B.
ENG (HONS) CIVIL ENGINEERING
Soil Mechanics 2
ECG3213
Compaction Test
LAB REPORT 01
Submission of Report :
Submitted To
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract..3
Objective.....3
Introduction....3
Theory ........3
Apparatus....4
Procedure....4
Results.....5
Discussion ...8
Conclusion ...8
Reference .8
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Abstract:
This experiment is performed to help students understand laboratory compaction test and to find
the moisture-density relation for a given sample of soil. For geotechnical characteristics of
structures it is very important to get the maximum strength of soil by compaction. This
experiment helps to find the maximum dry unit weight/density and corresponding water content
for soil. The aim of this experiment was determined the compaction characteristics of a soil
specimen by proctors test .
Objectives:
TO DETERMINE THE COMPACTION CHARACTERISTICS OF A SOIL SPECIMEN BY
PROCTORS TEST.
Introduction:
Whether doing site work compaction, foundation compaction, or pavement preparation, the key
to saving time, effort and money is the Proctor curve. Understanding the moisturedensity
relationship and its relation to specified compactive effort. The compactive effort is the amount
of mechanical energy that is applied to the soil mass. There are several methods used to compact
soil in the field for example (tamping, kneading, vibration, and static load compaction) will help
to coordinate the compaction process and the equipment need to achieve specification
compliance.
Theory:
Compaction is the process of densification of soil by reducing air voids. 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. In this test a moisture content
of 12 % was chosen for the group.
Dry density of soil:
Where M = total mass of the soil, V= volume of soil, w= water content
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Equipment:
1. Mold
2. Manual rammer
3. Extruder
4. Balance
5. Drying oven
6. Mixing pan
7. Trowel
8. Moisture cans
9. Graduated cylinder
10. Straight edge
11. Spatula
12. Detachable base plate.
13. Desiccator
Procedure:
1. A 2000g soil sample was put in the oven before 24 hours of the experiment.
2. The mold was weighted using the balance and it was 5150g
3. 10% water then was added to the soil and was put in the mold by putting it in 3 layers and
compacting each layer 25 times using the manual rammer.
4. The sample then was weighted with the mold.
5. Top and bottom samples were taken from the soil and were put in moisture cane with
known weight.
6. 2% of water was added to the soil sample and steps 3, 4 and 5 were repeated for 4 times.
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Calculations and Results:
Diameter of the mould = 0.10 m
Height of mould = 0.1873 m
Volume of the mould, V= (3.14 * 0.05 * 0.05 * 0.1873) = 1.47 * 10- m
Specific gravity of solids, G= 2.7
-Water content determination
Compacte (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
d Soil 10% 12% 14% 16% 18%
Water
Top Bottom Top Bottom Top Bottom Top Bottom Top Bottom
content
MC = mass
of empty 31.4 25.3 26.2 25.4 33.5 33 25.5 24 7.8 8.4
can (g)
MCMS =
mass of can
49.5 53.3 46.4 50.9 57 59.7 65.8 68 39.3 65.6
and moist
soil (g)
MCDS =
mass of can
46.1 47.7 42.1 45.5 51.9 53.9 56.9 54 31.9 52.1
and dry soil
(g)
MS = mass
of soil 14.7 22.4 15.9 20.1 18.4 20.9 31.4 10 24.1 43.7
solids (g)
MW =
mass of
3.4 5.6 4.3 5.4 5.1 5.8 8.9 14 7.4 13.5
pore water
(g)
W = water
content 6.87 10.51 9.27 10.61 8.95 9.71 15.64 20.56 18.83 20.58
(%)
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-Density Determination:
Mold volume = 1470.305 cm3
Compacted Soil Sample no. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
w = assumed water content, w % 10 12 14 16 18
Actual average water content, w % 8.69 9.94 9.33 18.1 19.705
Mass of compacted soil and moil 6900 7000 7050 7050 6950
(grams)
Mass of mold (grams) 5150 5150 5150 5150 5150
Wet mass of soil in mold (grams) 1750 1850 1900 1900 1800
Wet density, , (/ ) 1.1902 1.2582 1.2922 1.2922 1.224
Dry density, , (/ ) 1.082 1.123 1.134 1.114 1.037
-Graph
Plot a curve between w as abscissa and as ordinate.
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Discussion:
The relation between moisture content and dry density of a soil at a particular
compaction energy or effort is shown in Fig. 1.
Fig.1: Water-content and dry density of soil
When water is added to dry soil, it helps in bringing the solid particles close by coating
them with thin films of water. At low water content, the soil is stiff and it is difficult to
pack it together. As the water content is increased, water starts acting as a lubricant, the
particles start coming closer due to increased workability and under a given amount of
compactive effort, the soil-water-air mixture starts occupying less volume, thus effecting
gradual increase in dry density. As more and more water is added, a stage is reached
when the air content of the soil attains a minimum volume, thus making the dry density
a maximum. The water content corresponding to this maximum dry density is called the
optimum moisture content. Addition of water beyond the optimum reduces the dry
density because the extra water starts occupying the space which the soil could have
occupied.
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Soils are granular matter which can be placed or deposited into a specific space. This causes the
soil to occupy the spaces in which it is retained. Nevertheless, there will be voids or empty
spaces between each soil particle. Thus, soil compaction comes into play. Soil compaction is
defined as a procedure which increases the density of the soil by means of hand or mechanically
done. In construction, soil compaction is a crucial part of the building process. Poorly form soil
compaction will lead to settlement which causes structure collapsing and also unnecessary
equipment maintenance.
Therefore, the main importance for soil compaction are, it increases the load bearing capacity of
the soil, prevents soil settlement, provides a firm ground for structure to lay on, reduces water
seepage, lowering the water table, and lastly it provides a safe environment for workers and the
future condition of the structure.
Water content in a soil plays a major role for a good soil compaction. Water particles in the soil
act as lubricant between the soils, moving each particle. Thus too little waters cause the soil
particle to be unable to move itself during compaction to achieve a proper density required.
Whereas too much water causes the soil particles to move too much during compaction that it
cant maintain its structure thus reduces the load bearing ability of the soil. Therefore an
optimum water content specific to the soil sample produces the best condition for soil
compaction.
Conclusion:
After conducting the soil Compaction test, it is found that the optimum moisture content to be
15.6%, whereas the maximum dry density is 1.135 (g/cm3). Furthermore, based on the graph
plotted with the results obtained, it is shown that the soil forms a standard data curve.
All results obtained optimum moisture content and maximum dry unit weight of the soil, is based
solely on the specific soil sample which are used from one location. In a normal soil
characteristic, a higher dry unit weight is commonly found in well-graded soil samples.
Therefore, fine soils, uniformly graded sand, and clays usually show poor compaction.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_compaction
http://www.mikasas.com/english/service/service1.html
http://www.soils.wisc.edu/extension/pubs/A3367.pdf
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