TITLE: COMPACTION TEST OF SOIL.

OBJECTIVES:

 To evaluate the maximum dry unit weight, γd(max) and optimum moisture
content, wopt, of compaction.

APPARATUS:

 Molds, manual rammer

 Extruder, Balance
 Drying oven
 Mixing pan
 Trowel
 #4 Sieve
 Moisture cans
 Graduated cylinder
 Straight edge

METHODOLOGY:
1. Weighed the soil samples and compaction mold and base (without the
collar) using a balance and recorded the weight.
2. Calculated the amount of water to add, using the following methods:
( Soil mass ∈gram ) ×5
Water to add (in ml) =
100
3. We assumed that the amount of water content in the first test was 5
percent.
4. We measured the water and added it to the soil. Using a trowel, mix the
soil thoroughly , until the soil becomes a uniform color.
5. Attached the compaction mold to the base, placed some soil in the mold
and compacted the soil into three equal layers. Compacted each layer
with 25 blows.
6. Completely filled the cylinder with the soil, ensuring that the last
compacted layer extended slightly above the collar joint.
7. Carefully removed the collar and used the trowel to trim the compacted
soil so that it was completely even with the top of the mold. We Replaced
small bits of soil that fall out during the trimming process.
 8. Weighed the compacted soil while it is in the mold and recorded the
weight. Wet mass of the soil was determined by subtracting the weight of
the mold and base.
9. The soil was removed the soil from the mold, using a mechanical
extruder, and take soil moisture content samples from the medium of the
specimen. We filled the moisture cans with soil and determined the water
content.
10.We Placed the soil specimen in the large tray and broke up the soil until it
appeared that it would pass through the #4 sieve. Add 3 percent more
water, based on the original sample mass.
11. Re-mix as in step 2. Repeated steps 4 through 10 until, based on wet
mass, a peak value was reached, followed by two slightly less compacted
soil masses.

DATA SHEET:

A. Water Content Determination

Compacted Wt. of Wt. Can Wt. Can Wt. of Wt. of Water
Soil – can in + Wet + Dry water in dry soil content
Sample No. gm soil, gm soil, gm gm in gm in %

1 22.2 76.1 71.7 4.4 49.5 8.89

2 10.8 50 45.9 4.1 35.1 11.68

3 13.7 56.1 50.9 5.2 37.2 13.98

4 11.7 57.2 50.8 6.4 39.1 16.37

5 10.6 52.7 45.9 6.8 35.3 19.26

6 11.0 55.6 47.6 8 36.6 21.86

B. Density Determination
Volume of the Mold, V = 926.67 cm3

Compacte Water Wt. of Wt. Wet mass Wet Dry

d Soil – content mold in mold + of soil in density density
Sample in % gm Wet mold (g/cm3) (g/cm3)
No. soil, gm (gm)

1 8.89 2016.2 3602.6 1586.4 1.71 1.57

2 11.68 2016.2 3771.5 1755.3 1.89 1.69

3 13.98 2016.2 3991.4 1975.2 2.13 1.87

4 16.37 2016.2 3986.8 1970.6 2.12 1.82

5 19.26 2016.2 3913.6 1897.4 2.05 1.72

6 21.86 2016.2 3842.5 1826.3 1.97 1.62

2.2

2
γd(max)
Dry Density, γd (gm/cm3 )

1.8

1.6

1.4

Wopt
1.2
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

Water Content, W (%)

Figure: Compaction curve

CALCULATIONS:

A. Water Content Determination

For Observation No. 01
Wt. of can = 22.2 gm
Wt. of can + wet soil = 76.1 gm
Wt. of can + dry soil = 71.7 gm
Wt. of water = 76.1 – 71.7 = 4.4 gm
Wt. of dry soil, =71.7 – 22.2 = 49.5 gm
4.4
Water content = 49.5 × 100=¿ 8.89%

Similarly all the observations.

B. Density Determination
Dia of the mold, d= 4″ = 101.6 mm
2 2
π ×d π ×(101.6)
Area of the mold, A = = = 8107.32 mm2
4 4
Height of the mold, H = 4.5″ = 114.3 mm
Volume of the Mold, V = A × H = 8107.32 × 114.3
= 926666.68 mm3
= 926.67 cm3
For Observation No. 01
Water content, w ( from previous table) = 8.89 %
Wt. of mold = 2016.2 gm
Wt. of mold and wet soil = 3602.6 gm
Wet mass of soil in mold, m = 3602.6 – 2016.2 = 1586.4 gm
m 1586.4
Wet density, ρ = V = 926.67 ¿ 1.71 gm/cm3
ρ 1.71
=
Dry density, γd = 1+ w 1+ 8.89 = 1.57 gm/cm3
100
Similarly all the observations.

RESULT:
From Figure
Maximum dry unit weight, γd(max) ¿ 1.87 g/cm3
Optimum moisture content, Wopt ¿ 14.5 %
DISCUSSION:

The compaction curve for the soil sample showed that the dry unit weight
increased with moisture content up to a peak value, after which it decreased as
the soil became too saturated to compact further. The maximum dry unit
weight (γd(max)) of 1.87 g/cm³ was obtained at the optimum moisture content
(Wopt) of 14.5%.

This indicates that at a moisture content of approximately 14.5%, the soil

achieves its maximum density under the given compaction effort. Any deviation
from this moisture content would result in a decrease in dry density, either due
to insufficient moisture for full compaction or excess moisture leading to a
decrease in effective compaction.

The optimum moisture content is vital for construction projects as it dictates

the amount of water that should be added to the soil to achieve the most stable,
compacted base for pavements or foundation work.

CONCLUSION:

The results of the Proctor compaction test for the given soil sample are:

 Maximum Dry Unit Weight (γd(max)): 1.87 g/cm³

 Optimum Moisture Content (Wopt): 14.5%

These values can be used to evaluate the soil's suitability for construction
projects, ensuring that the soil will achieve optimal compaction during field
operations and provide the necessary strength for structural stability.

REFERENCES:

 ASTM D698: Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction

Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort