BASIC GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

MODULE-2
COMPACTION OF SOILS
Definition of Compaction
Compaction is the process of increasing the Bulk Density of a soil or aggregate by driving out
air. For any soil, at a given compactive effort, the density obtained depends on the moisture
content. An “Optimum Moisture Content” exists at which it will achieve a maximum density.
Compaction is the method of mechanically increasing the density of soil. The densification of
soil is achieved by reducing air void space. During compaction, air content reduces, but not
water content It is not possible to compact saturated soil. It should be noted that higher the
density of soil mass, stronger, stiffer, more durable will be the soil mass.

Hence, Compaction
1) Increases density
2) Increases strength characteristics
3) Increases load-bearing capacity
4) Decreases undesirable settlement
5) Increases stability of slopes and embankments
6) Decreases permeability
7) Reduces water seepage
8) Reduces Swelling & Shrinkage
9) Reduces frost damage
10) Reduces erosion damage
11) Develops high negative pore pressures (suctions) increasing effective stress

Applications of Compaction
The following are the situations in which compaction will improve the
existing field condition.
1. Compaction of foundation soil for house construction.
2. Compaction of soil/gravel/crushed rock/asphalt in road &
pavement construction.
3. Compaction of soil in earth embankments.
4. Compaction of soil behind retaining walls.

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5. Compaction of soil backfill in trenches.

6. Dam construction
7. Construction of clay liners for waste storage areas
8. Ground improvement

Mechanism of Compaction:

Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) is the moisture content at which the maximum possible
dry density is achieved for a particular compaction energy or compaction method. The
corresponding dry density is called Maximum Dry Density (MDD). Water is added to
lubricate the contact surfaces of soil particles and improve the compressibility of the soil
matrix.
It should be noted that increase in water content increases the dry density in most soils up to
one stage (Dry side). Water acts as lubrication. Beyond this level, any further increase in
water (Wet side)will only add more void space, thereby reducing the dry density. Hence
OMC indicates the boundary between the dry side and wet side. Hence the compaction curve
as shown in figure indicates the initial upward trend up to OMC and the down ward trend.

Objectives of Laboratory Compaction Tests

1. To simulate field condition
2. To provide data for placement conditions in field
3. To determine proper amount of mixing water
4. To determine the density in field

STANDARD PROCTOR’S COMPACTION TEST

Refer IS 2720 – Part VII – 1987

Apparatus
1. Cylindrical metal mould with detachable base plate (having internal
diameter 101.6 mm, internal height 116.8 mm and internal volume
945000 mm3)
2. Collar of 50 mm effective height
3. Rammer of weight 2.5 kgf (25 N) with a height of fall of 304.8 mm

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Procedure
1. About 3 kg of dry soil, with all lumps pulverized and passing through 4.75 mm sieve is
taken.
2. The quantity of water to be added in the first trial is decided. (Less for Corse grained soil
and more for Fine grained soil).
3. Mould without base plate & collar is weighed (W1).
4. The inner surfaces of mould, base plate and collar are greased.
5. Water and soil are thoroughly mixed.
6. Soil is placed in mould and compacted in three uniform layers, with 25 blows in each
layer. Blows are maintained uniform and vertical and height of drop is controlled.
7. After each layer, top surface is scratched to maintain integrity between layers.
8. The height of top layer is so controlled that after compaction, soil slightly protrudes in to
collar.
9. Excess soil is scrapped.
10. Mould and soil are weighed (W2).
11. A representative sample from the middle is kept for the determination of water content.
12. The procedure is repeated with increasing water content.
13. The number of trials shall be at least 6 with a few after the decreasing trend of bulk
density.

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Modified Compaction Test:

In early days, compaction achieved in field was relatively less. With improvement in
knowledge and technology, higher compaction became a necessity in field. Hence Modified
Compaction Test became relevant. It was developed during World War II by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineering to better represent the compaction required for airfield to support heavy
aircraft.

Difference between Standard & Modified Compaction

Compactive Energy in Standard Proctor’s Test Compactive Energy in Modified Proctor’s

Number of layers = 3 Test
Height of drop = 0.305 Number of layers = 5
Weight of hammer = 25 N Height of drop = 0.450
Number of blows = 25 Weight of hammer = 45 N
Volume of mould = 945 X 10-6 m3 Number of blows = 25
Energy = 605160 N-mm per 1000 ml Volume of mould = 945 X 10-6 m3
Energy = 2726000 N-mm per 1000 m
Compactive energy in Modified Proctor’s Test is 4.5 times higher than Standard Proctor’s
Test

Factors affecting Compaction

1. Water Content
2. Amount of Compaction
3. Method of Compaction
4. Type of Soil
5. Addition of Admixtures

Effect of Water Content

1. With increase in water content, compacted density increases up to a stage, beyond which
compacted density decreases.

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2. The maximum density achieved is called MDD and the corresponding water content is
called OMC.
3. At lower water contents than OMC, soil particles are held by electrical forces that prevent
the development of diffused double layer leading to low inter-particle repulsion.
4. Increase in water results in expansion of double layer and reduction in net attractive force
between particles. Water replaces air in void space.
5. Particles slide over each other easily increasing lubrication, helping in dense packing.
6. After OMC is reached, air voids remain constant. Further increase in water, increases the
void space, thereby decreasing dry density.

Effect of Amount of Compaction

1.The effect of increasing compactive effort is to increase MDD And reduce OMC (Evident
from Standard & Modified Proctor’s Tests).
2. However, there is no linear relationship between compactive effort and MDD.

Effect of Method of Compaction

The dry density achieved by the soil depends on the following characteristics of compacting
method.
1. Weight of compacting equipment.
2. Type of compaction- Impact, Kneading, Rolling, Static Pressure.
3. Area of contact of compacting equipment with soil
4. Time of exposure
5. Each of these approaches will yield different compactive effort. Further, suitability of a
particular method depends on type of soil.

Effect of Type of Soil

1. Maximum density achieved depends on type of soil.
2. Coarse grained soil achieves higher density at lower water content and fine grained soil
achieves lesser density, but at higher water content.

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