“Ones best success comes after their

greatest disappointments"
…. Henry Ward Beecher

5
CHAPTER

Compaction

Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, you will know:
1. Optimum Water Content
2. Zero Air Voids Line
3. Comparsion of Standard and Modifical Proctor Test
4. Factor Effective Compaction

Introduction
The process by which soil particles are artificially arranged and packed together into closer state of
contact by mechanical means in order to decrease porosity of soil and to increase the soil density.

Difference between Compaction and Consolidation

Compaction Consolidation
1. It is almost an instantaneous 1. It is a time-dependent phenomenon
phenomenon
2. Soil is always unsaturated 2. Soil is completely saturated
3. Densification is due to a reduction in the 3. Volume reduction is due to expulsion of
volume of air voids at a given water pore water from voids.
content
4. Specified compaction techniques are 4. Consolidation occurs on account of a
used in this process load placed on the soil

Laboratory Tests for Compaction

Standard Proctor Test:
2.2 na = 15%
Zero Air-Voids
2.1 Line

2
(ρd )max
1.9
1.8

1.7
W0
1.6
1.5
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

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 Compaction

Water Content Density Relationship

 Mould of Standard Volume (944 cc or 1/30 cft)
 Soil is filled up in 3 layers
 Each layer compacted by 25 blows of a standard hammer of weight 2.495 kg
(5.5 lbs)
 Height of fall of hammer is 304.8 mm
 Dry unit weight is calculated from the wet weight of compacted soil and its water content
Weight of the compacted soil
γl =
Volume of the mould
γl
γd =
1+w
 Test is repeated for different water contents
 Compaction curve is plotted between moisture content and dry unit weight.
 The peak point of compaction curve corresponds to maximum dry unit weight, Yd(max)
 Water content corresponding to Yd(max) is known as optimum moisture content (OMC)

Modified Proctor Test

 Weight of Hammer = 4.54 Kg
 Soil is Filled in 5 layers tamped 25 times
 Height of fall = 457.2 mm

Indian Standard Equivalent of Standard Proctor Test (IS 2720 part Vii)
 It is also called Light Compaction test
 Volume of Mould = 1000 cc
 Mould is filled in 3 layers each tamped by 25 blows by a hammer of Weight = 2.6 Kg
 Height of fall of Hammer = 310 mm

Indian Standard Equivalent of Modified Proctor Test (IS 2720 part Viii)
 It is also called Light Compaction test
 Volume of Mould = 1000 cc
 Mould is filled in 5 layers each tamped by 25 blows by a hammer of Weight = 4.9 Kg
 Height of fall of Hammer = 450 mm

Zero Air Voids Line

A line which shows the water content dry density relation for the compacted soil containing a
constant percentage air voids is known as an air-voids line, and can be established from the
following relation:
(1 − na )Gρw
ρd =
1 + wG

Where, n = Per cent air voids

w = Water content of compacted soil
ρd = Dry density corresponding to w
g = Specific gravity

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 Compaction

ρw = Density of water = 1 g/cm3

The theoretical maximum compaction for any given water content corresponds to zero air voids
condition (na = 0). The line showing the dry density as a function of water content for soil
containing no air voids is called the zero air voids line or the saturation line,and is established by
the equation :
Gρw
ρd =
1 + wG

Alternatively, a line showing the relation between water content and dry density for a constant
degree of saturation S is established from Equation:
Gρw
ρd = wG
1+ S

Factors Affecting Compaction

Water Content: When water content is increased, the compacted density goes on increasing till
maximum dry density is achieved after which further addition of water decrease the density.

Amount of Compaction: The amount of compaction greatly affects the maximum dry density and
optimum water content of a given soil. The effect of increasing the compactive energy results in an
increase in the maximum dry density and decrease in the optimum water content as shown in figure
below. However, the increase in maximum dry density does not have a linear relationship with
increase of compactive effort.

1. 98
1. 96 Saturation
Line
1. 94
25 Blows
1. 92
Dry Density (g⁄cm2 )

1. 90 20 Blows
1. 88
1. 86
15 Blows Line of
1. 84
Optimums
1. 82
10 Blows
1. 80
1.78
1.76
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Water Content (%)
Effect of Compactive Effort on Compaction Obtained by the Jodhpur Mini-Compactor

Method of Compaction: The density obtained during compaction, for a given soil, greatly depends
upon the type of compaction or the manner in which the compactive effort is applied. The various
variables in this aspect are (i) Weight of the compacting equipment,(ii) The manner of operation
such as dynamic or impact, static, kneading or rolling, and(iii) Time and area of contact between
the compacting element and the soil.

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 Compaction

Types of Soil: The maximum dry density achieved corresponding to a given compactive energy
largely depends upon the type of soil. Well graded coarse-grained soils attain a much higher density
and lower optimum water contents then fine grained soils which require more water for lubrication
because of the greater specific surface.

Figure below shows dry density water content curves for a range of soil types. In general coarse
grained soil can be compacted to higher dry densities than fine grained soils.

2.1
Zero Air Voids Line
2.0
GW
Dry Density (g⁄cm2 )

1.9
SW
1.8
ML
1.7

1.6
CL CH
1.5

1.4
5 10 15 20 25 30
Water Content (%)
Compaction Curves for A Range of Soil Types

(a) Compaction Curve for Cohensionless Sands:

In the case of cohesionless soils which are devided of fines, the water content has very little
influence on the compacted density. For such soils, the dry density decreases with an increase
in the water content, in the initial stage of the curve, particularly under a low compactive effect
in figure above. This is due to the 'bulking of sands' wherein the capillary tension resists the
tendency of soil particles to take a dense state. In other words, the capillary tension developed
in dry sandy soil is not fully counteracted by the compactive effort and this capillary tension
holds the particles in a loose state resisting compaction. It is interesting to note that the same
soil, in air-dried or oven dried condition, achieves greater density under the same compactive
effort. The maximum bulking (and hence the least density) occurs at a water content between 4
to 5%. On further addition of water, the meniscus is destroyed and the soil particles are able to
shift to take a closer packing, resulting in increase in dry density. The density reaches the
maximum value when the cohesionless soil is fully saturated. On further addition of water, the
dry density again decreases. Also, the maximum density, attained under fall saturation
condition, is not very much higher than that of corresponding to air dried or oven dried
condition. Secondly, the attainment of maximum density at fall saturation is not due to
lubrication action of water but rather it is due to the reduction of effective pressure between
soil particles by hydrostatic pressure. Such soils do not display a distinct optimum water
content.

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 Compaction

Full Saturation

Dry Density
Air Dry
C
A
B
Bulking Effect

Water Content
Typical Compaction Curve for Cohesionless Sand

(b) Compaction Curve for Fat Clay:

Figure below shows a typical compaction curve for a fat clay. Here also, we see that there is
initial decrease of dry density at lower water contents. This is the characteristic feature of black
cotton soils, highly swelling clays and some fat clays. The optimum water content for such soils
range between 20 to 25%.

1.65
Dry Density (g⁄cm2 )

1.60 Kota
C Clay
1.55
1.50
1.45
A
1.40
1.35 B
5 10 15 20 25
Water Content (%)

Typcial Compaction Curve for Fat Clay

Effect of Compaction
Comparison of Dry of Optimum with Wet of Optimum Compaction

Property Dry of Optimum Wet of Optimum

Structure after compaction Flocculated (random) Dispersed (oriented)
Water deficiency More l-CS^
Permeability More, isotropic Less, anisotropic (k H > k v )
Low Higher
Compressibility at low stress at high
High Lower
Swell ability High Low
Shrinkage Low High
Brittle; high peak Ductile: no peak.
Stress-strain behavior
higher elastic modulus lower elastic modulus
Construction pore water pressures Low High
Strength (undrained) as moulded, High somewhat higher Much lower
after saturation If swelling prevailed Low

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 Compaction

Use of Compaction

Project Compaction Water Content Reason

Core of an earth dam
Homogeneous earth dam
Subgrade of pavement
Wet of optimum To reduce permeability
Dry of optimum and prevent cracking in
cote To have a stronger
Wet of optimum soil and to prevent build-
up of high pore water
pressure to limit volume
changes

Solved Examples
Example 1
The following are the results of a compaction test:
Mass of Mould + Wet soil (g) 2925 3095 3150 3125 3070
Water Content (%) 10.0 12.0 14.3 16.1 18.2
Volume of mould = 1000 ml
Mass of mould = 1000 g
Specific gravity of solids = 2.70
(i) Find the compaction curve showing the optimum moisture content and maximum dry
density
(ii) Plot the zero air void line
(iii) Determine the degree of saturation at the maximum dry density
2.2

2.1 Zero Air Void Line

2.0 100% Saturation
ρd (g⁄cm3 )

Line
1.9

1.8

1.7 Compaction
Curve
1.6
OMC
1.5
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Water Content
Solution:
G ρw 2.7 × 1 2.7
(ρd )0 = = = g⁄cm3
1+wG 1 + 2.7 w 1 + 2.7 w
From Curve: γd,max ≃ 1.9 g⁄cc ; OMC = 13.5%
Also
ρ M 2.7
ρd = = ×= g⁄cm3
1+w V 1000(1 + w)

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 Compaction

Example 2
A laboratory compaction test on soil having specific gravity equal to 2.68 gave a
maximum dry density of 1.82 g/ cm3 and a water content of 17 per cent. Determine the
degree of saturation, air content and percentage air voids at the maximum dry density.
What would be theoretical maximum dry density corresponding to zero air voids at the
optimum water content?
Solution:
Gρw
ρd = wG
1+ S
0.17 × 2.68 Gρw 2.68
∴ 1+ = = = 1.485
S ρd 1.82
0.17 × 2.68
∴ S= = 0.94 = 94%; ac = 1 − S = 1 − 0.94 = 0.06 = 6%
0.485
(1 − na )Gρw
ρd =
1 + wG
1.82(1 + 0.17 × 2.68)
∴ (1 − na ) = = 0.99 or na = 1 − 0.99 = 0.01 = 1%
2.68
When na = 0 (S = 1), theoretical dry density at w = 17% is given by
Gρw 2.68 × 1
ρd = = = 1.84 g⁄cm3
1 + wG 1 + 0.17 × 2.68
The corresponding dry unit weight is γd = 9.81; ρd = 9.81 × 1.84 = 18.05 kN ⁄m3

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