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BS 1377.2 Particle Density (Gas Jar)

BS 1377.2 Particle Density (Gas Jar)

Applies to QEST Web App

This article describes how to use the particle density by gas jar test method worksheet, which is based on BS 1377.2:2022 Clause 9.2.

QestID: 110490

 

 

Contents

Overview

The particle density by gas jar test method worksheet can be used to determine the particle density of soils and aggregates. It is based on the methodology of the Determination of Particle Density, Gas Jar method (BS 1377-2 Clause 9.2).

This article provides information on how the various choices available within the QEST App version of this test method provide the required pathways to deal with the variations within the test.

 

Data Entry

Sample Preparation

Sample Properties

Selection

Action

Selection

Action

Default

  • Used to record material's grain size information.

  • Also affects the following test parameters:

    • Expected specimen size = 200 g ± 20 g

    • Minimum drying time required = 16 h

  • Used to record material's grain size information.

  • Also affects the following test parameters:

    • Expected specimen size = 200 g ± 20 g

    • Minimum drying time required = 16 h

  • Used to record material's grain size information.

  • Also affects the following test parameters:

    • Expected specimen size = 400 g ± 40 g

    • Minimum drying time required = 4 h

 

Sample Mass

The test method requires that the sample mass be “ … approximately 1 kg … “.

This has been interpreted as a range of 1000 g to 1100 g on the worksheet. Values outside this range will cause a warning to be displayed but this does not prevent the test from proceeding.

 

Preparation Process

Selection

Action

Selection

Action

Default

  • Oversize Material subsection is available for data entry.

  • Oversize Material subsection is not available for data entry.

  • The % retained on sieve values are set to zero and locked.

 

Oversize Material (> 37.5mm)

Selection

Action

Selection

Action

Default

  • Sieving method and results are described as “Cumulative”.

  • Retained % on the 37.5 mm sieve is calculated as “Cumulative” .

Because each fraction is kept separate and treated differently, the mass retained on each sieve is the individual mass retained, regardless of whether the results are displayed as “Individual” or “Cumulative”.

  • Sieving method and results are described as “Individual”.

  • Retained % on the 37.5 mm sieve is calculated as “Individual”.

Because each fraction is kept separate and treated differently, the mass retained on each sieve is the individual mass retained, regardless of whether the results are displayed as “Individual” or “Cumulative”.

 

Specimen Drying

Selection

Action

Selection

Action

Default

  • No action required.

  • Acceptable drying temperature is limited to a maximum of 50 °C.

  • The presence of gypsum, in the sample, is reported.

 

A minimum of two specimens are required for the test and the worksheet originally displays two columns in the drying grid. More columns can be added to the grid if more than two specimens are required to be dried.

The pre-drying mass (wet mass) of each specimen is checked at the beginning of the drying process and a warning is displayed if this mass is not within the expected limits. (See Sample Properties, above)

This warning does not prevent the test from proceeding, but the test will be non-compliant with the test method if it does and the specimen should be replaced with one that does meet the mass requirements.

 

Measurements

Particle Density Determination

Exclude Test

Under normal conditions, this checkbox is visible but not available for use.

However, if the individual particle density tests are not within 0.03 Mg/m3, an error is displayed and the checkbox is available for use.

If the checkbox is ticked, the grid columns for both specimens are locked, their results are removed from calculations, and two new columns are added to the worksheet.

To continue with the test, the test needs to be restarted with two new specimens of the same sample.

Any information already recorded in the grid is not deleted, but is no longer used by the worksheet, while the checkbox is ticked.

If after the checkbox is ticked, the cause of the error is found to be a data entry error in the original information, unticking the checkbox will delete the two new columns and allow the original data to be corrected.

Any information entered in the new columns will be lost, when they are deleted.

 

 

Equipment

For equipment to be available for selection in equipment drop down boxes, the equipment item must first be created in QESTLab's Equipment list.  Refer to article Creating Equipment.

The following equipment can be selected on the worksheet:

Worksheet Equipment Item

Equivalent to QEST Equipment Item (QestID)

Worksheet Equipment Item

Equivalent to QEST Equipment Item (QestID)

Preparation Balance

Balance (30005)

37.5 mm Sieve

Sieve (30137)

50.0 mm Sieve

Drying Oven

Oven (30004)

Drying Balance

Balance (30005)

Room Thermometer

Thermometer (30007)

Balance

Balance (30005)

Test Thermometer

Thermometer (30007)

Clock

Timer (30047)

Shaker

Mechanical Shaker (30040)

Gas Jar

Pycnometer (30101)

Some equipment on this worksheet imports equipment properties or calibration values. Ensure that these properties and values are set on the relevant equipment in order to avoid having to enter these values every time.

 

 

Results

The following test result will always be reported:

  • Particle Density

Additionally, the following three results are available for optional reporting (as a group):

  • Sieving Method

  • Retained 50.0 mm Sieve

  • Retained 37.5 mm Sieve

The displayed values of the results are all rounded to match the reporting requirements.

 

 

Reporting

The Report checkbox at the end of the Results section allows the selection of optional reportable results.

The results from this worksheet can be reported on the following test report.

Particle Density Test Report (120057)

This report is a child document of the test worksheet. It is automatically added to the sample when the test worksheet is selected.

Mandatory Reporting

Mandatory + Conditional Reporting

Mandatory + Optional Reporting

Properties

QESTID

120057

Name

Particle Density Test Report

Child Of

Test (110490)

Reported Values - Mandatory

These values are always reported.

Field

Database Field Name

Unit

Precision

Condition

Field

Database Field Name

Unit

Precision

Condition

Sample Preparation Procedure

N/A - Fixed text

Text

N/A

Always

Particle Density

AvgParticleDensityDry

Mg/m3

Nearest 0.01

Always

Date Tested

QestTestedDate

Date

Nearest day

Always

N/A - Fixed Text
This refers to a text value, a message or similar, where the text is “hard-wired” into the code and is not actually stored in the database.

Reported Values - Conditional

These are only reported if certain conditions in the test method related to drying the specimen are met, such as the drying temperature is 80 °C or less, or, gypsum has been indicated to be present in the sample.

Field

Database Field Name

Unit

Precision

Condition

Field

Database Field Name

Unit

Precision

Condition

Drying Temperature

DryingTemperature

°C

Nearest 1

Conditional

Note

N/A - Fixed text

Text

N/A

Conditional

Reported Values - Optional

These values are only reported if the Report checkbox is ticked. They are always reported as group and not individually.

Field

Database Field Name

Unit

Precision

Condition

Field

Database Field Name

Unit

Precision

Condition

Sieving Method

N/A - Dynamically determined

N/A

N/A

Optional

Retained 50.0 mm Sieve

N/A - Dynamically determined

%

Nearest 1

Optional

Retained 37.5 mm Sieve

N/A - Dynamically determined

%

Nearest 1

Optional

N/A - Dynamically determined
This refers to a value that is calculated, or otherwise determined, during the generation of the report and is not actually stored in the database.

 

 

Batch Update Support

This worksheet is not supported on the batch update page.

 

 

Work Progress and Complete Status

The work progress rules noted below are the default set of rules for this test, these may be overwritten by system administrators and therefore behave differently on each QEST Platform instance.

Progress (%)

Criteria

Progress (%)

Criteria

0%

Test has been registered

20%

At least two specimens have values for Specimen Dry Mass that are not null.

50%

Both specimens have values for Gas Jar, Lid & Specimen Mass that are not null.

80%

Both specimens have values for Particle Density that are not null.

100%

Test is complete

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