SOIL COMPACTION

STANDARD PROCTOR METHOD &

MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST METHOD

BANZUELA
CUETO
JAVIER
MARGATE
ROMERO
TY
 Lab#8 Compaction Test
(Standard Proctor Method C)

Lab#9 Compaction Test (Modified

Proctor Test Method D)
 What is Compaction of Soil?

Pressing of soil particles close to each other by

mechanical methods. Air during compaction of soil is
01
expelled from the void space in the soil mass and
therefore the mass density is increased.

Compaction of soil is done to improve the engineering

02 properties of the soil. Compaction of soil is required
for the construction of earth dams, canal
embankments, highways, runways and many other
structures..
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOIL
COMPACTION EQUIPMENTS
LIGHT SOIL COMPACTING HEAVY SOIL COMPACTING
EQUIPMENTS EQUIPMENTS
 LIGHT SOIL COMPACTING EQUIPMENTS
RAMMERS VIBRATING PLATE VIBRO TAMPERS
COMPACTORS

used for compacting small used for compaction of coarse used for compaction of small
areas by providing impact soils with 4 to 8% fines. areas in confined space.
load to the soil.
 HEAVY SOIL COMPACTING EQUIPMENTS
SMOOTH WHEELED VIBRATING SMOOTH SHEEPSFOOT
ROLLERS WHEELED ROLLERS ROLLER

used for compacting fine

used on soils which does not require used on soils which does not require
grained soils such as heavy
great pressure for compaction. great pressure for compaction.
clays and silty clays.
 HEAVY SOIL COMPACTING EQUIPMENTS
PNEUMATIC TYRED GRID ROLLERS PAD FOOT/TAMPING
ROLLERS ROLLERS

Used for compaction of coarse Used for compaction of weathered Similar to sheepsfoot rollers
grained soils with some fines. rocks, well graded coarse soils. with lugs of larger area than
sheepsfoot rollers.
METHOD OF TESTING
COMPACTION OF SOIL
STANDARD PROCTOR’S TEST
MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST
 STANDARD PROCTOR’S TEST
LABORATORY EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED
 STANDARD PROCTOR’S TEST
MOLD

VOLUME OF MOLD = 944 cm^3 (130 ft^3)

DIAMETER OF MOLD = 101.6 mm (4 in.)

 STANDARD PROCTOR’S TEST
HAMMER

MASS OF HAMMER = 2.5 kg (5.5 lb)

 STANDARD PROCTOR’S TEST
MOIST UNIT WEIGHT OF COMPACTION
WHERE:

W = weight of the compacted soil in the mold

V(m) = volume of the mold [944 cm3 (130 ft3)]

DRY UNIT WEIGHT (known moisture content)

WHERE:

w (%)= percentage of moisture content

The values of d determined from the previous equation can be plotted
against the corresponding moisture contents to obtain the maximum
dry unit weight and the optimum moisture content for the soil. The
procedure for the standard Proctor test is elaborated in ASTM Test
Designation D-698 (ASTM, 2007) and AASHTO Test Designation T-99
(AASHTO, 1982).
DRY UNIT WEIGHT (known moisture content w/ degree of saturation)
WHERE:

Gs = specific gravity of soil solids

w = unit weight of water
e = void ratio

DRY UNIT WEIGHT (known moisture content w/ degree of saturation)

WHERE:

Se= GsW

e= GsW/S
MAXIMUM DRY UNIT WEIGHT

WHERE:
(Zero air voids & Degree of saturation = 100%)

𝛄 zav = zero-air-void unit weight.

To obtain the variation of 𝛄zav with moisture content, use the
following procedure:

1. Determine the specific gravity of soil solids.

2. Know the unit weight of water (w).
3. Assume several values of w, such as 5%, 10%, 15%, and so on.
4. Use Eq. (6.4) to calculate 𝛄zav for various values of w.
FACTORS AFFECTING COMPACTION

1. SOIL TYPE
- - Grain-size distribution
- - Shape of the soil grains
- - Specific gravity of soil solids
- - Amount and type of clay minerals
present
 TYPES OF COMPACTION CURVES

A - C

Description: Bell Shaped - Description: Double Peak

LL: Between 30-70 LL: Less than 30 and those

greater than 70

B - D

Description: 1-½ peak - Description: Odd Shaped

LL: Less than 30 LL: Greater than 70

FACTORS AFFECTING COMPACTION

2. COMPACTION EFFORT
COMPACTION ENERGY PER UNIT VOLUME

(SI units)

(English units)
NOTE:
- If the compaction effort per unit volume of soil is changed, the moisture–unit
weight curve also changes.

1. As the compaction effort is

increased, the maximum dry unit
weight of compaction is also
increased
2. As the compaction effort is
increased, the optimum moisture
content is decreased to some extent.

- The degree of compaction is not directly proportional to the compaction effort

 MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST
- Revised version of Standard Proctor Test

STANDARD MODIFIED

MOLD 944 cm^3 (130 ft^3) 944 cm^3 (130 ft^3)

LAYERS 3 (25 blows) 5 (25 blows)

DROP OF HAMMER 30.5 mm (12 in.) 457 mm (18 in.)

MASS OF HAMMER 2.5 kg (6.5 lb) 4.54 kg (10 lb

- The compaction energy for this type of compaction test can be calculated as 2700
kN-m/m3 (56,000 ft-lb/lb3).
- Because it increases the compactive effort, the Modified Proctor test results in an
increase in the maximum dry unit weight of the soil.
RESULTS OF MODIFIED PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST OF 311 SOIL SAMPLES
Developed Correlations:
Developed Correlations: (With the Plastic Limit (PL) of Cohesive Soils

Optimum Moisture Content

Since CE = 2700;

Maximum Dry Unit Weight

Since CE = 2700;
 EFFECTS OF COMPACTION ON PROPERTIES OF SOIL

01 Effect of Compaction on Soil Structure

Soils compacted at a water content less than the optimum generally have a flocculated
structure. Soils compacted at water content more than the optimum usually have a
dispersed structure.

02 Effect of Compaction of Soil on Permeability

The permeability of a soil depends upon the size of voids. The permeability of a soil
decreases with an increase in water content on the dry side of optimum water content.
EFFECTS OF COMPACTION ON PROPERTIES OF SOIL

03 SWELLING 06 COMPRESSIBILITY

04 PORE WATER PRESSURE 07 STRESS-STRAIN RELATIONSHIP

05 SHRINKAGE 08 SHEAR STRENGTH

 METHODS OF COMPACTION USED IN THE FIELD

01 TAMPERS
02 ROLLERS
03 VIBRATORY COMPACTORS

THE COMPACTION DEPENDS UPON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS

● CONTACT PRESSURE
● NUMBER OF PASSES
● LAYER THICKNESS
● SPEED OF ROLLER
METHODS OF COMPACTION USED IN THE FIELD

TYPES OF ROLLERS

● SMOOTH WHEEL ROLLERS

● PNEUMATIC TYRED ROLLERS
● SHEEPSFOOT ROLLERS
 REMOVING OR CONTROLLING COMPACTION

01 USE OF PLOUGHING
When avoiding the use of heavy machinery on wet clay soils is not feasible, crop
growers or scientist resort to either curing the soil of compaction or reducing the
damaging effects of this process.
02 USE CONTROLLED TRAFFIC
This method minimizes compaction on soils. The farmer confines the traffic of
heavy-drawn machinery to certain lanes of the field on a yearly basis. This way,
only the traffic lanes are at risk of compaction. The soil around the lanes remains
undisturbed. The success of this approach depends on careful matching of
machine equipments used on the farm, so that compaction caused by all
equipments is restricted to a given area.
 REMOVING OR CONTROLLING COMPACTION

03 USE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENTS AND MACHINERY

Choosing the right equipment will minimize compaction. For example, choose
machines with less axle weight, choose machines with wider tires and dual tires,
use low tire inflation pressure, choose track wheels or tires accordingly.