GOST 5180-2015 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 5180-2015 — "Soils. Laboratory methods for determination of physical characteristics" (Russian: «Грунты. Методы лабораторного определения физических характеристик»). The standard establishes laboratory procedures used in engineering‑geological investigations to determine key physical properties of dispersed sandy and clay soils.

Abstract

GOST 5180-2015 defines standardized laboratory methods for measuring soil physical characteristics such as moisture content (including hygroscopic and total moisture of frozen soils), liquid and plastic limits, bulk and particle density (including methods for frozen and saline soils), and related determinations used in geotechnical and engineering‑geological surveys for construction. The standard replaces the earlier GOST 5180-84 and is intended for use by testing laboratories and engineering survey teams.

General information

• Status: Active (in force / действует).
• Publication date: Approved 3 November 2015; came into effect 1 April 2016 (adopted by the Interstate Council July 22, 2015; reprints/updates issued subsequently).
• Publisher: Approved by the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) / adopted by the Intergovernmental Council on Standardization, Metrology and Certification; developed by OAO PNIIS (Production & Research Institute for Engineering Surveys in Construction).
• ICS / categories: 13.080.20 (Civil engineering — Earthworks, foundations), 93.020 (Environment; soil quality / pedology).
• Edition / version: GOST 5180-2015 (current edition adopted 2015; reprints/actualizations published later, e.g., 2019 reissue/updates in collections).
• Number of pages: Typically published as ~31 pages in the electronic/print editions (page count may vary by publisher/compilation).

Scope

This standard applies to dispersed sandy and clay soils and prescribes laboratory methods used during engineering‑geological surveys for construction design and investigation. It covers preparation of samples, general testing provisions and a set of specific test methods for moisture, plasticity limits, density (including methods for frozen and saline soils), and particle density determinations.

Key topics and requirements

• Determination of soil moisture content by drying to constant mass (including hygroscopic moisture).
• Determination of total moisture content of frozen soils and procedures for handling frozen samples.
• Determination of liquid limit (balance‑cone method) and plastic limit (rolling method) — upper and lower plasticity boundaries.
• Determination of bulk density of soil (including frozen soil) by cutting‑ring method and by weighing samples in a neutral liquid.
• Calculation of dry skeleton density by mass/volume relations and laboratory procedures for particle density (pycnometer / picnometer methods), including a two‑pycnometer method for saline soils.
• Sample preparation, sieving/gradation pre‑treatment, required laboratory equipment and measurement precision and reporting conventions (forms and recommended appendices for test records).

Typical use and users

Primary users are geotechnical and engineering‑geological laboratories, surveying organizations conducting site investigations for construction, foundation design engineers, research institutions studying soil physical properties, and certification bodies that require standardized test methods for project documentation and regulatory compliance. The standard is used to provide reproducible, comparable laboratory data for design and assessment.

Related standards

GOST 5180-2015 references and is used alongside other national and interstate standards on soils and testing methods, such as soil classification standards (e.g., GOST 25100), standards for pycnometers and laboratory apparatus (e.g., GOST 22524), and other procedural standards for specific tests and equipment; it replaces GOST 5180-84. Users commonly apply these related GOSTs in combination during geotechnical testing programs.

Keywords

soil; soils; laboratory methods; moisture content; frozen soil moisture; liquid limit; plastic limit; particle density; skeleton density; bulk density; geotechnical testing; engineering‑geological surveys; saline soils.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 5180-2015 is an interstate (GOST) standard that specifies laboratory methods for determining physical characteristics of dispersed sandy and clay soils used in engineering‑geological investigations for construction projects.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation and specific laboratory procedures for determining moisture content (including frozen soils), liquid and plastic limits, bulk density (including cutting‑ring and immersion methods), particle density by pycnometer methods (including saline‑soil adaptations), and related measurement and reporting requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical laboratories, engineering‑geological survey teams, foundation and geotechnical engineers, research institutes, and certification/inspection bodies performing site investigation and soil testing for construction design and safety assessments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published it is the 2015 edition (GOST 5180-2015) and it replaced GOST 5180-84; it is listed as active/in force and has had reprints and updates in subsequent collections — users should confirm if any later amendments or national adaptations apply in their jurisdiction.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The standard is part of the family of GOST/Interstate standards addressing soils and geotechnical testing; it is commonly used together with related soil testing standards that define classification, apparatus specifications and other test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Moisture content; frozen soil moisture; liquid limit; plastic limit; bulk density; particle density; pycnometer; cutting‑ring; geotechnical laboratory; soil physical properties.