EXPERIMENT - 1

INDIAN STANDARD LIGHT COMPACTION TEST

Aim: Determination of the dry density- moisture content relationship of soil.

Theory: Compaction is the process of densification of soil mass by reducing air voids. This process
should not be confused with consolidation which is also a process of densification of soil mass but
continuously acting static load over a long period. The degree of compaction of a soil is measured in
terms of its dry density. The degree of compaction mainly depends upon its moisture content,
compaction energy and type of soil. For a given compaction energy every soil attains the maximum
dry density at a particular water content. In the dry side, water acts as a lubricant and helps in the
closer packing of soil grains. In the wet side, water starts to occupy the space of soil grains and
hinders in the closer packing of grains.

Apparatus: Cylindrical moulds and accessories, Rammer, Sample extruder, Balance(1g accuracy),
4.75 mm IS sieve, Mixing tray, Trowel, Graduated cylinder, Straight edge knife, Apparatus for
moisture content determination.

Procedure:

1. Obtain a sufficient quantity of air-dried soil and pulverize it. Take about 3kg of soil passing
through 4.75mm sieve in a mixing tray.

2. Weight the mould with base plate and apply grease lightly on the interior surfaces. Fit the collar
and place the mould on a solid base.

3. Add water to the soil to bring its moisture content to about 8% and then mix it thoroughly using
the trowel until the soil gets a uniform colour.

4. For light compaction, compact the moist soil in three equal layers using a rammer of mass 2.6kg
and having a free fall of 31cm. Distribute the blows evenly, and apply 25 blows in each layer.
Ensure that the last compacted layer extends above the collar joint. Alternatively for heavy
compaction, compact the soil with 25 blows per layer, in five equal layers with a rammer of
4.9kg and 45cm free fall.

5. Rotate the collar so as to remove it, trim off the compacted soil flush with the top of the mould,
and weigh the mould with soil and base plate.
6. Extrude the soil from the mould and collect soil samples from the top,middle and bottomparts
for water content determination. Place the soil back in the tray, add 3% more water based on the
original soil mass, and re-mix as in step 3. Repeat step 4 and 5 until a peak value of compacted
soil mass is reached followed by a few samples of lesser compacted soil masses.

Observations and Calculations:

Diameter of mould, d(cm) = 10

Height of mould,h(cm) = 12.4

Volume of mould,(cm2) = 973.89

Mass of mould,W(g) = 2162

Wt, of rammer(kg) = 2.6

No. of layers = 3

No. Of blows/layer = 25

Test no. 1 2 3 4 5

Mass of mould + compacted soil (g) 3755 3893 3978 4019 4044

Mass of compacted soil, Wt (g) 1593 1731 1816 1857 1882

Bulk density, ϒ=Wt/V 1.63 1.77 1.86 1.906 1.93

Average water content, w(%) 8 11 14 17 20

Dry density, ϒd=ϒt/(1+w) (g/cc) 1.51 1.60 1.64 1.63 1.61

Dry density at 100% saturation (g/cc) 2.18 2.05 1.93 1.82 1.73
Result:

1. Optimum Moisture content = 14

2. Maximum Dry Density = 1.64