BALLOON DENSITY APPARATUS

BALLOON DENSITY APPARATUS

CODE : T067

• The Balloon Density Apparatus is used to determine the in-situ density and unit weight of compacted or undisturbed soils, particularly suitable for fine-grained and granular soils without significant coarse material.
• Utilizing a flexible rubber membrane, the apparatus measures the volume of an excavated hole by displacing water into the cavity, allowing for accurate calculation of soil density when combined with the mass of the excavated soil.
• This method is ideal for field conditions where traditional sand cone methods are impractical, offering a portable and efficient solution for on-site density testing.
• The apparatus is not recommended for soils that are highly organic, saturated, or highly plastic, as these conditions may lead to deformation under the pressures applied during testing.
• Common applications include quality control in road construction, embankment compaction, and other civil engineering projects requiring verification of soil compaction levels.