Geotechnical Engineering – I

CE253

Lecture 15: Compaction

Course instructor
Dr. RAJESWARI J S
Ad-hoc Faculty
NIT ANDHRA PRADESH
Example:
Given standard soil compaction test results as follows

The specific gravity of the soil particles is 2.65, plot the following
Moisture content-dry density curve
  
Zero-air voids line  d  t 
Ten percent air content curve (90% saturation) 1 w 
Determine the optimum moisture content and the corresponding
maximum dry density of the soil
  t 
 d  
1 w 
Tri Moisture Bulk unit Dry unit 20
al content weight weight
no (kN/m3) (kN/m3) 19.5
1 8.30 19.8 18.28
19
2 10.50 21.3 19.28
3 11.30 21.6 19.41 18.5
4 13.40 21.2 18.70 18
5 13.80 20.8 18.28
17.5

17
5 7 9 11 13 15
 G w
 d
wG
1
S

Tri Moisture Dry unit Dry unit 22

al content weight weight 21.5 Datenreihen1

no (kN/m3) (kN/m3) 21 Zero air
S=100% S=90%
20.5 10% voids
1 8 21.45 21.04
20
2 10 20.55 20.08 19.5
3 12 19.72 19.21 19
4 14 18.96 18.41 18.5
5 16 18.26 17.67 18
6 18 17.60 16.99 17.5

17
7 9 11 13 15 17 19
COMPACTION OF SAND
 Small moisture films around the
grains tend to keep them apart
and can decrease the density up
to a certain water content.
 The point Q on the curve
indicates the minimum density.

 Later on, as the water content increases and the meniscus is

destroyed ultimately at 100% saturation of the sand.
 At point R, indicates maximum density. Thereafter, the density
decreases with increase in water content.
Factors affecting Compaction:

1. Water Content
2. Amount of Compaction
3. Types of Soil
4. Method of Compaction
5. Admixtures

6
Effect of Comparison on Properties of soils

Dry side
Swell high low
Shrinkage low high
Construction PWP -ve +ve

7
Stress-strain relationship of dry and wet compacted soils

Dry compacted
Deviator stress

Wet compacted

Axial Strain
Measurement of Unit Weight

• Water Displacement Method

• Submerged unit weight method
• Core cutter method
• Sand replacement method
• Water balloon method
• Radiation method
CORE CUTTER METHOD

𝑊2 −𝑊1
Bulk density of soil, γ =
𝑉

W1 –Weight of cutter + Soil

W2 – Weight of cutter
V - Internal Volume of cutter

Method is suitable for soft fine grained soil, not for gravelly soil
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Z2l9RFumo

SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD

• Calibration of apparatus:
𝑊1 −𝑊2 −𝑊3
ρs =
𝑉𝑐
W1 – Initial weight of cylinder with sand
W2 – Wight of sand in cone only
W3 – Weight of cylinder after pouring sand into cone
and container
Vc – Volume of container

• Measurement of Volume of hole:

𝑊1 −𝑊4 −𝑊2
Volume of hole =
ρs
W1 – Weight of cylinder with sand before Bulk density of soil is
pouring into hole determined from weight of
soil excavated and volume
W2 – Wight of sand in cone only
of hole
W4 – Weight of cylinder after pouring sand into hole