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Proctor

Soil compaction is the process of increasing soil density by reducing air voids, which enhances strength, reduces compressibility, and decreases permeability. The Proctor compaction test determines the optimal moisture content for maximum dry density, utilizing specific apparatus and procedures to measure changes in soil density. Compaction differs from consolidation, as it is an instantaneous process while consolidation is time-dependent and involves pore water expulsion.

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5 views3 pages

Proctor

Soil compaction is the process of increasing soil density by reducing air voids, which enhances strength, reduces compressibility, and decreases permeability. The Proctor compaction test determines the optimal moisture content for maximum dry density, utilizing specific apparatus and procedures to measure changes in soil density. Compaction differs from consolidation, as it is an instantaneous process while consolidation is time-dependent and involves pore water expulsion.

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mwangiowen188
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SOIL COMPACTION TEST

-Compaction of soil is the process of increasing the bulk density of a soil or aggregate by driving
out air only/reducing air voids.
-The degree of compaction is quantified by measuring the change of the soil dry unit weight.
-For any soil,at a given compactive effort,the density obtained depends on the moisture content.
-For any soil,an optimum water content exists at which it will achieve it's maximum density.
-In engineering application of soil, compaction is useful as it results in :
●​ An increase in strength of soils.
●​ A decrease in compressibility of soils.
●​ A decrease in permiability of soils.

-Compaction and consolidation are not the same phenomena as consolidation is the process of
reducing the volume of the soil by expulsion of pore water from voids when acted upon by
steady loads.

Difference between compaction and consolidation

Soil compaction Soil consolidation

Instantaneous phenomenon. Time dependent phenomenon

Soil is always partially saturated. Soil is always fully saturated

Compaction is due to reduction in the volume Consolidation is due to expulsion of pore


of air voids. water from voids.

Importance of soil compaction


1.It increases the bearing capacity and stiffness of the soil.
2.It increases the shear strength of soil by adding friction from the interlocking of soil particles.
3.It reduces subsequent settlement of structure by reducing air voids which if left may cause
compaction under working load causing settlement.
4.It enhance resistance of soil to erosion.

Method of soil compaction tests


1.Proctor compaction tests
●​ Standard Proctor test
●​ Modified Proctor test
2.Gyratory compaction test.

Soil compaction test by proctor compaction method.


-Ralph Roscoe Proctor in 1933 established the relationship between the soil moisture content
and the degree of dry density to which a soil may be compacted.
-The proctor compaction test is a laboratory method of determining the optimal moisture content
(OMC) at which a given soil will achieve it's maximum dry density.
-Hence, compaction of soil is the optimal moisture content at which a given soil type becomes
most dense and achieve it's maximum dry density by removal of air voids.
Terminologies used in Proctor test
●​ Maximum dry density is the peak dry unit weight.
●​ Optimum water content is the water content at the soil’s maximum dry density.
●​ Zero air voids curve is the curve that represents the fully saturated
conditions(S=100%).(It cannot be achieved by compaction)
●​ Line of optimum is the line drawn through the peak points of several compaction
curves.
Objective
-To determine the optimal moisture content at which the soil becomes most dense and achieve
it's maximum dry density by removal of air voids.

a) Standard Proctor test


-The specifications for standard Proctor test are:
●​ Volume of mold=944 cm³
●​ Mass of hammer=2.5 kg
●​ Height of fall=30.5 mm
●​ Total compactive energy required=600 KN

Apparatus used
1.Compaction testing equipment which have the following:
●​ Proctor molds with diameter of 4 inch(100 mm) and a height of 127.3mm with a volume
of 944 cm³.
●​ A removable collar which is 2 inch(60 mm)high.
●​ Detachable base plate.
●​ Proctor hammer/rammer with the mass of 2.5 kg.

2.IS sieve (4.75 mm)


3.Drying oven.
4.Weighing balance.
5.Graduated cylinders.
6.Large mixing tray.
7.Mixing tools(spoon,trowels, spatula)
8.Straight cutting edge.
Procedure
1.Take sufficient quantity of oven dried soil.Sieve it through a IS sieve 20mm and 4.75mm and
reject the coarser material.

2.Take about 3kg of soil and add water to bring it's water content to about 5% below the
estimated optimum water content,then mix thoroughly.

3.Clean the mould, measure it's diameter and height then weigh it without the collar.

4.Fit the collar and compact the moist soil in 3 equal layers by the rammer with evenly
distributed 25 blows to each layer.

5.Remove the collar and trim the compacted soil even with the top of the mold with a straight
cutting edge.Clean outside of the mold and the base plate then weigh it.

6.Remove the soil from the mold,split it and take about 100 g sample for water content
determination.

7.Break the soil lamps,mix it with remaining soil in the tray.Add more water to increase the water
content by 2 to 3% and repeat the compaction procedure for each increment of water until the
mass of compacted soil decreases.

8.Calculate water content for each trail and corresponding dry density.

9.Plot the compaction curve between water content as abscissa and dry density as ordinate.
Compaction curve

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