TR 431 Determining Pulverization
  This method of test is designed to determine the particle size distribution by wet weight of a soil or soil-aggregate with or without additive.

DOTD TR 432 Determining the Minimum Cement Content for Soil Cement Stabilization
  This method covers the procedure for determining the minimum cement content for soil stabilization on the basis of historical data using Type I or I(B) cement.

DOTD TR 433 Determining the Minimum Lime Content for Soil-Lime Treatment

DOTD TR 434 Molding and Curing of Specimens for Determination of Soil Cement Stabilization of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures
  This method of test is intended for molding and curing of specimens of soil cement and lime conditioned soil cement mixes of materials with either less than 5% by weight of aggregate or 5% or more by weight of aggregate retained on the No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve for subsequent testing in accordance with DOTD TR 432.

DOTD TR 435​​ Identification of Collapsible Silt​​
  This method is intended to distinguish between stable silts and collapsible silts.

DOTD TR 436 Determining the Percentage of Additives in Stabilization or Treatment Processes
  This procedure is designed to determine the distribution of dry additives by bulk transport, including cement, lime or fly ash, when they are being mixed in-place with soil, aggregates, or soil-aggregate mixtures for stabilization or treatment, and to adjust the distribution of dry additives to meet the minimum spread rate.
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