ISO 17892-3:2015

Overview

ISO 17892-3:2015 - "Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing of soil - Part 3: Determination of particle density" specifies laboratory methods for measuring the particle density (density of solid particles) of soils. The standard describes two pycnometer-based methods: a fluid displacement (liquid) pycnometer and a gas displacement (gas) pycnometer. It is intended for geotechnical investigations and supports requirements in EN 1997-1 and EN 1997-2.

Key Topics

• Two accepted methods:
  • Fluid pycnometer (liquid displacement) - measures the volume difference when a pycnometer is filled with and without a dry soil sample.
  • Gas pycnometer (gas displacement) - determines specimen volume from pressure changes in a sealed chamber (helium preferred).
• Scope and limitations:
  • Fluid method is suitable for soils with particle sizes under about 4 mm (or crushed to that size). Larger pycnometers may be used for coarser materials.
  • Gas method is limited by the specimen container dimensions of the particular gas pycnometer.
• Apparatus and control requirements:
  • Balance accuracy: 0.01 g or 0.1% of sample mass (whichever is greater).
  • Fluid pycnometer: minimum volume ~50 ml, glass stopper, capillary tube.
  • Temperature control: water bath or enclosure in the 10–30 °C range with variation ≤ ±0.5 °C; temperature measurement accuracy 0.1 °C.
  • Gas pycnometer: pressure gauge accuracy 0.1 kPa or 0.1% of working pressure; helium (>99.5% purity) recommended.
  • Ancillary equipment: desiccator, drying oven, vacuum pump to remove trapped air, sample crushing tools.
• Test procedure elements:
  • Reference measurements, specimen preparation (drying/crushing where required), execution steps, and calculation of dry mass, specimen volume and particle density.
• Quality and calibration:
  • Annex A covers calibration, maintenance and checks for apparatus.
• Limitations:
  • Presence of dissolved salts in pore water can affect results; compensation techniques exist but are outside this standard.

Applications

• Used by geotechnical engineers, soil testing laboratories, consultants, and researchers to obtain accurate particle density for:
  • Foundation design and settlement analysis
  • Soil classification and index property determination
  • Compaction and porosity calculations
  • Input data for geotechnical and geoscience numerical models
• Ensures consistency and comparability of particle density data required for site investigations and design verification.

Related Standards

• ISO 17892-1 (Determination of water content)
• ISO 17892-2 (Determination of bulk density)
• EN 1997-1 and EN 1997-2 (Geotechnical design standards referenced in the scope)

Keywords: ISO 17892-3:2015, particle density, pycnometer, fluid pycnometer, gas pycnometer, geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing of soil, helium, control liquid.