Experiment No.

5
SOIL COMPACTION TEST

Scope
This method describes the procedure for determining the relationship between the moisture
content and the resulting dry densities when the soil is compacted in the laboratory as
specified.

Apparatus

1. Cylindrical metal mold with an internal diameter of 101.6 mm, height of 116.43 mm, and
having a volume of 943.3 cc., with a detachable mold collar about 63.5 mm high and
101.6 mm in diameter.
2. Metal rammer with a diameter face of 50.8 mm and weighs 24.4 N. with a suitable means
of controlling its drop.
3. Balances, one with a capacity of 20 kg and sensitive to 1 gram and another with 1000
grams capacity and sensitive to 0.01 gram
4. Oven with temperature control
5. Drying cans
6. Straight edge
7. Large mixing pan
8. Scoop
9. No. 4 sieve
10. Graduated cylinder
11. Tools or suitable mechanical device for extruding the compacted sample with water
12. Sprayer or any suitable device for thoroughly mixing soil sample with water

Procedure

1. Weigh the empty cylindrical metal mold (with the base but without the collar)
2. Obtain a 2.73 kg representative sample from the thoroughly mixed portion of the air-dried
material passing the No. 4 sieve.
3. Place a portion of a sample in the mold to form a 50.8 to 76.2 mm layer then compact it
with 25 uniformly distributed blows of the rammer, with a 457.2 mm free drop. To insure
uniform distributions of blows rotate slightly either mold or rammer between each drop.
4. Repeat the procedure with a second and third layer, adjusting the free drop of the rammer
to 457.2 mm. The soil surface should be higher than the lid of the mold after compaction
of the last layer.
5. Remove the collar and trim off the soil even with the top of the mold with the straight
edge (Fig.7). Weigh the mold and the compacted soil sample.
6. Remove the soil from the mold and slice vertically through the center. Obtain a
representative sample of approximately 100 grams from one of the cut faces, for water
content determination.
7. Break up the soil, which is removed from the mold, remix with the original sample. Add
sufficient water to raise its water content approximately 3 percent and repeat Steps 3 to 6
for each increment of water added until the soil becomes very wet and sticky or when
there is a substantial decrease in the weight of the compacted soil, (5 or 6 determinations
may be necessary).
Calculation

For each test, the water content of the compacted soil is calculated as follows:

W1 − W2 where:
w=  100% w = water content, %
W2
W1 = weight of wet soil, grams
W2 = weight of dry soil, grams

The wet density of the compacted soil can be calculated as:

W where:
 wet =
V  wet = wet density of compacted sample, g/cm3
W = weight of the compacted soil in the mold, g
V = volume of the mold (943.3 cm3)

The dry density of the compacted soil is calculated as follows:

 wet where:
 dry =
w  dry = dry density of sample, g/cm2
1+
100% w = water content, %

Determine the water content and corresponding dry density of the compacted soil. For each
determination, plot as ordinate the dry density and as abscissa the corresponding water
contents. Connect the plotted points with a smooth line. Generally, the curve is parabolic in
form.

The water content corresponding to the vertex of the curve is the optimum water content and
the dry density at optimum moisture content is the maximum dry density of the soil.

Questions

1. What are the effects of water on the unit weight of soils?

2. what factors affect the compaction of soils?
3. How many data points are necessary to construct a standard compaction curve?
4. Why is it important for the final level of compacted soil to be just above the mold body?
5. How do you select the water content for the five samples in the compaction test?
6. Will you obtain the same optimum water content and maximum density for the standard
and modified compaction tests? How do you expect the values to be different?
 (a) (b)
FIGURE 6 Standard Proctor Test Equipment: (a) Mold; (b) Hammer

FIGURE 7 After filling the mold completely, strike off the excess soil with a straightedge.

Effect of Compaction Effort

The compaction energy per unit volume, E, used for the Proctor test can be given as
 number of 
   number  weight of  height of 
 blows per   of layer  hammer  hammer drop 
 layer    
E=  
volume of mold

If the compaction effort per unit volume of soil is changed, the moisture-unit weight curve
will also change. This can be demonstrated with the aid of Figure 8.
 FIGURE 8 Effect of Compaction Energy on the Compaction of a Sandy Clay

Figure 8, shows that, for sands, the dry unit weight has a general tendency first to decrease as
moisture content increases and then to increase to a maximum value with further increase of
moisture. The initial decrease of dry unit weight with increase of moisture content can be
attributed to a capillary tension effect. At lower moisture contents, the capillary tension in the
pore water inhibits the tendency of the soil particles to move around and be densely
compacted.
FIGURE 9 Typical Compaction Curves for Five Different Soils (ASTM D698)
 FIGURE 10 Various Types of Compaction Curves Encountered in Soils

Type of compaction curves are the ones that have a single peak. This type of curve is
generally found in soils that have a liquid limit between 30 and 70. Curve type b is a one and
one-half peak curve, and curve type c is a double peak curve. Compaction curves of types b
and c can be found in soils that have a liquid limit less than about 30. Compaction curves of
type d are ones that do not have a definite peak. They are termed odd-shaped. Soils with a
liquid limit greater than about 70 may exhibit compaction curves of type c or d. Soils that
produce c- and d-type curves are not very common.

TABLE 8 Specification for Standard Proctor test (Based on ASTM Test Designation 698-91)

Item Method A Method B Method C

Diameter of mold 101.6 mm 101.6 mm 152.4 mm
Volume of mold 943.3 cm3 943.3 cm3 2124 cm3
Weight of hammer 24.4 N 24.4 N 24.4 N
Height of hammer drop 304.8 mm 304.8 mm 304.8 mm
Number of hammer blows per
25 25 56
layer of soil
Number of layers of 3 3 3
compaction
Energy of compaction 591.3 KN-m/m3 591.3 KN-m/m3 591.3 KN-m/m3
Soil to be used Portion passing Portion passing Portion passing
No.4 (4.57 mm) 9.5 mm sieve. 19 mm sieve.
sieve. May be May be used if May be used if
used if 20 % or soil retained on more than 20%,
less by weight of No. 4 sieve is by weight of
material is more than 20%, material retained
retained on No. 4 and 20 % or less on 9.5 mm sieve,
sieve. by weight and less than 30%
retained on 9.5 by weight
mm sieve. retained on 19
mm sieve.

TABLE 9 Specifications for Modified Proctor test (based on ASTM Test Designation 1557-
 PRELIMINARY DATA SHEET

Name: ____________________________________ Group No._________________________

Course/Section: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

Experiment No. 5
SOIL COMPACTION TEST

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Weight of compacted soil + mold (grams)
Volume of water used (ml)
Weight of can (grams)
Weight of wet soil + can (grams)
Weight of dry soil + can (grams)
Moisture loss (grams)
Moisture content (%)
Weight of wet soil (grams)
Weight of dry soil (grams)
Wet unit weight (grams/cm3)
Dry unit weight (grams/cm3)
Weight of mold (grams)
Maximum dry density (grams/cm3)
Optimum Moisture Content (%)

___________________________ ___________________________
Student’s Signature Instructor’s Signature
 FINAL DATA SHEET

Name: ____________________________________ Group No._________________________

Course/Section: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

Experiment No. 5
SOIL COMPACTION TEST

Trial No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Weight of compacted soil + mold (grams)
Volume of water used (ml)
Weight of can (grams)
Weight of wet soil + can (grams)
Weight of dry soil + can (grams)
Moisture loss (grams)
Moisture content (%)
Weight of wet soil (grams)
Weight of dry soil (grams)
Wet unit weight (grams/cm3)
Dry unit weight (grams/cm3)
Weight of mold (grams)
Maximum dry density (grams/cm3)
Optimum Moisture Content (%)

___________________________
Student’s Signature