Mapua University: Experiment No. 5 Soil Compaction Test
Mapua University: Experiment No. 5 Soil Compaction Test
Mapua University: Experiment No. 5 Soil Compaction Test
EXPERIMENT NO. 5
This method describes the procedure for determining the relationship between the
moisture content and the resulting dry densities when the soil is compacted in the
laboratory as specified.
PROCEDURES
1. Weigh the empty cylindrical metal mold (with the base but without the collar)
2. Obtain a 2.73 kg representative sample from the thoroughly mixed portion of
the air-dried material passing the No. 4 sieve.
3. Place a portion of a sample in the mold to form a 50.8 to 76.2 mm layer then
compact it with 25 uniformly distributed blows of the rammer, with a 457.2
mm free drop. To insure uniform distributions of blows rotate slightly either
mold or rammer between each drop.
4. Repeat the procedure with a second and third layer, adjusting the free drop
of the rammer to 457.2 mm. The soil surface should be higher than the lid of
the mold after compaction of the last layer.
5. Remove the collar and trim off the soil even with the top of the mold with the
straight edge (Fig.7). Weigh the mold and the compacted soil sample.
6. Remove the soil from the mold and slice vertically through the center. Obtain
a representative sample of approximately 100 grams from one of the cut
faces, for water content determination.
7. Break up the soil, which is removed from the mold, remix with the original
sample. Add sufficient water to raise its water content approximately 3
percent and repeat Steps 3 to 6 for each increment of water added until the
soil becomes very wet and sticky or when there is a substantial decrease in
the weight of the compacted soil, (5 or 6 determinations may be necessary).
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
1. Cylindrical metal mold with an internal diameter of 101.6 mm, height of 116.43
mm, and having a volume of 943.3 cu.m., with a detachable mold collar about
63.5 mm high and 101.6 mm in diameter.
- Use for molding the soil sample while compaction
2. Metal rammer with a diameter face of 50.8 mm and weighs 24.4 N. with a
suitable means of controlling its drop.
- Use to compact the soil sample
3. Balances, one with a capacity of 20 kg and sensitive to 1 gram and another
with 1000 grams capacity and sensitive to 0.01 gram
- Use weigh the soil samples
4. Oven with temperature control
- Use to dry the soil sample
5. Drying cans
- Use as temporary container for soil sample
6. Straight edge
- Use to scrap the soil sample to
7. Large mixing pan
- Use to mix soil sample and water
8. Scoop
- Use to scoop the soil sample
9. No. 4 sieve
- To sieve the soil sample
10. Graduated cylinder
- Use to measure liquid
11. Tools or suitable mechanical device for extruding the compacted sample with
water
- Use to extrude the soil sample
12. Sprayer or any suitable device for thoroughly mixing soil sample with water
- Use to spray water on soil sample
APPLICATION
The experiment video presented has very technical procedure for some steps.
To acquire accurate data, the video presented that the caliper is use to record the
dimension and average of three equally spaced diameter and height for accurate
volume. Furthermore, in the video the soil sample has already predetermine the
moisture content as initial.
1- https://www.multiquip.com/multiquip/pdfs/Soil_Compaction_Handbook_low_r
es_0212_DataId_59525_Version_1.pdf
2- https://www.intelligentconstruction.com/downloads/IC_RelatedDocs/SoilCmpc
t_Fundamentals%20of%20Soil%20Compaction.pdf