LABORATORY

COMPACTION OF SOIL
 SOIL COMPACTION

What is compaction?
• Increase in density of a soil by reducing the amount of air
• We assume that there is no change in the moisture
content
• Do not confuse compaction with consolidation where
water is squeezed out from pore spaces under an applied
load
SOIL COMPACTION
 SOIL COMPACTION

What are the objectives of compaction?

Compaction can be applied to improve the properties of
an existing soil or in the process of placing fill.
There are three main objectives:
1. to increase shear strength and therefore bearing
capacity
2. to increase stiffness and therefore reduce future
settlement
3. to decrease the voids ratio and so permeability
 LABORATORY COMPACTION

2.5kg & 4.5kg

rammers

Steel mould
Volume = 1000cm3
Vibrating hammer
 LABORATORY COMPACTION

10% 5% 0%
D Air voids lines
R
Y
ρd (max)
D ρd = maximum dry density (Mg/m3)
E wopt = optimum moisture content (%)
N
S
I
T
Y
Mg/m3 wopt
MOISTURE CONTENT %

Dry density –v- moisture content relationship

 LABORATORY COMPACTION

The graph of dry density –v- moisture content is

parabolic in shape. At low values of moisture
content, most soils tend to be stiff and difficult to
compact. Increasing the moisture content lubricates
the soil making it more workable. This improves
compaction and the dry densities achieved increase.
This explains the rising portion of the curve. At the
peak value the optimum moisture content and
maximum dry density are recorded.
 LABORATORY COMPACTION

• As the water content continues to increase, the air

voids in the soil are now becoming saturated with
water, which is incompressible. Compaction
becomes more difficult and the dry densities begin
to fall. This explains the falling portion of the curve.
• The curves relating dry density at air contents of
0%, 5% and 10% with water content are also
shown as these enable the air content at any point
on the experimental dry density -v- moisture
content curve to be determined by inspection.
 AIR VOIDS LINES

d = dry density at particular moisture content and air void

value
A = percentage air voids, 0%, 5% or 10%
w = moisture content selected (expressed as a decimal)
Gs = particle density of soil
w = density of water (1Mg/m3)

Select a value of moisture content from the graph, substitute into

formula at say A = 0 and calculate value for d
 SOIL COMPACTION

How do we achieve compaction on site?

• This is usually done by mechanical means, e.g. rolling,
tamping or vibrating
• Specifications exist (e.g. National Roads Authority) for
each type of compaction plant that dictate the number of
passes for different layer thicknesses
 SPECIFICATION AND QUALITY
CONTROL

1. End-result specifications
2. Method specifications

The degree of compaction achievable on site depends

mainly on:
• Compactive effort: type of plant + No of passes
• Water content: can be increased if dry, but not vice-
versa
• Type of soil: higher densities with well-graded soils; fine
soils have higher water contents
End-result specifications require predictable conditions
Method specifications are preferred
COMPACTION PLANT

Sheepsfoot roller
 NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY
MANUAL OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR ROAD WORKS
FIELD CONTROL OF COMPACTION

Careful control of the entire compaction process is

necessary if the required density is to be achieved
with ease and economy.
Control generally takes the form of field checks of
moisture and density
• to determine if the specified density is
being achieved.
• to control the rolling process.
• to permit adjustments in the field, as required.
 FIELD DENSITY TESTS

• Proctor Penetrometer
• Sand Cone
• Nuclear Density Testing
• Core-Cutter Apparatus
• Sand Replacement Test
 FIELD DENSITY TESTS

Proctor Penetrometer Sand

Cone
FIELD DENSITY TESTS
 CORE CUTTER APPARATUS

Sharp cutting edge →

Sharp cutting edge →
SAND REPLACEMENT TEST
SAND REPLACEMENT TEST