core cutter
Click to enlarge
SAND DENSITY CONE APPARATUS AZA0881
SAND DENSITY CONE APPARATUS AZA0881
Back to products
PYCNOMETERS AZA0883
PYCNOMETERS AZA0883

CORE CUTTER AZA0882

The AZA0882 Core Cutter Apparatus from Azalab is a robust, field-ready solution for determining the in-situ dry density of fine-grained, cohesive soils that are substantially free from aggregates. Designed in accordance with IS 2720 (Part XXIX):1966 and BS 1377-9, this apparatus is widely adopted in geotechnical investigations, construction compaction control, and civil engineering quality assurance programs.

The core cutter method is valued for its simplicity, repeatability, and direct field applicability, making AZA0882 an essential tool for routine density checks on embankments, subgrades, and backfills where soil conditions are suitable.

View Specification PDF
Enquiry on WhatsApp
SKU: AZA 0882 Category:
Description

Description

Purpose & Test Principle

The AZA0882 operates on the core cutter method, where a cylindrical steel cutter is driven vertically into compacted soil to extract an undisturbed soil core of known volume. The recovered sample is trimmed flush, weighed, and tested for moisture content. Using these measurements, bulk density and dry density are calculated accurately.

This method is particularly effective for cohesive and fine-grained soils and is not recommended for gravelly or highly sandy materials.

Standard Set – What’s Included

  • Cylindrical Core Cutter

    • Internal Diameter: 100 mm

    • Length: 127.3 mm (as per IS standard)

  • Steel Dolly

    • Height: 25 mm

    • With collar lip for accurate cutter alignment and load transfer

  • Rammer with Detachable Steel Rod

    • Heavy-duty construction for smooth driving

    • Minimizes vibration and impact losses during penetration

All components are manufactured with precise dimensions to ensure consistent volume and reliable test results.

Optional Spares & Accessories

  • Spare Core Cutter

    • 100 mm I.D. × 175 mm long (for larger samples)

  • Additional Dolly

    • Compatible with standard AZA0882 cutter

  • Field Test Form Pad

    • Pack of 50 sheets for recording field density and moisture data

Applications

  • Road and railway embankment compaction control

  • Backfill and subgrade density verification

  • Geotechnical site investigations

  • Civil engineering QA/QC field testing

  • Academic laboratories and field training programs

Test Procedure Overview

  1. Place the dolly over the core cutter

  2. Drive the cutter vertically into soil using the rammer

  3. Carefully extract the cutter containing the soil sample

  4. Trim excess soil flush with cutter edges

  5. Weigh cutter with soil

  6. Determine moisture content by oven drying

  7. Calculate bulk density and dry density

This straightforward process delivers consistent and repeatable results when used on appropriate soil types.

Technical Specifications

Component Specification
Model Number AZA0882
Standard Compliance IS 2720 (Part XXIX):1966, BS 1377-9
Core Cutter Size 100 mm I.D. × 127.3 mm long
Dolly Size 25 mm high with collar lip
Rammer With detachable steel rod
Material Mild steel, powder-coated or galvanized
Optional Spare Cutter 100 mm I.D. × 175 mm long
Packaging Protective field carry case

Key Features

  • Accurate determination of in-situ dry density

  • Fully compliant with IS and BS standards

  • Precision-machined components

  • Rugged mild-steel construction for field durability

  • Simple operation and rapid testing

  • Ideal for cohesive, fine-grained soils

  • Optional accessories for extended field use

  • Trusted Azalab build quality

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which soil types are suitable for AZA0882?
Cohesive and fine-grained soils free from aggregates.

Q2: What is the difference between 127.3 mm and 175 mm cutters?
127.3 mm is the standard IS-specified length; 175 mm is an optional size for larger sample volumes.

Q3: Can it be used for sandy or gravelly soils?
No. For coarse-grained soils, the sand replacement or sand cone method is recommended.

Q4: Is the rammer detachable?
Yes, the rammer includes a detachable steel rod for ease of transport and field handling.

Q5: Are field test forms supplied as standard?
No. Test form pads are available as optional accessories.

AZA0882 – Core Cutter Apparatus
A dependable, standards-compliant solution for precise in-situ density determination of cohesive soils in geotechnical and construction field testing.

Related products

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS (PIPETTE METHOD) AZA0856

The AZA0856 Grain Size Analysis (Pipette Method) Apparatus from AZA Lab is a precision testing setup used for determining the distribution of fine soil particles such as silt and clay. It is widely used in geotechnical engineering, civil construction quality control, soil mechanics research, and academic laboratories, particularly where conventional sieve analysis is ineffective for particles finer than 75 microns. This apparatus is designed for the mechanical analysis of sub-sieve soil particles, expressing quantitatively the proportion by weight of various particle sizes present in a soil sample. The pipette method, based on sedimentation principles and Stokes’ Law, provides accurate and repeatable results for fine-grained soils. The system consists of a sliding vertical panel operated by a precision screw mechanism, allowing an Anderson pipette to be raised or lowered accurately. A sedimentation tube is held securely below the pipette using a laboratory clamp. The depth of immersion is measured using a millimeter-graduated scale mounted alongside the sliding panel. The apparatus is supplied complete with a 10 ml Anderson pipette, a 500 ml glass sedimentation tube, and test form pads, conforming to standard laboratory practices.
Read more
Quick view

HEAVY COMPACTION TEST AZA0866

The AZA0866 Heavy Compaction Test Set from Azalab is designed for determining the Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of soils using the Heavy Compaction (Modified Proctor) Method, in accordance with IS 2720 (Part VIII). This test is fundamental in geotechnical engineering, road and highway construction, foundation design, embankment works, and earthworks where soils are subjected to high compactive effort. The heavy compaction test realistically simulates field compaction achieved by modern construction equipment, enabling reliable prediction of soil behavior under service loads. This configuration is supplied with a 150 mm diameter mould (2250 cc volume), making it particularly suitable for coarse-grained and granular soils. Scope of Use The AZA0866 Heavy Compaction Test Set is used to establish the relationship between moisture content and dry density of soil under heavy compaction energy. The resulting compaction curve is used to determine MDD and OMC, which are essential parameters for compaction control and quality assurance in field construction.
Read more
Quick view

LIQUID LIMIT DEVICE (MOTORISED) AZA0854

The Motorised Liquid Limit Device – AZA0854 from AZA Lab is a precision-engineered instrument designed for accurate and repeatable determination of the liquid limit of soils. Equipped with a geared-down motor delivering a consistent 120 RPM, the device automates the drop mechanism, eliminating manual effort and ensuring uniform compaction blows for reliable test results. The AZA0854 is fully compliant with IS 2720 (Part 5) and ASTM D4318, making it suitable for soil classification, road and pavement design, foundation investigations, and routine geotechnical laboratory testing. The unit operates on 230V AC, 50 Hz, single-phase, ensuring compatibility with standard laboratory power supplies. The system is supplied complete with Casagrande and ASTM grooving tools and a 1 cm height calibration block, enabling immediate setup, verification, and testing.
Read more
Quick view

POCKET PENTROMETER AZA0869

The AZA0869 Compact Pocket Penetrometer from Azalab is a field-ready instrument designed for rapid estimation of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and shear strength of cohesive soils. Fully compliant with ASTM D1558 and ASTM D2573, it enables engineers, geologists, and site inspectors to quickly assess soil consistency and short-term stability without the need for laboratory equipment. Widely used in foundation evaluation, trench wall inspection, and field soil classification, the AZA0869 delivers immediate, reliable results for clays and silts during preliminary geotechnical assessments.
Applications
  • Estimation of UCS and shear strength of soft to stiff cohesive soils
  • Field classification of soil consistency
  • Pre-construction soil stability checks
  • Trench safety and shallow foundation planning
  • Geotechnical education and field research
Read more
Quick view
Rapid Moisture Meter AZA 0874 - Calcium Carbide Soil Moisture Tester

RAPID MOISTURE METER AZA0874

The AZA0874 Rapid Moisture Meter from Azalab is a compact, reliable, and field-proven instrument designed for quick determination of moisture content in soils, aggregates, sand, and other granular or fine materials. It is especially suited for on-site quality control in civil engineering, road construction, earthwork compaction, and geotechnical investigations, where timely moisture data is critical for effective decision-making.

Based on the well-established calcium carbide gas pressure method, the AZA0874 delivers accurate results within minutes, eliminating delays associated with laboratory oven-drying methods. Its portable, self-contained design makes it ideal for use at remote and demanding job sites.

Read more
Quick view

SAND EQUIVALENT TEST SET AZA0859

The AZA0859 Sand Equivalent Test Set from AZA Lab is a standardized laboratory and field testing apparatus used to determine the relative proportion of sand versus clay-like or plastic fines in fine aggregates and granular soils. This test is critical in construction quality control where aggregate cleanliness directly affects the performance of asphalt pavements, concrete mixes, and base course layers. The test set conforms to ASTM D2419, IS 2720 (Part 37), and AASHTO T176, ensuring accurate, repeatable, and specification-compliant results. The Sand Equivalent Value (SEV) provides a simple numerical indication of aggregate quality by comparing the height of settled sand to the height of clay suspension after sedimentation.
Working Principle A prepared fine aggregate sample is placed in a graduated cylinder and mixed with a standard calcium chloride-based solution. After agitation and a controlled settling period, heavier sand particles settle at the bottom while lighter clay and silt particles remain in suspension. The Sand Equivalent Value (SEV) is calculated as: SEV = (Height of Sand / Height of Clay Suspension) × 100 Higher SEV values indicate cleaner aggregates with lower clay contamination, which are preferred for structural and pavement applications.
Read more
Quick view

SEMI AUTOMATIC CONE PENETROMETER AZA0852

The AZA0852 Semi Automatic Cone Penetrometer from AZALAB is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument used for determining the liquid limit and consistency characteristics of fine-grained soils. Designed to eliminate operator-dependent errors, this semi-automatic model ensures uniform cone release and repeatable penetration results, making it an ideal choice for geotechnical, civil engineering, and construction material testing laboratories. The apparatus conforms to IS 2720 (Part 5) and BS 1377 standards and is widely used for soil classification, foundation assessment, and settlement analysis. Its semi-automatic clutch-based drop mechanism allows the cone to penetrate the soil sample under controlled conditions for a fixed duration of 5 seconds, ensuring consistent and reliable test outcomes.

Principle of Operation

A soil paste prepared at known moisture content is placed in the sample cup. The standardized cone, attached to a calibrated weight, is released using the semi-automatic clutch mechanism, allowing free fall penetration into the soil. After the specified time (typically 5 seconds), the penetration depth is measured using a high-precision dial gauge. The moisture content corresponding to a penetration of 20 mm is considered the liquid limit of the soil, as defined in IS and BS standards.
Read more
Quick view
shrinkage limit set

SHRINKAGE LIMIT SET AZA0849

The AZA0849 Shrinkage Limit Set from AZALAB is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument used for determining the shrinkage limit of cohesive soils, a critical parameter within the Atterberg limits framework. This test plays a vital role in understanding the volume change characteristics of fine-grained soils when subjected to drying. The shrinkage limit represents the maximum moisture content at which further reduction in water content does not cause any appreciable decrease in soil volume. Beyond this point, air begins to enter the soil voids, and the soil mass maintains a constant volume. Accurate determination of this parameter is essential for predicting soil behavior in foundations, embankments, earth dams, and pavement structures.

Standards Compliance

The AZA0849 Shrinkage Limit Set conforms to major national and international testing standards, ensuring reliable and universally accepted test results:
  • IS 2720 (Part VII)
  • ASTM D427
  • BS 1377
  • AASHTO T 92
Read more
Quick view