Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET

ASSIGNMENT:5

Unit 5: Compaction & Stabilization of soil (16-Marks)

1. Explain concept of compaction and purpose of compaction.

1. Increasing the density of soil by application of mechanical energy is called compaction.
2. Compaction is also defined as the process where the density is increased by reducing air
voids.
3. It may involve modification of water content or gradation of soil or both.
4. The theory of compaction was first developed by R.R proctor while building while
building dam in the USA.
purpose of compaction
1. to increase density and thereby shear strength and bearing capacity of soil, this is required
in case of slope stability improvement.
2. To decrease the permeability of soil, required in earthen dams.
3. To reduce the settlement of structures after construction.
4. To reduce danger of piping, this is required for seepage control of earth dam.
5. To increase resistance towards erosion of soil by rain and other causes.

2. Enlist factor affecting compaction and explain field methods of compaction.

factor affecting compaction-

1. Type of soil
2. Amount of compaction
3. Water content
4. Admixtures

Field methods of compactions:

1. Compaction by rolling
2. Compaction by ramming
3. Compaction by tamping
4. Compaction by vibration

3. Enlist various compaction equipment’s with their suitability at field.

Suitability of various compaction equipment’s.

1. Smooth wheel roller: It is suitable only for fine grained cohesive soil i.e. black cotton
soil used for plinth filling, earthen dam, abutment of bridge, etc.
2. Sheep foot roller: These rollers are best suitable for compaction of cohesion less soils
i.e. sandy soils used for sub grade or base course of road pavement.
3. Pneumatic tyred roller: Pneumatic tyred rollers are effective for compacting both
cohesive as well as cohesion less soils. It is useful for mega projects of road, dam and
bridge sites.
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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET
4. Rammer: Dropping weight type, internal combustion type and pneumatic type rammers
are used to compact all types of soil used for light to medium structure i.e. for plinth
filling, PCC etc.
5. Tamping rod: Tamping rod is used to compact coarse grained cohesion less soils of
lesser thickness for less important construction work.
6. Vibratory compactor: Dropping weight type and pulsating hydraulic type vibrators
compacts soil particles of sub grades and base course of both flexible and rigid
pavement. It is also suitable for compacting granular soils with no fines
4. Differentiate between compaction and consolidation with four points

Sr. Active Earth Pressure Passive Earth Pressure

No
1 Instant compression of soil under Gradual compression of soil under
dynamic load is called compaction steady load is called consolidation.
2 It is fast process. It is fast process.
3 it is artificial process. It is natural process.
4 it is done to improve soil properties It takes place due to structural load
like bearing capacity, shear strength, which does not improve soil properties.
impermeability etc.
5 Settlement is prevented due to Settlement takes place due to
compaction consolidation
6 Pore water pressure is not important Pore water pressure is very important in
in compaction compaction
7 Compaction does not go indefinitely Consolidation goes indefinitely.
8 Compaction is done before Consolidation takes place after
construction of structure. construction of structure

5. Define optimum moisture content, maximum dry density & zero air voids line.
optimum moisture content
optimum moisture content is defined as for each soil type, there exists a particular water
content at which that soil can be compacted to maximum dense state.
Maximum dry density
When compaction achieved for a given effort is maximum at a optimum moisture content
the corresponding density is called maximum dry density.
zero air voids line
If the soil is assumed to be 100% saturated and different dry densities are calculated for
100% saturation, then the resulting line on the compaction curve is called the 100%
saturation line pr zero air voids line.

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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET
6. Explain standard proctor test to determine MDD and OMC of soil.

Procedure of Standard Proctor Test:

1. Measure the diameter and height of proctor mould to calculate its volume V in cm3. Take
the empty weight of the mould (without collar and base plate) as W1 gm.
2. Apply a thin film of grease to inside of mould. Fix the mould to the base plate with the
help of wing nuts, place collar on the mould.
3. Take about 5 Kg. of de-aired soil passing through sieve 20 mm in tray. Fill the soil in
mould in three equal layers by giving 25 using hammer of 2.6 kg through dropping height
310 mm. Remove the mould and excess soil from top of mould.
4. Take the weight of mould filled with compacted soil as W2 gm.
5. Calculate the bulk density Ɣ = (W2 – W1) / V in gm/cc
6. Take the representative soil sample from mould and determine its water content as w %
using oven drying method.
7. Calculate dry density Ɣd = (bulk density) / (1 + w ) in gm/cc.
8. Repeat all above steps by increasing water in soil and determine Ɣd and w % for each
trial.
9. Plot the compaction curve as water content v/s. dry density to find maximum value of dry
density as MDD and corresponding water as OMC.

Figure: Compaction curve to find OMC and MDD of Soil

7. Describe soil stabilization & necessity of soil stabilization.

It is a process of improving engineering properties and performance of soil by artificial
means.
Necessity of soil stabilization
1. To increase shear strength.
2. To improve the stability of slopes
3. To reduced construction cost by use of locally available material.
4. To increase strength against displacement and deformation.
5. To increase density of soil
6. To reduce permeability
7. To reduce settlement of structure
8. To improve soil performance under heavy and impact load.
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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET

8. Enlist different methods of soil stabilization and explain anyone.

1. Mechanical stabilization
2. Cement stabilization
3. Lime stabilization
4. Bitumen stabilization
5. Fly ash stabilization
6. Chemical stabilization
7. Stabilization by heating
8. Stabilization by freezing
9. Stabilization by grouting

1) Mechanical Stabilization:
In this method, stabilization of soil is done without adding any chemicals or admixtures.
The procedure of mechanical stabilization is described below.
i) Initially soil is excavated using excavator and then it is ground to finer particles using
pulveriser.
ii) In this pulverized soil, well graded aggregates are spread and mixed till homogeneous
mixture will form.
iii) Then water is sprinkled up to an optimum moisture content i.e. OMC for getting
maximum dry density i.e. MDD.
iv) The heavy roller (8-10 tonne capacity) is used to compact soil 15-20 cm thickness as
per type of soil available.
v) The compacted surface is cured by sprinkling water on it, followed by compaction.
The curing and compaction is done alternatively for 7 days. Then the stabilized portion is
allowed for its further use.
OR
2) Cement Stabilization:
The soil is stabilized with Portland cement is known as soil cement and the process is
known as Cement stabilization.
The stabilization takes place due to the cementing action believed to be the result of
chemical action of cement with soil containing silicon during hydration.
5 to 15% cement is added to increase the strength, the strength of soil cement increases
with increase in cement content. A stronger and durable soil cement will be produced, if
the soil cement water mixture is mixed properly. The normal construction procedure for
soil cement bases is as follows:
i) shaping the sub grade and scarifying the soil.
ii) Pulverizing the soil
iii) Adding and mixing cement
iv) Adding and mixing water
v) compacting
vi) Finishing
vii) Curing
viii) Adding wearing surface.

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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET
9. Factor affecting stabilization.
1) Grading of material
2) Compaction of material
3) Presence of salts
4) Properties of soil and aggregate

10.State Necessity of site investigation.

Necessity of site investigation.
1. To determine bearing capacity for foundation design
2. To know stratification
3. For seepage control
4. For treating problem soils
5. For finding index properties
6. For enhancing properties by compaction and stabilization

11.Define soil exploration, types of soil exploration & methods.

Soil exploration: It is the technique of acquiring the information of subsoil before the
proposed construction work; is known as soil exploration.
Types of Exploration
A. General exploration or Preliminary exploration
1. geological study of the site
2. Study of local topography, existing excavations, cuttings and drainage pattern
3. Study of other natural features location of high flood level
4. Depth and composition of soil strata
5. Types of foundation
B. Detailed exploration
1. Determining nature, thickness and sequence of various subsoil strata
2. Position of ground water level
3. Index properties of different layer
4. Taking sample for test
5. Shear strength
6. Permeability
7. Density
Methods of exploration
A. Open excavation
• Open Excavation is also called trial pits, generally a square or rectangular trial pits are
dug
• Soil excavated from pit taken to the laboratory for testing
• Depth is not fixed it depends upon the water table
B. Boring
1. Augur boring
Auger Boring is applied for stiff soil when 6m depth is excavated then hand Auger is
used and when more fear than 6m depth is required then mechanical Auger is used

2. Augur and shel

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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET
when soil is having stiff and Hard clay Auger and shell is used when soil is Having soft
to stiff clay only Auger is used.
In case of Auger and shell Boring more than 25 m of depth is excavated. In this case
cutting edge Having teeth at lower edge is applied to have an effective boring
3. Wash boring
Driving casing Through which a hallow Drilled Rod with sharp chisel or chopping beat at
lower end are inserted and water is forced under the pressure. Through drilled Rod to
create proper pressure mechanical jack is used.
The Disadvantages of wash Boring is that boulders and Rock can hot be penetrated by
using wash boring
4. Percussion boring
Breaking of soil and Rock formation by Repeated blow of heavy chisel suspended by a
cable or Rod is used this percussion boring is used for all type of soil, boulders and Rock
can easily penetrated by using continuous penetration of high weighted chisel.
5. Rotary Boring.
It is very fast method of advancing hole In both Rock and soil the advantage of this
method is that the machine is continuously Rotated and it is applicable to soil Rock and
Boulder.
12.Criteria for deciding the location and number of trial pits and bore holes as per
IS.
The location and number of trial pits and borings should be such as to reveal any major
changes in thickness, depth or properties of different layers in and around the site.
The number and spacing of bore holes depend upon:
1. Extent of site
2. Uniformity of strata
3. Nature of structure and loading
4. Geological study of the area.

13.Define dry strength, dilatancy & toughness of soil.

Dry strength.
Resistance to breaking, it is a measure of the plasticity and is considerably influenced by
the colloidal fraction content of the soil.
Dilatancy.
Dilatancy means resistance to shaking.
Toughness of soil.
The resistance to moulding at plastic limit is called the toughness

14.Define C.B.R & significance of C.B.R value.

Definition of CBR: CBR is defined as the ratio of the test load to the standard load,
expressed as percentage for given penetration of the plunger CBR test is considered to be
one of the most commonly used and widely accepted tests.
The CBR value shall be reported correct to the first decimal place.

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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET
(1) The CBR test can be used for the analysis of existing pavements, layer by layer in
respect of their strength and lead carrying capacity.
(2) CBR test also helps in identifying the cause of failure of load pavements.
(3) The CBR values are usually calculated for penetration of 2.5 mm and 5 mm
(4) Generally, the CBR values at 2.5 mm penetration will be greater than that at 5 mm
penetration and in such case the former is to be taken as the CBR values for design
purposes.
(5) If the CBR values corresponding to a penetration of 5 mm exceed that for 2.5 mm, the
test is repeated.
(6) If identical results follow, the CBR value corresponding to 5 mm penetration shall be
taken for design purpose.

15.Explain C.B.R test on soil.

Definition of CBR: It is the ratio of force per unit area required to penetrate a soil mass
with standard circular piston at the rate of 1.25 mm/min. to that required for the
corresponding penetration of a standard material. The California Bearing Ratio Test (CBR
Test) is a penetration test developed by California State Highway Department (U.S.A.) for
evaluating the bearing capacity of subgrade soil for design of flexible pavement. Tests are

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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET
carried out on natural or compacted soils in water soaked or un-soaked conditions and the
results so obtained are compared with the curves of standard test to have an idea of the
soil strength of the subgrade soil.
CBR test can be performed not only in laboratory but also in-situ. One can proposes a
dual-purpose test assembly that, connected to the suitable accessories, can satisfy both
needs: i. For field testing includes all necessary components that, along with vehicle
bracket can be used for in-situ determination of CBR of soils used in road construction. ii.
Alternatively, for laboratory testing, frame can be assembled with the main components of
vehicle bracket, to create a hand operated CBR machine. The CBR penetration test can be
performed with a number of loadings, some of them specifically designed for CBR tests,
and others with multiple applications (Universal models), at different levels of
sophistication: MULTISPEED digital automatic universal tester for displacement-
controlled tests
i. CBR motorized loading press
ii. Hand operated CBR loading press

16. State field identification test on soil and explain anyone.

Following are the field identification tests on soil
1. Visual examination
2. Dilatancy test
3. Toughness
4. Dry strength
5. Organic and color
6. Other identification tests
1. Visual Examination: The visual examination is carried out by eyes only after taking a
representative sample of soil and spreading it on a flat surface on plam of the hand. The
visual examination is carried out with respect to size, angularity, touch and grading.
2. Dilatancy: This is also a simple test used in field for rough classification of soil.
i) A 5cm3 of soil sample is taken and enough water is added to nearly saturate it. The part
of soil is placed in the open palm of the hand and shaken horizontally, striking rigorously
against the other hand several times.
ii) The pat is then squeezed between the fingers. The appearance and disappearance of
water with shaking and squeezing is referred to as a positive reaction.
iii) The reaction is called quick, if water appears and disappears rapidly. It is called slow,
if water appears and disappears slowly and no reaction if water does not appear.
iv) The type of reaction is observed and recorded. Inorganic soils exhibit a quick reaction
whereas clays exhibit none to slow.
3. Dry strength test:
i) The prepared soil sample is completely dried in the sun or by air drying. Its strength is
tested by breaking between fingers.
ii) Dry strength or resistance to breaking, is a measure of plasticity and is considerably
induced by the colloidal fraction content of the soil.
iii) If the dry sample can be easily powered, it is said to have low dry strength, whereas, if
considerable finger pressure is required to break the lump, it is said to have a medium dry
strength and if it cannot be powered at all, it is said to have high dry strength.
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Unit-V 16-Marks TGPCET
iv) Dry strength is characteristic of clays of high plasticity. Typical inorganic silts have
only a slight dry strength. silty fine sands and silts have practically the same low strength
but can be distinguished from each other by their feel during powdering of the dry sample.

17. Explain type soil sample.

Can be classified into two categories,
Disturbed Soil samples,
These are samples where the natural soil structure gets modified or destroyed during the
process of sampling. With suitable precautions the natural moisture content and
proportion of mineral constituents can be preserved.
These are called representative samples even if they are disturbed.
Undisturbed Soil samples,
These are samples where the original soil structure is preserved and the material
properties have not undergone any alteration or modification.
Such samples are practically impossible to obtain as the act of cutting the sample will alter
the stress conditions and the soil structure. For all practical purposes an undisturbed
sample is considered as one in which the material has undergone very little change and it
is still suitable for all laboratory tests including shear strength and consolidation tests.

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