CHAPTER 4

Soil Compaction
 COMPACTION

Compaction, in general, is the densification of soil by

removal of air which requires mechanical energy to
decrease its porosity and thereby increase its dry
density. The degree of compaction of a soil is measured
in terms of its dry unit weight.
 COMPACTION
The following are the important effects of compaction:

1. Compaction increases the dry density of the soil, thus

increasing its shear strength and bearing capacity
through an increase in frictional characteristics.
2. Compaction decreases the tendency for settlement of
soil.
3. Compaction brings about a low permeability of the
soil.
COMPACTION
 COMPACTION
Effect of Compaction Effort
STANDARD PROCTOR
TEST
 EFFECT OF COMPACTION EFFORT
The “compaction energy per unit volume, E” used for
the standard proctor test can be given as:

𝑁 𝑏 ∗𝑛 ∗ 𝑊 h ∗ h𝑑
𝐸=
𝑉 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑
Nb Number of blows per layer
n Number of layers
Wh Weight of hammer
hd Height of drop of hammer
EFFECT OF COMPACTION ENERGY
ON A SANDY CLAY
EFFECT OF SOIL TYPE
EFFECT OF SOIL TYPE
 Problem 1
Determine the compaction energy per unit volume of
Methods A, B and C for:

a. Standard Proctor Test

b. Modified Proctor Test
Problem 1
 MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST

Maximum dry density:

 MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST

Optimum moisture content:

 Problem 2
For a granular soil, the following are given:
Gs = 2.6
LL40 = 20%
R4 = 20%
Based on Modified Proctor test, estimate;
a. Maximum dry density.
b. Optimum moisture content.
 Problem 3
The laboratory test results of a standard proctor test are
given in the following table:

a. Plot the Dry Unit Weight vs Moisture Content.

b. Determine the maximum dry unit weight and
optimum moisture content.
 Problem 4
Weight of moist soil in mold, N Moisture Content, %

16.81 10

17.84 12

18.41 14

18.33 16

17.84 18

17.35 20
 Problem 4
18

. .
17
.
16
. .
15
.
14
10 12 14 16 18 20
 COMPACTION
VS
CONSOLIDATION
 FIELD COMPACTION
COMPACTION EQUIPMENTS:

1. Smooth-Wheel / Smooth-Drum Rollers

2. Pneumatic Rubber-Tired Rollers
3. Sheepsfoot Rollers
4. Vibratory Rollers

5. Vibroflotation
6. Dynamic Compaction
7. Blasting
 FIELD COMPACTION
Relative Compaction.
𝛾 𝑑 ( 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑)
𝑅𝐶= 𝑥 100 %
𝛾 𝑑 (𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑙𝑎𝑏 )
for granular soils;
𝑅0
𝑅𝐶=
1 − 𝑅𝐷 (1− 𝑅¿¿ 0) 𝑥 100 % ¿

𝛾 𝑑( 𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
𝑅 0=
𝛾 𝑑 ( 𝑚𝑎𝑥 )
 Problem 5
Laboratory compaction test results for a clayey silt are
given in the following table:
Moisture Content, % Dry Unit Weight, kN/cu.m

6 14.80
8 17.45
9 18.52
11 18.90
12 18.50
14 16.90
 Problem 5
Following are the results of a field unit weight
determination test performed on the same soil by
means of sand cone method.
• Calibrated dry density of Ottawa Sand = 1570
kg/cu.m
• Calibrated mass of Ottawa sand to fill the cone =
0.545 kg
• Mass of jar + cone + sand (Before use) = 7.59 kg
• Mass of jar cone + sand (After use) = 4.78 kg
• Mass of moist soil from the hole = 3.007 kg
• Moisture content = 10%
 Problem 5

Determine the following:

a. Dry unit weight of compaction in the field.

b. Relative compaction in the field.