Laboratory

Compaction
Lesson 5
Soil Compaction

It is the densification of soil by means of

removing air which requires mechanical energy.
Application
Soil Compaction

IN SOIL COMPACTION, the measure of the

degree of compaction is in terms of the soils’ dry unit
weight.
Soil Compaction 𝜸𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒙

𝒘𝒐𝒑𝒕
Soil Compaction
𝜸𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒙
Maximum dry unit
weight refers to the highest
density that a soil or material
can achieve when it is
compacted to its optimum level,
with no moisture content other
𝒘𝒐𝒑𝒕 than what is necessary to
achieve maximum compaction.
Soil Compaction
𝜸𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒙
It represents the dry
mass of the material per unit
volume after it has been
compacted under controlled
conditions, typically in a
laboratory.
𝒘𝒐𝒑𝒕
Determining Maximum
Dry Unit Weight
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Determining Maximum
Dry Unit Weight
Determining Maximum Dry Unit Weight

1. Standard Proctor Test

2. Modified Proctor Test
Standard Proctor Test
In the 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. During the laboratory test, the
mold is attached to a baseplate at the bottom and to
an extension at the top.
Standard Proctor Test
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
30.5 mm.
Standard Proctor Test
Standard Proctor Test
Standard Proctor Test
For each test in the standard proctor test, you’ll
get moist unit weight as;
w = Weight of the compacted soil in
𝑤 the mold
𝛾=
𝑣𝑚
𝑣𝑚 = Volume of mold = 944 cm^3
Standard Proctor Test
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 𝛾 = Moist unit weight
𝛾𝑑 =
1+𝑤(%) w(%) = Moisture/Water content in %
Standard Proctor Test
If plotting the compaction curve is not possible,
compare the dry unit weights and its corresponding
moisture content instead.
Whereas, the highest dry unit weight among
the values can be considered as the maximum dry
unit weight and optimum moisture content.
Standard Proctor Test
For a given moisture content, w, and degree of
saturation, s. The dry unit weight of compaction can
be calculated as follows:
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑑 =
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 𝛾𝑑 = 𝐺𝑠 𝑤
1+𝑒 1+
𝑠
Standard Proctor Test
For a given moisture content, the theoretical
maximum dry unit weight is obtained when no air is in
the void spaces—that is when the degree of saturation
equals 100%. Hence, the maximum dry unit weight at a
given moisture content with zero air voids can be
obtained by substituting S=1
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑑 = 𝐺𝑠 𝑤 𝛾𝑍𝐴𝑉 =
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
1+ 1+𝐺𝑠 𝑤
𝑠
Factors Affecting Compaction
1. The soil type

2. Compaction Effort

(𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 (𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 (𝑊𝑡.𝑜𝑓 (𝐻𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑟𝑜𝑝

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑃𝑒𝑟 𝐿𝐴𝑦𝑒𝑟) 𝐿𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟) 𝐻𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟) 𝐻𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟)
𝐸=
𝑉𝑜𝑙. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑
Factors Affecting Compaction
2. Compaction Effort
(𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 (𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 (𝑊𝑡.𝑜𝑓 (𝐻𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑟𝑜𝑝
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑃𝑒𝑟 𝐿𝐴𝑦𝑒𝑟) 𝐿𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟) 𝐻𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟) 𝐻𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟)
𝐸=
𝑉𝑜𝑙. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑
Factors Affecting Compaction
(𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 (𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 (𝑊𝑡.𝑜𝑓 (𝐻𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑟𝑜𝑝
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑃𝑒𝑟 𝐿𝐴𝑦𝑒𝑟) 𝐿𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟) 𝐻𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟) 𝐻𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟)
𝐸=
𝑉𝑜𝑙. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑
Factors Affecting Compaction
If the compaction effort per unit volume of soil
is changed, the moisture–unit weight curve also
changes. This fact can be demonstrated, which
shows four compaction curves for a sandy clay. The
standard Proctor mold and hammer were used to
obtain these compaction curves. The number of
layers of soil used for compaction was three
Determining Maximum Dry Unit Weight

1. Standard Proctor Test

2. Modified Proctor Test
Modified Proctor Test
With the development of heavy rollers and
their use in field compaction, the standard Proctor
test was modified to better represent field conditions.
This is sometimes referred to as the modified
Proctor test (ASTM Test Designation D-1557 and
AASHTO Test Designation T-180)
Modified Proctor Test
For conducting the modified Proctor test, the
same mold is used, with a volume of 943.3 cm3, as
in the case of the standard Proctor test. However,
the soil is compacted in five layers by a hammer that
weighs 44.5 N (mass 4.536 kg). The drop of the
hammer is 457.2 mm.
Modified Proctor Test
The number of hammer blows for each layer is
kept at 25 as in the case of the standard Proctor
test.
Modified Proctor Test
Modified Proctor Test
The compaction energy for this type of
compaction test can be calculated as 2700 kN-m/m3
(56,000 ft-lb/lb3). Because it increases the compactive
effort, the modified Proctor test results in an increase
in the maximum dry unit weight of the soil. The
increase in the maximum dry unit weight is
accompanied by a decrease in the optimum moisture
content.
Empirical Relationships
Omar, et al. (2003) recently presented the
results of Modified Proctor Compaction tests on 311
soil samples. Of these samples, 45 were gravelly
soil (GP, GP-GM, GW, GWGM, and GM), 264 were
sandy soil (SP, SP-SM, SW-SM, SW, SC-SM, SC,
and SM),
Empirical Relationships
and two were clay with low plasticity (CL). All
compaction tests were conducted using
ASTM 1557 method C. Based on the tests, the
following correlations were developed
Empirical Relationships

𝛒𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐱 = maximum dry density

𝑾𝒐𝒑𝒕 = optimum moisture content
Gs = specific gravity of soil solids
LL = liquid limit , in percent
R#4 = percent retained on No. 4 sieve
Empirical Relationships (Patra et. al)
For Granular Soil with less than 12% Fines

𝑫𝑹 = 𝐴𝑫𝟓𝟎 −𝐵
Where:
A = 0.216LnE – 0.850
B = -0.03LnE + 0.306
Where:
𝑫𝟓𝟎 = Medium Grain size in mm
𝑫𝑹 = Relative Density
E = Compaction Effort
Empirical Relationships (Osman et. al)
For Fine-Grained Cohesive Soil

𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭 = (1.99-0.165LnE) (PI)

𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭 = (1.99-0.165LnE) (LL-PL)
𝛄𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐱 = L - M 𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭
Where:
L = 14.34 + 1.195LnE
M = -0.19 + 0.073LnE
Summary of Formulas
Standard Proctor Test
𝑤
𝛾=
𝑣𝑚
𝛾
𝛾𝑑 =
1+𝑤(%)
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑑 = 𝐺𝑠 𝑤
1+ 𝑠
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑍𝐴𝑉 =
1+𝐺𝑠 𝑤
𝐺𝑠𝑤 = 𝑒𝑆
Summary of Formulas
Modified Proctor Test
Omar et. al Osman et. al
𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭 = (1.99-0.165LnE) (PI)

𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭 = (1.99-0.165LnE) (LL-PL)

Patra et. al 𝛄𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐱= L - M 𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭

𝑫𝑹 = 𝐴𝑫𝟓𝟎 −𝐵 L = 14.34 + 1.195LnE
A = 0.216LnE – 0.850 M = -0.19 + 0.073LnE
B = -0.03LnE + 0.306
Summary of Formulas
Modified Proctor Test
 Sample
Problems
Laboratory Compaction
Magaan na ba ang ‘yong paghinga...
Bumalik kana sa’kin
Sample Problem 1
The laboratory test results of a standard Proctor test
are given in the following table:
a. Determine the maximum dry unit weight of compaction and
the optimum moisture content.
b. Calculate and plot 𝜸𝒅 versus the moisture content for
degree of saturation, S 80,90, and 100% (i.e., 𝜸𝒛𝒂𝒗). Given:
Gs=2.7
 Sample Problem 1
Volume of mold (Cm^3) Wt. of Moist Soil in Mold (N) Moisture Content (%)
944 16.81 10
944 17.44 12
944 18.41 14
944 18.33 16
944 17.84 18
944 17.35 20
Sample Problem 1
The laboratory test results of a standard Proctor test
are given in the following table:
a. Determine the maximum dry unit weight of compaction and
the optimum moisture content.
b. Calculate and plot 𝜸𝒅 versus the moisture content for
degree of saturation, S 80,90, and 100% (i.e., 𝜸𝒛𝒂𝒗). Given:
Gs=2.7
𝛄𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 17.1071 kN/m^3
𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭 = 𝟏𝟒%
Sample Problem 2
The laboratory test results of a standard Proctor test
are given in the following table: The Volume of mold used is
943.3 cm^3
a. Determine the maximum dry unit weight.
b. Determine the optimum moisture content.
c. If the specific gravity of the soil is 2.32, what is the void
ratio of the sample?
Sample Problem 2
Wt. of Moist Soil in Mold (kg) Moisture Content (%)
1.68 9.9
1.71 10.6
1.77 12.1
1.83 13.8
1.86 15.1
1.88 17.4
1.87 19.4
1.85 21.2
Sample Problem 3
For a granular soil, the following are given:
Gs = 2.6
LL on the fraction passing Sieve No. 40 = 20
Percent retained on Sieve No. 4 = 20
Estimate the maximum dry density of the compaction
and the optimum moisture content based on the Modified
Proctor Test.
Sample Problem 3
For a granular soil, the following are given:
Gs = 2.6
LL on the fraction passing Sieve No. 40 = 20
Percent retained on Sieve No. 4 = 20
Estimate the maximum dry density of the compaction
and the optimum moisture content based on the Modified
Proctor Test.
𝛒𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 1894.1589 kg/m^3
𝑾𝐨𝐩𝐭 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟑𝟒𝟒𝟏%