Pavement Design Dr.

Omar AlQuDAH

Example 2 Determining Maximum Dry Density and Optimum Moisture Content

The table shows results obtained from a standard AASHTO compaction test on six samples, 4 in.
diameter, of a soil to be used as fill for a highway. Determine the maximum dry density and the
optimum moisture content of the soil.

Solution: Since we are using the standard AASHTO test, 4 in. diameter, the volume of each sample
is 1⁄30 ft3. The dry densities are calculated as shown.

Figure 8 shows the plot of dry density versus moisture content, from which it is determined that
maximum dry density is 129 lb/ft 3 and the optimum moisture content is 9%.

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Pavement Design Dr. Omar AlQuDAH

Figure 8 Moisture-Density Relationship for Example 2

Field Compaction Equipment

Compaction equipment used in the field can be divided into two main categories. The first category
includes the equipment used for spreading the material to the desired layer or lift thickness, and
the second category includes the equipment used to compact each layer of material.
Spreading Equipment. Spreading of the material to the required thickness is done by bulldozers
and motor graders. Several types and sizes of graders and dozers are now available on the market.
The equipment used for any specific project will depend on the size of the project. A typical motor
grader is shown in Figure 9.
Compacting Equipment. Rollers are used for field compaction and apply either a vibrating force
or an impact force on the soil. The type of roller used for any particular job depends on the type of
soil to be compacted.

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Pavement Design Dr. Omar AlQuDAH

Figure 9 Typical Motor Grader

Figure 10 Typical Smooth Wheel and Rubber-Tired Rollers

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