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Chapter-3 Soil Compaction

The document discusses soil compaction, including the objective to equip students to conduct soil compaction testing and identify factors affecting compaction. Key factors discussed include moisture content, dry density relationship, optimum moisture content, maximum dry density, compaction equipment types, and compaction specifications.

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Yedenekachew Nigussie
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44 views24 pages

Chapter-3 Soil Compaction

The document discusses soil compaction, including the objective to equip students to conduct soil compaction testing and identify factors affecting compaction. Key factors discussed include moisture content, dry density relationship, optimum moisture content, maximum dry density, compaction equipment types, and compaction specifications.

Uploaded by

Yedenekachew Nigussie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 3

Lesson 4: Soil Compaction


Course Objectives

o Objective of this week chapter is to equip students to know


how to conduct soil compaction both in laboratory and field
and to identify the different factors that affect compaction
of soil.
o To obtain the moisture content – dry density relationship for
a soil and hence to determine the optimum moisture content
and maximum dry density.
Soil Compaction
 Compaction of a soil is the pressing of the soil close to each other by
mechanical means
• During compaction air is expelled from the void spaces.

• Thus compaction results in an increase in the density of the soil.

• Compaction improves the engineering properties of soils.

• It increases the shear strength of the soil & consequently the bearing capacity.

• It also reduces the compressibility & permeability of soil.


Typical Roadway Components

Shoulder Traffic Lanes Shoulder

PAVEMENT

BASE

SUB BASE

SUBGRADE : - should be
Compacted or Stabilized

4
Comparison b/n Compaction and Consolidation

 Compaction is increasing density of a soil by mechanically forcing the soil


particles closer together, expelling air in the void spaces of the soil.

 Can be accomplished in a few hours.

 Is applicable for all types of unsaturated soils


Consolidation

 Increasing density of cohesive soils resulting from the expulsion of water from
the void spaces in the soil.

 May take as long as months, or years.


Advantages of Compaction

Improved Engineering Characteristic of Soil:


 Increased Strength and Bearing

 Reduced Compressibility and Permeability

 Improved Volume-Change Characteristics


Compaction Consolidation
Soil compaction can be a

GL GL very economical method


of soil improvement, and it
is often used to make
unsaturated clay saturated clay

ground suitable for the


foundations of roads and
buildings. It is also used
in the placing of soil fills
and in the construction of
earth dams to ensure
suitable soil properties.
Proctor Compaction Test
Test Details Standard Modified
Diameter of Mold 4" or 102 mm 150mm
5" cut to 4.59" 5" cut to 4.59"
Height of Sample
127 mm cut to 117 mm 127 mm cut to 117 mm
Number of Layers 3 5
Blows per Layer 25 56
5.5 lb 10 lb
Weight of Hammer
2.5 kg 4.5 kg
2" 2"
Diameter of Hammer
51 mm 51 mm
12" 18"
Height of Hammer Drop
305 mm 457 mm
3
1/30 ft 1/30 ft 3
Volume of Sample
0.94 l 0.94 l
3
12,400 ft-lb/ft 56,200 ft-lb/ft 3
Compactive Effort
592 kJ/m3 2,693 kJ/m3
Maximum Density

 To determine the maximum density of a soil using the Proctor test procedure,
compaction tests are performed over a range of soil moisture contents.

 The results are then plotted as dry density versus moisture contents.

 The peak of each curve represents the maximum density obtained under
the compactive effort supplied by the test.
Optimum Moisture Content
• Optimum Moisture Content of the soil is the moisture content at which dry
density is achieved under a specific compactive effort
• The optimum moisture content will decrease as the compactive effort is
increased.
 Proctor Test: ASTM & AASHTO
 Standard Proctor Test
 ASTM D 698, AASHTO T-99
 Modified Proctor Test
 ASTM D 1557, AASHTO T-180
Modified Proctor Test Results for Various Soils
Weigh the empty mould (with the base but without the collar)
Break soil lumps and sieve the soil through a No. 4 sieve
Add the required amount of water to the soil
Form a 50 to 75 mm layer of soil in the mould, and gently press the soil to smooth its surface
Repeat the procedure with a second and third layer. After the compaction of the third layer, the surface of the soil must be
slightly above the top rim of the mould.
Remove the collar and trim off the soil above the top of the mould. Weigh the mould and the sample
Remove the soil from the mould and obtain representative samples for moisture content determinations
Compaction Specifications

 From 90 to 95% of the maximum density as determined by either the Standard or Modified
Proctor Test.

 For Example:

o 95% of Standard Proctor for Embankments, Dams, and Backfills.

o 90% of Modified Proctor for floor slabs on-grade.

o 95% (to 100%) for pavements with high wheel loads.


19
Types of Compacting Equipment
Compaction is attained by applying energy to a soil by one or more of the following methods:
1. Kneading action 4. Impact
2. Static weight 5. Explosives
3. Vibration
Many types of compacting equipment are available, including the following:
1. Tamping rollers
2. Smooth-wheel rollers
3. Pneumatic-tired rollers
4. Vibrating rollers, including tamping, smooth wheel, and pneumatic
5. Self-propelled vibrating plates and/or shoes
6. Manually propelled vibrating plates.
7. Manually propelled compactors
8. Vibratory compactors for deep sand
Types of equipment suited for compacting soils
Swell and shrinkage
Summary

 Soil compaction is the process in which a stress applied to a soil causes


densification as air is displaced from the pores between the soil grains..

 Soil placed as engineering fill is compacted to a dense state to obtain satisfactory


engineering properties such as, shear strength, compressibility, or permeability.

 Foundation soils are often compacted to improve their engineering properties.

 Water content, amount of compaction, type of soil and method of compaction are
some of the factors that affect compaction
Quiz

I. Discuss about soil compaction and what are the factors that affect soil compaction?
Quiz

Answer: - Compaction is a process of removing air from void space so that density of soil
become increased. Water content, amount of compaction, type of soil and method of
compaction are some of the factors that affect compaction.

 With further increase in moisture content the water starts to occupy more pore
spaces and results in an increase of the total voids (air and water). This results
in an increase in the total volume of the soil. Hence this in turn will bring about
reduction in the dry density of soil.
 With an further increase in compaction the increase in dry becomes smaller.
• Coarse grained soils can be compacted to a higher dry density than fine gained s
oils for the some compaction effort.

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