TITTLE: STANDARD COMPACTION TEST

SCOPE: TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM DRY DENSITY AND OPTIMUM

MOISTURE CONTENTOF THE SOIL

APPARATUS:

 Cylindrical metal mould, internal dimension 105mm diameter and 115.5mm high.
This mould gives a volume of 1000cm3. The mould was fitted with a detachable base
plate and removable extension collar.

 Metal rammer with 50mm diameter face weighing 2.5kg, sliding freely in a tube
which controls the height of drop to 300mm.

 Measuring cylinder.

 Large metal tray.

 Balance

 Jacking apparatus fro extracting compacted material from the mould.

 Small tools; palette knife, scoop, steel rule.

 Drying oven and other equipment for moisture content determination.

PROCEDURE:

Prepare apparatus;

-the mould, extension collar and base plate were cleaned and dried. The mould body was
weighed to the nearest 1g (M1)

-the extension collar and base plate clamps were checked securely to the mould and
assembled them together. A wipe with a slightly oily cloth on the internal surfaces was
assisted removal of soil afterwards. A disc of thin filter paper was placed on the base plate for
the same purpose.

-the rammer was checked to ensure that it falls freely through the correct height of drop and
that the lifting knob was secured.
Sample preparation,

-the original bulk sample was dried and obtained a representative sample of about 5 kg. A
suitable amount of water was added and mixed thoroughly.

Compact into mould,

-the mould assembly was placed on the solid base. The loose soil was added to the mould so
that it was about half filled. The soil was compacted by applying 27 blows of the rammer
doping from the controlled height of 300mm. Take care that the rammer was properly in
placed before releasing. The first few blows of the rammer which were applied to soil in a
very loose state, applied in a systematic manner to ensure the most efficient compaction and
maximum result. Soil was not allowed to collect inside the tube of the rammer because this
was impeded the free fall of the rammer. Make sure that the end of the tube was rested on the
soil surface and did not catch on the edge of the mould before releasing the rammer. The
guide tube was held vertically.

-if the correct amount of soil used the compacted surface about one third of the height of the
mould body. A second and third approximately equal layer of soil was placed in the mould
and compacted with 27 blows.

-the extension collar was removed carefully and the excess soil was cut away and levelled off
to the top of the mould and checked with the straight edge. Any small cavities resulting from
removal of stones at the surface were filled with fine material.

-soil and mould were weighed to the nearest 1g (M2).

-the soil was removed by hand or using the jack and the sample was broken up on the tray.

Measure the moisture content,

Three representative samples were taken up in containers immediately before the soil begins
to dry out.

-the material was broken up on the tray and an increment of water was added and mixed in
the water thoroughly.

-each increment of water added so that at least five compactions were made.

-the range of moisture contents were such that the optimum moisture content was within that
range.
CALCULATION:

Wet density determination,

Volume of water add = 100 ml

Weight of empty mould = 3646 g

Weight of mould + wet soil = 5406 g

Weight of wet soil = 5406 g - 3646 g

= 1760 g

Wet density (γm) = 1.76 g

Moisture content and dry density determination,

Weight of dish + wet soil = 143.5 g

Weight of dish + dry soil = 137.7 g

Weight of dish = 35.3 g

Weight of water = 143.5 g - 137.7 g

= 5.8 g

Weight of dry soil = 137.7 g - 35.3 g

= 102.4 g

Moisture content = 5.8 g/ 102.4g x 100

= 5.7 %

Dry density (γd) = (γm)/ (1+ γd/ 100 )

= 1.76 / (1 + 0.057)

= 1.67 g/ cm3

RESULTS:

Points were plotted with moisture content on the X axis and dry density on the Y axis and a
smooth curve was drawn connecting the points. From the curve the maximum dry density
was noted and the corresponding value of moisture content taken as optimum moisture
content of the soil.

MDD = 1.91 g/ cm3

OMC = 12.6 %
DISCUSSION;

Compaction is the most popular technique of improving soils. From the compaction test, the
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the soil can be determined. The
optimum moisture content of the soil indicates the particular moisture content at which the
soil should be compacted to achieve maximum dry density.

In the field compaction the compacting moisture content is first controlled at OMC and the
adequacy of rolling or compaction is controlled by checking the dry density achieved and
comparing with the maximum dry density achieved in the laboratory. Thus compaction test
results are used in the field control test.

Compaction of soil is a mechanical process by which the soil particles are constrained to be
packed more closely together by reducing the air voids. Soil compaction causes decrease in
air voids and consequently an increase in dry density. This may result in increase in shearing
strength. The possibility of future settlement or compressibility decrease and also the
tendency for subsequent changes in moisture content decreases. Degree of compaction is
usually measured quantitatively by dry density.

Increase in dry density of soil, due to the compacting moisture content and the amount of
compaction.

And other words earthworks constructions such as embankments, earth dams, road and
runway formations require soil to be placed as fill. It is always necessary to improve the
quality of loose placed material by the process known as compaction. The value of
compaction cannot be over emphasized. The processes increase the dry density of the soil by
packing the soil grains closer together and achieve several important results,

1. Stability and bearing capacity are increased, thereby increasing the resistance to
deformation under load.

2. Future settlements are minimized.

3. Failure by sliding, slumping or flow under load is less like to occur.

4. Resistance to percolation of water through the voids between grains are increased.

5. Tendency to swell in the presence of water is reduced.

Control of compaction of earthworks during construction is vital if the above requirements

are to be achieved.

The compaction characteristics of a soil depend upon the amount of water present in the soil.
The finer soil grain, the more significant is this effect.
When doing the test, check the clamps hold the extension collar and base plate securely to the
mould and assemble together. A wipe with a slightly oily cloth on the internal surface will
assist removal of soil afterwards. And also check the rammer to ensure that it falls freely
through the correct height of drop and that the lifting knob is secure. Take care to see that the
rammer is properly in place before releasing. The first few blows of the rammer which are
applied to soil in a very loose state should be applied in a systematic manner to ensure the
most efficient compaction and maximum results and the blows are uniformly distributed over
the whole are. Soil must not be allowed to collect inside the tube of the rammer, because this
will impede the free fall of the rammer. The guide tube must be held vertically. The correct
amount of soils should be used for compacting layers and compacted surface in the extension
collar to about 6mm above the level of the mould body. If not the result will be inaccurate.
 Spatula

Standard
weight
Measuring
Cylinder
Mould

Base of the
Scoop Mould

Assembled Mould Mixing Tray

Balance & sample container Oven

Apparatus for Compaction Test.

 Adding water to the soil

Mixing water & soil

Compaction using standard weight and blows

Placing sample to the mould

Preparation of test sample after compaction

Testing Procedure
 Weighing to determine Wet density Removing sample

Collecting a sample for moisture content determination at the middle of the mould

Taking Wet weight for moisture content determination

Testing Procedure