➢ Compaction curve is used to find the water content of the soil which gives

max. dry density of soil which is also called as optimum moisture content.
➢ O.M.C. is the unique function of max. dry density for any soil at same
compactive effort or at same setup.
➢ A line showing the relation ship between water content and dry density of
compacted soil at constant % of air voids is termed as air void line.
➢ Equation of air void line,

➢ The theoretical max. compaction is obtained on zero % air void. So, put na = 0

Zero air void line eqn------(1)

217
➢ A line showing the relationship between water content and dry density of
compacted soil at constant degree of saturation is termed as saturation line
equation.

➢ The theoretical max. compaction is obtained on 100% degree of saturation-

➢ Put S = 100% = 1

100% saturation line eqn ---------(2)

218
Note – From equation (1) & (2), we can say that zero% air void line equation and
100% saturation line equation are same. But from these equation water
content and dry density gives non-linear function with dry density.

❖ Factors affecting compaction :-

(i). Water Content :-
➢ At low water content soil is stiff and
soil grains offer more resistance to
compaction and so less dry density
will be obtained.

219
➢ As water content increases, a larger film layer around the soil particles by
which due to lubrication effect, stiffness of soil decreases and less resistance
offer to compaction so obtain higher density.
➢ During increasing of water content ,a water content is obtained where dry
density of soil will be max., that water content is called OMC .
➢ Beyond OMC, if water content increases then solid particle is replaced by
water content . So, dry density decreases.
➢ This lubrication theory is explained by Lame’s. So it is called Lame’s double
layer theory.

220
(ii). Degree of compaction :-
➢ On increasing compactive effort, max. dry density increases while
corresponding OMC decreases.
➢ If all the peaks of compaction curve for different compactive effort are joint
together a line of optimus is obtained which is nearly parallel to the zero air
void line which shows that even a higher compactive effort dose not change
in higher efficiency of compaction.

221
(iii). Method of compaction:-
➢ The density obtain during compaction for a given soil depends
upon type of compaction by which compactive effort is applied.

➢ There are various aspects –

a. Weight of compacting equipment
b. Time and area of compact between compaction element and
soil.
c. Compaction is done with dynamic forces like-pressure, kneading,
impact, vibration etc.

222
 Type of equipment
For Action Type of Soil Application
Smooth wheel roller Pressure Crushed stone, sand & Road construction
gravel

Sheep foot roller Kneading Clayey soil Core of earthen dam

Pneumatic roller Pressure & Sand, gravel ,silt & clay Base, sub-base
kneading embankment, highway,
air field

Rammer Impact All types of soil In confined area ,trench,

basement wall retaining
wall

Vibrator Vibrator Sand Embankment of oil

storage tank

223
Note –
➢ Vibriofloation :-
➢ It is a special type equipment which is used to
compact loose sandy soil in larger depth
(up to 30m) with vibration effect.

❖ Frog hammer :-
➢ It is also special type of equipment which is used to compact cohesionless
with pneumatic action.

224
(iv) Type of Soil :-

➢ Coarse grained soil, well graded soil compact to higher dry density specially
when they contain some fines.
➢ When fine soil are is excessive then dry density decreases.
➢ Poorly graded or uniformly graded sand has lowest dry density.
➢ In clayey soil, max. dry density tends to decreases as plasticity increases
(wL↑wp↑IP).Generally cohesive soil have high value of OMC. 225
 Compressibility & Consolidation
Consolidation

Primary consolidation Secondary consolidation

or or
10 consolidation 20 consolidation
or
➢ Due to expulsion of pore water creep
(80 - 90%) ➢ Due to plastic rearrangement
of soil particles
➢ Due to expulsion of highly
viscous water
(10 – 20%)
228
❖ Primary consolidation :-
➢ It begins when the soil reaches to full saturation stage. (After expulsion of
pore air) and remains saturated during the entire process of primary
consolidation.
➢ It takes place due to expulsion of pore water and it is completed when
expulsion of pore water pressure stops. It is time taken process and depends
upon loading rate, permeability and length of drain path.
(i) Loading rate :- (P1 > P2)
P1 P2

H S =1 S=1 H

Clay (k) Clay (k)

water water
229
(ii). Permeability :- (k2 > k1)
P P

H S =1 S=1 H

Clay (k1) Sand (k2)

(iii). Length of drainage path :-

P P
Top
H k k H
Bottom

Two way drainage One way drainage

(d = H/2) (d = H)
230
Where,
d = length of drainage path

❖ Secondary Consolidation :-
➢ It starts after completion of primary consolidation.
➢ If load is constant and volume change is observed with passage of time
without expulsion of pore water then this consolidation is called secondary
consolidation.
➢ It occurs due to plastic rearrangement of soil particles and expulsion of highly
viscous water.
➢ In case of coarse grained soil, stiff clay and pre-consolidated clay, it is
insignificant.
➢ But in case of highly plastic clay and soft organic clay (peat) it may be
extended up to 20% of total consolidation.

231
❖ Total Settlement:- S = Si + Sc + SS
➢ Where,
Si = Settlement due to initial compression / compaction.
SC = Settlement due to primary consolidation.
SS = Settlement due to secondary consolidation.
❖ Factors affecting consolidation :- t1
t2
(a). Type of soil :-
➢ Rate of settlement or rate of Δ1 sand
consolidation of sandy soil is greater
than rate of settlement of clay soil Δ2
because permeability of sandy soil
is greater than clay soil.
➢ (Rate of settlement)Clay < (Rate of settlement)sand Δ

232
➢ Total settlement in clay soil is greater than total settlement of sand because
clay have more volume of voids, more porous, more compressible and
secondary consolidation an exist.
➢ (Total settlement of clay) > ( Total settlement of sand)

(b) Effect of stress :-

Case-1 – Pre-consolidation / Over consolidation soil :-
➢ When effective stress acting on any soil in past more than present is called as
pre-consolidation/ Over consolidated soil.

G.L.
Past Present
233
❖ Case-2- Under Consolidated Soil :-
➢ If max. effective stress acting on any soil in past is less than existing (present)
effective stress is called under consolidated soil.
➢ It means in case of under consolidated soil consolidation process is
continuous.

G.L.
Past Present

234
❖ Case-3 - Normally Consolidated Soil :-
➢ If max. effective stress acting on any soil in past is equal to max effective
stress is present, is called as normally consolidated soil.

G.L.
Past Present

235
❖ Over consolidated ratio :- (OCR)
➢ It is the ratio of max. effective stress in past to max. effective stress applied in
present.

➢ If OCR = 1 ⇒ Normally consolidated soil.

➢ If OCR < 1 ⇒ Under Consolidated soil.
➢ If OCR > 1 ⇒ Pre-consolidated /Over consolidated soil.
➢ If OCR >>> 1 ⇒ Over Consolidated soil but clay behaves like dense sand.

236
Note – Loading, Unloading & Reloading plot :-
➢ A-B ⇒ Virgin curve / Fresh curve / NCS
➢ B-C ⇒ Swelling Curve /Rebound curve/ expansion curve / unloading curve
➢ C-D ⇒ Recompression curve/Reloading curve /OCC
➢ D-G ⇒ Virgin curve /Fresh curve /NCC curve
➢ NCS has more settlement than OCS it
means NCS is more compressible and
less stable than OCS.

237