Objectives

Be able to use basic

volume weight
equations
Understand principal
of soil compaction.
Explain how the
compaction test is
used in design and
quality control

Be able to perform
basic compaction test
(LAB EXERCISE)
plot compaction data
and evaluate for
accuracy
Understand procedure
for Atterberg Limit
Tests (LAB
EXERCISE)

Review of Compaction Principles

Compaction

Tests are not suitable for

soils with more than 30 % by weight of
the sample being larger than a
sieve.

Compaction

tests are not usually

performed on soils with 12 % or fewer
fines

Review of Compaction Principles

Relative

Density testing is used for

clean sands and gravels covered later
in class
Standard Procedures for testing are
available for soils with some gravel
(less than the maximum allowable
content)

Principle of compaction
Theory

developed by R.R. Proctor in

1930s in California

Three

Factors determine the density

that results from soil compaction

Proctor Developed Principle

Three

variables determine the

density of a compacted soil
The energy used in compaction
The water content of the soil
The properties of the soil

Dry Density, pcf

State Diagram

100 %
saturation
curve

Water content, %

Dry Density, pcf

State Diagram

Water content, %

Energy Used in Compaction

Assume

you have some clay soil that is

at a water content of 16 percent.
Look at the effect different compaction
energy has on the density of the soil.
Energy expressed as number of passes
of a sheepsfoot roller on a lift of soil

Dry Density, pcf

At this water content, energy

has a large effect on
compacted density
10 passes of
equipment
4 passes of
equipment
3 passes of
equipment
2 passes of
equipment
1 pass of
equipment
Water content, %

Dry Density, pcf

At this point, the sample has

had most of its air driven out
by the compaction
10 passes of
equipment
100 %
saturation
line

Water content, %

Dry Density, pcf

10 passes of
43 passes
equipment
passes of
of
equipment
equipment
2 passes of
1equipment
pass of
equipment

At a lower water content,

energy has little effect on
the compacted density of a
clay soil

Water content, %

Compacting at low water contents

At

low water contents, insufficient

water is available to lubricate the
particles and allow them to be
rearranged into a dense structure.

The

frictional resistance of dry

particles is high

Dry Density, pcf

At a very high water content,

energy has little effect on the
compacted density of a clay
soil because the water is
incompressible and takes the
applied force without
densifying the soil

This results in a
term called
pumping

1043passes
passesofof
equipment
equipment
2 passes of
1equipment
pass of
equipment
Water content, %

Compacting Very Wet Soil

At this point, few
air pockets remain
compaction
forces are carried
by water in soil
which is
incompressible

Water has Zero Shear Strength

Water has Zero Shear Strength

Effect of Water Content

Now examine the effect of just changing the
water content on a clay soil, using the same
energy each time the soil is compacted.
For example, assume soil is spread and
compacted with 4 passes of a sheepsfoot
roller each time.
Examine using State Diagram

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Water Content

99.
0
pcf

Sample 1 compacted at 12 %
water Dry Density is 99.0 pcf
12
%

Water content, %

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Water Content

Sample 2 compacted at
14 % water Dry Density
is 104.5 pcf

104.
5pcf

14
%

Water content, %

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Water Content

105.
5pcf

Sample 3
compacted at
16 % water
Dry Density
is 105.5 pcf

Water content, %

16
%

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Water Content

98.5
pcf

Sample 4
compacted at
18 % water
Dry Density
is 98.5 pcf

Water content, %

18

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Water Content @ constant

energy

Maximum
dry density,
pcf
Optimum water
content, %
Water content, %

Now, perform the same test at a

different (Higher energy) on the soil
Dry density, pcf

10 passes of
sheepsfoot
roller

Water content, %

4 passes of
sheepsfoot
roller

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Soil Type on Curves

80-95
pcf

Plastic Clay Soils have Low

Values of Maximum Dry
Density

Water content, %

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Soil Type on Curves

Plastic Clay Soils have high
values for optimum water
content (20-40 %)

20-40 %
Water content, %

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Soil Type on Curves

Plastic Clay Soils have a
Flat Curve for Lower
Energies Density

Water content, %

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Soil Type on Curves

115135
pcf

Sandy Soils with Lower

PIs have High Values of
Maximum Dry Density

Water content, %

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Soil Type on Curves

Sandy Soils with Lower PIs

have Low Values of
Optimum Water Content
8-15
%
Water content, %

Dry density, pcf

Effect of Soil Type on Curves

Sandy Soils have a Steep

Curve Short distance
from plastic to liquid
states of consistency

Water content, %

Summary

Dry density, pcf

110135

95120

7595

Higher PI
Clayey Soils
in this
Region

Water content, %

Lower PI
Sandier Soils
in this
Region

Intermediate
PI Soils in
this Region

Dry density, pcf

Summary

Lower PI
Sandier Soils
in this
Region
Higher
PI
Intermediate
Clayey
PI SoilsSoils
in
in
this
this
Region
Region

8-14
12-20
Water content, %

2040

Family
of
Curves
(Covered
Later)

d, dry density, pcf

Family of Curves

Zero air voids

curve not parallel
to line of
optimums at
upper end
Line of
Optimums

water content, %

Proctors principle of compaction

Using

a standard energy, if a series

of specimens of a soil are compacted
at increasing water contents, the
resultant dry density of the
specimens will vary. The density
will increase to a peak value, then
decrease.

Principle of Compaction
A plot

of the dry density versus the

water content from a compaction test
will be parabolic in shape.
The peak of the curve is termed the
maximum dry density, and the water
content at which the peak occurs is the
optimum water content.

Standard Proctor Energies

Several

standard energies are used

for laboratory compaction tests
Standard 12,400 ft-lbs/ft3
Modified 56,000 ft-lbs/ft3
California 20,300 ft-lbs/ft3

Standard Proctor Compaction Test

Summary
5.5 #
5.5 pound
hammer
dropped 12 inches
mold filled in 3 lifts
25 blows of hammer
per lift
Total energy is
12,400 ft-lbs/ft3

hamme
r

Uses

12dro
p

3 lifts

Modified Proctor Compaction Test

Summary
10 #
10 pound
hammer
dropped 12 inches
mold filled in 5 lifts
25 blows of hammer
per lift
Total energy is
12,400 ft-lbs/ft3

hamme
r

Uses

18dro
p

5 lifts

Proctor Compaction Test Summary

Several

Standard molds are used

depending on maximum particle size in
sample
4diameter mold (1/30 ft3) used for soils
with low gravel contents
Method A for soils with < 20 % gravel
Method B for soils with > 20 % gravel
and < 20 % larger than 3/8

Proctor Compaction Test Summary

Several

Standard molds are used

depending on maximum particle size in
sample
6diameter mold (1/13.33 ft3) used for
soils with significant gravel contents
More than 20 % gravel larger than 3/8
Must have less than 30 % larger than 3/4

Proctor Compaction Test Summary

Standardized tests are not available for soils
with more than 30 percent by weight of the
total sample being larger than 3/4in
diameter gravels
ASTM Compaction Test Methods are

D698A
D698B
D698C

D1557A
D1557B
D1557C

Proctor Compaction Test Summary

Prepare 4 to 5
specimens at
increasing water
contents about 2 %
apart. Example prepared samples at
14, 16, 18, and 20
percent. Use range of
moistures based on
feel and experience.

Proctor Compaction Test Summary

Hammer

Then, compact
each sample
into a steel
mold with
Cured soil
standard
procedures
Compaction mold

Proctor Compaction Test Summary

Then, strike
off excess
soil so the
mold has a
known
volume of
soil.

Proctor Compaction Test Summary

For each sample, measure the weight and the

water content of the soil in the mold
The mold volume and weight are
pre-measured. Dont assume nominal volume of
1/30 ft3 or 1/13.33 ft3
Calculate moist density
Calculate dry density
Plot dry density and water content for each point

Class Problem

Calculate Moist density, dry density

moist

Weight Moist

Volume _ Mold
dry

moist

w%
1
100

Class Problem
Mold wt = 4.26 #, Mold Vol. =
0.03314 ft3
Point Mold
+Soil

Moist Moist
Water
Dry
Soil Density Content Density
pcf
%
pcf

8.04

3.78

17.5

8.30

4.04

19.6

8.38

4.12

21.7

8.29

4.03

24.4

Class Problem
Calculate

Moist density, dry density

Plot

curve of dry density versus

water content

Determine

Maximum dry density

and optimum water content

Set Up Plot Form SCS-352

110
5
pound
s

90

Set Up Plot Form SCS-352

Make each vertical division

equal to 1 percent water
content

Class Problem
Calculate

Moist density, dry density

Plot curve of dry density versus water
content
Determine Maximum dry density and
optimum water content
Plot zero air voids ( 100 % saturation
curve assuming specific gravity = 2.68

Zero Air Voids Curve

After

you plot a compaction test,

plotting a zero air voids curve is very
important. This curve is also called the
100 % saturation curve
This curve shows for a range of dry
density values what the saturated water
content is for any given value

Compaction Problem
Zero air void equation
Assume 3 values of d and calculate wsat%

water 1
wsat (%)
x100
dry Gs

 w
1
w sat (%)

100
d Gs

135

Assumed dry density =

assumed
Gs wt.
= 2.70
Unit
water =
105 pcf
100 % Saturation
62.4
Curve

Dry Density, pcf

125
115

95 % Saturation
Curve
wsat(%) = 22.1(%)

105
95

75 % Saturation
Curve

85

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

Water Content, %

28

30

32

34

Zero Air Voids Curve

Dry Unit Weight
pcf
95
100
105

Saturated
Water %

Plotted Class Problem

105
104

Maximum dry
density = 102.5 pcf

Dry Density, pcf

103

zero air
voids
curve

102
101
100
99
98

optimum w % = 21.0
%

97
96
95
15

17

19

21

23
w%

25

27

29

Zero Air Voids Curve

The

100 % saturation curve is used to

judge the reliability of the compaction
curve and of field measurements of
compacted soil density and water
content
Compacted soils for NRCS
specifications are usually at a degree of
saturation of about 75 to 95 percent

135.0

100 % Saturation
Curve

Dry Density, pcf

125.0

95 %
Saturation
Curve

115.0
105.0

75 %
Saturation
Curve

95.0
85.0
5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Water Content, %

30.0

35.0

Review of Compaction
Evaluating

Compaction Tests

Standard requirements - spread in

water content about 2 % and at least
two points above and below optimum
Typical shape - soil type ?

Compaction Problem
Other given information:
LL = 47, PI = 30,
classified as CL soil
Gs = 2.68

Evaluating compaction test

2.1 % 2.7
%

2.7
%

Are points about two percent apart ?

Evaluating compaction test

2.1 %

105
104
103
102

Dry Density, pcf

zero air
voids
curve

2.1 %

101
100
99
2.7 %

98
2.1 %

97

Are two points below and 2 above

optimum ?

96
95
15

17

19

21

23
w%

25

27

29

Review of Compaction
Optimum water content
about 80 % saturated
water content ? Acceptable range is
75-95

Optimum w% = 21.0

% sat =
21.023.6=89%
102.5 pcf

water
1
wsat (%)

x100
Gs
dry
1
62.4

x100 23.6(%)

102.5 2.68

wsat (%)

Plotted Class Problem

105
104

wopt/wsat =
21.0/23.6 = 89 %

Maximum dry
density = 102.5 pcf

103
Dry Density, pcf

102

zero air
voids
curve

101
100
99
98

optimum w % = 21.0
%

97

wsat @ 102.5 pcf =

(62.4/102.5 - 1/2.68) * 100 = 23.6
%

96
95
15

17

19

21

23
w%

25

27

29

Review of Compaction
Wet side parallel to
saturation curve at
90 % saturation ? % Sat = 24.3 26.4 =
92.0 %

Check a point on wet side at

98 pcf, w % on curve is
24.3%

d, pcf

water
1
wsat (%)
x100
dry Gs

1
62.4

x100 26.4(%)

98.0 2.68

wsat (%)

w, %

Plotted Class Problem

105
104

Maximum dry
density = 102.5 pcf

103

zero air
voids
curve

Dry Density, pcf

102

wopt/wsat =
24.3/26.6 = 91 %

101
100
99
98

optimum w % = 21.0
%

97
96
95
15

wsat @ 98.0 pcf =

(62.4/98.0 - 1/2.70) * 100 =
26.6 %
17

19

21

23

w%

25

27

29

Review of Compaction
Evaluating Compaction Tests
Typical

value for fine-grained soils

compared to Navdocks equations

dmax = 130.3 - 0.82 *LL + 0.3*PI

wopt = 6.77 + 0.43 * LL - 0.21 * PI

Review of Compaction
Evaluating Compaction Tests
Typical

value for fine-grained soils

compared to Navdocks equations

dmax = 130.3 - 0.82 *47 + 0.3*30

= 100.8 pcf
OK - test value was 102.5 pcf

wopt = 6.77 + 0.43 * 47 - 0.21 * 30

= 19.6 %
OK Test value was 21.0 %

Purposes of compaction
Soils

are compacted to improve the

engineering properties over those of
loosely placed soils.
The engineering properties are affected
both by the density to which the soil is
compacted and the water content at
which it is compacted

Role of compaction tests

in earth fill projects
Samples are obtained in site investigation
and sent to laboratory for testing
Soils are tested to determine reference
density - as well as other index properties
Engineering properties are measured by
testing at a percentage of the reference test
density. For example, a shear test might be
performed at 95 percent of the Standard
Proctor maximum dry density of the soil.

Role of compaction tests

in earth fill projects

The engineering properties are used in analyses

to determine a suitable design

For example, the shear strength is used in a slope

stability analyses

If the engineering properties allow a satisfactory

design, then the degree of compaction is used in
a contract specification.

Role of compaction tests

in earth fill projects

If an unsatisfactory design results, the soil is retested at a different degree of compaction to

obtain better engineering properties

The design is re-analyzed and the process

repeated until a final satisfactory degree of
compaction is decided

Then the degree of compaction is used in a

contract specification.

Role of compaction tests

in earth fill projects

Quality control processes are used to ensure that

the earth fill is compacted to the degree of
compaction specified, within a range of specified
water contents

Field compaction tests are performed to assure

that the proper reference density is being used

S a m p l e s a r e o b t a in e d a n d s u b m i t t e d
t o a la b o r a t o ry f o r
c o m p a c t io n t e s ts
in d e x te s ts

Compaction
Tests as
Used in
Design of an
Earth Fill

A P r e li m i n a r y d e g r e e o f
c o m p a c t io n i s a s s u m e d
e .g ., 9 5 % S T a n d a rd P ro c to r
E n g in e e r in g P r o p e r ty
T e s ts a r e p e r fo r m e d a t
t h e p r e l i m i n a r y d e s ig n d e n s i t y
e .g ., s h e a r t e s ts
E n g in e e r in g P r o p e r tie s a r e u s e d
in a n a n a ly s e s - e . g .,
s l o p e s t a b i l i t y a n a l y s is

I f t h e D e s ig n is S a t is f a c t o r y ,
C o n t ra c t s p e c s a r e w r it t e n
r e q u ir in g t h e d e g r e e o f c o m p a c t io n
n e e d e d f o r t h e p ro p e r t ie s

I f t h e D e s ig n is n o t S a tis f a c t o r y ,
a d if f e r e n t d e g r e e o f c o m p a c t io n
is a s s u m e d , a n d m o r e e n g in e e r in g
p r o p e r t y te s t s a r e p e r f o r m e d

Q u a lit y C o n t r o l T e s ts
a r e p e r f o r m e d d u r in g
c o n s t r u c t io n t o e n s u r e t h a t
t h e re q u ir e d d e n s it y a n d w a t e r c o n t e n t a r e m e t

W h e n a s a t is f a c t o r y d e s ig n is a c h ie v e d
fo r th e te s te d d e g re e o f
c o m p a c t io n , s p e c if ic a t io n s a r e w r it t e n

Q u a lit y C o n t r o l T e s ts
a r e p e r f o r m e d d u r in g
c o n s t r u c t io n t o e n s u r e t h a t
t h e re q u ir e d d e n s it y a n d w a t e r c o n t e n t a r e m e t

Example of Process
Sample obtained to determine suitability as
clay liner
Sample Sent to Laboratory
Laboratory performs Standard Proctor Test
A Permeability Test is performed at 95 % of
maximum Standard Proctor Dry Density

Example of Process
The sample is remolded at 2 percent wet of
optimum (for this sample, 85 % saturated)
The permeability test measures an
acceptably low permeability
A recommendation is given to the field
office that compaction to this combination
of density and water content results in
acceptably low permeability

Example of Process
During construction, measurements of dry
density and water content are made during
construction.
If the degree of compaction and percent
saturation are equal to or better than
specified, the liner is judged to have a low
permeability and is considered acceptable.

Class Problem 2
A compaction

test measures a maximum

dry density of 104.0 pcf and an optimum
water content of 18.0 %. The soil has an
estimated Gs value of 2.68

A contract

requires compaction to 95 % of
maximum dry density at a water content
of optimum or greater

Class Problem 2

A field test measures a moist density of 126.3

pcf and a water content of 23.4 %
Does the compacted fill meet the contract
requirement ?
Use the values given for measured moist density
and water content, calculate the dry density
Assume a Gs value of 2.68 and compute a wsat
value

Class Problem
Compare the reported compaction water
content to theoretical saturated water content
Compacted soils are commonly in the range of
75-95 percent saturated
What do the results tell you about the
reliability of the field data?
What would you look for to explain any
problems?

Conclusions of Class Problem

The measured data appears to have
problems.
Possible errors are in the measurement of
the dry density, the water content, or the
specific gravity value used in computations
Recommend investigating most probable
causes