Chapter 6: Soil Compaction

Compaction – is the use of equipment to

compress soil into a smaller volume, thus
increasing its dry unit weight and improving its
engineering properties. Compaction, in general, is
the densification of soil by removal of air, which
requires mechanical energy.
Optimum moisture content – the moisture content
at which the maximum dry unit weight is attained.

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 (Proctor, 1933).
Standard Proctor Test

Mold, D = 101.6 mm, V = 943.3 cm3

Hammer, 24.4 N
Height of drop = 304.8 mm
3 Layers, 25 blows/layer

Modified Proctor Test

Mold, D = 101.6 mm, V = 943.3 cm3

Hammer, 44.5 N
Height of drop = 304.8 mm
5 Layers, 25 blows/layer
 W
 
V(m )
Where: W = weight of the compacted soil in the
mold.
V(m) = volume of the mold = 943.3 cm3.


d 
1 w
Example Problem:

The laboratory test data for a standard Proctor test

are given in the table. Find the maximum dry unit
weight and the optimum moisture content.
Volume of Mass of wet soil Moisture
Proctor mold in the mold (kg) content (%)
(cm3)
943.3 1.76 12
943.3 1.86 14
943.3 1.92 16
943.3 1.95 18
943.3 1.93 20
943.3 1.90 22
Relative Compaction, R
 d ( field)
R x100
 d (max lab)
Relative Density, Dr
  d ( field)   d (min)    d (max) 
Dr    
  d (max)   d (min)    d ( field) 

R0
R
1  Dr 1  R0 
 d (min)
R0 
 d (max)
Lift Thickness

The lift thickness is the thickness of a lift (or layer)

of soil to be compacted measured before
compaction, called the loose lift thickness, or after
compaction, called the compacted lift thickness.
Example Problem:

The maximum and minimum dry unit weights of a

sand were determined in the laboratory to be 16.3
kN/m3 and 14.6 kN/m3, respectively. What would
be the relative compaction in the field if the
relative density is 78%?
Example Problem:

The relative compaction of a sand in the field is

94%. The maximum and minimum dry unit weights
of the sand are 16.2 kN/m3 and 14.9 kN/m3,
respectively. For the field condition, determine:
a. Dry unit weight
b. Relative density of compaction
c. Moist unit weight at a moisture content of 8%
Field Density Tests

1. Sand cone method

2. Rubber balloon method
3. Nuclear method
Sand Cone Method
Rubber Balloon Method
Nuclear Density Test
Sand Cone Method

The sand cone device consists of a glass or

plastic jar with a metal cone attached at its
top. The jar is filled with very uniform dry
Ottawa sand. The weight of the jar, the cone,
and the sand filling the jar is determined (W1).
In the field, a small hole is
excavated in the area where the soil
has been compacted. If the weight
of the moist soil excavated from the
hole (W2) is determined and the
moisture content of the excavated
soil is known, the dry weight of the
soil (W3) can be found as follows:

W2
W3 
w% 
1
100
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
into the hole and the cone. Once the hole and cone
are filled, the weight of the jar, the cone, and
remaining sand in the jar is determined (W4), so the
weight of the sand to fill the hole and cone (W5),
can be computed as follows:
W5  W1  W4
Actual Field Performance for
Sand Cone Method
The volume of the hole excavated can now be
determined as follows:
W5  Wc
V
 d ( sand)
Where: Wc = weight of sand to fill the cone only
γd(sand) = dry unit weight of Ottawa sand

The dry unit weight of compaction made in the

field can now be determined as follows:
W3
d 
V
Example Problem:

Following are the results of a field unit weight

determination test using the sand cone method:

Calibrated dry unit weight of Ottawa sand = 16.35 kN/m3

Mass of Ottawa sand to fill the cone = 0.117 kg
Mass of jar + cone + sand (before use) = 6.005 kg
Mass of jar + cone + sand (after use) = 2.818 kg
Mass of moist soil from hole = 3.318 kg
Moisture content of moist soil = 11.6%

Determine the dry unit weight of compaction in the field.