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MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY

CIVIL ENGINEERING III

SOIL MECHANICS – CIE 352

March, 2023

FAS 2023 1

SOIL COMPACTION

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Introduction
• Compaction is the process of increasing the density of
the soil by packing the soil particles closely together.
• This has the effect of reducing the volume of air in the
soil.
• In practice, loose fill material is placed is layers of 150 to
450mm and each layer is compacted to achieve the
desired engineering properties.
• The more compacted the soil is, the higher the shear
strength and the lower it’s compressibility.

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Introduction
• The degree of compaction is measured by its dry
density (density of solids only in soil).
• Dry density, 𝜌𝑑=𝜌/(1+𝑤)

• Dry density is dependent on soil moisture content and

the equipment compactive effort.
• Compaction characteristics of soil can be measured by
laboratory tests.

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Laboratory compaction
Proctor test
• Soil is compacted in a mould using a 2.5kg rammer free
falling through 300mm.
• Soil is compacted in 3 layers each receiving 27 blows.

Modified AASHTO test

• This time the rammer is 4.5kg free falling through
450mm.
• The soil is compacted in 5 equal layers receiving 27
blows.
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Laboratory compaction
Vibrating hammer test
• Particles larger than 37.5mm are removed.
• Soil is compacted in 3 layers in 2.3 – 1 mould.
• A tamper is fitted in the vibrating hammer.
• Each layer is compacted for 60s.

More details on laboratory compaction can be found in

BS1377-4.

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Laboratory compaction
• After compacting, the bulk density and moisture
content of the soil are obtained.
• The dry density is calculated.
• This process is repeated atleast 5 times with increasing
moisture each time.
• A curve of dry density is plotted against moisture
content.
• The optimum moisture content is the value at which
the max. dry density is achieved.
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Laboratory compaction

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Laboratory compaction
• When moisture content is low, the soil is stiff and
difficult to compact.
• As moisture content increases, the soil is easier to
compact and more workable.
• At higher moisture content, the dry density rapidly
decreases as water occupies more pore spaces in the
soil.
• The highest possibly achievable dry density is when
almost all air has been expelled and is called zero air
voids dry density (ρd0).
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Laboratory compaction

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Field compaction
• Laboratory and field compaction have different tests.
• Compactive effort of testing equipment is not the same
and is applied in different ways.
• Field compaction is achieved by matching the
minimum no. of passes by compaction equipment to
the required dry density.
• The number of passes depend on the type and mass of
equipment and thickness of soil layer.

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Field compaction
• Field compaction can be achieved in two ways: method
compaction and end-product compaction.

Method compaction
• Type and mass of equipment is specified.
• Thickness of soil layers is also specified.
• Number of passes is set.

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Field compaction
End - product compaction
• Desired dry density is specified.
• Usually a percentage of max. dry density achieved in
the laboratory is stated.
• The field compacted should be no less than that
percentage.
• For instance, “93% Modified AASHTO test”.

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Compaction equipment
Smooth-wheeled rollers
• Consist of hollow steel drums.
• Their mass can be increased by adding sand ballast.
• Not suitable for use in uniform sands or silty sands.
• Due to the smooth surface produced, successive soil
layers may not bond well.

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Compaction equipment
Pneumatic - tyred rollers
• Suitable for most coarse and fine soils, except uniformly
graded material.
• Wide tyres with a flat thread.
• The rollers have a kneading action on the soil.
• For good bonding between layers, they should be
scarified between layers.

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Compaction equipment
Sheepsfoot rollers
• Steel hollow drums with numerous club shaped feet
projecting from them.
• Mass of drum increased by ballasting.
• Arrangement of feet can vary.
• Impacts high pressure over a small area.
• Suitable for plastic and non-plastic fine soils.
• Produces good bonding between layers.

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Soil Stabilization
• It is a method of improving the strength properties of
soil.
• This is done by bonding soil particles together and
water proofing the particles, or using both methods.
• Stabilization may be accomplished mechanically or
chemically.
• Mechanical stabilization is achieved through physical
processes that alter the physical nature of the soil
particles.
• Mechanical stabilization can be done by induced
vibration or compaction.
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Soil Stabilization
• Chemical stabilization looks at the chemical reactions
between the stabilizer and the soil minerals to achieve
its desired effect.
• Chemical stabilisation modifies the soil properties by
the addition of chemically active materials.
• Unbound materials can be stabilized with cementitious
materials through soil stabilization.

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Soil Stabilization

Improved soil –
Stabilising compressibility,
Weak soil agents strength,
(binders) permeability
and durability

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Soil Stabilization
Cement
• It is the oldest and most commonly used stabilizing agent.
• Its use is not dependent on the soil type.
• Key role is its reaction with water available in the soil.
• Cement reaction takes places as hydration process.
• As the water comes in to contact with the cement, the
hydration process will result in the hardening of the cement
in the soil.
• Only a small amount of cement is needed in stabilisation.

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Soil Stabilization
Lime
• Is an economic and affordable way of stabilisation.
• Pozzolana materials react with lime and water to
produce cementitious compounds.
• Maybe quick lime or hydrated lime.

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