STANDARD PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST
THEORY/BACKGROUND
The general meaning of the verb “compact” is the “to press closely together” . In soil
mechanics , it means to press soil particles tightly together by expelling air from void spaces
between the particles . Compaction is normally done deliberately , often by heavy compaction
rollers and proceeds rapidly during construction . These three changes in soil characteristic are
beneficial for some types of earth construction , such as highways , airfields and earth dams ; as
general rule , the greater the compaction , the greater the benefits will be . Compaction is actually
a rather cheap and effective way to improve the properties of a soil .
The amount of compaction is quantified in terms of the dry weight of the soil . Usually ,
dry soils can be compacted best ( and thus a greater unit weight achieved ) if for each soil , a
certain amount of water is added . In effect , water acts as a lubricant , allowing soil particles to
be packed together better . However , if too much water is added , a lower unit weight will result
. Thus , for a given compaction effort , there is a particular moisture content at which dry weight
is greater and compaction is best . The moisture content is known as the optimum moisture
content , and the associated dry unit weight is called the maximum dry unit weight .
OBJECTIVE
This laboratory test is performed to determine the relationship between the moisture content and
the dry density of a soil for a specified compactive effort .
EQUIPMENT
FIGURE 1 : Measuring Cylinder FIGURE 5 : Small tools; palette knife
, steel straight-edge and scoop
FIGURE 2 : BS Sieve and receiver FIGURE 6 : Balance
FIGURE 7 : Large Metal Tray
FIGURE 3 : Metal rammer
FIGURE 4 : Jacking Apparatus
FIGURE 8 : Cylindrical Metal
for Extracting
Mould
PROCEDURE
1. The procedure that will be described next is applicable for soils passing the no. 5.00 mm
sieve . Prepare a representative batch of the soil to be tested by breaking down soil
clumps into individual particles .
2. Water is added ( mixing thoroughly ) to the soil , until the first moisture content is
attained ( again , account for hygroscpic moisture as necessary )
3. The compaction mold and base plate are weighed to 1g ( 0.01lb ) . Do not include the
extension collar in this weighing
4. The extension collar and compaction are assembled
5. The soil sample is compacted in three equal layers . Each layers is compacted with 27
uniformly distributed blows before the next layer of soil is added . Smooth the surface of
the soil with light tamping and then begin compact the soil with the 2.5 kg rammer .
6. After the third layer has been compacted , the extension collar is removed from
compaction mould .
7. Using the steel straight edge , the excess soil is trimmed off until the sample is even with
the top of the mould . In the event that a small quantity of soil is lost from the compaction
mould during removal of the collar or during the trimming process , fill the trimmings
pressed in with moderate finger pressure .
8. The compaction mould , base plate and compacted soil are weighed to 1g .
9. The sample is extruded from the mould and retain approximately 100 g for a moisture
content determination . Equal portions of the sample are obtained from each of the three
layers to ensure representative water content .
10. The extruded sample is broke up by hand and mix with excess soil from the previous
compaction test . Water is added , mixing thoroughly until the water content of the soil
has been raised by 2 to 3 percent .
11. Step 4 through 10 are repeated . The consistency of the soil and the total weight of the
mould , collar are noted and moist soil throughout the 3 trials .
12. Once the water content samples have been dried , the water content and dry unit weight
of the soil in each trial are determined .
PROCEDURE
CALCULATION
Plot the moisture – density curve and find optimum moisture content and maximum dry unit
weight .
PRE-LAB QUESTION
State THREE (3) factor affected a process of soil compaction test .
a) Moisture content
b) Nature and type of soil
c) Compaction effort
DATA ( Soils Testing Laboratory ) – Compaction Test
Volume of Mould (V) m³ = _________________
Moisture Content Determination
Mas Mas Mass Mass Mass Moist Dry
Trial Mass of Mass of Mass of Moist s of s of of of of ure Densit
No. Moist Mould , Moist Density of Can Wet Dry Wate Can Dry Conte y of
No.
Specime Mmd Specime Compacted Soil Soil r (g) (g) Soil nt Compa
n + (kg) n (kg) Specimen + + (g) (%) cted
Mould ρm (kg/m³) Can Can Specim
Mt (kg) (g) (g) en , ρd
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
Note : D = B – C ; E = D/V ; I = G – H ; K = H – J ; L = I/K x 100 ; M = E/[1 + (L/100)]
DISCUSSION
The main purpose of compacting soils is to reduce subsequent settlement under working loads .
Compaction also increases the shear strength of the soil , reduces voids ratio making it more
difficult for water to flow through soil and prevent the building of large water pressures that
cause soil to liquefy during earthquakes . Thus it is essential to identify the maximum unit
weight of the soil in order to maximize the usages mentioned above through identifying the
quantities of the factors that affect compaction such as water content , the type of soil compacted
and the amount of compactive energy that was used . To assess the degree of compaction , the
dry unit weight is greatly attributed because we are more interested on the weight of solid soil
particles in a given volume than the amount of soild , air and water in a volume (in which is the
bulk density) . In order to analyze the effect of dry unit weight in the compaction .
CONCLUSION
Ultimately compaction is depending on the void ratio of soil . Compaction is a factor of practical
importance is the increase of soil strength and stability . Nowdays in urban area land is one of the
most common problems . In such cases if soil’s engineering properties is not up to the
requirement then there is no meaning for that project . So in that case soil compaction can be
applied as a one of the most economic ground improvement technique.
REFERENCES
Academic edu . published on 12 May 2011 by Nur Ranji Jajurie
The Contructor Civil Engineering Home , published on 21 September 2009 by Gopal
Mishra
DCC 3122 : Geotechnical Laboratory Book
