3 Apparatus
The following apparatus and tools are used in the test:
.1 Containers of suitable size for temporary storage of sample and for sieving (see photo 1);
.2 A sieve having mesh size of 19 mm (see photo 2) and rubber gloves;
.3 A cylindrical iron mould of which the inner diameter and the capacity are 150 mm and 4,000 cm3, respectively, with a removable extension piece, and a Straight edge for the mould (see photo 3 and 4);
.4 A compaction hammer specified by JIS-A1210 of which the mass of hammer and height of drop are 4.5 kg and 0.45 m, respectively (see photo 5);
.5 An apparatus for removing the sieved sample from the cylinder of the mould (see photo 6); and
.6 A cone-penetrometer of which the maximum measurable load is not less than 500 N with the cone of which the base area is 6.45 cm2 (see photo 7).
For convenience, it is recommended to have a scoop for inserting the sample into the mould and suitable cleaning tools for the apparatus (see photo 8). It is preferable that the cone-penetrometer is able to indicate the maximum load during the penetration of the cone into specimen. The test can be conducted without a weighing instrument. It is, however, recommended to prepare a weighing instrument of which the maximum measurable weight is more than 150 N, in order to check the quantity of the sample.
4 Test procedure
4.1 Precautions for the test
During the test, care should be taken to prevent unnecessary change of moisture contents of sample. Especially, the following precautions should be considered:
.1 The test should be conducted in a sheltered place away from direct sun shine or rain;
.2 All apparatus and tools contacting sample should be kept as clean and dry as practicable; and
.3 All procedures should be conducted as quickly as possible.
Great care should be paid while taking the original sample from cargo to be tested.
4.2 Outline of the test procedure
The test procedure consists of the following steps:
Step 0 : Preparation of apparatus and tools;
Step 1 : Preparation of original sample and sieving;
Step 2 : Measurement of maximum cone penetrating force; and
Step 3 : Judgment.
Step 2 consists of the following steps which are repeated three times.
Step 2.1 : Forming specimen in the mould using sieved sample by tamping;
Step 2.2 : Cone penetration test for the specimen formed by step 2.1; and
Step 2.3 : Removal of sieved sample from the mould.
4.3 Preparation of the test (Step 0)
The following procedures should be carried out prior to conduction of the test:
(1) Check the method for using the sample removing apparatus by using the empty mould;
(2) Become skilled in dismantling and assembling the mould;
(3) Check the method for using the compaction hammer; and
Prior to the conduction of the test, all relevant apparatus and tools should be ready for use. The cone-penetrometer should be assembled.
