PRACTICAL TEST 1
(A) MOISTURE DENSITY RELATIONSHIP OF SOILS
INTRODUCTION
Compaction is the process of increasing the density of the soil by packing the
solid particles closer together by reducing the volume of the air. Compaction is
the mechanical means with the aim of increasing shear strength of soil, reduce
settlements, reduce water permeability, and decreases volume changes.
The laboratory compaction test gives a guide to a field compaction and a
degree of compaction is assed by dry density(kg/m3), there are basically two lab
compaction test which are;
Light compaction(standard proctor test)-using 2.5kg rammer, 3
layers compacted and 30.5cm drop of hammer
Heavy compaction(modified proctor test )- using 4.5kg
rammer, 5 layers compacted and 45.8cm hammer drop
For both test a compaction mould of 1litre internal volume is used when the soil
particles passes 20mm sieve size .If the 30 percent soil particles retained in 20mm
sieve equivalent test is done with CBR mould (62 blows/layer and 5 layers
compacted).
In the test done we did modified proctor test with CBR mould.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this test is to determine relationship between dry density and
moisture content of the soil sample
EQUIPMENTS USED
Cylindrical mould ( CBR mould )
Rammer (4.5kg )
Spatula
Tray
tin
Air tight bag
Straight edge
Water bottle
Balance
oven
TEST PROCEDURES
i. Preparation of sample test was done and pass it to 20mm sieve size.
ii. After passing 20mm sieve 30% retained ,hence we require to use CBR
mould than proctor(1 litre mould)
iii. Measurement of 5 tested sample was done (groups)
iv. On the tray , mix samples each with different amount of water to give
suitable range of moisture content . The range of the moisture should
range of at least 2 % ,
v. After mixing all samples with water, place each sample to the air tight bags
so as to avoid them to loose their moisture
vi. Then take the mould (CBR mould) place it to the balance to measure its
weight ,then after that attach it with the extension collar. Note that : the
type of mould you are using will only guide you on how many blows will
you make during compaction test, where by for the CBR mould will make
62 blows.
vii. Start with the sample mixed with 2% of water, put 5 layers in the CBR
mould by which each layer is compacted by 62blows using 4.5kg rammer
viii. After finishing compacting all the layers , remove the extension collar then
using the straight edge level the materials in the moulds.
ix. Take the mould with the compacted sample and place them on the balance
for weight measurement ( that will be weight of mould + sample)
x. Also take the empty tin and measure its weight
xi. Remove the compacted materials in the mould (can use excluder machine
3
when needed) ,then take few sample and put it in the tin (about 4 of the
of the tin) measure and record its weight then place it to the oven( 24
hours) for moisture determination.[ Note; the oven temperature must be of
about 105 °C – 110 °C]
xii. Then repeat the same procedures for the all samples (of 4%, 6%, 8% etc )
placed in the airtight bag
CALCULATION- FOR MOISTURE DENSITY RELATIONSHIP OF SOILS
Computation of weight of wet soil(g)
= weight of mould and wet soil(g) - weight of mould(g)
Wet density (kg/m3)= weight of wet soil/ volume of mould
Computation of weight of water
= (Weight of wetsoil +cont) –(weight of dry soil + cont)
Dry soil Moisture content(w) = weight of water/ weight of dry soil x 100%
Computation of dry density
Dry density(kg/m3) = wet density/ (1+w)
Number of 5 5 5 5 5
layers
Number of no 62 62 62 62 62
blows/lay
Wt.of mould g 9081.4 9350 9616 9533 9431
+wet s
Wt of mould g 4582 4582 4582 4582 4582
Wt. of wet soil g 4499.4 4768 5034 4951 4849
Volume of cc 2305 2305 2305 2305 2306
mould
Wet density Kg/m3 1952 2068.5 2183.9 2147.9 2102.8
Dry density Kg/m3 1807.1 1879.4 1937.5 1867.1 1796.2
CONT.NUMBE K38 K26 K45 K31 K0
R
Wt of g 212.7 269.6 217.9 249.7 225.6
wetsoil+cont
Wt of drysoil g 198.7 247.8 196.1 220.2 196.2
+cont
Wt of cont g 24.3 31.1 24.7 24.0 24.0
Wt of water g 14 21.8 21.8 29.5 29.4
Dry soil % 8.02 10.06 12.72 15.04 17.07
moisture
content
1950
1900
Dry density(kg/m3)
1850
1800 Y-Values
1750
1700
6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Moisture content (%)
From the graph Maximum Dry Density (MDD) = 1938 kg/m3
Optimum Moisture Content, OMC = 12.6%
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The maximum dry density MDD obtained and optimum moisture content OMC
can be used as a reference for site compaction.
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ERROR
During proctor lab test the following can cause slight variations in the final results.
The falling height of rammer may be not uniform.
Un- even distribution of blows over the compacted layer.
Un-equal layer thickness leading to slight different compaction energy of
layer.
Friction between hammer and its case.
(B) FIELD DENSITY BY SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD
INTRODUCTION
Sand replacement method is one of the destructive method used in
determining the degree of compaction of a compacted road surface.
Mostly sand replacement method is a field test, used to determine dry
density of compacted material by using standard sand from laboratory of known
bulk density and weight.
OBJECTIVE ; The main objective of field density measurement is to check the
density of a compacted material soil at a construction site if it has reached the
requirements of the maximum dry density, MDD obtained in the laboratory for
the soil being compacted.
Equipments Used
Metal plate -Brush
Chisel -Nail
Hammer -Oven
Measuring balance
Scoop
Plastic airtight bags
TEST PROCEDURE
I. Prepare the standard sand which passes to 0.3-0.6 mm sieve of known bulk
density.
II. Place the sand to the required cylinder and measure the its weight
III. Level the compacted ground , and place metal plate with tightly by nail.
IV. Using the hammer and chisel remove the soil by making a cylindrical hole
of 150mm diameter of certain depth approximately 13.5-15 cm
V. Collect the removed soil to the plastic airtight bags to prevent loose of
moisture
VI. Fit the cone to the hole and allow opening of the tape so that the hole is
filled with the sand
VII. After the hole been filled, close the tape of the cylinder and take the soil
sample and remained sand to the laboratory for further measurement of
weight
CALCULATION
Computation of volume of the hole(Vc)
Mass of sand + cylinder before pouring = M1
Mass of sand + cylinder after pouring =M2
Mass of sand in cone =M3
Mass of sand in hole(M)= M1-M2-M3
By knowing the bulk density of sand (Bd)
Hence Vc = M/ Bd
Computation of Dry density
Calculation of bulk density
Mass of sample +container =Ms1
Mass of container =Ms2
Mass of Sample=Ms1-Ms2=Ms
Bulk density of sample = Ms/ Vc
Calculation of moisture content
Mass of wet sample +container =Mwet
Mass of dry sample +container =Mdry
Mass of water Mw = Mwet –Mdry
Mass of container= Mcont
Mass of Dry sample =Mdrysample =Mdry –Mcont
Moisture content= (Mw/ Mdrysample ) x 100%
Hence: Dry density = Bulk density of sample/ 1+w
Computation of Degree of compaction
Degree of compaction(%) = Dry density at field/ MDD x 100
= 2.052/ 1.94 x 100
= 105.7%
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended in field density test ,to prevent heavy vehicles
passing nearly the test so as to avoid compaction of the sand in the hole.
For more accuracy it is recommended to done at least twice or more
test in several area within the compacted area.
It is recommended that limit of moisture content and dry density at
field
Bulk density= MDD +- 5%of MDD
Field moisture content = OMC +- 2%of omc
CONCLUSION
Dry density
From the results obtained from moisture content one would expect to have
less dry density than the maximum dry density (MDD) but here things are
different, the dry density obtained is higher than the MDD.
Practically it is impossible to have a higher dry density than MDD at lower
moisture content than OMC.
In practice, site dry density = MDD ± 5% MDD
Density = 1.94 ± 5%x 1.94g/cm 3
Density should range between (1.843- 2.037) g/cm3
Degree of compaction ;The degree of compaction seems to be greater than
100%, hence the soil is over compacted. This is due to the dry density
obtained at site.
