AASHTO T180:2015 Standard Method of Test for Moisture-Density Relations of Soils Using a 4.54-kg (10-lb) Rammer and a 457-mm (18-in.) Drop.
This test method applies to soil mixtures that have 40 percent or less retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, when Method A or B is used and 30 percent or less retained on the 19.0-mm (0.75-in.) sieve, when Method C or D is used. Material retained on these sieves shall be defined as oversize particles (coarse particles).
If the test specimen contains oversized particles, dry density and moisture corrections must be made in accordance with Annex Al.
If the specified oversized particle maximum percentage is exceeded, other methods of compaction control must be used.
Note I —One method for the design and control of the compaction of such soils is to use a test fill to determine the required degree of compaction and a method to obtain that compaction. Then use a method specification to control the compaction by specifying the type and size of compaction equipment, the lift thickness, and the number of passes.
The following applies to all specified limits in this standard: For the purposes of determining conformance with these specifications, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand place of figures used in expressing the limiting value, in accordance with ASTM E29.
The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
APPARATUS
Mold Assembly (Mold, collar, and Baseplate)—Molds shall be solid-wall, metal cylinders manufactured with dimensions and capacities shown in Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 and in Figures 1 and 2 below. They shall have a detachable collar approximately 60 mm (2.375 in.) in height, to permit preparation of compacted specimens of soil-water mixtures of the desired height and volume. The mold and collar shall be so constructed that it can be fastened firmly to a detachable base plate made of the same material (Note 2). The base plate shall be plane to 0.13 mm (0.005 in.) as shown in Figures 1 and 2.AASHTO T180 pdf download.