Important Quality Control Tests in Selecting soil or earth

for embankment, sub-grade and shoulders

Liquid Limit in% (water absorbing nature)

Plasticity Index in% = L.L - P.L (Softening Nature)
Free Swell Index in% (expansive nature)

Maximum Dry Density (indirect strength indicator)

Optimum Moisture Content in% (enables effective
compaction at site)
Standard Procter’s Compaction for low traffic roads
Modified Procter’s Compaction for high traffic roads

California Bearing Ratio (CBR in%) indicates bearing

capacity
 MORTH - Important Soil Requirements as per Clause
305 for Embankment, Sub-Grade and Shoulders
Sub Grade
S No Soil Characterstics Embankment and
Shoulders
1 Liquid Limit Max.50% Max.50%
2 Plasticity Index Max.25% Max.25%
3 Free swell Index Max.50% Max.50%
Min. 1.52kN/cuM
MDD (modified up to 3m height Min.1.75kN/cu
4
Procter’s test) Min1.60kN/cuM M
above 3m height
5 CBR - As specified

Expansive soils are not allowed in the embankment

layers below sub grade for 500mm thick
MORT&H Table 300-1, Density Requirements of Embankment
and subgrade materials
Maximum laboratory dry unit
S.No Type of work weight when tested as per
IS:2720 (part 8)
Embankment up to 3m
1 height, not subject to Not less than 15.2kN/cu.m
extensive flooding
Embankments exceeding
3M height or embankments
2 Not less than 16.0kN/cu.m
of any height subject to
long periods of inundation
Subgrade and earthen
3 Not less than 17.5kN/cu.m
shoulders/ verges/ backfill

Notes: 1) This table is not applicable for lightweight fill material e.g. for
cinder, fly ash etc. 2) The engineer may relax these requirements at his
discretion taking into account the availability of materials for construction
and other relevant factors. 3) The material to be used shall satisfy design
at CBR at the dry unit weight as applicable in table 300-2
Procter’s Compaction test
IS: 2720 part 7 & 8

7 Standard Procter’s test:

light hammer: 2.6 Kg
310mm drop - 3 layers
8 Modified Procter’s test:
heavy hammer: 4.89 Kg
drop: 450mm - 5 layers
1000 cc mould: 25 blows
2250 cc mould: 56 blows
larger mould for coarser
materials is to be used
if more than 20% is
retained on 4.75mm sieve
test be conducted on
material passing 20mm IS
sieve
 Note : 1 g/cm3 = 9.81 kN/m3
Proctor Test Curve (Dry Density vs Moisture Content)
Loading of embankment material at approved borrow source.
Dumping of embankment material. Quantity required for a single
layer(maximum compacted thickness is 250mm) in a measured
and marked area.
 Construction aspects of earthwork

• Max.250mm (vibratory) and

Layer thickness
200mm (ordinary)

Moisture content • +1 to - 2% on OMC

• Clods larger than 75mm shall be

Breaking clods broken.

Trimming: additional width of 0.6m on either side

to ensure proper edge compaction
Sectioning the soil uniformly. Existing moisture content is to be
measured.
Watering of embankment material. OMC-existing water in% of
the soil spread shall be sprinkled uniformly.