TASK #1

SI-215 SOIL MECHANICS II

COMPACTION
(duration of task : 2 weeks)

EXERCISE NO 1
a) Please explain about basic principal of soil compaction.
b) Please explain about compaction test in laboratory.
c) Please explain about compaction test in field.

EXERCISE NO 2
The following observations were noted during Proctor’s compaction test with a soil.

Weight of mould + wet

3321.5 3438.0 3778.0 3776.0 3688.3
soil (gr)
Moisture content (%) 5.18 8.45 14.95 16.83 19.70

If weight of mould is 1786 gr and volume 970 cm3.

Questions:
a) Find out the maximum dry density (MDD) for the soil.
b) Find out the optimum moisture content (OMC) for the soil.

EXERCISE NO 3
The following observations were noted during Proctor’s compaction test with a soil.

Moisture Content (%) 9.6 11 12.5 14 16 18 19.5

3
Wet density (gr/cm ) 1.8 1.9 1.96 2.05 2.1 2.05 2.01

Specific gravity of soil grains is 2.6.

Questions:
c) Find out the maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC)
for the soil.
d) Plot the zero air voids (zav) and 85% saturation curve also.

EXERCISE NO 4
Soil for a road embankment has Atterberg’s limits as 16%, 24% and 45%. The shrinkage
ratio was found to be 1.85. The soil was sieved through No. 4 (opening 4.76mm) and No.
40 (opening 0.42mm) sieves and it was observed that 90% pass through No. 4 and 78%
through No. 40 sieve.

Questions:
a) Calculate the optimum moisture content.
b) Calculate standard proctor’s density of the soil.

Task #1 Soil Mechanics II Page 1 of 1