QA/QC  › Soil & Foundation  › Field Density Test
Test-report · QC-SOL-TST-006
Field Density Test Report
23 checkpoints across 6 sections. In-situ field test to verify layer compaction quality during construction; required for every lift/layer of fill, embankment, or subgrade; controls quality of earthwork execution
23 Checkpoints
6 Sections
Every 500 m² (approx.) or per contract specification; minimum 1 test per 1000 m³ of material; one test per layer if layer <1 m thick
Site Engineer, QA Inspector

Checklist Preview

S.No.CheckpointIS RequirementStatus
A. TEST DETAILS & REFERENCE
A1Test location identification
Acceptance: Location uniquely identifiable; map/sketch provided if needed; depth of test marked clearly
Location clearly marked: chainage (if linear project), offset (if required), layer/lift number, coordinates (if applicable), ground level elevation
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A2Test date & time
Acceptance: Date & time legible; weather noted (affects sand density calibration if applicable)
Date & time of test recorded; weather conditions noted (temperature, humidity for sand replacement density)
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A3Test method selection & documentation
Acceptance: Method appropriate for material type; method clearly documented; apparatus specifications provided
Method chosen: Sand Replacement (IS 2720 Part 28) OR Core Cutter (IS 2720 Part 29). Selection justified: sand replacement for large voids/gravel soils; core cutter for cohesive/fine-grained soils. Method clearly stated in report
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A4Reference Proctor test data
Acceptance: MDD & OMC clearly stated; units consistent; reference report ID traceable; values match approved source
Reference to laboratory Proctor test (IS 2720 Part 7 or 8): Maximum Dry Density (MDD) in g/cm³ or kN/m³, Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) in %, test type (Standard/Modified). Source Proctor report ID or date documented
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A5Target compaction specification
Acceptance: Target compaction % stated; moisture acceptance band documented; specification traceable to design/contract
Target compaction % as per design (typically 95% of MDD per IS 1904 Clause 10.4, unless design specifies otherwise); acceptable moisture range = OMC ±2% (or as specified)
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B. SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD (IS 2720 PART 28)
B1Calibrating cylinder preparation
Acceptance: Cylinder volume ±10 cm³; sand density consistent with historical calibration; values documented before field test
Calibrating cylinder: volume (cm³) determined per IS 2720 Part 28 Clause 5.1.1 by water displacement (typical 1000 cm³); mass of empty cylinder (g) recorded; sand bulk density (g/cm³) determined by filling cylinder & weighing (typically 1.58−1.68 g/cm³ for Delhi sand)
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B2Cone & cylindrical jar calibration
Acceptance: Cone mass accurate ±5 g; cone fits snugly in cylinder; no sand leakage from joints; apparatus ready for field deployment
Cone (standard metal cone per IS 2720 Part 28 Clause 5.1.2): fitted to cylinder; mass of cone (g) determined before field test; jar for collecting excavated soil fitted with cone assembly
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B3In-situ hole excavation
Acceptance: Hole size & depth appropriate; soil collected intact; hole bottom level & firm; side walls not disturbed
Hole excavated at test location using spoon/shovel, slightly deeper than intended depth; hole diameter 75−100 mm; all excavated soil collected in weighed container; hole prepared to receive sand-filled jar & cone assembly per IS 2720 Part 28 Clause 6.1
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B4Sand filling procedure
Acceptance: Sand flows freely; hole completely filled without voids; no sand spillage; sand collection complete & accurate
Jar (with cone attached) placed over hole; sand from calibrated cylinder poured into jar until hole filled completely, then cone removed & sand collected in measure. Mass of sand used = (mass sand in cylinder + jar) − (mass jar + cone + sand remaining in jar after cone removal)
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B5Sand Replacement calculations
Acceptance: All weights recorded accurately; volume calculated correctly; wet density ≥1.4 g/cm³ typical for compacted soil
Calculations: (a) Weight of sand in cone (g) — determined by filling cone in place before field test; (b) Weight of sand in hole = weight of sand used − weight of sand in cone; (c) Volume of hole (cm³) = weight of sand in hole ÷ bulk density of sand; (d) Wet density (g/cm³) = weight of excavated soil ÷ volume of hole
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
C. CORE CUTTER METHOD (IS 2720 PART 29)
C1Core cutter apparatus specification
Acceptance: Cutter volume verified ±10 cm³; edges sharp & undamaged; calibration certificate available; mass consistent ±2 g
Core cutter per IS 2720 Part 29 Clause 5: cylindrical steel cutter, volume (cm³) = π r² h where r = radius, h = height; typical volume 1000 cm³ (for 100 mm ID × 127 mm height); mass of empty cutter weighed & recorded to ±1 g. Cutter sharp edges, no dents or deformation
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
C2In-situ core cutter placement
Acceptance: Cutter inserted smoothly; soil not displaced around cutter; insertion depth adequate; sample intact without loss
Cutter position marked on compacted soil surface; cutter slowly driven into soil using rammer/driving head per IS 2720 Part 29 Clause 6.1; depth of insertion recorded (typically full height of cutter); cutter twisted/loosened from surrounding soil without loss of sample
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
C3Core cutter sample collection
Acceptance: Sample trimmed neatly; no soil loss; weight recorded; sample height matches cutter height ±5 mm
Cutter removed from hole with sample inside; excess soil trimmed flush with cutter top & bottom edges using straight edge; cutter with soil weighed to ±1 g
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
C4Core cutter wet density calculation
Acceptance: Weight difference calculated correctly; density value >1.4 g/cm³ typical for compacted soil; calculation verified
Wet soil weight (g) = (cutter + soil mass) − (cutter mass); wet density (g/cm³) = wet soil weight ÷ cutter volume
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
Showing 14 of 23 checkpoints ·
A. TEST DETAILS & REFERENCE
A1Test location identification
Location clearly marked: chainage (if linear project), offset (if required), layer/lift number, coordinates (if applicable), ground level elevation (IS 2720 Part 28/29 — Clause 4)
Location uniquely identifiable; map/sketch provided if needed; depth of test marked clearly
OKNCNAHOLD
A2Test date & time
Date & time of test recorded; weather conditions noted (temperature, humidity for sand replacement density) (IS 2720 Part 28/29 — Clause 4)
Date & time legible; weather noted (affects sand density calibration if applicable)
OKNCNAHOLD
A3Test method selection & documentation
Method chosen: Sand Replacement (IS 2720 Part 28) OR Core Cutter (IS 2720 Part 29). Selection justified: sand replacement for large voids/gravel soils; core cutter for cohesive/fine-grained soils. Method clearly stated in report (IS 2720 Part 28/29 — Clauses 3.1 & 3.2)
Method appropriate for material type; method clearly documented; apparatus specifications provided
OKNCNAHOLD
A4Reference Proctor test data
Reference to laboratory Proctor test (IS 2720 Part 7 or 8): Maximum Dry Density (MDD) in g/cm³ or kN/m³, Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) in %, test type (Standard/Modified). Source Proctor report ID or date documented (IS 1904:2013 — Clause 10.4 (Field Compaction Control))
MDD & OMC clearly stated; units consistent; reference report ID traceable; values match approved source
OKNCNAHOLD
A5Target compaction specification
Target compaction % as per design (typically 95% of MDD per IS 1904 Clause 10.4, unless design specifies otherwise); acceptable moisture range = OMC ±2% (or as specified) (IS 1904:2013 — Clause 10.4)
Target compaction % stated; moisture acceptance band documented; specification traceable to design/contract
OKNCNAHOLD
B. SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD (IS 2720 PART 28)
B1Calibrating cylinder preparation
Calibrating cylinder: volume (cm³) determined per IS 2720 Part 28 Clause 5.1.1 by water displacement (typical 1000 cm³); mass of empty cylinder (g) recorded; sand bulk density (g/cm³) determined by filling cylinder & weighing (typically 1.58−1.68 g/cm³ for Delhi sand) (IS 2720 Part 28 — Clause 5.1)
Cylinder volume ±10 cm³; sand density consistent with historical calibration; values documented before field test
OKNCNAHOLD
B2Cone & cylindrical jar calibration
Cone (standard metal cone per IS 2720 Part 28 Clause 5.1.2): fitted to cylinder; mass of cone (g) determined before field test; jar for collecting excavated soil fitted with cone assembly (IS 2720 Part 28 — Clause 5.1)
Cone mass accurate ±5 g; cone fits snugly in cylinder; no sand leakage from joints; apparatus ready for field deployment
OKNCNAHOLD
B3In-situ hole excavation
Hole excavated at test location using spoon/shovel, slightly deeper than intended depth; hole diameter 75−100 mm; all excavated soil collected in weighed container; hole prepared to receive sand-filled jar & cone assembly per IS 2720 Part 28 Clause 6.1 (IS 2720 Part 28 — Clause 6.1)
Hole size & depth appropriate; soil collected intact; hole bottom level & firm; side walls not disturbed
OKNCNAHOLD
B4Sand filling procedure
Jar (with cone attached) placed over hole; sand from calibrated cylinder poured into jar until hole filled completely, then cone removed & sand collected in measure. Mass of sand used = (mass sand in cylinder + jar) − (mass jar + cone + sand remaining in jar after cone removal) (IS 2720 Part 28 — Clause 6.1)
Sand flows freely; hole completely filled without voids; no sand spillage; sand collection complete & accurate
OKNCNAHOLD
B5Sand Replacement calculations
Calculations: (a) Weight of sand in cone (g) — determined by filling cone in place before field test; (b) Weight of sand in hole = weight of sand used − weight of sand in cone; (c) Volume of hole (cm³) = weight of sand in hole ÷ bulk density of sand; (d) Wet density (g/cm³) = weight of excavated soil ÷ volume of hole (IS 2720 Part 28 — Clause 7.1)
All weights recorded accurately; volume calculated correctly; wet density ≥1.4 g/cm³ typical for compacted soil
OKNCNAHOLD
C. CORE CUTTER METHOD (IS 2720 PART 29)
C1Core cutter apparatus specification
Core cutter per IS 2720 Part 29 Clause 5: cylindrical steel cutter, volume (cm³) = π r² h where r = radius, h = height; typical volume 1000 cm³ (for 100 mm ID × 127 mm height); mass of empty cutter weighed & recorded to ±1 g. Cutter sharp edges, no dents or deformation (IS 2720 Part 29 — Clause 5)
Cutter volume verified ±10 cm³; edges sharp & undamaged; calibration certificate available; mass consistent ±2 g
OKNCNAHOLD
C2In-situ core cutter placement
Cutter position marked on compacted soil surface; cutter slowly driven into soil using rammer/driving head per IS 2720 Part 29 Clause 6.1; depth of insertion recorded (typically full height of cutter); cutter twisted/loosened from surrounding soil without loss of sample (IS 2720 Part 29 — Clause 6.1)
Cutter inserted smoothly; soil not displaced around cutter; insertion depth adequate; sample intact without loss
OKNCNAHOLD
C3Core cutter sample collection
Cutter removed from hole with sample inside; excess soil trimmed flush with cutter top & bottom edges using straight edge; cutter with soil weighed to ±1 g (IS 2720 Part 29 — Clause 6.1)
Sample trimmed neatly; no soil loss; weight recorded; sample height matches cutter height ±5 mm
OKNCNAHOLD
C4Core cutter wet density calculation
Wet soil weight (g) = (cutter + soil mass) − (cutter mass); wet density (g/cm³) = wet soil weight ÷ cutter volume (IS 2720 Part 29 — Clause 7.1)
Weight difference calculated correctly; density value >1.4 g/cm³ typical for compacted soil; calculation verified
OKNCNAHOLD
Showing 14 of 23 ·
Inspection Sign-Off
PASS — Compaction ≥95% MDD, moisture in range; layer approved; proceed
FAIL — Compaction <95% MDD or moisture out of range; re-compact & re-test required
CONDITIONAL — Marginal results; re-test after specific action (e.g., moisture adjustment, local re-compaction)
Test Conducted by (Technician)
Name / Sign / Date
Signature
Name / Sign / Date
Site Engineer/QA Inspector
Name / Sign / Date
Signature & Seal
Name / Sign / Date
Final Verdict (Pass/Fail/Conditional)
Name / Sign / Date