1.

0 OBJECTIVE
To obtain the maximum value of dry density and the optimum moisture content.
1. Learning outcome
Understand the relationship between dry density and moisture content for a given
degree of compactive effort
Understand the moisture content for the most efficient compaction.
Obtain the maximum dry density can be achieved for particular type of soil.


2.0 THEORY
Compaction of soil the process by which the solid particles are packed more closely
together by mechanical means, thus increasing the dry density, Markwick, 1994. it is
achieved through the reduction of the air voids in the soil. At low moisture content,
the soil grain is surrounded by a thin film of water, which tends to keep the grains
apart even when compacted. In addition of more water, up to certain point, more air to
be expelled during compaction. At the point, soil grains become as closely packed
together as they can, that is at the dry density is at its maximum. When the amount of
water exceeds the required to achieve this condition, the excess water begin to push
particles apart, so the dry density reduced.

The moisture content at which the greatest value of dry density achieved for the given
compaction effort is the optimum moisture content, (OMC), and the corresponding
dry density is the maximum dry density

Figure 1: Relationship between dry density (pd) against moisture content w for several types
of soil.


3.0 TEST EQUIPMENT

1. Cylindrical metal mould, internal dimensions 105mm diameter and 115.5mm high.
(fitted with a detachable and removable extension collar.
2. Metal rammer with 50mm diameter face weighing 205kg, sliding freely in a tube
which controls the height of drop to 300mm
3. Measuring cylinder; 200ml or 500ml (plastic)
4. 20mm BS sieve and receiver
5. Large metal tray
6. electronic balance
7. Jacking apparatus for extracting compacted material from mould.
8. small tools: palette knife, steel-straight edge, 300mm long, steel rule, scoop or garden
trowel
9. Drying oven, 105-110C and other equipment for moisture content determination.



Figure 2 : Mould base plate and the metal rammer
4.0 PROCEDURES
1. Veify the mould, baseplate, extension, collar and rammer to be used are those that
conform to BS 1377. weight the mould body to the nearest 1g (m
1
). Measure its
internal diameter (D)mm
and length (L)mm in several places and calculate the mean dimensions.
2. Calculate the internal volume of the mould (V)mm
3
using
4000
2
L D
V

Apply with an oily cloth on the internal surface of mould to ease the removal of soil
later on.
3. Measure the empty metal tray and 5kg of air dried soil sample that the has passing
through sieve no.4 (4.75mm)
4. place the mould assembly on a solid base, such as concrete floor. Add loose soil so
that after eacch sequence of compaction the mould will be one-third filled.
5. compact the soil by applying 27 blows of the rammer dropping from the controlled
height of the 300mm. ensure that the rammer is properly in place before releasing,
Figure 3, Note: do not attempt to grab the lifting knob before the rammer has come to
rest. The sequence as shown in Figure 4 has to be followed. Repeat for the second and
third layer that the final shall not more than 6mm above the mould body, Figure 5.

Figure 3 Hand position when releasing rammer



Figure 4 Sequence of blows using hand rammer


Figure 5 Soil in mould after compaction
1. Trimming of by removing the extension collar, cut away the excess soil and level off
to the top of the mould. Any cavities rsulting from removal of stones at the surface
shoul be filled with fine material.

2. Remove the baseplate carefully, trim the soil at the lower end of the mould. Weigh
soil and mould to the nearest g.

3. Fit the mould on to the extruder and jack out the soil. Break up the sample on the tray.

4. Take up to three representative samples in moisture content containers for
measurement of moisture content. This must be done immediately before the soil dry
out. The average of three measurements is w%. (Preferably one from each layer).

5. Break up the material on the tray and mix with the remainder of the prepared sample.
Add an increment of water, approximately as follows :

Sandy and gravelly soils : 1 2% (50 100 ml of water to 5 kg of soil)
Cohesive soils : 2 4 % (100 200 ml of water to 5 kg of soil)


5.0 DATA TABLE
A : TEST CRITERIA
Serial no. Test No : Location :
Geotechnic Laboratory, FKAAS
Location No:
No. of layer :3 Rammer mass
:
4.5 kg
Soil Description :
Brown Sandy clay with a little fine
gravel
Sample No.:
Blows per layer
:
27
No. of
separate batch
:
Sample preparation :
Air dried and riffled


B : DENSITY CALCULATION VOLUME OF CYLINDER = 1002 CM
3
Measurement No. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Cylinder + soil =
A g

6750 6651 6781 6953 6871
Cylinder = B g

5580 5580 5580 5580 5580
Soil mass = A B
g
1170

1071 1201 1373 1291
Wet density = 1.168

1.069 1.199 1.370 1.288

C : MOISTURE CONTENT

Measurement No. 1 (1) (2) (3)
Wet soil + container,w
2
(g) 1652

1534 1781
Dry soil + container,w
1
(g) 1621

1523 1758
Empty container, w
0
(g) 675

675 675
Moisture content, w
n
(%), 3.277

1.297 2.134
AVERAGE MOISTURE,
w%

2.236

Measurement No. 2 (1) (2) (3)
Wet soil + container,w
2
(g) 2038

2046 2052
Dry soil + container,w
1
(g) 1959

1870 1889
Empty container, w
0
(g) 678

678 678
Moisture content, w
n
(%), 9.657

14.728 13.460
AVERAGE MOISTURE,
w%

11.928

Measurement No. 3 (1) (2) (3)
Wet soil + container,w
2
(g)
2124

2192 2243
Dry soil + container,w
1
(g)
1899

1875 1899
Empty container, w
0
(g)
783

783 783
Moisture content, w
n
(%),
20.161

29.030 30.824
AVERAGE MOISTURE,
w%

26.672

Measurement No. 4 (1) (2) (3)
Wet soil + container,w
2
(g)
3812

3830 3809
Dry soil + container,w
1
(g)
2989

2992 2979
Empty container, w
0
(g)
975

975 975
Moisture content, w
n
(%),
40.860

41.547 41.417
AVERAGE MOISTURE,
w%

41.276

D : DRY DENSITY CALCULATION (USE ACTUAL VOLUME OF
CYLINDER )
Measurement No. (1) (2) (3) (4)
AVG
MOISTURE, w%

2.236

11.928

26.672

41.276
Dry density,
d








7.0 DATA ANALYSIS

B. DENSITY CALCULATION VOLUME OF CYLINDER = 1002 cm
2

a) Soil mass (A-B)
i) 6570 g 5580 g = 1170 g
ii) 6651 g 5580 g = 1071 g
iii) 6781 g 5580 g = 1201 g
iv) 6953 g 5580 g = 1373 g
v) 6871 g 5580 g = 1291 g

b) Wet density,
i.

= 1.168
ii.

= 1.069
iii.

= 1.199
iv.

= 1.370
v.

= 1.288
C. MOISTURE CONTENT

a) Measurement no 1
i.

x 100 = 3.277
ii.

x 100 = 1.297
iii.

x 100 = 2.134
Average Moisture = 2.236 %

b) Measurement no 2
i.

x 100 = 9.657
ii.

x 100 = 14.728
iii.

x 100 = 13.460
Average moisture = 11.928 %
c) Measumrent no 3
i.

x 100 = 20.161
ii.

x 100 = 29.030
iii.

x 100 = 30.824
Average moisture = 26.672 %

d) Measurement no 4
i.

x 100 = 40.860
ii.

x 100 = 41.547
iii.

x 100 = 41.417
Average moisture = 41.276

D : DRY DENSITY