Standard Method of Test for
Moisture–Density Relations
of Soil–Cement Mixtures
AASHTO Designation: T 134-19
Technical Subcommittee: 1b, Geotechnical Exploration,
Instrumentation, Stabilization, and Field Testing
Release: Group 3 (July)
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
444 North Capitol Street N.W., Suite 249
Washington, D.C. 20001
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Standard Method of Test for
Moisture–Density Relations
of Soil–Cement Mixtures
AASHTO Designation: T 134-19
Technical Subcommittee: 1b, Geotechnical Exploration,
Instrumentation, Stabilization, and Field Testing
Release: Group 3 (July)
1. SCOPE
1.1. These methods of test are intended for determining the relation between moisture content and
density of soil–cement mixtures when compacted before cement hydration as prescribed.
1.2. A 944-cm3 (1/30-ft3) mold and a 2.5-kg (5.5-lb) rammer dropped from a height of 305 mm (12 in.)
are used and two methods, depending on soil gradation, are covered, as follows:
1.2.1. Method A—Soil material passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve. This method shall be used when
100 percent of the soil sample passes the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve; or
1.2.2. Method B—Soil material passing a 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve. This method shall be used when part
of the soil sample is retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.
1.3. This test method applies to soil–cement mixtures that have 30 percent or less retained on the
19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve, when Method B is used. The material retained on the 19.0 mm (3/4-in.)
sieve shall be defined as oversized particles (coarse particles).
1.4. 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.
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
M 85, Portland Cement
M 231, Weighing Devices Used in the Testing of Materials
M 240M/M 240, Blended Hydraulic Cement
T 19M/T 19, Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
T 99, Moisture–Density Relations of Soils Using a 2.5-kg (5.5-lb) Rammer and 305-mm (12-
inch) Drop
T 265, Laboratory Determination of Moisture Content of Soils
2.2. ASTM Standards:
TS-1b T 134-1 AASHTO
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D2168, Standard Practices for Calibration of Laboratory Mechanical-Rammer Soil
Compactors
E11, Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E29, Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance
with Specifications
3. APPARATUS
3.1. Molds—Molds shall conform to T 99, Sections 3.1 and 3.1.1.
3.2. Rammer and Rammer Face—Rammers and rammer faces shall conform to T 99, Section 3.2.1 or
3.2.2, and 3.2.3. Note 1 below applies to Section 3.2.2.
Note 1—The rammer apparatus shall be calibrated with several soil–cement mixtures and the
mass of the rammer adjusted, if necessary, to give the same moisture–density results as with the
manually operated rammer. It may be impractical to adjust the mechanical apparatus so the free
fall is 305 mm (12 in.) each time the rammer is dropped, as with the manually operated rammer.
To make the adjustment of free fall, the portion of loose soil to receive the initial blow should be
slightly compressed with the rammer to establish the point of impact from which the 305-mm
(12-in.) drop is determined. Subsequent blows on the layer of soil–cement may all be applied by
dropping the rammer from a height of 305 mm (12 in.) above the initial-setting elevation, or when
the mechanical apparatus is designed with a height adjustment for each blow, all subsequent blows
should have rammer free fall of 305 mm (12 in.) measured from the elevation of the soil–cement
as compacted by the previous blow.
3.3. Sample Extruder—A jack, lever, frame, or other device adopted for the purpose of extruding
compacted specimens from the mold. Not required when a split-type mold is used.
3.4. Balances and Scales—A balance or scale conforming to the requirements of M 231, Class G 20.
Also, a balance conforming to the requirements of M 231, Class G 2.
3.5. Drying Oven—A thermostatically controlled drying oven capable of maintaining a temperature of
110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F) for drying moisture samples.
3.6. Straightedge—A hardened-steel straightedge at least 254 mm (10 in.) in length. It shall have one
beveled edge, and at least one longitudinal surface (used for final trimming) shall be plane within
0.250 mm per 250 mm (0.01 in. per 10 in.) (0.1 percent) of length within the portion used for
trimming the soil (Note 2).
Note 2—The beveled edge may be used for final trimming if the edge is true within a tolerance of
0.250 mm per 250 mm (0.1 percent) of length; however, with continued use, the cutting edge may
become excessively worn and not suitable for trimming the soil to the level of the mold. The
straightedge should not be so flexible that trimming the soil with the cutting edge will cause a
concave soil surface.
3.7. Sieves—75-mm (3-in.), 19.0-mm (3/4-in.), and 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieves conforming to the
requirements of ASTM E11.
3.8. Mixing Tools—Miscellaneous tools such as mixing pan, spoon, trowel, spatula, etc., or a suitable
mechanical device for thoroughly mixing the sample of soil with cement and with increments of
water.
3.9. Container—A flat, round pan for moisture absorption by soil–cement mixtures, about 305 mm
(12 in.) in diameter and 50 mm (2 in.) deep.
TS-1b T 134-2 AASHTO
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3.10. Moisture Containers—Suitable containers made of material resistant to corrosion and not subject
to change in weight or disintegration on repeated heating and cooling. Containers shall have close-
fitting lids to prevent loss of moisture from samples before initial weighing and to prevent
absorption of moisture from the atmosphere following drying and before final weighing. One
container is needed for each moisture content determination.
3.11. Butcher Knife—A butcher knife approximately 250 mm (10 in.) in length for trimming the top of
the specimens.
METHOD A
4. SAMPLE
4.1. If the soil sample is damp when received from the field, dry it until it becomes friable under a
trowel. Drying may be in air or by use of a drying apparatus that is maintained at a temperature not
exceeding 60°C (140°F). Then thoroughly break up the aggregations to pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
sieve, in such a manner as to avoid reducing the natural size of individual particles.
4.2. Select a representative sample, with a mass of approximately 2.7 kg (6 lb) or more, of the soil
prepared as described in Section 4.1.
5. PROCEDURE
5.1. Add to the soil the required amount of cement conforming to M 85 or M 240M/M 240. Mix the
cement and soil thoroughly to a uniform color.
5.2. When needed, add sufficient potable water to dampen the mixture to approximately four to six
percentage points below optimum moisture content and mix thoroughly. At this moisture content,
plastic soils, tightly squeezed in the palm of the hand, will form a cast that will fracture with only
slight pressure applied by the thumb and fingertips; nonplastic soils will bulk noticeably.
5.3. When the soil is a heavy textured clayey material, compact the mixture of soil, cement, and water
in the container to a depth of 50 mm (2 in.) using the rammer described in Section 3.2 or a similar
hand tamper. Cover and allow to stand for not less than 5 min but not more than 10 min to aid
dispersion of the moisture and to permit more complete absorption by the soil–cement.
5.4. After the absorption period, thoroughly break up the mixture, without reducing the natural size of
individual particles, until it will pass a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, and then remix.
5.5. Form a specimen by compacting the prepared soil–cement mixture in the mold (with collar
attached) in three approximately equal layers to give a total compacted depth of about 130 mm
(5 in.). Compact each layer by 25 uniformly distributed blows from the rammer dropping free
from a height of 305 mm (12 in.) above the elevation of the soil–cement when a sleeve-type
rammer is used, or from 305 mm (12 in.) above the approximate elevation of compacted soil when
a stationary mounted type of rammer is used. During compaction, the mold shall rest firmly on a
dense, uniform, rigid, and stable foundation or base. This base shall remain stationary during the
compaction process (Note 3).
Note 3—Each of the following has been found to be a satisfactory base on which to rest the mold
during compaction of the soil: a block of concrete, with a mass not less than 90 kg (200 lb),
supported by a relatively stable foundation; a sound concrete floor; and for field application, such
surfaces as found in concrete box culverts, bridges, and pavements.
TS-1b T 134-3 AASHTO
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5.6. Following compaction, remove the extension collar, carefully trim the compacted soil–cement
mixture even with the top of the mold by means of the knife and straightedge, and determine the
mass of the mold and moist soil in kilograms to the nearest 5 g, or determine the mass in pounds to
the nearest 0.01 pounds. Calculate the wet density, W1, as described in Section 8.1.
5.7. Remove the material from the mold using the extruder when necessary. Obtain a representative
sample of the material by slicing vertically through the center of the molded material and
removing one of the cut faces or from the center of the pile if the material falls apart. Weigh the
sample immediately. Determine the moisture content in accordance with T 265 and record the
results.
5.8. Thoroughly break up the remaining portion of the molded specimen until it will pass a 4.75-mm
(No. 4) sieve as judged by eye, and add to the remaining portion of the sample being tested. Add
water in sufficient amount to increase the moisture content of the soil one to two percentage points
and repeat the above procedure for each increment of water added. Continue this series of
determinations until there is either a decrease or no change in the wet unit mass, W1, per cubic
meter (cubic foot), of the compacted soil–cement mixture (Note 4).
Note 4—In instances where the soil material is fragile in character and will reduce significantly
in grain size due to repeated compaction, a separate and new sample shall be used in each
compaction test.
Note 5—To minimize the effect of cement hydration, perform the test expeditiously and
continuously to completion.
METHOD B
6. SAMPLE
6.1. If the soil sample is damp when received from the field, dry it until it becomes friable under a
trowel. Drying may be in air or by use of a drying apparatus that is maintained at a temperature not
exceeding 60°C (140°F). Then thoroughly break up the aggregations in such a manner as to avoid
reducing the natural size of individual particles. Prepare the sample for testing by segregating the
material retained on a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve and breaking up the remaining soil aggregations to
pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve in such a manner as to avoid reducing the natural size of the
individual particles.
6.2. Sieve the prepared soil over the 75-mm (3-in.), 19.0-mm (3/4-in.), and 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieves.
Discard the material retained on the 75-mm (3-in.) sieve. Determine the percentage of material, by
oven-dry mass, retained on the 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) and 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieves.
6.3. Saturate the aggregate passing the 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve and retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
sieve by soaking in potable water; surface dry the material as required for later testing.
Note 6—Most soil–cement construction specifications covering soil gradation limit maximum
size material to 75 mm (3 in.) or less.
6.4. Select and maintain separate representative samples of soil passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve and
of saturated, surface dry aggregate passing the 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve and retained on the 4.75-
mm (No. 4) sieve so that the total sample will weigh approximately 4.99 kg (11 lb) or more. The
percentage, by oven-dry mass, of aggregate passing the 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve and retained on the
4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve shall be the same as the percentage passing the 75-mm (3-in.) sieve and
retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4 ) sieve in the original sample.
Note 7—This oversize procedure is different than used in T 99. Scalp and replace is used here
since it is not just a moisture–density relationship; cement is mixed in with the water to make the
sample.
TS-1b T 134-4 AASHTO
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Table 1—Example of Adjusting for Oversize Particles
Sieve Original percent Adjusted percent Final mass for The final oven-dry
passing passing 4.99 kg sample mass of material is
37 mm (1 1/2 in.) 100% prepared from the
19 mm (3/4 in.) 92% 100% 2.27 kg adjusted percent
4.75mm (No. 4) 50% 100/92 * 50 = 2.72 kg passing shown in
54.5% Table 1, as noted in
Section 6.4.
7. PROCEDURE
7.1. Add to the portion of the soil sample passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve the amount of cement
conforming to M 85 or M 240M/M 240, required for the total sample specified in Section 6.4. Mix
the cement and soil thoroughly to a uniform color.
7.2. When needed, add water to this soil–cement mixture and facilitate moisture dispersion as
described for Method A in Sections 5.2 to 5.4. After this preparation, add the saturated, surface-
dry aggregate (material passing the 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) sieve and retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
sieve) to the soil–cement mixture passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve and mix thoroughly.
7.3. Form a specimen by compacting the prepared soil–cement mixture in the mold (with collar
attached), and trim and weigh the compacted specimen as described for Method A in Sections 5.5
and 5.6. Holes developed in the surface by removal of coarse material shall be patched with
smaller-sized material.
7.4. Remove the material from the mold and take a sample for determining the moisture content as
described for Method A in Section 5.7, except the sample shall weigh not less than 500 g.
7.5. Thoroughly break up the remainder of the material as before until it will pass a 19.0-mm (3/4-in.)
sieve and 90 percent of the soil aggregations will pass a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve as judged by eye,
and add to the remaining portion of the sample being tested.
7.6. Add water in sufficient amounts to increase the moisture content of the soil–cement mixture by
one or two percentage points, and repeat the above procedure for each increment of water added.
Continue this series of determinations until there is either a decrease or no change in the wet mass,
W1, per cubic meter (cubic foot) of compacted soil (Notes 4 and 5).
CALCULATIONS AND REPORT
8. CALCULATIONS
8.1. Wet density (W1) shall be determined using the mold volume. For masses recorded in kilograms,
the unit of wet density is kilograms per cubic meter of soil–cement. For masses recorded in
pounds, the unit of density is pounds per cubic foot of soil–cement. Calculate the moisture content
and the dry unit mass of the soil–cement mixture as compacted for each trial, as follows:
W1 = (A-B)/V (1)
and
W1
=W × 100 (2)
w + 100
TS-1b T 134-5 AASHTO
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where:
w = percentage of moisture in the specimen, based on oven-dry mass of soil–cement;
A = mass of container and wet soil–cement;
B = mass of (mold and baseplate) container;
W = dry density of compacted soil–cement, in kilograms per cubic meter, or pounds per cubic
foot;
W1 = wet density of compacted soil–cement, in kilograms per cubic meter, or pounds per cubic
foot; and
V = volume of mold as determined in T 99.
9. MOISTURE–DENSITY RELATIONSHIP
9.1. The calculations in Section 8 shall be made to determine the moisture content and corresponding
oven-dry unit mass (density) in kilograms per cubic meter or pounds per cubic foot of the
compacted soil–cement samples. The oven-dry densities (unit mass) of the soil–cement mixture
shall be plotted as ordinates and the corresponding moisture content as abscissas.
9.2. Optimum Moisture Content—When the densities and corresponding moisture contents for the
soil–cement mixture have been determined and plotted as indicated in Section 9.1, it will be found
that by connecting the plotted points with a smooth line, a curve is produced. The moisture content
corresponding to the peak of the curve shall be termed the “optimum moisture content” of the
soil–cement mixture under the compaction prescribed in these methods.
9.3. Maximum Density—The oven-dry density in kilograms per cubic meter or pounds per cubic
foot of the soil–cement mixture at optimum moisture content shall be termed “maximum density”
under the compaction prescribed in these methods.
10. REPORT
10.1. The report shall include the following:
10.1.1. The method used (Method A or B).
10.1.2. The optimum moisture content, as a percentage, to the nearest whole number.
10.1.3. The maximum density in kilograms per cubic meter to the nearest 10 kg/m3 or in pounds per cubic
foot to the nearest whole number.
10.1.4. Type of rammer face, if other than 50.8-mm (2-in.) circular.
11. PRECISION STATEMENT
11.1. Precision of this test method has not yet been established.
12. KEYWORDS
12.1. Coarse particles; moisture–density relationship; soil–cement mixtures; soil material.
TS-1b T 134-6 AASHTO
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