J Geotechnical Testing, March 2003, Vol. 26, No.

1
Paper ID GTJ20039850_261
Available online at: www.astm.org

J. D. Frost,1 and J.-Y. Park2

A Critical Assessment of the Moist

Tamping Technique

ABSTRACT: Current field sampling techniques are not readily able to produce high-quality undisturbed granular soil specimens for laboratory
testing at an affordable cost. Accordingly, numerous specimen reconstitution methods have been developed for use in the laboratory. Among these
methods, moist tamping has the advantage that it is relatively easy to control the global specimen density achieved, even for loose specimens, al-
though unfortunately the method has also been qualitatively shown to yield less uniform specimens. This paper describes the findings of a study that
critically assessed the moist tamping method by measuring the forces applied during the tamping process and investigated the uniformity of speci-
mens prepared with the method by quantitatively analyzing both X-ray and optical images.

KEYWORDS: moist tamping, uniformity, image analysis, compaction force

Introduction final desired density by predetermined amounts so that the final

density of each layer, even with the effects of compaction of suc-
The majority of laboratory tests on granular soils, such as sands cessive overlying layers, is equal to the target density. The differ-
and gravels, are performed on reconstituted specimens because ob- ence in density between successive layers is defined as the un-
taining samples of these materials in their undisturbed and natural dercompaction ratio (Ladd 1978). Several different procedures for
state is very difficult due to the lack of natural “cohesion.” Conse- selecting the optimum value of this ratio were suggested. Based
quently, a variety of methods have been developed for reconstitut- on this ratio, the target density of each layer increases linearly
ing granular specimens in the laboratory. These methods can be from the bottom to the top of the specimen. Ladd (1978) showed
categorized according to the moisture condition of the soil (e.g., that under-compaction could create more uniform moist-tamped
dry, moist, or wet), the method of soil placement (e.g., pluviation, specimens.
spooning, or flowing), and the medium through which the soil is The implementation of the moist tamping technique in this paper
placed (e.g., air or water). Specimens prepared using a combination follows the undercompaction guidelines described by Ladd (1978)
of the above factors can be densified to any desired condition by but with a load cell integrated into the rod of the tamping device so
various mechanical procedures including tamping, tapping, rod- that the incremental force applied to the specimen during each
ding, and vibrating. In particular, moist tamping consists of com- tamping effort could be recorded. These measurements have pro-
pacting the soil by applying a quasi-static load to successive layers vided some unique insight into this method of preparation and raise
of material in a membrane-lined mold using a hand-held tamper significant concerns about the merits of many test results reported
(Ladd 1974). The density of the specimen is predetermined and can in the literature that have used this technique. In addition, the uni-
be controlled by adjusting the dry weight and volume of sand formity of the resulting moist-tamped specimens was analyzed by
placed in each layer. quantitatively studying X-ray and optical images from the speci-
The early implementations of the moist tamping method in- mens. Quantitative measurements demonstrating the degree of uni-
volved the specimen being prepared using a number of layers of formity in moist-tamped specimens were compared with those of
equal dry weight and volume wherein each layer was being com- specimens prepared by other methods.
pacted to the same target density. This was found to result in the
lower portion of the specimen becoming denser than the desired Materials
specimen density because the compaction of each successive or
overlying layer also resulted in the densification of the preceding The specimens studied in this research program were reconsti-
or underlying layers (Mulilis et al. 1975, 1977; Gilbert 1984). tuted using ASTM C-109 Ottawa sand. An image of ASTM
In order to improve the overall specimen uniformity obtained graded sand particles is shown in Fig. 1a. ASTM graded sand is
with the method, undercompaction was proposed (Ladd 1978) poorly graded with sub-rounded quartz particles. The specific
as an enhancement to the moist tamping method. With this tech- gravity determined by U.S. standard testing method (ASTM D
nique, the lower layers are initially compacted looser than the 854-92) is 2.67. The particle size distribution for ASTM graded
sand determined by U.S. standard sieve analysis, ASTM D 422-
63, is shown in Fig. 1b. The median grain size (D50) of the sand
Received Aug. 16, 2002; accepted for publication March 18, 2002; published is about 0.35 mm, the coefficient of uniformity Cu (
D60 /D10) is
XXXX. 1.65, and the coefficient of curvature Cc (
D30 2
/(D10 D60)) is
1
Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Georgia In-
stitute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0355.
1.06. The minimum and maximum void ratios (emin and emax) de-
2
Research assistant, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The termined by ASTM D 4253-93 and D 4254-91 are 0.50 and 0.82,
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0355. respectively.

Copyright © 2003 by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. 1
2 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

B
FIG. 1—(a) Real image of ASTM graded sand; (b) particle-size distribution curve of ASTM graded sand.

FIG. 2—(a) Schematic view of moist tamping system; (b) moist-tamped specimen with under-compaction ratio of 3%.
 FROST AND PARK ON MOIST TAMPING TECHNIQUE 3

Moist Tamping Equipment ments that a moisture content of 5% was adequate for moist tamp-
ing the ASTM graded sand (Jang 1997). To minimize the evapora-
To achieve a specific density in each layer, predetermined tion of water during compaction, predetermined weights of dry
amounts of soil were compacted into seven layers of equal thick- sand and water for each layer were placed in labeled containers and
ness. Figure 2 shows a schematic of the moist tamping system and covered with a lid before being mixed. The sand in the containers
the target layer densities for a moist-tamped specimen with an un- was transferred into the mold by spooning about 15
20 g each
dercompaction ratio of 3%. A collar attached to the tamping rod time while ensuring as uniform spreading as possible. Each sand
was adjusted prior to the compaction of each layer to ensure that the layer was then compacted to the specified density.
tamping disc or shoe could not be advanced beyond the desired
elevation during the compaction of that layer. For example, when Forces and Stresses Applied to Moist Tamped Specimens
the second layer was being compacted, the position of the reference
collar was adjusted to make the distance between the tamping disc The force applied during each tamping effort was measured with
and the top surface of the bottom platen twice the distance used in the load cell integrated within the tamping rod as shown in Fig. 2a.
preparing the previous layer. To measure the compaction force ap- The time sequence of loads applied on one layer (fourth layer of
plied in each tamping effort without being influenced by factors 10% relative density specimen) is shown in Fig. 3 for illustrative
such as friction between the tamping rod and the linear bearing, or purposes. The recorded data from the load cell is shown in Fig. 3a.
possible eccentric loading on the load cell, a load cell was located By discarding tamps and/or time periods for which negligible force
between the bottom of the tamping rod and the tamping disc. The was recorded (less than 2.25 N) and identifying the peak force in
load cell used in this study was a Futek L1650 that had a diameter each tamping effort, the load cell readings were processed as shown
of 25.4 mm, a height of 12.7 mm, and a capacity of 45.3 kg. The di- in Fig. 3b, where the horizontal axis is the tamp number. The cu-
ameter of the load cell was selected to be smaller than that of the mulative force transferred to a layer was obtained by summing these
tamping disc (35.5 mm) to avoid imposing limitations with suc- peak forces as shown in Fig. 3c. Generally, the cumulative com-
cessful compaction at the edge of the specimen mold. pactive effort applied to one layer can be divided into three stages:
Each specimen was 71.1 mm in diameter and 142.2 mm in height initial compaction, main compaction, and final compaction (Fig.
with an initial moisture content of 5% and was compacted in seven 3c). These three portions can be identified by comparing the slopes
layers in a split compaction mold. It was found through experi- of the cumulative force plot. Prior to the beginning of compaction,

FIG. 3—Example data of moist tamping test: (a) original recorded force data; (b) peak forces from recorded data; (c) cumulative forces in a layer.
4 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

the soil is in a very loose condition because it is placed into the mold during initial tamping. Nevertheless, during this stage, the surface
by spooning, and the capillary forces due to the added moisture pre- becomes approximately level. In the last stage of compaction, i.e.,
vents the collapse of the soil. Therefore, it is relatively easy to push final compaction, forces transferred to the soil are relatively small;
the tamping rod into the soil during the early stages. This stage is re- however, the predetermined thickness for the layer was typically not
ferred to as initial compaction. In this stage, the full area of the tamp- achieved until this stage. The compaction of a particular layer was
ing foot surface is typically in contact with the soil since the soil is determined to be complete once negligible forces were transferred
loose and deforms freely by a kneading action. During the next to the soil and the surface of the layer appeared to be level. A total
stage, called main compaction, a greater compactive force is re- of 13 moist-tamped specimens for which force data was acquired
quired in each tamping effort, especially for dense specimens. The were reconstituted during this study. Examples of incremental and
maximum force transfer to the soil occurs during this second stage. cumulative forces transferred to each of the seven layers in speci-
The contact area between the tamping disc surface and the soil be- mens with global relative densities of 10, 40, and 75% are shown in
ing compacted in this stage is not necessarily the full area of the disc Figs. 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Cumulative forces for these speci-
surface because of some irregularities in the layer surface formed mens are summarized in Table 1. It can be seen that both the indi-

FIG. 4—Example of forces applied on a moist-tamped specimen (Dr
10%).

 FROST AND PARK ON MOIST TAMPING TECHNIQUE 5

FIG. 5—Example of forces applied on a moist-tamped specimen (Dr
40%).

6 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

FIG. 6—Example of forces applied on a moist-tamped specimen (Dr
75%).

 FROST AND PARK ON MOIST TAMPING TECHNIQUE 7

TABLE 1—Cumulative force data from load cell in moist tamped specimens.

Layer
Density Specimen Average
% ID 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (kN)

10 M10-1 0.61 0.50 0.49 0.86 0.94 0.94 1.11 0.78

M10-2 0.71 0.56 0.63 0.62 0.67 0.68 0.88 0.68
M10-3 0.95 0.64 0.67 0.55 0.93 1.01 1.16 0.84
M10-4 0.78 0.47 0.51 0.49 0.64 0.85 1.09 0.69

Average 0.76 0.54 0.57 0.63 0.80 0.87 1.06 0.75

25 M25-1 1.53 1.42 1.24 1.16 1.30 1.69 1.57 1.41

M25-2 1.24 1.33 1.23 1.38 1.74 2.74 2.18 1.69
M25-3 1.09 0.99 1.03 1.38 1.72 2.19 2.12 1.50

Average 1.29 1.25 1.17 1.31 1.59 2.20 1.96 1.54

40 M40-1 1.39 1.53 1.72 2.36 2.51 2.89 2.68 2.15

M40-2 1.79 1.23 1.60 1.87 2.53 3.20 3.54 2.25

Average 1.59 1.38 1.66 2.12 2.52 3.04 3.11 2.20

50 M50-1 2.07 1.97 2.47 2.90 3.84 4.70 4.82 3.25

M50-2 2.27 1.58 2.03 3.12 3.07 3.50 4.11 2.81

Average 2.17 1.77 2.25 3.01 3.46 4.10 4.46 3.03

60 M60-1 3.86 3.57 4.18 4.53 5.56 7.64 12.40 5.96

75 M75-1 8.60 16.62 13.36 15.34 15.74 18.07 23.64 15.91

M75-2 13.26 9.93 12.36 12.56 19.18 21.53 27.82 16.66

Average 10.93 13.27 12.86 13.95 17.46 19.80 25.73 16.29

vidual forces and the number of tamps required to achieve the

specific layer target density increased as a function of the global
specimen density.
The cumulative forces applied to each layer of four specimens
with a relative density of 10% are summarized in Fig. 7 along with
an average value. Although the bottom layer (Layer 1) was com-
pacted to the loosest target density in the specimen, the total force
required to compact this first layer was not the smallest. The small-
est required force in all specimens was generally for the second
layer. The required forces gradually increased towards the top of
the specimen.
This sequence of required forces reflected the combined effects
of the physical apparatus and the variation in the target densities of
successive layers necessary for undercompaction. Only the bottom
layer had a rigid boundary underlying it (i.e., the bottom platen).
The other layers were compacted above layers of sand that were
relatively less stiff than the bottom platen. Consequently, when one
of the upper layers was compacted, the underlying layer(s) were in-
fluenced by the forces applied to the overlying layer. The underly-
ing layer(s) were thus further compressed or deformed by the com-
paction effort applied to the overlying layer. For the lower layers,
this can result in the density being less than desired because the vol-
ume of the layer being compacted is effectively increased by addi-
tional volume reduction in the underlying layer(s). For the upper
layers, more force than applied in compacting the lower layers is
needed because the predetermined target densities are increasing
and the deformation in the lower layers due to the compaction of
the overlying layer(s) is becoming successively less due to the FIG. 7—Cumulative forces for moist-tamped specimens of 10% relative
compaction procedure. density.
8 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

An estimate of the vertical stresses applied by the tamping rod

during compaction can be obtained by dividing the applied load by
the contact area between the tamping disc surface and the sand. As
previously noted, the contact area is likely not constant throughout
the compaction stages. The contact area, particularly during the
main compaction phase, is likely smaller than the tamping disc sur-
face area due to irregularities in the surface of the sand. However,
the tamping disc surface area was used herein to determine the con-
tact stress because measuring the real contact area was not feasible.
It is therefore likely that some of the vertical stresses would be even
greater than presented in this study.
The average of the five largest recorded vertical stresses applied
during the preparation of a specimen to a global relative density of
10% are illustrated in Fig. 8. The average of the peak stresses for
the specimen is about 33 kPa, and the maximum peak stress is
about 48 kPa in the top layer. Average peak stresses for other den-
sities are summarized in Table 2 and Fig. 9. Average vertical peak
stresses of up to 95 and 184 kPa were recorded for specimens with
relative densities of 50 and 75%, respectively. These high stresses
are clearly higher than the initial confining stresses used in many
studies in the literature on specimens of similar densities prepared
using moist tamping. This indicates that the sand specimens may
frequently experience higher stresses during preparation than the
confining stress applied at the start of the triaxial shear test. This
pre-stressing was also shown to affect the initial stiffness and peak
strength of the specimens and accelerate the development of shear
bands in moist-tamped specimens (Park 1999).
FIG. 8—Average applied peak stresses for moist-tamped specimens of The average peak stress and the average cumulative force are
10% relative density. summarized as a function of density in Fig. 10. It is apparent that

TABLE 2—Average peak stress data in moist tamped specimens.

Layer
Density Specimen Average
% ID 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (kPa)

10 M10-1 36.45 29.44 26.10 36.32 39.54 36.36 40.86 35.01

M10-2 33.04 29.69 30.56 37.06 33.85 31.96 41.00 33.88
M10-3 36.71 27.90 23.72 28.42 35.53 35.18 45.71 33.31
M10-4 34.19 27.51 26.59 24.57 29.54 31.94 47.67 31.72

Average 35.10 28.63 26.74 31.59 34.62 33.86 43.81 33.48

25 M25-1 53.99 45.67 42.88 47.02 46.45 48.47 50.30 47.83

M25-2 41.47 40.23 40.67 45.13 44.76 50.77 65.21 46.89
M25-3 36.53 38.18 38.35 47.47 44.74 54.29 54.83 44.91

Average 44.00 41.36 40.63 46.54 45.32 51.18 56.78 46.54

40 M40-1 55.09 53.55 53.95 63.79 62.26 79.16 69.37 62.45

M40-2 50.55 47.47 49.68 50.33 67.81 70.95 74.22 58.72

Average 52.82 50.51 51.81 57.06 65.04 75.05 71.79 60.58

50 M50-1 58.04 66.89 67.68 71.86 88.11 82.10 94.84 75.65

M50-2 63.19 55.37 60.44 77.27 72.28 92.01 92.79 73.33

Average 60.61 61.13 64.06 74.56 80.20 87.06 93.82 74.49

60 M60-1 83.69 82.34 93.07 100.05 109.90 117.22 130.31 102.37

75 M75-1 106.92 119.26 115.28 170.41 185.45 198.86 200.20 156.62

M75-2 120.03 126.05 144.03 126.96 165.12 168.58 156.11 143.84

Average 113.47 122.65 129.66 148.68 175.29 183.72 178.15 150.23

 FROST AND PARK ON MOIST TAMPING TECHNIQUE 9

the average peak stress and the average cumulative force increase
exponentially, reflecting that the total energy required to prepare
dense moist-tamped specimens is significantly greater than that
required to prepare loose specimens. The results in Fig. 10 can also
be used to indicate what the initial confining pressure should be
greater than for triaxial testing of moist-tamped specimens of
ASTM graded sands prepared at any given density if the specimens
are to be tested in a virgin stress state.

Analysis of Uniformity Using X-Ray Images

When as-prepared cylindrical specimens are exposed to radia-
tion, the X-rays have to pass through more sand particles in the
middle portion of the specimen, and they are more dispersed at
the edges due to the variable space between the X-ray film and the
specimen due to its cylindrical shape. This can lead to difficulty in
interpreting the information contained in the images. To avoid this
problem, planar coupons cut from resin-impregnated specimens
were used in this study. The specimens were consolidated under 50
kPa confining pressure and subsequently dried for 24 h prior to
preservation with epoxy resin (Jang et. al. 1999). The preserved
specimens were vertically sectioned to produce coupons 8 mm
thick, 71 mm wide, and 142 mm long as shown in Fig. 11. X-ray
images of these coupons were then obtained using 34 mAs of X-ray
for 80 ms at a distance of 1.7 m.
Mulilis et al. (1977) also used X-ray images of soil specimens
prepared by different methods but only qualitatively evaluated
FIG. 9—Average peak stresses for moist-tamped specimens of various their uniformity. Using an image analysis system, the uniformity
relative densities. of the soil specimen was analyzed quantitatively in this study.

FIG. 10—Average values of cumulative force and peak stress for differ-
ent relative densities. FIG. 11—Expanded view of coupon prepared for X-ray image.
10 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

Developed X-ray films were placed on a back-illuminated stage, loose material appears to exist immediately below the layer also re-
and images were captured using a digital camera and an image flects the effects of the scarifying of the upper surface of each layer
analysis system. The uniformity of the specimens was analyzed by prior to placement of the next layer. The darkest zone at the top of
investigating the gray scale variations of the resulting image. Black the particular specimen shown in Fig. 12 is due to the presence of
was assigned a value of zero, while white was assigned a value of some air bubbles in the resin following the curing process. Glob-
255 on a gray scale. In the present study, a lower (darker) gray scale ally, the gray scale is incrementally decreasing (becoming looser)
value implied a looser sand state because more X-rays were able to from top to bottom, indicating that the undercompaction ratio used
penetrate through the specimen and the X-ray film was exposed to was marginally high. However, the loosest portion of the specimen
a greater amount of radiation. is the second layer from the bottom and not the first (bottom) layer
Figure 12a illustrates the X-ray image of a coupon sectioned of the specimen because of the interaction with the rigid bottom
from a moist-tamped specimen (Dr
40%). A total of 29 vertical platen. These quantitative measurements are thus consistent with
measurement profiles spaced six pixels apart were selected for the the results of the cumulative force and peak stress analysis previ-
analysis of the gray scale variations. The average of the 29 gray ously discussed.
scale profiles is illustrated in Fig. 12b. Gray scale variations can be An air-pluviated specimen (Dr
45%) and a wet pluviated spec-
seen in each layer as well as throughout the entire specimen. Since imen (Dr
43%) were also prepared and preserved using the same
the specimen was compacted layer by layer, the gray scale varies epoxy resin impregnation procedure. X-ray images of sectioned
more near the layer boundaries than inside each layer with a sig- coupons from these specimens were captured and are illustrated in
nificant change as one moves from the top of one layer to the bot- Fig. 13a and Fig. 14a for the air- and wet-pluviated specimens, re-
tom of the overlaying layer. The darkest (loosest) part of each layer spectively. Gray scale variations of the X-ray images along the
is at the bottom of the layer. Less force is transferred to this part of specimen heights were obtained by the same method used for the
the layer since it is further from the tamping disc. The fact that moist-tamped specimen and are shown in Figs. 13b and 14b. It can

FIG. 12—Image analysis on X-ray image: (a) X-ray image of sectioned specimen; (b) gray scale analysis on X-ray image.
 FROST AND PARK ON MOIST TAMPING TECHNIQUE 11

FIG. 13—Image analysis on X-ray image: (a) X-ray image of air-pluviated specimen; (b) gray scale analysis on X-ray image.

be seen that density variations exist in both the air-pluviated and This type of analysis is relatively easy to conduct. However, infor-
wet-pluviated specimens also; however, they are more gradual in mation about the actual density within the specimen cannot be di-
nature. More significant variations were noted near the top and bot- rectly obtained. To directly study variations in the density of a
tom of these specimens. The top of both of the pluviated specimens specimen, analysis of optical images is required (Kuo 1994; Jang
was denser than the other portions of the specimens. This is con- 1997; Park 1999; Frost et. al. 1999; Chen 2000). This technique can
sidered to reflect the additional force applied to the soil when the provide quantitative measures of parameters such as the local void
top cap was put in place. It is further anticipated that the extent of ratio distribution and particle orientations.
this near surface densification would be less for denser specimens. The sectioned coupon from which the X-ray image of the moist-
The bottom portion of the air-pluviated specimen is also dense be- tamped specimen was captured was cut into three smaller coupons
cause of the different pluviation mechanism at the bottom of spec- so that the surface could be subjected to a polishing and grinding
imen than at other locations within the specimen. At the beginning process to allow the sand particles to be distinguished from the
of air pluviation, sand particles impact the rigid base, whereas the surrounding epoxy matrix (Jang et. al. 1999). A total of 72 optical
energy from particles later in the process is dissipated into the soil images were obtained at the locations shown in Fig. 15a. For the
already in the mold. Wet pluviation reduces this effect because the uniformity analysis, the void ratio of each image was obtained us-
particles pluviate slowly and have a lower impact energy. Notwith- ing image analysis techniques. Figure 15b shows the density mea-
standing these various factors, this gray scale analysis of the X-ray surements from the 72 images. Each point in this figure represents
images shows that the global densities in the air- and wet-pluviated the average of the three densities measured from the three images
specimens are more uniform than in the moist-tamped specimens. at that elevation within the specimen. The average relative density
of the specimen was 40% as indicated in Fig. 15b. The solid verti-
Density Measurement Using Optical Image Analysis cal line in each layer indicates the average density for that layer.
The dashed line in each layer indicates the density trend in that
The gray scale analysis of X-ray images described above pro- layer. It can be seen that the relative density within a layer typically
vides an overview of the density variations within the specimens. increases by about 15% from bottom to top. Within the zone out-
12 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

FIG. 14—Image analysis on X-ray image: (a) X-ray image of wet-pluviated specimen; (b) gray scale analysis on X-ray image.

side the bottom and top layers, the mean layer relative density in- stresses used in conventional triaxial tests. For example, peak ver-
creases by about 11% from about 34% in Layer 2 to about 45% in tical stresses of 95 and 184 kPa were measured in this study for
Layer 6, indicating the effect of the 3% undercompaction ratio used specimens with target relative densities of 50 and 75%, respec-
in preparing this specimen. Local variations in relative density of tively. These stresses applied during specimen preparation should
up to 15% are noted in the top and bottom layers, reflecting the in- be carefully considered in interpreting the results of shear tests per-
fluence of the boundary constraints. The standard deviation of the formed on specimens under initial effective confining stresses less
relative density within this moist- tamped specimen was found to than these values. Ignoring the fact that higher stress conditions are
be 6%. For a dense moist-tamped specimen with a relative density applied during the specimen preparation stage than during subse-
of 75%, the standard deviation was also found to be about 6%. A quent shear testing can lead to material behavior reflecting the
comparison using the same method of analysis showed that the cor- effects of prior stress history being incorrectly interpreted as the
responding standard deviations within air-pluviated specimens behavior of material under a virgin stress state.
with mean relative densities of 50 and 75% were about 3%, indi- The measurements made in this study have shown that the bot-
cating consistently less variable conditions. tom layer experiences larger forces during compaction than the
second layer due to the presence of the rigid base platen. The sec-
Conclusions ond layer in moist-tamped specimens was quantitatively shown to
be the loosest layer based on analysis of both the X-ray film and the
The critical assessment of the moist tamping method described optical images. Quantitative analysis of the X-ray images provided
herein has provided some unique insight into this method of prepa- information about the global density variation of specimens. Wet-
ration and raises significant concerns about the suitability of the pluviated and air-pluviated specimens are more uniform than
method for future use. moist-tamped specimens.
The vertical stresses applied during preparation of moist-tamped Quantitative measures of relative density were obtained using
specimens are sometimes higher than the typical initial confining analysis of optical images. Intra-layer relative density variations
 FROST AND PARK ON MOIST TAMPING TECHNIQUE 13

FIG. 15—Image analysis on sectioned specimen: (a) positions of images taken; (b) result of image analysis on the sectioned specimen.

of up to 15% were noted while inter-layer mean relative density Frost, J. D., Jang, D. J., Park, J. Y., and Chen, C. C., 1999, “Quan-
variations of about 10% were measured. The intra-layer variations titative Characterization of Microstructure Evolution,” Proceed-
are believed to reflect the inherent limitations in the method, ings of International Workshop on Physics and Mechanics of
whereas the inter-layer variations reflect the specific under-com- Soil Liquefaction, pp. 169–177.
paction ratio selected and thus can be reduced by selection of a Gilbert, P. A. and Marcuson III, W. F., 1988, “Density Variation in
different ratio. The standard deviation of local relative density in Specimens Subjected to Cyclic and Monotonic Loading,” Jour-
air-pluviated specimens was about half that of moist-tamped nal of Geotechnical Engineering Division, ASCE, Vol. 114, No.
specimens. 1, pp. 1–20.
Jang, D. J., 1997, “Quantification of Sand Structure and its Evolu-
Acknowledgment tion during Shearing Using Image Analysis,” partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy,
The research described in this paper was supported by NSF con- Georgia Institute of Technology.
tract number CMS 9457549. This support is gratefully acknowl- Jang, D. J., Frost, J. D., and Park, J. Y., 1999, “Preparation
edged. of Epoxy Impregnated Sand Coupons for Image Analysis,”
ASTM, Geotechnical Testing Journal, GTJODJ, Vol. 22, No. 2,
References pp. 147–158.
Chen, C. C., 2000, “Shear Induced Evolution of Structure in Water Kuo, C. Y., 1994, “Quantifying the Fabric of Granular Materials—
Deposited Specimens,” partial fulfillment of the requirements Image Analysis Approach,” partial fulfillment of the require-
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Georgia Institute of ments for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Georgia Institute
Technology. of Technology.
Frost, J. D., 1989, “Studies on the Monotonic and Cyclic Behavior Ladd, R. S., 1974, “Specimen Preparation and Liquefaction of
of Sands,” partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Sands,” Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Division, ASCE,
of Doctor of Philosophy, Purdue University. Vol. 100, No. 10, pp. 118–184.
14 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

Ladd, R. S., 1978, “Preparing Specimens Using Undercom- lanandan, K., 1977, “Effects of Sample Preparation on Sand Liq-
paction,” ASTM, Geotechnical Testing Journal, GTJODJ, Vol. uefaction,” Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Division,
1, No. 1, pp. 16–23. ASCE, Vol. 103, No. GT2, pp. 91–108.
Mulilis, J. P., Chan, C. K., and Seed, H. B., 1975, “The Effects of Park, J. Y., 1999, “A Critical Assessment of Moist Tamping and Its
Method of Sample Preparation on the Cyclic Stress Strain Be- Effect on the Initial and Evolving Structure of Dilatant Triaxial
havior of Sands,” EERC Report 75-18. Specimens,” partial fulfillment of the requirements for the de-
Mulilis, J. P., Seed, H. B., Chan, C. K., Mitchell J. K., and Aru- gree of Doctor of Philosophy, Georgia Institute of Technology.