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1.0 Introduction
Soil compaction can be a very economical method of soil improvement, and it is often
used to make ground suitable for the foundations of roads and buildings. It is also used in
the placing of soil fills and in the construction of earth dams to ensure suitable soil
properties. The compaction is normally achieved through the input of energy into the soil
by impact, kneading, vibration or static means. Compaction is a process that brings about
an increase in soil density or unit weight, accompanied by a decrease in air volume.
There is usually no change in water content. The degree of compaction is measured by
dry unit weight and depends on the water content and compactive effort. For a given
compactive effort, the maximum dry unit weight occurs at optimum water content.
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2.0 Principles
When soil is compacted usually by mechanical means, the solid particles are packed
more closely together, thus increasing the soil density while air is being removed. The
size of the individual soil particles does not change, neither is water removed. If the
percentage of air voids is zero, that is, the soil is totally saturated. Increasing the
water content for a saturated soil results in a reduction in dry unit weight. The relation
between the moisture content and dry unit weight for saturated soil is known as the
zero air voids line.
Figure 2: Soil solid particles are packed more closely together when compacted
3.0 Objectives
i) To determine the relationship between the dry unit weight and the moisture
content using the standard rammer in Proctor method.
ii) To determine the maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content of
a given soil
4.0 Apparatus
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Figure 3: British Standard 1 liter compaction mould (left) and 2.5 kg rammer for BS
‘light’ compaction test (right)
5.0 Procedure
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ix) Detach collar and base plate.
x) Strike out soil at the top of mold by using the straightedge.
xi) Weight the mold and soil and record its mass on data sheet.
xii) Extrude soil from mold using the extruder.
xiii) Take soil samples and determine w (2 moisture content determination for each
compaction points).
xiv) Conduct at least 4 compaction points, i.e., sat at moisture content of about 5%,
10%, 20% and 30% (by weight of dry soil).
6.0 Result
t
1. The dry unit weight γd can be computed from d
1 m
S = degree of saturation
3. To calculate the amount of water to be added to the soil assume the initial
moisture content is 1.5%, and the mass of the soil is 2500g. Then
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2500 Ws
1.5%
Ws
which may be solved for the mass of dry soil Ws which we take to remain constant.
Recalling that the assumed initial weight of water in the soil Ww = 0.015 Ws and that Ws
is constant, if the first required water content is 10%, the extra mass of water required Ww
can be calculated
W
10% - 1.5% w 0.085
Ws
Subsequent water to be added to change the moisture content by 3% can be found from
W
3% w 0.03
Ws
7.0 Discussion
i) From the test results, what is the maximum dry density and the optimum
moisture content of the soil sample
ii) Explain the zero air void line
iii) State factors affecting compaction
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Compaction Test Result
Sample no. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Density and Unit weight: = Mws /vol g/cm3; wet = x 9.807 kN/m3
Water content, w%
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