LECTURERS NAME: DR.

MAZIDAH MUKRI

PROGRAMME CODE: EC220 (2C1)

SUBJECT: GEOTECHNICAL LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT: DETERMINATION OF RELATIVE COMPACTION FOR ROAD

EMBANKMENT

GROUP MEMBERS:

1. MUHAMMAD DANIEL BIN MOHD SHAH (2016209142)

2. MUHAMMAD NAJMUDDEEN BIN NIZAR (2016209158)
3. MUHAMMAD SYAHIR BIN HAMIDON (2016209224)
4. AIN SYAFIQAH FIRZA BINTI ABDUL JALIL (2016209218)
INTRODUCTION

Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing pore space between
them. Heavily compacted soils contain few large pores and have a reduced rate of both water
infiltration and drainage from the compacted layer. This occurs because large pores are the most
effective in moving water through the soil when it is saturated. In addition, the exchange of gases
slows down in compacted soils, causing an increase in the likelihood of aeration-related
problems. Soil compaction changes pore space size, distribution, and soil strength. One way to
quantify the change is by measuring the bulk density. As the pore space is decreased within a
soil, the bulk density is increased. Soils with a higher percentage of clay and silt, which naturally
have more pore space, have a lower bulk density than sandier soils.

The Proctor compaction test is a laboratory method of experimentally determining the

optimal moisture content at which a given soil type will become most dense and achieve its
maximum dry density.

THEORY
The degree of compaction of a given soil is measured in terms of its dry density. The dry
density is maximum at the optimum water content. A curve is drawn between the water content
and the dry density to obtain the maximum dry density and the optimum water content. Dry
density of soil is calculated by using the formula:

where b is bulk density (g/cm3) and w is moisture content.

OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the optimal moisture content at which a given soil type will become most
dense and achieve its maximum dry density.
2. To demonstrate Proctor method.
3. To determine the relative compaction of soil sample for road embankment.

MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

1. Mold
2. Manual rammer
3. Extruder
4. Weighing Balance
5. Drying oven
6. Mixing pan
7. Trowel
8. Moisture cans
9. Graduated cylinder
10. Straight edge
11. Soil Crusher
PROCEDURE / METHODOLOGY

1. The weight of the mould (mould + base + side screw) was measured by using the
weighing balance.
2. The internal diameter and height was measured by using a ruler.
3. Afterwards grease was applied on the sides of the mould and on the collar.
4. The weight of each moisture cans was measured with the help of weighing balance.
5. The soil was loosed and crushed by using soil crusher machine.
6. 3kg of loose soil was then measured.
7. The required amount of distilled water was measured according to the assumed water
content.
8. The soil was mixed thoroughly with the water by using straight edge.
9. After having mixed it completely, the soil was divided into 3 sections.
10. The first section of the soil was put up to 1/3 of the mould and collar.
11. With the help of the rammer, the soil was compacted by 25 blows.
12. The second layer and third layer of soil is then added and rammered 25 more times (for
each layer).
13. Then the collar was removed and the soil was leveled using a trowel.
14. The mould containing the compacted soil together with the base and side screws were
weighed.
15. Then a small portion of soil at the top, middle and bottom were taken and placed in the
moisture can.
16. Steps 5 to 16 were repeated for each stage.
17. The moisture cans containing wet soils were weighed.
18. Then these moisture cans were placed in the oven to dry.
19. After 24 hours the moisture cans were removed from the oven and was allowed to cool
for 10 minutes.
20. Then the weight of the moisture cans containing dried soils was noted.
RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

Weight of Wet Weight of Dry

Weight Of
Container Soil + Container Soil + Container
Container (g)
(g) (g)
Upper part 15.99 15.45 1.68
Stage 1 Middle Part 8.48 8.12 1.68
Bottom Part 18.08 17.58 1.70

Upper part 14.50 14.04 1.67

Stage 2 Middle Part 11.23 10.80 1.68
Bottom Part 10.33 9.94 1.69

Upper part 88.12 87.44 76.10

Stage 3 Middle Part 87.18 86.56 76.88
Bottom Part 110.14 109.70 104.67

Upper part 10.94 10.17 1.73

Stage 4 Middle Part 85.57 84.71 75.19
Bottom Part 35.97 35.04 23.24

Upper part 30.02 29.21 19.82

Stage 5 Middle Part 30.03 29.34 23.45
Bottom Part 27.86 27.13 19.90
 i. Calculation of Moisture Content

Stage 1 2 3 4 5
Average Mass of Wet
14.18 12.02 95.15 44.16 29.30
Soil + Container (g)
Average Mass of Dry
13.72 11.59 94.57 43.31 28.56
Soil + Container (g)
Average Mass of
1.69 1.68 85.88 33.39 21.07
Container (g)
Mass of Dry Soil (g) 12.03 9.91 8.69 9.92 7.49
Moisture Content (%) 3.35 4.34 6.67 8.57 9.88

ii. Determination of Dry Density

Mass of Mold + Base = 3400g
Mass of Mold = 1940g
Volume of mold = 939.70 cm3
Stage 1 2 3 4 5
Mass of Wet Soil +
3627 3662 3704 3688 3672
Mold (g)
Mass of Wet Soil (g) 1687 1722 1764 1748 1732
3
Bulk Density (g/cm ) 1.795 1.832 1.877 1.860 1.843
Dry Density (g/cm3) 1.737 1.756 1.760 1.713 1.677
DISCUSSIONS

From the data and the results, the bulk density obtained show an increment as water content in
the soil increased until 3rd stage which then shows a slope downward. Meanwhile, from the
graph plotted, we can observe that the dry density increases until it reaches optimum moisture
content (at 6%), resulting in maximum dry density of 1.763 g/cm3. We obtained a graph with
open downward curve, which is theoretically correct.

The graph shows a parabolic curve because as water is added to the sample at low
moisture contents, it becomes easier for the particles to move past one another during
compaction. The sample becomes more compacted, the voids are reduced and this causes the dry
density to increase. As the water content increases, the soil particles develop larger water films
around them. The increase in dry density continues till a stage where water starts to occupy the
space that could have been occupied by the soil grains which happens after optimum moisture
content is achieved. Thus the water at this stage makes it difficult for the grains to pack closer
towards each other, which then eventually reduces the dry density. The maximum dry density
occurs at optimum water content, and their values can be obtained from the plot. The maximum
dry density of 1.763 g/cm3 is obtained at optimum moisture content of 6%.

There may be some errors occurred while carrying out the experiment that have affected
the results obtained, such as:

i. The water and the soil were not mixed properly and uniformly.
ii. Loss of water due to splashing of water.
iii. The soil was not rammered uniformly which can result for some areas not being well
compacted.

From this experiment, we also can obtain its relative compaction by using the formula:

where;

In-situ density can be obtained by carrying out compaction test from the site. Relative
compaction usually ranges from 95% - 100% as compared to the standard Proctor Test.
CONCLUSIONS

From the experiment, we managed to determine the Optimum Moisture Content of the sample,
which is 6% with the calculated maximum dry density of 1.763 g/cm3. We also managed to
perform the Proctor test according to the standardized method. We also managed to define the
relative compaction for the sample chosen. Thus, we able to have gone through this experiment
successfully.