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Soil Testing Compaction and CBR

Dry Density/Moisture Relationship BS/EN DD ENV

Compaction Test 4.5 kg

BS 1377-4, 1924-2, EN DD ENV 1997-2
This test method utilises a 4.5 kg hand rammer resulting in a heavier compactive effort than the 2.5 kg test method. Compactive energy some 4.5 times greater is applied to the sample using the heavier rammer. The method is often specified where higher levels of compaction are necessary in a structure, e.g. an airfield subbase material. Manufactured from corrosion protected steel components the 4.5 kg rammer is designed to withstand heavy usage involved in the test method.

Compaction Test 2.5 kg

BS 1377-4, 1924-2, EN DD ENV 1997-2
This test method utilises a 2.5 kg hand compaction hammer and a one litre capacity compaction mould. Often referred to as the 'Proctor' test it is suitable for soils containing particles no larger than 20mm. The mould and hammer is manufactured from corrosion protected steel components to withstand the heavy usage involved in the test.

Compaction Mould, BS
Specification Mould volume Construction Weight 1 litre All steel, threaded studs with wing nuts, plated 5.5 kg

Compaction Rammer, 4.5 kg

Specification Rammer Drop Guide sleeve Finish Weight

BS

Ordering Information
EL24-9000 Standard Compaction Mould BS

50 mm dia, 4.5 kg 450 mm Machined steel tubing with air pressure release holes Corrosion resistant 7.5 kg

Ordering Information

Compaction Rammer, 2.5 kg

Specification Rammer Drop Guide sleeve Finish Weight

BS

EL24-9004 Compaction Rammer 4.5 kg BS

50 mm dia, 2.5 kg 300 mm Machined steel tubing with air pressure release holes Corrosion resistant 4.2 kg

Accessories
EL24-9010 EL24-9025 Straightedge, 300 mm Weight 600 g Tamping Foot 146 mm dia and 300 mm long Shank

Ordering Information
EL24-9002 Compaction Rammer 2.5 kg BS

Dry Density Moisture Content Relationship for Soils

BS Compaction Mould and Rammers

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Soil Testing Compaction and CBR

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Dry Density/Moisture Relationship ASTM

ASTM Compaction Mould

ASTM D698, D1557; AASHTO T99,T180
Specification Mould volume Construction Weight /13.33 ft3 All steel, threaded studs with wing nuts, plated 8.2 kg
1

Proctor Compaction Mould

ASTM D558, D559, D560, D698, D1557; AASHTO T99,T134,T135,T136,T180
Specification Mould volume Construction Weight /30 ft3 All steel, threaded studs with wing nuts, plated 5.4 kg
1

Ordering Information
EL24-9066 ASTM Compaction Mould

Ordering Information
EL24-9060 Proctor Compaction Mould

ASTM Compaction Rammer

ASTM D1557; AASHTO T180
Specification Rammer Drop Guide sleeve Finish Weight 2 in diameter, 10 lb 18 in Machined steel tubing with air pressure release holes Corrosion resistant 6.3 kg

Proctor Compaction Rammer

ASTM D558, D559, D560, D698; AASHTO T99, T134,T135,T136
Specification Rammer Drop Guide sleeve Finish Weight 2 in dia, 5.5 lb 12 in Machined steel tubing with air pressure release holes Corrosion resistant 4.1 kg

Ordering Information
EL24-9070 ASTM Compaction Rammer

Ordering Information
EL24-9063 Proctor Compaction Rammer
EL24-9066 ASTM Compaction Mould

Accessories
Straightedge, 300 mm see EL24-9010
EL24-9060 Proctor Mould and EL24-9063 Compaction Rammer

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Soil Testing Compaction and CBR

Automatic Compaction of Soils

The time and effort required to prepare specimens for compaction studies and other test methods can often be costly and time-consuming.The use of an automatic, mechanical compactor will show considerable cost benefits over hand compaction methods.Two models meeting the requirements of BS and ASTM are available..

Automatic Compactor
BS1377, EN DD ENV 1997-2, 1924; ASTM D558, D560, D698, D1557; AASHTO T99,T134,T135,T136,T180 s Pre-set blow pattern ensures even compaction s Solid state controls for reliability and ease of maintenance s Automatic re-setting of counter after completion of blow pattern
These machines automatically compact specimens eliminating the laborious hand compaction method.The height and weight of the rammer is adjustable to suit test requirements. An automatic blow pattern ensures optimum compaction for each layer of soil.The rammer travels across the mould and the table rotates the mould in equal steps on a base that is extremely stable. The number of blows per layer can be set at the beginning of the test. Specification Dimensions (l x w x h) 430 x 250 x 1400 mm Rammer BS/ENV Circular faced, 50 mm dia, adjustable to 2.5 kg or 4.5 kg weight ASTM Circular faced, 2 in (50.8 mm) dia, adjustable to 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) or 10 lb (4.5 kg) weight Drop BS/ENV Adjustable to 300 mm or 450 mm ASTM Adjustable to 12 in (305 mm) or 18 in (457 mm) Weight 98 kg
EL24-9090 series Automatic Soil Compactor with accessory Mould

Ordering Information
EL24-9095 series Automatic Soil Compactor, ASTM EL24-9095/01 for 220 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1ph EL24-9095/02 for 110 120 V AC, 60 Hz, 1ph

Accessories
Proctor Compaction Mould see EL24-9060 ASTM Compaction Mould see EL24-9066

Ordering Information
EL24-9090/01 Automatic Soil Compactor, BS/ENV For 220 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1ph

Accessories
Standard Compaction Mould see EL24-9000 BS CBR Mould Body see EL24-9198 BS CBR Extension Collar see EL24-9200 BS CBR Solid Base see EL24-9204

Rammer mechanism of Automatic Soil Compactor

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Soil Testing Compaction and CBR

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Moisture Condition Value (MCV) and Chalk Crushing Value (CCV)

Both these tests incorporate a Moisture Condition Apparatus.The MCV is a measure of the minimum compactive effort required to produce near full compaction of a soil.The CCV measures the rate at which a sample of chalk lumps are crushed. Used with the saturated moisture content of chalk, CCV can be used to classify chalk as a fill material.

Moisture Condition Apparatus

BS 1377, EN 13286-46 s s s s TRL approved Improved design Simple portable apparatus Automatic blow count

The original Moisture Condition Apparatus was developed by the Transport Research Laboratory, England. ELE has redesigned the equipment to give improvements in terms of strength and reliability, particularly under site conditions.The ELE model is TRL approved and is used in construction control to assess the suitability of earthwork material in relation to the specified upper limits of moisture content. In a second mode of operation, it determines a chalk crushing value for use in classification of chalk as a fill material. To assess the suitability of earthwork material a moisture condition value is determined. The test is based on the determination of the minimum number of blows of the rammer required to produce a state of full compaction in a sample of soil. After calibration over a range of moisture contents the suitability of earthwork material can be assessed without the measurement of the moisture content of the soil with its associated delays.The chalk crushing value is determined from the rate at which a sample of single-sized chalk lumps (passing 20 mm and retained on a 10 mm BS sieve) is crushed under the impact of the rammer.The chalk crushing value, taken together with the value of the saturation moisture content of lumps of the chalk, gives a classification in terms of the likely behaviour of the chalk during construction. Operation of the apparatus is extremely simple.The rammer is lifted, when it reaches the top of its travel, a striker attached to the cross member releases the automatic catch allowing the rammer to fall.The rammer has a scale for measurement of penetration into the mould. After each blow, the height of drop can be reset and checked by means of the vernier gauge supplied.To record the number of blows, a counter is fitted to the release mechanism.

EL24-9135 Moisture Condition Apparatus

Ordering Information
EL24-9135 ELE-Moisture Condition Apparatus The apparatus is supplied complete with vernier caliper, mould, 6 fibre discs, operating instructions and standard forms for determining Moisture Condition Value and Chalk Crushing Value. Dimensions 300 x 630 x 950 mm (l x w x h). Weight 60 kg

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