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    Test 5: Compaction (Moisture-Density Relationship) Test

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    The compaction test determines the relationship between soil dry unit weight and water content by compacting soil specimens at different moisture contents using standardized compactive effort. The test yields a compaction curve from which the optimum water content and maximum dry unit weight are identified. These values provide a basis for controlling compaction in the field to achieve satisfactory engineering properties.

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    Test 5: Compaction (Moisture-Density Relationship) Test

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    aziz
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    The compaction test determines the relationship between soil dry unit weight and water content by compacting soil specimens at different moisture contents using standardized compactive effort. The test yields a compaction curve from which the optimum water content and maximum dry unit weight are identified. These values provide a basis for controlling compaction in the field to achieve satisfactory engineering properties.

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    The compaction test determines the relationship between soil dry unit weight and water content by compacting soil specimens at different moisture contents using standardized compactive effort. The test yields a compaction curve from which the optimum water content and maximum dry unit weight are identified. These values provide a basis for controlling compaction in the field to achieve satisfactory engineering properties.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    26 views8 pages

    Test 5: Compaction (Moisture-Density Relationship) Test

    Uploaded by

    aziz
    The compaction test determines the relationship between soil dry unit weight and water content by compacting soil specimens at different moisture contents using standardized compactive effort. The test yields a compaction curve from which the optimum water content and maximum dry unit weight are identified. These values provide a basis for controlling compaction in the field to achieve satisfactory engineering properties.

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    TEST 5: COMPACTION (MOISTURE-DENSITY RELATIONSHIP) TEST

    Introduction:
    Compaction is the application of mechanical energy to the soil, to
    rearrange the particles and reduce the void ratio, usually by driving out
    air, thus increasing the dry density of the soil. At any given water content,
    compacting the soil improves its engineering properties including:
    - Shear strength increases,
    - Compressibility decreases,
    - Permeability decreases.
    Several different methods are used to compact soil in the field, such as
    tamping, rolling, kneading, vibration, and static compaction. This
    laboratory test employs the tamping or impact compaction method
    using the type of equipment and methodology developed by R. R.
    Proctor in 1933, therefore, the test is also known as Proctor test.
    Two types of compaction tests are routinely performed:
    1. Standard Proctor Test: A soil at a selected water content is placed in 3
    layers into a mold of given dimensions, with each layer compacted by
    25 blows of a 2.5 kg rammer dropped from a distance of 30 cm,
    subjecting the soil to a total compactive effort of about 600 kN.m/m 3.
    The resulting dry unit weight is determined. The procedure is repeated
    for a sufficient number of molding water contents to establish a
    relationship between the dry unit weight and the water content for the
    soil. This data, when plotted, represents a curvilinear relationship known
    as the compaction curve. The values of optimum water content (𝑤𝑜𝑝𝑡 )
    and standard maximum dry unit weight (𝛾𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) are determined from the
    compaction curve.
    2. Modified Proctor Test: is identical to the Standard Proctor Test except it
    employs, a 4.5 kg hammer falling a distance of 45 cm, and uses 5 equal
    layers of soil instead of 3.
    Each of these tests can be performed in three different methods depending
    on the soil grading as outlined in Table 1.

    Zero Air Void (ZAV) line


    = 100%
    Dry unit weight (kN/m3)

    Maximum dry unit weight

    Optimum water content

    Water content (%)


    Purpose and significance:
    • To determine the compaction curve (𝑤𝑜𝑝𝑡 and 𝛾𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) for a given
    effort.
    • It is used to select the compaction condition of specimens for other
    tests, such as; shear, permeability and consolidation test.
    • It is used to provide the basis for control procedures used on site as
    control of the degree of compaction is necessary to achieve a
    satisfactory result at a reasonable cost.

    Standard Reference:
    ✓ BS 1377-4 1990. Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes:
    Part 4: Compaction-related tests. British Standard Institution.

    ASTM D 698 - Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction


    Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbs/ft3 (600 KN-
    m/m3)).

    ASTM D 1557 - Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction


    Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbs/ft3 (2,700 KN-
    m/m3))

    Apparatus:
    1. Compaction Mold,
    2. Manual rammer,
    3. Extruder,
    4. Balance,
    5. Drying oven,
    6. Specimen container,
    7. sieve #4, Graduated cylinder, Straight Edge.
    8. Mixing Tools: mixing pan, spoon, trowel, spatula, spraying device.
    Specimen preparation:
    The method of preparation of samples for these tests, and the quantity of
    soil required, depend on the size of the largest particles present and on
    whether or not the soil particles are susceptible to crushing during
    compaction.

    In general, a specimen having a molding water content close to optimum


    should be prepared first by trial additions or removals of water and mixing
    (8%-10% < PL). Select a range of moisture contents such that at least two
    values lie either side of the optimum varying by about 2 %.
    The amount of water to be added can be calculated as follows:
    𝑤𝑤 = 𝑤𝑠 × 𝑤
    Where:
    𝑤𝑤 = mass of water (g)
    𝑤𝑠 = mass of soil (g)
    𝑤 = water content (%)

    Measure out the water, add it to the soil, and then mix it thoroughly into
    the soil using the trowel until the soil gets a uniform color.
    Testing Procedure:
    1. Weigh the mold with baseplate attached to the nearest 1 g (𝒘𝒎 )
    and measure the internal dimensions to 0.1 mm.
    1. Attach and secure the collar to the mold and baseplate.
    2. Place a quantity of moist soil in the mold such that when compacted
    it occupies a little over one-third of the height of the mold body.
    3. Apply 25 blows from the rammer dropped from a height of 30 cm
    above the soil. The drops should be applied at a uniform rate and the
    rammer should provide uniform coverage of the specimen surface.
    4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 twice more, so that each layer should be
    approximately equal in thickness and the soil should completely fill
    the cylinder and the last compacted layer must extend slightly above
    the collar joint.
    5. Remove the collar, strike off the excess soil and level off the surface
    of the compacted soil carefully to the top of the mold using the
    straightedge. Replace any coarse particles, removed in the levelling
    process, by finer material from the sample, well pressed in.
    6. Determine and record the mass of the compacted specimen and
    mold with baseplate to the nearest 1 g (𝒘𝒎+𝒔 ).
    7. Remove the compacted specimen from the mold using a
    mechanical extruder. Obtain a specimen for molding water content
    by using either the whole specimen (preferred method) or a
    representative portion. Report the water content to 0.1 % (𝒘).
    8. Repeat the previous steps to give a total of at least five
    determinations, by adding a suitable increment of water (2% to 4%)
    and mix thoroughly into the soil.
    Calculation:
    1. Determine the water content (𝑤) of each compacted sample
    using the following equation:
    𝑤𝑐+𝑤𝑠 − 𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠
    𝑤= × 100
    𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠 − 𝑤𝑐
    2. Calculate the internal volume, 𝑉 (in cm3), of the mold.
    3. Determine the mass of the compacted soil samples by subtracting
    the weight of the mold attached to the base as follows:
    𝑤𝑠,𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 = 𝑤𝑚+𝑠 − 𝑤𝑚
    4. Calculate the bulk density in g/m3 of the compacted soil sample
    from the equation:
    𝑤𝑠,𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
    𝜌=
    𝑉𝑚
    5. Calculate the dry density of each compacted sample. Then
    compute the dry unit weight of the compacted soil in kN/m3.
    𝜌
    𝜌𝑑 =
    1+𝑤
    𝛾𝑑 = 𝜌𝑑 × 9.81
    6. Plot the dry densities obtained from a series of determinations on
    the y-axis against the corresponding moisture contents as on the x-
    axis.
    7. Draw a curve, compaction curve, of best fit to the plotted points
    and identify the position of the maximum on this curve. Read off the
    values of optimum moisture content and maximum dry density.
    8. On the same graph, plot a curve of complete saturation or “zero
    air voids curve” calculated from the equation:
    𝐺𝑠 × 𝛾𝑤
    𝛾𝑑 =
    1 + 𝐺𝑠 × 𝑤
    where:
    𝛾𝑑 = dry unit weight of soil in kN/m3
    𝐺𝑠 = specific gravity of the soil (assume 2.70 if not given)
    𝛾𝑤 = unit weight of water in kN/m3 (9.81 kN/m3).
    Discussion: Answer the following questions by referring to relevant
    References.

    1. Zero Air voids line should be plotted with the compaction curve plot?

    2. The compaction energy per unit volume (compactive effort) used for
    the standard proctor test is about 600 kN.m/m3, Prove it?

    3. Explain the mechanism behind the shape of the compaction curve?


    COMPACTION TEST
    DATA SHEET

    Date tested: Tested by:

    Water Content Determination:


    Specimen number 1 2 3 4 5
    Container and lid number

    Mass of container, 𝑤𝑐 (g)

    Mass of container and wet specimen, 𝑤𝑐+𝑤𝑠 (g)

    Mass of container and oven dry specimen, 𝑤𝑐+𝑑𝑠 (g)

    Water content, 𝑤 (%)

    Unit weight Determination: Mold Volume, 𝑉𝑚 = ……….. cm3


    Compacted Soil - Sample no. 1 2 3 4 5
    Assumed water content, 𝑤 (%)

    Actual water content, 𝑤 (%)

    Mass of mold, 𝑤𝑚 (g)

    Mass of compacted soil and mold, 𝑤𝑚+𝑠 (g)

    Mass of compacted soil, 𝑤𝑠,𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 (g)

    Bulk density, 𝜌𝑤𝑒𝑡 (g/cm3)

    Dry density, 𝜌𝑑 (g/cm3)

    Dry unit weight, 𝛾𝑑 (kN/m3)

    Optimum Moisture Content = ………… %


    Maximum Dry unit weight = ………… kN/m3

    Group names:
    1-
    2-
    3-
    4-
    5-
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