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
- 1 Overview
- 2 Data Entry
- 2.1 Sample Preparation
- 2.1.1 Sample Properties
- 2.1.2 Sample Mass
- 2.1.3 Preparation Process
- 2.1.4 Oversize Material (> 37.5mm)
- 2.1.5 Specimen Drying
- 2.2 Measurements
- 2.2.1 Particle Density Determination
- 2.2.1.1 Exclude Test
- 2.2.1 Particle Density Determination
- 2.1 Sample Preparation
- 3 Equipment
- 4 Results
- 5 Reporting
- 6 Batch Update Support
- 7 Work Progress and Complete Status
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 |
---|---|
Default
| |
| |
|
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 |
---|---|
Default
| |
|
Oversize Material (> 37.5mm)
Selection | Action |
---|---|
Default
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”. | |
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 |
---|---|
Default
| |
|
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) |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|
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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