AASHTO PP 92:2018 Standard Practice for Preparation of Test Specimens Using the Plastic Mold Compaction Device

AASHTO PP 92:2018 Standard Practice for Preparation of Test Specimens Using the Plastic Mold Compaction Device.
5. PROCEDURE
5.1. Insert the plastic mold assembly into the split-mold component of the PM device and clamp the PM Device together with a pair of locking pliers. Place the collar on top of the device. The PM device shall rest firmly on a dense, uniform, and stable foundation or base during compaction.
5.2. Select a representative sample of chemically stabilized soil to fabricate a test specimen.
5.3. Form a specimen by compacting the sampled soil into the plastic mold assembly in three approximately equal layers. Compact each layer by five uniformly distributed blows from the rammer dropping free from a height of 457 mm (18 in.) above the elevation of the stabilized soil. Use a scarifying t(x1 to scarify the lop surface of layers one and two before compacting subsequent layers to prevent compaction planes within the specimen. After compaction, approximately 6.4-mm (0.250-in.) of compacted material should extend above the top of the plastic mold.
5.4. Compaction approach presented is intended to produce test specimens with appropriate specimen density (typically determined via T 99). in the case of soil materials with approximately 90 percent passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, 5 blows per layer with the T 180 rammer yielded specimen densities approximately equal to target density. if desired. more or less than live blows can be used per layer, but if the number of blows per layer differs from five, this value must be reported.
5.5. Place the plastic lid on top of the specimen.
5.6. Label with appropriate information and allow the specimen to cure inside the plastic mold for at least 24 h before extruding the test specimen. Curing conditions should be reported (e.g. on lab bench at room temperature, at project site, etc.).
5.7. Once extruded, remove the aluminum plate from the bottom of the specimen. Measure specimen mass and volume (with calipers), and use the mixed moisture content to calculate dry density. The specimen is now ready for additional curing and/or mechanical property testing.
REPORTING
Report the number of blows per layer used, curing conditions during the 24-h period, specimen moisture content, and specimen dry density.AASHTO PP 92 pdf download.