Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-5

EXAMPLE-1
Results of a standard Proctor compaction test in the laboratory are given below.
Determine the maximum dry density (MDD) and the optimum moisture content (OMC).
Mass of mold = 5600 gm.
Volume of mold = 944 cm3
Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass of mold & Compacted soil (gm.) 7300 7490 7630 7590 7560 7520

Moisture content determination

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass of can (gm) 247 183 186 248 246 250
Mass of can & Wet soil (gm) 469 500 391 516 593 610
Mass of can & dry soil (gm) 453 467 365 476 536 547

Solution
From the compaction test determine the bulk (wet) density
From the moisture content table determine the moisture content.

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass of Mold, (gm.) 5600 5600 5600 5600 5600 5600
Mass of mold & Compacted soil (gm.) 7300 7490 7630 7590 7560 7520
Mass of Compacted soil, (gm.) 1700 1890 2030 1990 1960 1920
Volume of Mold,cm3 944 944 944 944 944 944
Bulk density, ρ, (g/cm3) 1.80 2.00 2.15 2.11 2.08 2.03

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass of can (gm) 247 183 186 248 246 250
Mass of can & Wet soil (gm) 469 500 391 516 593 610
Mass of can & dry soil (gm) 453 467 365 476 536 547
Mass of water, Mw, (gm.) 16 33 26 40 57 63
Mass of dry soil, Ms, (gm.) 206 284 179 228 290 297
Moisture content, ω, (%) 7.8 11.6 14.5 17.5 19.7 21.2

Next, determine the dry density.

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Bulk density, ρ, (g/cm3) 1.80 2.00 2.15 2.11 2.08 2.03
Moisture content, ω, (%) 7.8 11.6 14.5 17.5 19.7 21.2
Dry density, ρd, (g/cm )
3
1.67 1.79 1.88 1.79 1.73 1.68

Next, calculate the theoretical dry density for the zero air void (ZAV) line, ρd(ZAV), using
Gρ
ρ d ( ZAV ) = s w
1 + ωG s
Since it is not given, assume Gs = 2.7

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-5

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Moisture content, ω, (%) 7.8 11.6 14.5 17.5 19.7 21.2
Theoretical Dry density,
2.23 2.06 1.94 1.83 1.76 1.72
ρd(ZAV), (g/cm3)
Finally plot the dry density vs moisture content graph.

2.3

2.2

2.1
Dry Density (g/cm3)

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5
5 15 25
Moisture Content (%)

Therefore, as shown by the dotted arrows;

The maximum dry density (MDD) = 1.875 gm/cm3
The optimum moisture content (OMC).= 14.5 %

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-5

EXAMPLE-2
The data given below are results of standard laboratory and field compaction tests from a
highway construction site. Take specific gravity of solids, Gs = 2.75.

A) Determine the maximum dry density (MDD) and the optimum moisture content (OMC).
B) If 95% compaction were specified, is the field compaction satisfactory?

Proctor compaction test results

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5
Mass of Compacted soil, (gm.) 1389 1767 1824 1784 1701
Water Content, ω, (%) 7.5 12.1 17.5 21 25.1
Field compaction test results (using core cutter method):
Volume of test hole………………………..865.9cm3
Mass of soil from test hole………………..1923.0gm
Moisture content …………………………..9.1%

Solution
A)
Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5
Mass of Compacted soil, (gm.) 1389 1767 1824 1784 1701
Volume of Mold,cm3 944 944 944 944 944
Bulk density, ρ, (g/cm3) 1.47 1.87 1.93 1.89 1.80
Moisture content, ω, (%) 7.5 12.1 17.5 21 25.1
Dry density, ρd, (g/cm3) 1.37 1.67 1.64 1.56 1.44

Using Gs = 2.7, calculate the theoretical dry density for the zero air void (ZAV) line, ρd(ZAV).

Moisture content, ω, (%) 7.5 12.1 17.5 21 25.1

Theoretical Dry density,
2.28 2.06 1.86 1.74 1.63
ρd(ZAV), (g/cm3)

Finally plot the dry density vs moisture content graph.

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-5

2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
Dry Density (g/cm3)

2.0
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
5 10 15 20 25 30
Moisture Content (%)

Therefore, as shown by the dotted arrows;

The maximum dry density (MDD) = 1.69 gm/cm3
The optimum moisture content (OMC).= 13.5 %

B) Given that the specified relative compaction = 95%

ρ d in the field
Relative compaction = ×100%
ρ d (max) in the lab
From the above calculation, we have ρd in the lab = MDD = 1.69 gm/cm3
Now from the given field data calculate ρd in the field;
ρ M 1142
ρd = ; but, ρ = = = 1.32 gm / cm3
1+ ω V 865
1.32
⇒ ρd = = 1.2 gm / cm3
1 + 0.1
1.2
∴ Relative compaction = ×100% = 71%
1.69

Since the relative compaction = 71% is less than the specified value = 95%, the compaction is
not satisfactory (it nedds to be compacted more in the field.)

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