Compaction

Compaction is the process in which soil partials are artificially rearranged and packed
together into closer state of contact by mechanical means in order to reduce void ratio,
permeability and compressibility and in order to increase the degree of denseness,
stability, shear strength and bearing capacity.

In 1933, Proctor showed that there existed a definite relationship between the soil water
content and degree of dry density to which a soil might be compacted. The compaction
characteristics are first determined in a laboratory by various compaction tests. These tests
are based on any one of the following methods or type of compaction: dynamic or impact,
kneading, static and vibration. Some of the usual compaction test used in laboratory to
determine water density relationship of soils are: Standard and modified proctor tests,
Harvard miniature compaction test, Abbot Compaction test and Jodhpur-mini compactor
test. During a compaction test, the density of soil is measured at different water contents,
after doing compaction. Standard proctor test and modified proctor tests are followed in
India with minor modifications, as light compaction and heavy compaction respectively,
as per IS 2720, for different field applications.

By this method, air from the voids are removed hence the density of soil is increased.
 + Water =
It can be said that, compaction is the process in which by applying any mechanical forces, a
pressure is exerted on the soil surface to remove the air from the voids by which the no of
voids are reduced and bearing capacity increases.

Compaction effort:

a) Soil with Air b) Soil without Air

Three phase system of soil

Good and Bad Compaction of Soil

Principle of Compaction:

 The effect of compaction can be known from its unit dry density.
 The unit dry density can be estimated from the binding nature of the soil
particles.

…………………Equation (1)
The Soil which is being highly compacted:
 Has reduced void ratio
 Dry density increases.

Compaction Curve:

 Compaction curve represents a relation between the water content and dry density
of soil.
 In a 1000CC capacity cylindrical mould, the soil is compactedin 3layers with 25
nos of blows for each layer at different water content from which we get the bulk
density and dry density of soil.

……………..Equation (12)

 A compaction curve represents the water content and dry density of soil
in which water content is taken along X-axis and dry density is taken
along Y-axis.
 It is observed that the dry density increases upto the peak with the
increase in water content after which with an increase of water content,
the dry density starts to decrease.
Optimum Moisture Content (OMC);
The water content at which we get the maximum dry density of soil is
known as optimum moisture content.

This optimum moisture content can be found out by two methods: light
compaction and heavy compaction method.
Light Compaction:

The procedure for light compaction, with minor modifications from the
standard proctor test is described in IS 2720 (Part VII). The test
equipment consists of a cylindrical metal mould, detachable base plate
and collar in effective height and a rammer of 2.6 kg in mass falling
through a height of 310 mm. The test consists of compacting soil at various
water contents in the mould, in three equal layers, each layer being given 25
blows of the rammer. Before putting the second layer of soil, the top of the
first compacted layer is scratched with the help of any sharp edge. The second
and third layers are similarly compacted, each layer being given 25 blows. The
last compacted layer should project not more than 6 mm into the collar. The
collar is removed, and the excess soil is trimmed off to make it level with the
top of mould. A soil sample from the centre of the compacted specimen is
then kept for water content determination. Fig. 5. 1 shows the dimensions of
the test mould and the rammer as per IS code.
Heavy Compaction:
Higher compaction is needed for heavier transport and military aircraft. The
modified proctor test was developed to give a higher standard of
compaction. This test was standardized by the American Association of
State Highway Officials and is known as the modified AASHO test. In heavy
compaction, the soil is compacted in the same mould used for light
compaction, but in five layers, each layer being given 25 blows of a 4.9 kg
rammer dropped through a height of 450 mm as per IS: 2720 (Part VIII) –
1983. Similar to the case of light compaction, the sample is weight after
removing the excess portion after removing the collar, and a sample from the
centre of the specimen is kept for water content determination.

Plotting a compaction curve:

During a compaction test, the whole procedure of compaction, till the
determination of dry density is repeated multiple times, with varying
water content. The first trial starts with lowest water content, and it should
 be increased gradually. Initially, the weight of compacted soil goes on
increasing with increase in moisture content, but after a certain limit, it starts
decreasing. The test should be continued till this drop is noted. The dry density
of soil is calculated for each trial. The plot between water content
(abscissa) and dry density (ordinate) is then plotted, which is known as
the compaction curve, as shown in Fig. 5. 3. The dry density increases
as the water content is increased, till maximum dry density ( 𝑀𝐷𝐷) is
reached. The water content corresponding to the maximum density is called
the optimum moisture content (𝑂𝑀𝐶).
When the water content is lower than 𝑂𝑀𝐶, the soil is stiff and has more void
spaces. This results in lower dry density. With the increase in water content,
soil particles get rearranged into densely packed positions, and this results in
an increase in dry density. When water content is increased beyond 𝑂𝑀𝐶, the
dry density is reduced as the excess water occupies the space that might have
been occupied by solid particles earlier.
Whatever is the method of testing, the dry density and optimum moisture
content of different soils depend upon the amount of compaction.
As the dry density of soil increases, its humidity decreases.

Zero air void line/saturation line:

It represents fully saturated state of soil (S=100%). It cannot be reached only by compaction.
For a fully saturated soil, the dry density is given by the equation,

………………….Equation (3)
Laboratory Compaction Test

To obtain the compaction curve and define the optimum water content and maximum dry
density for a specific compactive effort.

Standard Proctor

• 3 layers

• 25 blows per layer • 2.6kg hammer

• 310mm drop

Modified Proctor

• 5 layers

• 25 blows per layer • 4.5kg hammer

• 450mm drop

DIFFERENT EQUIPMENT FOR FIELD COMPACTION

There are different types of rollers and other soil compaction equipment available. Use of
these compacting machines depends on soil types and moisture conditions.

Following are different types of Compaction Equipments for different soil types

The soil compaction equipment can be divided into two groups: 1. Light soil compacting
equipment.2. Heavy soil compacting equipment.
LIGHT SOIL COMPACTING EQUIPMENTS

These equipments are used for soil compacting of small areas only and where the compacting
effort needed is less. Below are light equipments for soil compaction.

(i) Rammers:

 Rammers are used for compacting small areas by providing impact load to the soil.
This equipment is light and can be hand or machine operated.
 For machine operated rammers, the usual weight varies from 30kg to 10 tonnes.
These hammers with 2-3 tonnes weights are allowed to fall from a height of 1m to 2m
on the soil for the compaction of rock fragments.
 Rammers are suitable for compacting cohesive soils.
(II) VIBRATING PLATE COMPACTORS:

 Used for compaction of coarse soils with 4 to 8% fines.

 Used for small areas.
 Usual weights of these machines vary from 100 kg to 2 tonne with plate areas
between 0.16 m2 and 1.6 m2.

(III) VIBRO TAMPERS:

 Used for compaction of small areas in confined space.

 Suitable for compaction of all types of soil by vibrations set up in a base plate through
a spring activated by an engine driven reciprocating mechanism.
 They are usually manually guided and weigh between 50 and 100 kg.

HEAVY SOIL COMPACTION EQUIPMENT:

 These compacting machines are used for large areas for use on different types of soils.
The heavy compaction equipment is selected based on the moisture content of the soil
and the types of soil.
 Following are different types of these equipments.

Smooth Wheel Rollers

 Suitable for subgrade or base coarse compaction of well-graded sand gravel mixes.
 For cohesion-less soils, large-size wheels are suitable.
Pneumatic Tired Rollers

 compaction is due to kneading action

 Cohesive soil, and light wheel loads are suitable.
 Cohesion-less soil, large size wheels are suitable.

Sheep Foot Rollers

 Suitable for clay and silty-clay soils

 Compaction is achieved by a combination of tamping and kneading action.
 For highway, earth dam, and airfield works: 150 cm dia. drum, loaded to 5 to 10 tonne
loading.
 For small projects: 100 cm dia. drum with 2.5 to 5 tonnes loading.
Grid Rollers

 Intermediate of smooth wheeled and sheep foot rollers.

 With their rotating wheels made of a network of steel bars forming a grid with square
holes.
 Provide less kneading action but high contact pressure.
 Mostly suitable for well-graded coarse soils and weathered rocks.

Impact Rollers
 Applies mechanical energy used to reduce air voids and rearrange soil particles to
increase density, which results in a reduction in the void ratio within the soil.
 Consist of a noncircular mass, which can be pulled on the ground, results in high
impact effect i.e., heavy compaction is carried out as its center rises and falls and
leaves an uneven surface.
 Can provide deeper (2–3 m) compaction.
VIBRATING SMOOTH WHEELED ROLLERS

 In case of vibrating smooth wheeled rollers, the drums are made to vibrate by
employing rotating or reciprocating mass.
 These rollers are helpful from several considerations:-
 Higher compaction levels can be achieved with maximum work.
 Compaction can be done up to greater depths.
 Output is many times more than conventional rollers.

FACTOR AFFECTING COMPACTION

 WATER CONTENT

 AMOUNT OF COMPACTION

 TYPE OF COMPACTION

 TYPE OF SOIL

 ADDITION OF ADMIXTURE
WATER CONTENT

From laboratory compaction tests the water content is increased the compacted density goes
on increasing, till a max dry density is achieved after which further addition of water decrease
the density.

AMOUNT OF COMPACTION

The effect of increasing the compacting energy results in an increase in the max dry density
and a decrease the optimum water content.
The various aspects are,

1. Weight of compacting equipment. 2. The manner of operation

3. Time & area of contact between the compacting element & the soils.

TYPE OF SOILS

 The maximum dry density of the soil depends upon:

 WELL GRADED COARSE GRAINED soils attain a much higher density & lower
optimum water contents.
 FINE GRAINED soils which require more water for lubrication because of the greater

Specific surface.

ADDITION OF ADMIXTURE

 Addition of certain admixtures to soils results in modification of its compaction

properties.
 CALCIUM CHLORIDE has been a widely used chemical additive.

Importance of Compaction
  Increased Load-Bearing Capacity
 Improves Stability
 Increases Shear Strength
 Reduces Swelling and Shrinkage
 Optimizes Foundation Performance
 Supports Pavement Construction
 Reduced Permeability
 Reduce Liquefaction potential

Question with Answer:

 1. Define compaction.
The process in which pressure is applied on the soil to remove the air from the inner
voids of the soil by which the strength of the soil increases is known as compaction.
2. Explain the laboratory compaction tests.
Light compaction method and heavy compaction method.
3. Explain the factors affecting compaction.
a. Type of soil
b. Water content of soil
c. Type of rollers used
d. Method of compaction

4. Write down the name of the instruments used for field compaction.

a. Sheep foot roller

b. Rammer
c. Grid roller
d. Impact roller
e. Pneumatic roller
f. Smooth wheeled roller

5. Define zero air void line/ Saturation line.

Zero air void line is the line which represents the relation between dry unit weight and
100% saturated water content in soil. It represents the imaginary situation of soil in which
soil doesn’t contain any air in its voids.

6. Define optimum water content.

Optimum water content is the water content at which we get maximum dry density in soil.

7. Explain principle of compaction.

The amount of compaction in soil can be determined from its dry density. The dry density
explains the bond between the soil particles.

Maximum compacted soil has:

 - Reduced void ratio.
- Increased dry density.

8. What is the effect of water content on dry density of soil?

Generally dry soil contains soil particles which are not in contact with each other and when we
try to compact this type of soil without water tit becomes stiff and cracks and gaps will be
formed. When we added water to it, the water forms a thin film around the each soil particle and
this film helps the particles to contact with each other. Thereby the soil becomes denser under
compaction. At one point of time, the volume of air in the soil sample becomes minimum and dry
density of soil becomes maximum. This is called maximum dry density point at this point the
addition of water should be stopped. The moisture content corresponding to the maximum dry
density of soil is called as “Optimum moisture content”. If water is added beyond the optimum
moisture content, the water will occupy the extra space since there is no air volume and dry
density will reduce. This change in dry density values with respect to water content is shown by
the compaction curve below