How To Calculate A Compaction Test Report

This is a continuation of the previous article I posted How to do a compaction test or In-situ
density test, about calculation of the test report. Here we are going to compute the bulk density
of sand down to the degree of compaction of soil.
I would really want to pursue this article just to completely show the full process of getting the
results of test from taking the samples into calculations. So every site engineer, project engineer,
and consultant inspector, as well as engineering students should know how it is done. This would
be a guide and help them learn the procedures.
Here are the steps of calculations to determine the compaction test or In-situ density test report.
1. Compute the Bulk Density of sand.
The calculation of bulk density of sand shall be made in the laboratory before moving on to the
site. Here are the values tabulated below.

V
M1
M2
M3

0.00785 m
17,050 gm
3,425 gm
2,192 gm

Values taken from the laboratory

Volume of calibrating container
Mass of the sand before pouring in the container
Mean value of mass of the sand in cone
Mean value of mass of the sand retained in the pouring cylinder

Then calculate the Ms, mass of sand to fill the container. From the formula in the article linked
above.
Ms = 17, 050 3, 420 2, 192
Therefore, Ms = 11, 438 gm.
Bulk density of sand, s = 11, 438 gm/ 0.00785 m
Therefore, s = 1, 457. 07 Kgm/m.

2. Calculate the Bulk Density of Soil.

After getting all the values from actual compaction test done on site. Let us go directly to the
calculations because, what we are really concerned here is how to get the degree of
compaction? and how it is computed? So if you have with you right now the test report from the
third party laboratory, you might try to use the solutions weve done here in order for you to
know how the test report is computed.

Below are the parameter for the calculation of bulk density of soil which was obtained from the
actual compaction test on site. From Item 5 on How to do a compaction test or In-situ density
test the excavated soil from the hole shall place into a clean container or plastic container. It will
be weighted as mass of the soil excavated (Me).

Me
M1
M2
M4

10, 345 gm
17, 050 gm
3, 425 gm
5, 155 gm

Values taken on site

Mass of the soil excavated
Mass of sand before pouring into the hole
Mass of sand in cone (mean value)
Mass of sand after pouring into the hole (mean value)

Mf = 17, 050 3, 425 5, 155

Therefore, Mf = 8, 470 gm
Bulk density of soil, so = (10, 345 gm /8, 470 gm) x 1. 45 mg/m = 1.78 Mg/m
3. Calculation of Moisture Content.
Below are the laboratory test of the same sample taken from the site.
Wc = 177.5 gm. Mass of container in gm.
W1 = 1,045.7 gm. Mass container and moist specimen in gm.
W2 = 520.2 gm. Mass of container and oven dried specimen in gm.
Mass of the water
Ww = W1 W2 = 1, 045.7 650.2 = 395.5 gm.
Mass of the Solid particle
Ws = W2 Wc = 650.2 177.5 = 472.7.0 gm.
Moisture Content
MC = (Ww/Ws) x 100 = (395.5/472.7) x 100
Therefore, MC = 8.4 %
4. Calculate the Dry Density of Soil.
After getting the result of moisture content you can now calculate the d from the formula
written in How to do a compaction test or In-situ density test.

d = (100 x 1.78)/(100 + 8.4)

Therefore, d = 1. 64 Mg/m
5. Calculate the Degree of Compaction.
The degree of compaction is the basis and or the final acceptance once it is passed. The
specification commonly says The degree of compaction shall be not less than 95 percent of
maximum dry density (MDD).
Please note that you have to take first a sample soil where you are going to do compaction test
and test it for Proctor test where you will get the maximum dry density or MDD that will use
in the calculation of Degree of Compaction.
The MDD for instance to be used in this calculation is 1.7 Mg/m, but MDD may vary depending
on the type of your soil. Below is the calculation of the degree of compaction.
DOC = (1.64/ 1.7) x 100
Therefore,
Degree of compaction, DOC = 96.5 %
The compaction test is passed and satisfactory because 96.5 percent is higher than the limit of 95
percent. The succeeding activity can now proceed.