EXAMPLE 1.6 Determination of Maximum Dry Unit Weight and Optimum Water Content The results of a standard compaction test are shown in the tal ble below. Determine the maximum dry unit weight and optimum water content (a) What is the dry unit weight and water content at 95 standard compaction (dry of optimum)? (b) Determine the degree of saturation at the maximum dry density (©) Plot the zero air voids line Ts Water content (3) 62 81 98 15 123 132 Bulk unit weight— 169 187 195 205 204 201 kINim? (pef) (1075) (189) (124) (1304) (1297) (1278) Strategy Compute yg. plot the results of w (%) versus yg. and then extract the required information. SLunits will be used in the solution of this problem. Solution 1.6 Step 1: Use a table or a spreadsheet program to tabulate yw. Zero air voids tied A Piss Dostana SE Dry unit weight Dry unit weight ( G ) Water Bulk unit Y Water va - (Stet content ‘weight Yew content 4S (%) (N/m?) (kN/m?) (%) (kim?) 62 169 169 6 28 at 187 173 8 218 98 195 78 0 208 15 205 184 2 200 123 204 182 4 192 132 201 18 Step 2: Plot graphs as shown in Fig. E1.6. 23. 2 Zero air voids [_____Maximum unit weight = 18.4 kN/m® ~ 95% compaction Dry unit weight (kNim®) cr 7 see, ans. 13 14 ‘Water content (%) FIGUREEL6 Compaction test results.