BFC 21702

GEOTECHNICS 1
Chapter 3:
Compaction
N. Sivakugan

TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.1 General Principles
3.2 Standard Proctor Test
3.3 Modified Proctor Test
3.4 Factors Affecting Compaction
3.5 Structure of Compacted Soil
3.6 Field Compaction

3.1 What is compaction?

A simple ground improvement technique,
where the soil is densified through external
compactive effort.
Compactive
effort

Dry density (d)

+ water =

Compaction Curve
Soil grains densely packed
- good strength and stiffness
- low permeability

d, max

optimum
water content

Water content

Compaction Curve
What happens to the relative quantities of the three phases
with addition of water?
air
Dry density (d)

water
solid
difficult to expel all air

lowest void ratio and

highest dry density at
optimum w

Water content

Dry density (d)

Zero Air Void Curve

- corresponds to 100% saturation
Zero air void curve (S=100%)

S<100%

S>100% (impossible)
All compaction points should lie
to the left of ZAV curve

Water content

Dry density (d)

Line of Optimum
Compaction curves
for different efforts

Line of optimum

Water content

3.2 & 3.3 Laboratory Compaction Test

(after BS1377:Part 4: 1990)
- to obtain the compaction curve and define the
optimum water content and maximum dry density for a
specific compactive effort.

Standard Proctor:

hammer

Modified Proctor:

3 layers

3 to 5 layers

27 blows per layer

27 blows per layer

2.5 kg hammer

4.5 kg hammer

300 mm drop

450 mm drop

1000 ml compaction mould

Dry density (d)

3.4 Effect of Compactive Effort

E2 (>E1)

Increasing compactive
effort results in:
Lower optimum
water content
Higher maximum dry
density

E1

Water content

3.5 Compaction and Clay Fabric

more dispersed fabric

Dry density (d)

3.4 Effect
of
Types of
Soil

Higher water content or higher

compactive effort gives more
dispersed fabric.

more dispersed fabric

Water content

3.6 Field Compaction

Different types of roller

3.6 Compaction Control Test

Compaction
specifications

Compare!
w

d,field = ?
wfield = ?

compacted ground

Core-cutter method
Details of the core-cutter apparatus, which
is suitable for cohesive soils, are given in
figure following
After the cutter has been first pressed into
the soil and then dug out, the soil is
trimmed to the size of the cutter and both
cutter and soil are weighed; given the
weight and dimensions of the cutter, the
bulk density of the soil can be obtained.

Figure: Core cutter

for clay soil
(Source: Smith, I.,
2006)

Sand Replacement method

For granular soils the apparatus shown in figure
following is used
A small round hole (about 100 mm diameter and
150 mm deep) is dug and the mass of the
excavated material is carefully determined
The volume of the hole thus formed is obtained
by pouring into it with sand of known density
from a special graduated container; given the
weight of sand in the container before and after
the test, the weight of sand in the hole and
hence the volume of the hole can be determined.

Sand Replacement method

(continued)
The apparatus shown in figure following is
suitable for fine to medium grained soils and is
known as the small pouring cylinder method.
For coarse grained soils a larger pouring
cylinder is used.
This cylinder has an internal diameter of 215
mm and a height of 170 mm to the valve or
shutter
The excavated hole in this case should be about
200 mm in diameter and some 250 mm deep.
This larger pouring cylinder can also be used for
fine to medium grained soils.

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Figure: Sand
replacement
method
(Source: Smith, I.,
2006)

End of Chapter 3

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