3.1 Mechanical compactors are commonly used to replace the hand compactors required for Test Methods D698 and D1557 in cases where it is necessary to increase production.

3.2 The design of mechanical compactors is such that it is necessary to have a calibration process that goes beyond determining the mass and drop of the hammer.

Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria in Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/and the like. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 These practices for the calibration of mechanical soil compactors are for use in checking and adjusting mechanical devices used in laboratory compacting of soil and soil-aggregate in accordance with Test Methods D698, D1557, Practice D6026, and other methods of a similar nature that might specify these practices. Calibration for use with one practice does not qualify the equipment for use with another practice.

1.2 The weight of the mechanical rammer is adjusted as described in 5.4 and 6.5 in order to provide for the mechanical compactor to produce the same result as the manual compactor.

1.3 Two alternative procedures are provided as follows:

Section

Practice A

Calibration based on the compaction of a
 selected soil sample

5

Practice B

Calibration based on the deformation of a
 standard lead cylinder

6

1.4 If a mechanical compactor is calibrated in accordance with the requirements of either Practice A or Practice B, it is not necessary for the mechanical compactor to meet the requirements of the other practice.

1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5.1 It is common practice in the engineering profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and a force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. This standard has been written using the gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight). However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) or the recording of density in lbm/ft³ shall not be regarded as a nonconformance with this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.