SOIL COMPACTION

Prepared by:
Engr. Rosete
 I. Compaction
A. Moisture Density Curve
II. Standard Proctor Test
III. Modified Proctor Test
IV. Factors Affecting Compaction
V. Field Compaction
VI. Specifications for Field Compaction
TOPIC VII. Determination of Field Unit Weight of Compaction
OUTLINE A. Sand Cone Method
B. Rubber Balloon Method
C. Nuclear Method
VIII. Special Compaction Techniques
A. Vibroflotation
B. Dynamic Compaction
C. Blasting
 COMPACTION

• densification of soil by removal of

air, which requires mechanical
energy

• degree of compaction of a soil is

measured in terms of its dry unit
weight

• increases the strength

characteristics of soils

• decreases the amount of

undesirable settlement of structures

• increases the stability of slopes of

embankments
Moisture Density Curve

When water is added to the soil during

compaction, it acts as a softening agent on
the soil particles. The soil particles slip over
each other and move into a densely packed
position.

The laboratory test generally used to obtain

the maximum dry unit weight of compaction
and the optimum moisture content is called
the Proctor compaction test.
STANDARD PROCTOR TEST

The soil is compacted in a mold that has

a volume of 944 cm3. The diameter of
the mold is 101.6 mm.

The soil is mixed with varying amounts of

water and then compacted in three
equal layers by a hammer that delivers
25 blows to each layer.

The hammer has a mass of 2.5 kg and

has a drop of 305 mm.
STANDARD PROCTOR TEST
For each test, the moist unit weight of compaction can be calculated as,
𝑊
𝛾=
𝑉𝑚

where:
W = weight of the compacted soil in the mold
Vm = volume of the mold = 944 cm3 = 1/30 ft3

For each test, the moisture content of the compacted soil is determined in the laboratory. With the
known moisture content, the dry unit weight can be calculated as,
𝛾
𝛾𝑑 =
1+𝑤

where:
w = moisture content in decimal form
STANDARD PROCTOR TEST
Approximate optimum moisture content for a soil
using the standard Proctor compaction test
Air-Void Curve

A line showing the relation between water content

and dry density at a constant degree of saturation, S.

𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑑 =
𝑤𝐺
1+ 𝑆𝑠

For a given moisture content, the theoretical

maximum dry unit weight is obtained when no air is
in the void spaces,

𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑧𝑎𝑣 =
1 + 𝑤𝐺𝑠
MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST

The soil is compacted in a mold that has a

volume of 944 cm3. The diameter of the mold
is 101.6 mm.

The soil is mixed with varying amounts of

water and then compacted in five equal
layers by a hammer that delivers 25 blows to
each layer.

The hammer has a mass of 4.54 kg and has a

drop of 457 mm.
FACTORS AFFECTING COMPACTION
Soil Type

grain-size distribution, shape of the soil grains,

specific gravity of soil solids, and amount and
type of clay minerals present
FACTORS AFFECTING COMPACTION
Compaction Effort

Compaction energy per unit volume used for

the standard Proctor test:

In SI,

≈600 kN-m/m3

In English,

≈12400 lb-ft/ft3
Sample Prob. 1
Weight of
Moisture Moist
moist soil in Dry Density
The results of a standard Proctor test are Trial No.
the mold
Content Density
(kg/m3)
given in the following table. (kg)
(%) (kg/m3)

a. Determine the maximum dry density of 1 1.78 5.0

compaction and the optimum moisture
2 1.87 7.5
content. Given: mold volume = 943.3
cm3. 3 1.95 10.0

b. Determine the void ratio and the 4 1.98 12.5

degree of saturation at the optimum 5 2.02 15.0
moisture content. Given: Gs = 2.68.
6 1.97 17.5
Weight of 7 1.90 20.0
Moisture
moist soil
Trial No. Content
in the
(%)
mold (kg)
1 1.78 5.0
2 1.87 7.5
3 1.95 10.0
4 1.98 12.5
5 2.02 15.0
6 1.97 17.5
7 1.90 20.0

1882 kg/m3, 10.8%

0.42, 68.4%
Sample Prob. 2 Weight of
Volume Moisture Moist Unit Dry Unit
moist soil
of Mold Content Weight Weight
in the mold
The laboratory test results of a standard (ft3) (%) (lb/ft3) (lb/ft3)
(lb)
Proctor test are given in the following table.
1/30 3.78 10
a. Determine the maximum dry unit
weight of compaction and the 1/30 4.01 12
optimum moisture content. 1/30 4.14 14
b. Calculate and plot γd versus the 1/30 4.12 16
moisture content for degree of 1/30 4.01 18
saturation, S = 80, 90, and 100% (i.e.,
γzav ). Given: Gs = 2.7. 1/30 3.90 20

Weight of
Volume Moisture
moist soil
of Mold Content Moisture
in the
(ft3) (%) Content S = 80% S = 90% S = 100%
mold (lb)
(%)
1/30 3.78 10
10
1/30 4.01 12
12
1/30 4.14 14
14
1/30 4.12 16
16
1/30 4.01 18
18
1/30 3.90 20
20

109 lb/ft3, 14.14%

FIELD COMPACTION
Smooth Wheel Roller

• provide 100% coverage under the wheels, with

ground contact pressures as high as 310 to
380 kN/m2

• subgrades, finishing operation for sandy and

clayey soils

• not suitable for producing high unit weights

of compaction when used on thicker layers
FIELD COMPACTION
Pneumatic Rubber-Tired Roller

• provide 70 to 80% coverage under the wheels,

with ground contact pressures as high as 600
to 700 kN/m2

• sandy and clayey soils

FIELD COMPACTION
Sheepsfoot Roller

• ground contact pressures as high as 1400 to

7000 kN/m2

• clayey soils
FIELD COMPACTION
Vibratory Roller

• attached to smooth-wheel, pneumatic

rubber-tired, or sheepsfoot rollers to provide
vibratory effects to the soil

• granular soils
FIELD COMPACTION
Handheld Vibrating Plate

• granular soils over smaller areas

SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIELD COMPACTION
Relative Compaction, R

𝛾𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑
𝑅(%) = (100)
𝛾𝑑(max 𝑙𝑎𝑏)

𝑅0
𝑅=
1 − 𝐷𝑟 (1 − 𝑅0 )

where:
𝛾𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑅0 =
𝛾𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑥

1 1
−𝛾
𝛾𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑑
𝐷𝑟 =
1 1
−
𝛾𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝛾𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑥
DETERMINATION OF FIELD UNIT WEIGHT OF COMPACTION

When the compaction work is progressing in the field, knowing whether the specified unit
weight has been achieved is useful.

1. Sand Cone Method

2. Rubber Balloon Method
3. Nuclear Method
Sand Cone Method (ASTM D-1556)

The sand cone device consists of a glass or

plastic jar with a metal cone attached at its top.
The jar is filled with uniform dry sand of known
dry unit weight.
Sand Cone Method (ASTM D-1556)
1. The combined weight of the jar, the cone, and the sand filling the jar is
determined.
2. A test hole is hand excavated in the soil to be tested. The weight of the moist soil
and its water content is determined.
3. Solve the dry weight as,
𝑊𝑚
𝑊𝑑 =
1+𝑤

4. After excavation of the hole, the cone with the sand-filled jar attached to it is
inverted and placed over the hole. Sand is allowed to flow out of the jar to fill the
hole and the cone.
5. The combined weight of the jar, the cone, and the remaining sand filling the jar
is determined.
6. Subtract values from Step 1 and 4 to obtain the weight of sand to fill the hole
and cone.
7. Compute the volume of the excavated hole as,
𝑊ℎ𝑐 − 𝑊𝑐
𝑉=
𝛾𝑑(𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑)

8. Compute the dry unit weight of compaction in the field as,

𝑊𝑑
𝛾𝑑 =
𝑉
Rubber Balloon Method (ASTM D-2167)

The procedure for the

rubber balloon method is
similar to that for the sand
cone method. However, the
volume of the hole is
determined by introducing
into it a rubber balloon
filled with water from a
calibrated vessel, from
which the volume can be
read directly.
Nuclear Method (AASHTO T310)

The density meters operate either in drilled

holes or from the ground surface. It uses a
radioactive isotope source. The isotope gives
off Gamma rays that radiate back to the
meter’s detector. Dense soil absorbs more
radiation than loose soil. The instrument
measures the weight of wet soil per unit
volume and the weight of water present in a
unit volume of soil. The dry unit weight of
compacted soil can be determined by
subtracting the weight of water from the
moist unit weight of soil.
Sample Prob. 3
A standard Proctor test was conducted on Mass of
Moisture Moist Dry
a silty clay soil collected from a proposed Trial No.
moist soil
Content Density Density
construction site. The results are shown in in the
(%) (kg/m3) (kg/m3)
the following table. mold (g)
1 1689 12.7
Mass of
Moisture 2 1752 15.0
moist soil
Trial No. Content
in the 3 1800 17.8
(%)
mold (g)
4 1845 20.6
1 1689 12.7
5 1844 23.8
2 1752 15.0
3 1800 17.8
4 1845 20.6
5 1844 23.8

a. Determine the maximum dry density

(kg/m3) of compaction and the
optimum moisture content. Given: Mold
volume = 943.3 cm3
b. If specification calls for 99% relative
compaction in the field, what would be
the field dry density and the range of
acceptable moisture content?

1625 kg/m3, 17.98%, 1609 kg/m3

14.47% to 21.49%
Sample Prob. 4
Refer to the silty clay soil at the
construction site in Problem 3. As part of a
quality control program, the field inspection
engineer conducted a sand cone test to
determine the field density. The following
data were recorded using the sand cone
method.

• Calibrated dry density of Ottawa

sand = 1667 kg/m3
• Mass of Ottawa sand to fill the cone =
0.117 kg
• Mass of jar + cone + sand (before
use) = 6.1 kg
• Mass of jar + cone + sand (after use =
2.83 kg
• Mass of moist soil from hole = 3.35 kg
• Moisture content of moist soil = 16.1%

a. Determine the dry unit weight of

compaction in the field.
b. What is the relative compaction in the
field?
c. Was the compaction specification
stated in Problem 3 met?

14.97 kN/m3, 94%, No

Bonus Seatwork:
The in situ moist unit weight of a soil is
17.3 kN/m3 and the moisture content is
16%. The specific gravity of soil solids is
2.72. This soil is to be excavated and
transported to a construction site for
use in a compacted fill. If the
specification calls for the soil to be
compacted to a minimum dry unit
weight of 18.1 kN/m3 at the same
moisture content of 16%, how many
cubic meters of soil from the
excavation site are needed to
produce 2000 m3 of compacted fill?
How many 20 ton truckloads are
needed to transport the excavated
soil? Note: 1 ton = 907.185 kg

2428 m3, 236 truckloads

Vibroflotation

Vibroflotation is a technique for in situ

densification of thick layers of loose granular
soil deposits. It was developed in Germany in
the 1930s.

The process involves the use of a vibrating

unit which has a 2 – 3 m zone of compaction.
There are openings at the bottom and top of
the vibrating unit for water jets and is
attached to a follow-up pipe.
Vibroflotation
 Suitability Number

For rating backfill,

3 1 1
𝑆𝑁 = 1.7 + +
(𝐷50 )2 (𝐷20 )2 (𝐷10 )2

where:
D50 = diameter in mm through which 50% of material passes
D20 = diameter in mm through which 20% of material passes
D10 = diameter in mm through which 10% of material passes
Dynamic Compaction

Dynamic compaction is a technique used for

the densification of granular soil deposits. This
process consists primarily of dropping a
heavy weight repeatedly on the ground at
regular intervals. The weight of the hammer
used varies over a range of 80 to 360 kN and
the height of the hammer drop varies
between 7.5 and 30.5 m.
Blasting

Blasting is a technique used for the

densification of granular soils. The process
involves the detonation of explosive charges,
such as 60% dynamite at a certain depth below
the ground surface in saturated soil. Dynamite
charges are placed in pipes driven into the soil
and detonated to produce shock waves that
compact the soil.
Seatwork:

By pair, answer the following from your reference material:

• 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.11, 6.14, 6.15