CHAPTER 7

DRY UNIT WEIGHT – WATER CONTENT RELATIONSHIP

From Equation:

Gs
ɣd =( 1+e ) γw= 1+wγ =( 1+GswGs ) γw
S

The extreme right-hand-side term was obtained by replacing e = wGs/S. How can we increase the dry unit weight? To
reduce the void ratio; that is, w/S must be reduced. The theoretical maximum dry unit weight is obtained when S = 1;
that is,

emin=wGs

Proctor Compaction Test

A laboratory test, called the Proctor Test, was developed to deliver a standard amount of mechanical energy
(compactive effort) to determine the maximum dry unit weight of a soil.
In the standard Proctor Test, a dry soil specimen is mixed with water and compacted in a cylindrical mold of volume of
9.44x10-4 m3 (standard proctor mold) by repeated blows from the mass of a hammer, 2.5kg, falling freely from a height
of 305mm. The soil is compacted in three layers, each of which is subjected to 25 blows.

A modified Proctor test was developed for compaction of airfields to support heavy aircraft loads. In the modified
Proctor Test, a hammer with a mass 4.54kg falls from a height of 457mm. The soil is compacted in five layers with 25
blows per layer in the standard Proctor mold.

Four or more tests are conducted on the soil using different water contents. The last test is identified when additional
water causes the bulk unit weight of the soil to decrease. The results are plotted as dry unit weight (ordinate) versus
water content (abscissa). Typical dry unit weight-water content plots are shown.

Clays usually yield bell-shaped curves. Sands do not often yield a clear bell; rather, they sometimes show an initial
decrease in dry unit weight, attributed to capillary tension that restrains the free movement of soil particles, and then
yield the bell-shaped curve. Some soils, those with liquid limit less than 30%, may produce one or more humps before
the maximum dry unit weight is achieved.

The water content at which the maximum dry unit weight, ɣd max is achieved is called the optimum water content w opt. At
water contents below optimum (dry of optimum), air is expelled and water facilitates the rearrangement of soil grains
into a denser configuration – the number of soil grains per unit volume of soil increases. At water contents just above
optimum (wet of optimum), the compactive effort cannot expel more air and additional water displaces soil grains, thus
decreasing the number of soil grains per unit volume of soil, Consequently, the dry unit weight decreases.
Zero Air Void Curve

The soil is invariably unsaturated at the maximum dry unit weight, that is, S < 1. We can determine the degree of
saturation at the maximum dry unit weight. We know ɣd = ɣd max and w = wopt from our Proctor Test results. If Gs is
known, we can solve for S. If Gs is not known, you can substitute a value of 2.7 with little resulting error in most cases.

The equation:

Gs
ɣd =( 1+e ) γw= 1+wγ =( 1+GswGs ) γw
S

can be used to plot a series of theoretical curves of dry unit weight versus water content for different degrees of
saturation (lines of constant degree of saturation) as shown in graph for S = 100% and S = 80%. You plot these curves as
follows:

1. Assume a fixed value of S, say, S = 1 (100% Saturation)

2. Substitute arbitrarily chosen values of w, approximately within the range of water content on your graph.
3. With the fixed value of S and either an estimated value of Gs = 2.7 or a known value, find ɣd for each value of w
using equation and plot the results of ɣd versus w.
4. Repeat for a different value of S.

The curve corresponding to S = 1 is known as the saturation line or zero air voids line. This line represents the minimum
void ratio emin attainable at a given water content.
Importance of Compaction

Knowledge of the optimum water content and the maximum dry unit weight of soils is very important for construction
specifications of soil improvement by compaction. Specifications for earth structures (embankments, footings, etc.)
usually call for a minimum of 95% of Proctor maximum dry unit weight. This level of compaction can be attained at two
water contents: one before the attainment of the maximum dry unit weight or wet of optimum. Normal practice is to
compact the soil at the lower water content value except for swelling (expansive) soils.

Compaction increases the strength, lowers the compressibility, and reduces the flow rate of water (permeability) of a
soil by rearranging its fabric. The soil fabric is forced into a dense configuration by the mechanical effort used in
compaction. Compaction is the most popular technique of improving soils.

Although soil strength increases and the flow rate of water decreases with soil compaction, you need to be careful when
shearing stresses are applied to the compacted soil. When a heavily compacted soil mass (near to maximum dry unit
weight) is sheared, it tends to expand (dilate) and gets looser. Usually this expansion is not uniform; some parts of the
soil mass are looser than other parts. The flow rate of water in the soil will increase as water can easily (compared to the
intact one) flow through the looser parts possibly leading to catastrophic failure. Heavily compacted soils tends to show
sudden decrease in strength when sheared. In some earth structures, for example, earth dams, you should try to achieve
a level of compaction that would cause the soil to behave ductile (ability to deform without rupture).

Field Compaction

A variety of mechanical equipment is used to compact soils in the field. You may have seen various types of rollers being
used in road construction. Each type of roller has special mechanical systems to effectively compact a particular soil
type. For example, a sheepsfoot roller is generally used to compact fine-grained soils while a drum type roller is
generally used to compact coarse-grained soils.
 Sheepsfoot Roller

Drum Type Roller

Compaction Quality Control

A geotechnical engineer needs to check that field compaction meets specifications. Various types of equipment are
available to check the amount of compaction achieved in the field. Three popular apparatuses are (1) the sand cone, (2)
the balloon, and (3) nuclear density meters.

Sand Cone

It consists of a glass or plastic jar with a funnel attached to the neck of the jar.
The procedure for a sand cone test is as follows:

1. Fill the jar with a standard sand – a sand with known density – and determine the weight of the sand cone
apparatus with the jar filled with sand (W1). The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
recommends Ottawa Sand as the standard.
2. Determine the weight of sand to fill the cone (W2).
3. Excavate a small hole in the soil and determine the weight of the excavated soil (W3).
4. Determine the water content of the excavated soil (w).
5. Fill the hole with the standard sand by inverting the sand cone apparatus over the hole and opening the valve.
6. Determine the weight of the sand cone apparatus with the remaining sand in the jar (W4).
7. Calculate the unit weight of the soil follows:

Weight of sand ¿ fill hole=Ws=W 1−(W 2+W 4)

Ws
Volume of hole=V =
γd ( ottawa sand )

W3
Weight of Dry Soil=Wd=
1+w

Wd
Dry Unit Weight =γd=
V

Balloon Test

The balloon test apparatus consist of graduated cylinder with centrally placed balloon. The cylinder is filled with
water. The procedure for the balloon test is as follows.
 1. Fill the cylinder with water and record its volume, V1.
2. Excavate a small hole in the soil and determine the weight of the excavated soil (W)
3. Determine the water content of the excavated soil (w).
4. Use the pump to invert the balloon to fill the hole.
5. Record the volume of water remaining in the cylinder, V2.
6. Calculate the unit weight of the soil as follows:

w γ
γ= ; γd =
v 1−v 2 1+ w

Nuclear Density Meter

Is a versatile device to rapidly obtain the unit weight and water content of the soil nondestructively. Soil particles cause
radiation to scatter to a detector tube and the amount of scatter is counted. The scatter count rate is inversely
proportional to the unit weight of the soil. If water is present in the soil, the hydrogen in water scatters the neutrons and
the amount of scatter is proportional to the water content. The radiation source is either radium or radioactive isotopes
of cesium and americium. The nuclear density apparatus is first calibrated using the manufacturer’s reference blocks.
This calibration serves as a reference to determine the unit weight and water content of a soil at a particular site.
PROBLEMS

1. The results of a standard compaction test are shown in the table below. Determine the maximum dry unit weight and
optimum water content.

Water 6.2 8.1 9.8 11.5 12.3 13.2

Content (%)
Bulk Unit 16.9 18.7 19.5 20.5 20.4 20.1
Weight
(kN/m3)

a) What is the dry unit weight and water content at 95% standard compaction?

b) Determine the degree of saturation at the maximum dry density.

c) Plot the zero air voids line.

SOLUTION:

Dry Unit Weight Zero Air Voids

(kN/m3)
Dry Unit Weight
Water Content (%) Bulk Unit Wight (kN/m3)
(kN/m3) γ Water Content (%) Gs
γd =
1+ w
γd =
( 1+
wGs
S )
γw

6.2 16.9 15.9 6 22.8

8.1 18.7 17.3 8 21.8
9.8 19.5 17.8 10 20.8
11.5 20.5 18.4 12 20.0
12.3 20.4 18.2 14 19.2
13.2 20.1 17.8

γdmax=18.4 kN /cu . m

wopt =11.5%

kN
At 95 % compaction , γd=18.4 x 0.95=17.5
cu . m

w=9.2 % (¿ graph)
Solve for degree of Saturation:

γdmax 18.4
wGs x 0.115 x 2.7 x
γw 9.8
S= = =0.71 %=71.0 %
γdmax 18.4
Gs− 2.7−
γw 9.8
2. The laboratory compaction test of a certain type of soil gives a maximum dry density of 1.486 Mg/m 3 with an
optimum moisture content of 12.5%. The following are the results of a field unit weight determination test using sand
cone method.

Volume of soil excavated from the hole = 0.001337m 3

Weight of soil from the hole when wet = 2220g
Weight of soil when dry = 1890g

a) Determine the field unit weight of soil.

b) What is the in situ water content of soil.

c) Determine the relative compaction, is it within the allowable range for relative of compaction of 95 +- 0.20?

Solution:

W 2220 g g
γ= = =1.66
V 0.001337 cu . m cc

2220−1890
w= x 100=17.46 %
1890

g
1.66
γ cc g
γd = = =1.413
1+ w 1+0.1746 cc

g
1.413
γd cc
Relative Compaction=R= = x 100=95.10 %
γdmax g
1.486
cc

:̌ 95.10 % >94.80 %∧95.10 % <95.20 %

Then , yes , it is within allowable

3. Given below are the tabulated results in the field compaction test.

A. Unit Weight Determination:

Test No. Wt. of Mold + Compacted Soil

1 5.9 kg
2 6.2 kg
3 6.3 kg
4 6.1 kg
5 6.0 kg

Test No. Wt. of Mold Volume of Mold

1 4.2 kg 0.00094 m3
2 4.2 kg 0.00094 m3
3 4.2 kg 0.00094 m3
4 4.2 kg 0.00094 m3
5 4.2 kg 0.00094 m3

B. Water Content Determination:

Test No. Wt. of Container + Wet Soil Wt. of Container + Dry Soil
1 42.4 g 40.9 g
2 42.1 g 39.9 g
3 40.3 g 37.1 g
4 52.7 g 47.0 g
5 56.2 g 48.8 g

Test No. Wt. of Container

1 14.5 g
2 14.6 g
3 13.7 g
4 12.9 g
5 14.0 g

a) Compute the maximum dry unit weight in kN/m 3.

b) Compute the optimum water content.
c) Compute the degree of saturation at the optimum moisture content if the specific gravity of the soil is 2.70.

For Maximum Dry Unit Weight:

Test No. Wt. of Compacted Soil (kg) Moist Unit Weight of Soil (kN/m3)
1 5.9 – 4.2 = 1.7 1.7 x 9.81
=17.74
1000(0.00094)
2 6.2 – 4.2 = 2.0 2 x 9.81
=20.87
1000(0.00094)
3 6.3 – 4.2 = 2.1 2.1 x 9.81
=21.92
1000(0.00094)
4 6.1 – 4.2 = 1.9 1.9 x 9.81
=19.83
1000(0.00094)
5 6.0 – 1.8 = 1.8 1.8 x 9.81
=18.79
1000(0.00094)
 Test No. Wt. of Dry Soil Wt. of Water
1 40.9 – 14.5 = 26.4 42.4 – 14.5 – 26.4 = 1.5
2 39.9 – 14.6 = 25.3 42.1 – 14.6 – 25.3 = 2.2
3 37.1 – 13.7 = 23.4 40.3 – 13.7 – 23.4 = 3.2
4 47.0 – 12.9 = 34.1 52.7 – 12.9 – 34.1 = 5.7
5 48.8 – 14.0 = 34.8 56.2 – 14.0 – 34.8 = 7.4

Test No. Water Content (%)

1 1.5 x 100
=5.68
26. 4
2 2.2 x 100
=8.70
25.3
3 3.2 x 100
=13.68
23.4
4 5.7 x 100
=16.72
34.1
5 7.4 x 100
=21.26
34.8

Test No. Moist Unit Weight Water Content

1 17.74 5.68
2 20.87 8.70
3 21.92 13.68
4 19.83 16.72
5 18.79 21.26

Test No. Dry Unit Weight (kN/m3)

1 17.74
=16.79
1+ 0.0568
2 20.87
=19.20
1+ 0.087
3 21.92
=19.28
1+ 0.1368
4 19.83
=16.99
1+ 0.1672
5 18.79
=15.50
1+ 0.2126
 kN
Maximum Dry Unit Weight=19.6
cu . m

Optimum Moistu ℜContent=11.3 %

For Degree of Saturation

Gsγw 2.70 x 9.81

γd = = =19.6
1+e 1+e

e=0.351

wGs 11.3 x 2.7

S= = =86.92 %
e 0.351
4. An embankment for a highway 30m wide and 1.5m in compacted thickness is to be constructed from a sandy soil
trucked from a borrow pit. The water content of the sandy soil in the borrow pit is 15% and its void ratio is 0.69. The
specification requires the embankment be compacted to a dry unit weight of 18 kN/m 3. Determine for 1km length of
embankment, the following:

1. The unit weight of sandy soil from the borrow pit required to construct the embankment.
2. The number of 10.0m3 truckloads of sandy soil required for the construction.
3. The weight of water per truckload of sandy soil.
4. The degree of saturation of the sandy soil in situ.

SOLUTION:

Calculate ɣd for the borrow pit material .

Gsγw 2.7 x 9.81 kN

γd = = =15.7
1+e 1+0.69 cu . m

Determine the volume of the borrow pit soil required .

Volume of finished embankment=V =30 x 1.5 x 1000=45,000 cu . m

γd (required ) 18
xV= x 45,000=51592.36 cu . m
γd (borrow pit ) 15.7
Determin e the number of trucks required .

51,592.36
Number of trucks= =5159.24=5160
10

Determine the weight of water required .

kN
Weight of dry soil∈one truckload :Wd =10.0 cu . m x 15.7 =157 kN
cu . m

Weight of Water : wWd=0.15 x 157 kN =23.6 kN

Determine the degree of saturation.

wGs 0.15 x 2.7

S= = =0.59=59 %
e 0.69

5. An earth dam requires 1 million cubic meters of soil compacted to a void ratio of 0.80. In the vicinity of the proposed
dam, three borrow pits were identified as having suitable materials. The cost of purchasing the soil and the cost of
excavation are the same for each borrow pit. The only cost difference is transportation cost. The table below provides
the void ratio and the transportation cost for each borrow pit. Which borrow pit would be the most economical?

Borrow Pit Void Ratio Transportation Cost ($/cu.m)

1 1.8 $ 0.60
2 0.9 $ 1.00
3 1.5 $ 0.75
SOLUTION:

V
¿ SpecificVolume :V ' = =1+ e
Vs

Let :Vo , eo=Specific volume∧void ratio of the compacted soil ∈thedam .

Let :Vi , ei=Specific volume∧void ratio of the soil ¿ the borrow pits , wherei=1,2,3.

Vi 1+ei
=
Vo 1+ eo

1+ ei 1+ei
Vi=Vo ( 1+eo )=1,000,000 ( 1+0.80 )
Determine the volume of soil ¿ each borrow pit . Substituting the void ratio ¿ the table
into thelast equation , we obtain :

V 1=1,555,555 cu . m

V 2=1,055,555 cu . m

V 3=1,388,888 cu . m

Determine the transportation costs .

$
Transportation cost=Volume x
cu . m

Pit 1=$ 933,333

Pit 2=$ 1,055,555

Pit 3=$ 1,041,667

Therefore , Borrow Pit 1 isthe most economical

6. A proposed earth dam requiers 7500 m 3 of compacted soil with relative density of 94%, maximim void ratio of 0.73,
minimum void ratio of 0.4 and specific gravity (Gs)=2.67. Two borrow pits are available as described in the following
table. Choose the best borrow pit with minimum cost.
Borrow Pit Degree of saturation % Moisture c
Borrow Pit Degree of Saturation Moisture Content % Cost ($/m3)
%
A 82 18.43 10
B 100 24.34 5

SOLUTION:
 ¿ formulaof Relative Density , Dr

ema x−e
Dr=
emax−emin

0.73−e
0.94= ; e=0.42
0.73−0.4
Vv Vt −Vs
Then , ¿ void ratio , e= =
Vs Vs
7500−Vs
0.42= ; Vs=5281.7 cu . m
Vs
¿ Sample A :
Gs x w 2.67 x 0.1843
e= = =0.6
S 0.82

Vt −5281.7
0.60= ;Vt =8450.72 cu . m
5281.7
For the total cost of sample A :
$
8450.72 cu . m x 10 =$ 84,507
cu . m
For Sample B:
2.67 x 0.2434
e= =0.65
1.0
Vt −5281.7
0.65= ;Vt =8714.8 cu . m
5281.7
For total cost of Sample B:
$
8714.8 cu . m x 5 =$ 43,574
cu . m
We choose sample B because it has thelowest cost
8. Earth is required to be excavated from borrow pits for building an embankment as shown in the figure below. The
moist unit weight of the borrow pits is 18 kN/m 3 and its water content is 8%. Estimate the quantity of earth required to
be excavated per meter length of embankment. The dry unit weight required for the embankment is 15 kN/m 3 with a
moisture content of 10%. Assume the specific gravity of solids as 2.67. Also determine the degree of saturation of the
embankment soil and the volume of water in the embankment.

SOLUTION:
 Solve for Volume Total of the embankment :

1
Vt = x ( 2+10 ) x 4 x 1=24 cu . m
2

Gs x γw 2.67 x 9.81
γd = =15= ; e=0.746
1+e 1+ e

Vt −Vs 24−Vs
e= =0.746= ; Vs=13.74 cu . m
Vs Vs

For Borrow Pit :

γ 18 kN
γd = = =16.67
1+ e 1+0.08 cu . m

Gs x γw 2.67 x 9.81
γd = =16.67= ; e=0.57
1+e 1+e

Vt −13.74
0.57= ; Vt =21.6 c u . m
13.74

Se=wGs

0.10 x 2.67
S= =0.358
0.746

Vw Vv e
¿ S= ∧n= =
Vv Vt 1+ e

0.746
n= =0.427
1+0.746

Vv=n x Vt =0.427 x 24=10.25cu .m

Vw=S x Vv=0.358 x 10.25=3.67 cu .m