Module 5 Geotechnical Engineering 1

Week 15 to 16 (2 weeks)

Module 5 Density, Compaction, Relative Density and Compaction

Topics a. In-Place Density ( In-Place Unit Weight)
b. Compaction
c. Relative Density
d. Relative Compaction
Overview: At the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Understand different ways of determining the in-place density of soils.
2. Apply the results of laboratory tests in computing the relative density
and relative compaction.
Duration: Week 13-14 (2 weeks)

Targeting Learning Outcomes

Course Intended Learning -To conduct and understand laboratory test for determining in-place
Outcomes density of soils
- To apply the siginificance of the laboratory results on the compaction
properties of the soil
Essential Questions Why is the compaction of soil is important?
Learning Targets At the end of this module, you should be able to determine the in-place
density and compaction properties of the soil
Reference and Credits: Essentials of Soil Mechanics and Foundations (Basic Geotecnics by McCarthy)
Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering (Braja M. Das)

INDEX PROPERTIES
(Density, Compaction, Relative Density, Relative Compaction)
A. In-Place Density (In-Place Unit Weight)
The term in-place density refers to the volumetric weight, usually expressed as kilonewtons per
cubic meter (kN/m3), megagrams per cubic meter (Mg/m3), or pounds per cubic foot (pcf) of a soil in the
undisturbed (or in situ) condition or in a compacted fill.

In-place density or unit weight determinations are made of borrow pit soils so as to estimate
the change in volume (the space occupied by the soil particles and voids) because of shrinkage or
expansion (“swell”) that will occur as the soil is transported or compacted in place at a fill location. It is
standard practice to determine the in-place density or unit weight of the soil after it is placed to establish
whether the compaction effort has been adequate or if more compaction is required.
METHOD IN DETERMINING IN-PLACE DENSITY
1. Sand Cone Method : Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojH0W3xq3P0
2. Rubber Balloon Method Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlF3m4OLFwc
3. Nuclear Equipment Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOKVZbp7Tzc

Comparison of different methods of determining in-place density. Pros and Cons of sand cone,
balloon test and nuclear apparatus: Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qgH2aBphIE

Sand Cone Method Rubber Balloon Method

Nuclear Density Test

B. Compaction
Compaction, in general, is the densification of soil by removal of air, which
requires mechanical energy. The degree of compaction of a soil is measured in terms
of its dry unit weight. When water is added to the soil during compaction, it acts as a
softening agent on the soil particles. The soil particles slip over each other and move into a
densely packed position.

The dry unit weight after compaction first increases as the moisture content
increases. Any increase in the moisture content tends to reduce the dry unit weight.
This phenomenon occurs because the water takes up the spaces that would have been
occupied by the solid particles. The moisture content at which the maximum dry unit
weight is attained is generally referred to as the optimum moisture content.

The laboratory test generally used to obtain the maximum dry unit weight of
compaction and the optimum moisture content is called the Proctor compaction test.
Related Video: Compaction Test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqHNK67IgG4

C. Relative Density
For a granular soil, the shear strength and resistance to compression are related to the density
(or unit weight) of the soil; higher shear strength and more resistance to compression are developed by
the soil when it is in a dense or compact condition (high density) than when it is in a loose condition (low
density).

In a dense condition, the void ratio is low; in a loose condition, the void ratio is high. To
evaluate the relative condition of a granular soil, the in-place void ratio can be determined and compared to
the void ratio when the soil is in its densest condition and when it is in the loosest condition.
 This comparison is the relative density DR. Relative density is expressed as a percentage. High
values indicate a dense or compact material; low values represent a loose material. The maximum density
(or minimum void ratio) is determined in the laboratory by compacting the soil in thin layers in a
container of known volume and subsequently weighing the soil. The minimum density (or maximum void
rate) can be determined in the laboratory by carefully letting the soil slowly flow into the test container
through a funnel. Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ5iFOSq_V0
EXAMPLE 5.1
For a given sand, the maximum and minimum void ratios are 0.78 and 0.43, respectively.
Given Gs = 2.67, determine the dry unit weight of the soil in kN/m3 when the relative density is
65%.
SOLUTION:

x 100%

.
; solving for eo
. .

eo = 0.5525

solving for 𝛾

( . )( . ) 𝒌𝑵
𝛾 = = = 𝟏𝟔. 𝟕𝟐 Ans.
. 𝒎𝟑
EXAMPLE 5.2
For a given sandy soil, emax =0.75, emin =0.46, and Gs= 2.68. What will be the moist unit
weight of compaction (kN/m3 ) in the field if Dr =78% and w= 9%?
SOLUTION:

x 100%

.
0.78 = ; solving for eo
. .

eo = 0.5238

solving for 𝛾
( . )( . )
𝛾 = = = 17.25
.

𝛾 =𝛾 ( ) (1 + w ) = 17.25 ( 1 + .09)

𝒌𝑵
𝜸𝑻 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟖𝟎 Ans.
𝒎𝟑
EXAMPLE 5.3
For a given sandy soil, the maximum and minimum dry unit weights are 108 lb/ft 3 and 92
lb/ft3 , respectively. Given Gs= 2.65, determine the in situ dry unit weight.
SOLUTION:

1 1
−
𝛾( ) 𝛾
𝐷 % = 𝑥 100%
1 1
−
𝛾( ) 𝛾

1 1
⎡ −
lb 𝛾 ⎤
⎢ 92 ⎥
0.60 = ⎢ ft ⎥
⎢ 1 − 1 ⎥
⎢ lb lb ⎥
92
⎣ ft 108
ft ⎦

𝒍𝒃
𝜸𝒐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 Ans.
𝒇𝒕𝟑
EXAMPLE 5.4
A granular soil located in a borrow pit is found to have an in-place dry density of
1,895 kg/m3. In the laboratory, values of dry maximum density and minimum density
are determined as 2,100 kg/m3 and 1,440 kg/m3, respectively. From this information,
calculate the relative density of the soil in the borrow pit.
1 1
−
𝛾( ) 𝛾
𝐷 % = 𝑥 100%
1 1
−
𝛾( ) 𝛾

1 1
−
1,440 kg/m 1,895 kg/m
𝐷 % = 𝑥 100%
1 1
−
1,440 kg/m 2,100 kg/m

= 76.40% Ans.
 D. Relative Compaction

In most specifications for earthwork, the contractor is instructed to achieve a compacted field
dry unit weight of 90 to 95% of the maximum dry unit weight determined in the laboratory by
either the standard or modified Proctor test. This is a specification for relative compaction, which can
be expressed as:

The contractor is expected to achieve a minimum dry unit weight regardless of the field
procedure adopted.

EXAMPLE 5.5
Determine the relative compaction from the results of field test and laboratory test
Dry Unit Weight using Proctor Test ( Laboratory) = 19.00 kN/m3
Dry Unit Weight Sand Cone Test ( Field ) = 18.56 kN/m3

Solution:

( ) . /
R% = = x 100%
( ) . /

R% = 97.68% Ans.
 Learning Task No. 5
Problem Set No. 4 To be uploaded/submitted thru MS Teams/MS Forms. Write
your solutions and encircle your final answer.

Name_____________________________________ Course/Yr/Sec____________

1. Sand at a borrow pit is determined to have an in-place dry unit weight of 115 pcf.
Laboratory tests performed to determine the maximum and minimum unit weights give
values of 122 pcf and 102 pcf, respectively. From these data, what is the relative density
of the natural soil?

2. An undisturbed sample of sand has a dry weight of 4.20 lbs and occupies a volume of
0.038 ft3. The soil solids have a specific gravity of 2.75. Laboratory tests performed to
determine the maximum and minimum densities indicate void ratios of 0.42 at the
maximum density and 0.92 at the minimum density. Compute the relative density of this
material.
3. The maximum and minimum dry unit weights of a sand were determined in the
laboratory to be 17.5 kN/m3 and 14.8 kN/m3. What would be the relative compaction
in the field if the relative density is 70%?

4. A sample of moist soil sand taken from the field was found to have a moisture
content of 14% and porosity of 38%. In a laboratory tests, it was found that at
densest state its void ratio is 0.85 and at loosest state its void ratio is 0.40.
Determine the relative density of the soil sample
5. The relative compaction of a sandy road base in the field is 90%. The maximum and
minimum dry unit weights of the sand are 20.4 kN/m3 and 13.9 kN/m3 respectively.
Determine the field dry unit weight and field relative density.