Compaction Test

1.
0 INTRODUCTION
The objective of the test is used to determine the compaction characteristics of a soil.
The ability to compact a soil depends on the water content of the soil. Water acts as a
lubricant between the soil grains however as its content increases the water may
occupy the entire pores and since it’s relatively incompressible in comparison to the
air it may restrict compaction. The Standard Proctor Compaction test is used to
determine the optimum water content during compaction which gives the greatest soil
density.
2.0 OBJECTIVE
This laboratory test is performed to determine the relationship between the moisture content
and the dry density of a soil for a specified compactive effort. Determine the weight of the
proctor mold base + compacted soil, weight of soil moisture container, weight of container +
moist soil, weight of container + dry soil, weight of soil, dry unit weight, dry density and soil
moisture content.
3.0THEORY
The general meaning of a the verb “ compact “ is the “ to press closely together “. In soil
mechanics, it means to press soil particles tightly together by expelling air from avoid spaces
between the particles. Compaction is normally done deliberately, often by heavy compaction
rollers, and proceeds rapidly during construction, such as highways, airfields, and earth dams;
as general rule, the greater the compaction, the greater the benefits will be. Compaction is
actualluy a rather cheap and effective way to improve the properties of a soil.
The amount of compaction is quantified in terms of the dry unit weight of the soil. Usually,
dry soils can be compacted best ( and thus a greater unit weight achieved ) it for each soil, a
certain amount of water is added. In effect, watder acts as a lubricant, allowing soil particles
to be packed together better. However, if too much water is added, a lower unit weight will
results. Thus, for a given compaction effort, there is a particular moisture content at which
dry weight is greater and compaction is best. This moisture content is known as the optimum
moisture content, and the associated dry unit weight is called the maximum dry unit weight.
4.0APPARATUS
1. Cylindrical metal mould
Figure 4.1
2.metal rammer
Figure 4.2
3.measuring cylinder
Figure 3.4
4.bs sieve
Figure 4.4
5. large metal tray
Figure 4.5
6. pallete knife
7. Scoop
Figure 4.7
5.0 PROCEDURE
1. The procedure that has been described next was applicable for soils passing the no
5.00mm sieve. A representative batch of the soil was prepared tombe tested by
breaking down soil clumps into individual particles.
2. The water has been added (mixed thoroughly) to the soil, until the first moisture
content was attained ( again account for hygroscopic moisture as necessary)
3. The compaction mold and base plate has been weigh to 1g (0.01lb).
4. The extension collar and compaction was assembled.
5. The soil sample has been compacted in three equal layers. Each layers was compacted
with 27 uniformly distributed blows before the next layer of soils was added. The
surface of the soil was smooth with light tamping and then the soil was compacted
with the 2.5kg rammer.
6. After the third layer has been compacted, the extension collar was removed from the
compaction mould.
7. Using the steel straight edge, the excess soil has been trim off until the sample was
even with the top of the mould. In the event that a small quantity of soil was lost from
the compaction mould during removal of the collar or during the trimming process,
fill the trimmings pressed in with moderate finger pressure.
8. The compaction mould, base plate and compacted soil has been weigh to 1g.
9. Determine the sample from the mould and 100g moisture-content approximately
retained. Obtain the equal portions of the sample from each of the three layers to
ensured representative water content.
10. Break up the sample by hand and excess soil is mixed from the previous compaction
test. Water is added and mixed until the water content of the soil has been raised by 2
to 3 percent.
11. Steps 4 is repeated through 10. Noted the consistency of the soil and the total weight
of the mould, collar and moist soil throughout the 3 trials.
12. Determine the water content and dried unit weight of the soil in each trial once the
water content samples have been dried.
6.0 DATA
Volume of mould (V)m3 =
Tria Mass of Mass of Mass of Moist Moisture Content Determination

l No Moist Mould Moist Density of Ca Mass Mass Mass Mass Mass Moisture Dry
Specimen Specimen Specimen Compacted n of of of of of Content density of
+ Mould, Mᵐᵈ (kg) (kg) Specimen No. wet dry Water Can dry (%) compacted
Mᵼ (kg) ᵨ֋(kg/m 3) Soil Soil (g) (g) Soil Specimen
+ + (g) d
Can Can
(g) (g)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
5.380 3.780 1.6 1666.67 1 0.115 0.110 0.005 0.045 0.075 6.67 1547
5.485 3.780 1.705 1776.04 2 0.110 0.115 0.005 0.040 0.065 7.69 1664
5.480 3.780 1.7 1770.83 3 0.105 0.100 0.005 0.040 0.06 8.33 1634
5.420 3.780 1.64 1708.33 4 0.045 0.040 0.005 0.015 0.025 20 1423
7.0 CONCLUSION
Ultimately compaction is depending on the void ratio of soil. Compaction is a factor

of practical importance is the increase of soil strength and stability. Nowadays in
urban area land is one of the most common problems. In such cases if soil’s
engineering properties is not up to the requirement then there is no meaning for that
project. So in that case soil compaction can be applied as a one of the most economic
ground improvement technique.
8.0 REFERENCES
https://www.coursenero.com
https://www.slideshare.net
DCC3122 : Geotechnical Laboratory
9.0 GRAPH

Compaction Test

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1. Cylindrical metal mould

5. large metal tray

Volume of mould (V)m3 =

Tria Mass of Mass of Mass of Moist Moisture Content Determination

Ultimately compaction is depending on the void ratio of soil. Compaction is a factor

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