AASHTO T 310-11 PDF

This test method describes the procedure for determining the in-place density and moisture of soil and soil-aggregate by use of nuclear gauge. The density of the material may be determined by either direct transmission, backscatter, or backscatter/air-gap ratio method. The moisture of the material is determined only from measurements taken at the surface of the soil (i.e., backscatter).

Density—The total or wet density of soil and soil-rock mixtures is determined by the attenuation of gamma radiation where the source or detector is placed at a known depth up to 300 mm (12 in.) while the detector(s) or source remains on the surface (Direct Transmission Method) or the source and detector(s) remain on the surface (Backscatter Method).

The density in mass per unit volume of the material under test is determined by comparing the detected rate of gamma radiation with previously established calibration data.

Moisture—The moisture content of the soil and soil-rock mixtures is determined by thermalization or slowing of fast neutrons where the neutron source and the thermal neutron detector both remain at the surface.

The water content in mass per unit volume of the material under test is determined by comparing the detection rate of thermalized or slow neutrons with previously established calibration data.