SOIL LESSON

Soil
Compaction

MECHANI
 COMPACTION
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
Lesson 2: Field Compaction Tests
Lesson 3: Heavy Equipment in Compaction
Lesson 4: Soil Improvement
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
In the construction of highway embankments, earth
dams, and many other engineering structures, loose soils
must be compacted to increase their unit weights.
Compaction increases the strength characteristics of
soils, which increase the bearing capacity of foundations
constructed over them. Compaction also decreases the
amount of undesirable settlement of structures and
increases the stability of slopes of embankments.
 compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
Compaction, in general, is the densification of soil by
removal of air, which requires mechanical energy. The
degree of compaction of a soil is measured in terms of its
dry unit weight. When water is added to the soil during
compaction, it acts as a softening agent on the soil
particles. The soil particles slip over each other and move
into a densely packed position. The dry unit weight after
compaction first increases as the moisture content increases
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
STANDARD PROCTOR TEST (T99)
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
STANDARD PROCTOR TEST (T99)
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
EFFECT OF COMPACTION EFFORT
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST (T180)
With the development of heavy rollers and their use in field
compaction, the standard Proctor test was modified to better
represent field conditions. This revised version sometimes is
referred to as the modified Proctor test (ASTM Test
Designation D-1557 and AASHTO Test Designation T-180).

The compaction energy for this type of compaction test can

be calculated as 2700 kN-m/m3 (56,000 ft-lb/lb3).
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
Differences Between Standard (T99) and Modified (T180)
Moisture Density Tests
Standard Modified
Rammers (Manual and 2.495±0.009kg 4.536±0.009kg
Mechanical) Mass (5.5±0.02lb) (10.00±0.02 lb)
Drop of Hammer to 305±2mm 457±2mm
Soil Surface (12.00±0.06 in.) (18.00±0.06 in.)
Layers Placed when Filling 3 5
Mold
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 1: Laboratory Compaction Tests
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------
FIELD COMPACTION
When the compaction work is progressing in the field, knowing
whether the specified unit weight has been achieved is useful.
The standard procedures for determining the field unit weight of
compaction include
1. Sand cone method
2. Rubber balloon method
3. Nuclear method
Following is a brief description of each of these methods.
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------
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 uniform dry
Ottawa sand.
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------
RUBBER BALLOON
METHOD
(ASTM Designation D-2167)
The procedure for the rubber balloon
method is similar to that for the sand
cone method. However, the volume of
the hole is determined by introducing
into it a rubber balloon filled with
water from a calibrated vessel, from
which the volume can be read
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR METHOD
Nuclear density meters are often used for
determining the compacted dry unit
weight of soil. The density meters operate
either in drilled holes or from the ground
surface. It uses a radioactive isotope
source.
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------
In most specifications for earthwork, the contractor is instructed
to achieve a compacted field dry unit weight of 90 to 95% of
the maximum dry unit weight determined in the laboratory by
either the standard or modified Proctor test. This is a
specification for relative compaction, which can be expressed as
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 2: Field Compaction
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
FIELD COMPACTION
Compaction Equipment
Most of the compaction in the field is done with rollers. The
four most common types of rollers are
1. Smooth-wheel rollers (or smooth-drum rollers)
2. Pneumatic rubber-tired rollers
3. Sheepsfoot rollers
4. Vibratory rollers
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
Smooth-wheel rollers are suitable for
proof rolling subgrades and for finishing
operation of fills with sandy and clayey
soils. These rollers provide 100%
coverage under the wheels, with ground
contact pressures as high as 310 to 380
kN/m2 (45 to 55 lb/in2). They are not
suitable for producing high unit weights of
compaction when used on thicker layers.
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
Pneumatic rubber-tired rollers are better in
many respects than the smooth-wheel
rollers. The former are heavily loaded with
several rows of tires. These tires are
closely spaced—four to six in a row. The
contact pressure under the tires can range
from 600 to 700 kN/m2 (85 to 100
lb/in2), and they produce about 70 to 80%
coverage. Pneumatic rollers can be used
for sandy and clayey soil compaction.
Compaction is achieved by a combination
of pressure and kneading action.
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
Sheepsfoot rollers are drums with a large
number of projections. The area of each
projection may range from 25 to 85 cm2
(4 to 13 in2). These rollers are most
effective in compacting clayey soils. The
contact pressure under the projections can
range from 1400 to 7000 kN/m2 (200 to
1000 lb/in2). During compaction in the
field, the initial passes compact the lower
portion of a lift. Compaction at the top
and middle of a lift is done at a later
stage.
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory rollers are extremely efficient in
compacting granular soils. Vibrators can
be attached to smooth-wheel, pneumatic
rubber-tired, or sheepsfoot rollers to
provide vibratory effects to the soil.
Figure demonstrates the principles of
vibratory rollers. The vibration is
produced by rotating off-center weights.
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 3: Compaction Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------
compaction
Lesson 4: Soil Improvement
-------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUES
Vibroflotation is a technique for in
situ densification of thick layers of
loose granular soil deposits
compaction
Lesson 4: Soil Improvement
-------------------------------------------------------

SPECIAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUES

Dynamic compaction is a technique
that has gained popularity in the United
States for the densification of granular
soil deposits. This process consists
primarily of dropping a heavy weight
repeatedly on the ground at regular
intervals
compaction
Lesson 4: Soil Improvement
-------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUES
Blasting is a technique that has been
used successfully in many projects
(Mitchell, 1970) for the densification
of granular soils. The general soil
grain sizes suitable for compaction by
blasting are the same as those for
compaction by vibroflotation. The
process involves the detonation of
explosive charges, such as 60%
dynamite at a certain depth below the
 Next Lesson: Stresses on Soil
-------------------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENT

Long Quiz April 17 or 19, 2024

What’s next??...
STRESSES ON SOIL