Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics

Soil Compaction
Content

• Relative Density
• Course Outline
• Text Book and Recommended Readings
• Lab Schedule
• Activities
• Assessment
Relative Density
Relative Density
Soil Compaction - Definition

Compaction:

Densification of soil by removing air

voids using mechanical equipment;
Soil Compaction - Objectives

1. Increasing the bearing capacity of foundations;

2. Decreasing the undesirable settlement of

structures;

3. Control undesirable volume changes;

4. Reduction in hydraulic conductivity;

5. Increasing the stability of slopes.

Soil Compaction

Factors Affecting Degree of Compaction

1. Moisture content;
2. Soil Solids Specific Gravity.
3. Compaction effort;
4. Soil type and gradation;

Water added to the soil during compaction acts

as a softening agent on the soil particles
Effect of Water Content
Standard Proctor Test
Zero-Air-Void Unit Weight

Compaction
No More
More Compaction

Air
Air Water

Water
Water

Solids Solids Solids

Gs γ w
γ (z.a.v) =
1 + wG s
Zero-Air-Void Unit Weight
Ws Ws
γd = =
VT Vs + VV
Saturated  (VV = Vw )
γ s Vs γs
= =
Vs + Vw V
1+ w
Vs
γs
But  (G s = )
γw
Gsγw Gsγw Gsγw
= = =
Vw VV γ w WV
1+ 1+ Gs 1 + Gs
Vs Vs γ s Ws
Gsγw
γd =
1 + wG s
Effect of Compaction Effort

From The Previous Figure

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.
Standard Proctor Test - Example
Standard Proctor Test - Example
Standard Proctor Test - Example
Questions?!!
Compaction in the Field

Relative Compaction

If R > 100 % use Modified Proctor Test

Contractor usually is instructed to achieve 90-95% of

the maximum dry unit weight determined in the
laboratory.
Sample Problem

Method 1: Sand Cone