CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SESSION II: 2021/2022

DCC30112 – GEOTECHNICAL AND HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

LABORATORY

NAME
REGISTRATION
PROGRAM / GROUP
PRACTICAL WORK
DATE

Displays correct procedures for investigating the

problems
Select and uses Tools
Displays the usage of the tools/ apparatus/ machine/
CLO1 to run the study/ laboratory work
PRACTICAL Measures the data with accuracy and quality
(P3) Measurement
Displays performance of data measurement
Time management Follows time management
Housekeeping Displays cleanliness and neatness
𝟎
TOTAL P3 (60%) × 𝟔𝟎% =
𝟑𝟎
CLO2 Safety procedure Adhere to safety procedure during laboratory
SAFETY Personal Protective
(A4) Adhere to safety protocols
Equipment (PPE)
TOTAL A4 (10%)

Result Presentation
(Raw Data/Value/ Plan/ Graph, etc) *if any

Report Analysis Calculation

CLO3 Result Discussions
REPORT
Conclusions
(C4)
Apply a standard format of report
Report Standard (Cover page, title, presentation and tidiness)
Completion of report within the time given

TOTAL C4 (30%)

TOTAL SCORE (P3) + (A4) + (C4) /100

 EXPERIMENT 5: COMPACTION TEST

1.0 OBJECTIVE

a. To determine the Maximum Dry Density.

b. To determine the Optimum Water Content.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students should be able to apply the knowledge and skills they have
learned to:

a. Understand the procedure of Proctor Compaction Test.

b. Understand how to determine the Maximum Dry Density and Optimum Water
Content.

3.0 THEORY

This test is a simple laboratory test and this theory was to find the value of Maximum Dry Density
and Optimum Water Content of soil by driving out air. The process will goes when the value of
bulk density will increase and parallel with the percentage of water content and until at the once
stage the value of bulk density will decreased.
4.0 EQUIPMENTS

A) Standard Proctor Compaction Test

a. 3 kg of dry soil (4.75 mm sieve passing)
b. Water
c. Standard mould Proctor (Diameter = 105mm, Volume = 1000cm3)
d. Rammer (2.5kg)
e. Spatula
f. Oven
g. Sample container

B) Modified Proctor Compaction Test

a. 3 kg of dry soil (4.75 mm sieve passing)
b. Water
c. Standard mould Proctor (Diameter = 105mm, Volume = 1000cm3)
d. Rammer (4.5kg)
e. Spatula
f. Oven
g. Sample container

5.0 PROCEDURES

A. STANDARD PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST

1. Make sure the baseplate and the mould are clean and dry. Then, determine the weight of
mould without the baseplate and the collar, W1.
2. Use the 3 kg dry soil with passing 4.75mm sieve.
3. Add 7% of water (7% from the weight of dry soil) into soil sample and mix well as a dough.
4. Divide the dough into three portions
5. Place the first portion into the mould as a first layer. Compact the first layer, applying 27
blows equal on the surface of layer
6. Scratch the layer with spatula forming a grid to ensure uniformity in distribution of
compaction energy to the subsequent layer.
7. Place the second portion and repeat step 5 and step 6 until for the last portion.
8. The last layer should ensure that the compacted soil is just above the rim of the compaction
mould when the collar is still attached.
9. Detach the collar carefully without disturbing the compacted soil inside the mould and using
a straight edge trim the excess soil leveling to the mould.
10. Determine the weight of the mould with the moist soil, W2. Extrude the sample and break it
to collect the sample for water content. The determination preferably from the middle of the
specimen.
11. Weight an empty moisture can and weight again with the moisture soil obtained from the
extrided sample in step 10. Keep this can in the oven (not less than twenty four (24) hours).
12. Break the rest of the compacted soil with hand and add more 2% of water and mix well.
13. Repeat the step 4 to 12. During this process the weight, W2, increases for some time with the
increase in moiture and drops suddenly. The two (2) moisture increments after the weights
starts reducing. Obtain at least 4 points to plot the dry unit weight, moisture content variation.
14. After 24 hours, take out the sample in the oven and let is cold for a moment. Then weight
the sample as a dry soil.

B. MODIFIED PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST

1. Make sure the baseplate and the mould are clean and dry. Then, determine the weight of
mould without the baseplate and the collar, W1.
2. Use the 3 kg dry soil with passing 4.75mm sieve.
3. Add 7% of water (7% from the weight of dry soil) into soil sample and mix well as a dough.
4. Divide the dough into 5 (five) portions.
5. Place the first portion into the mould as a first layer. Compact the first layer (using 4.5kg of
rammer) applying 27 blows equal on the surface of layer.
6. Scratch the layer with spatula forming a grid to ensure uniformity in distribution of
compaction energy to the subsequent layer.
7. Place the second portion and repeat step 5 and step 6 until for the last portion.
 8. The last layer should ensure that the compacted soil is just above the rim of the compaction
mould when the collar is still attached.
9. Detach the collar carefully without disturbing the compacted soil inside the mould and using
a straight edge trim the excess soil leveling to the mould.
10. Determine the weight of the mould with the moist soil, W2. Extrude the sample and break it
to collect the sample for water content. The determination preferably from the middle of the
specimen.
11. Weight an empty moisture can and weight again with the moisture soil obtained from the
extrided sample in step 10. Keep this can in the oven (not less than twenty four (24) hours).
12. Break the rest of the compacted soil with hand and add more 2% of water and mix well.
13. Repeat the step 4 to 12. During this process the weight, W2, increases for some time with the
increase in moisture and drops suddenly. The two (2) moisture increments after the weights
starts reducing. Obtain at least 4 points to plot the dry unit weight, moisture content variation.
14. After 24 hours, take out the sample in the oven and let is cold for a moment. Then weight
the sample as a dry soil.

6.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

The related formula to find the value of bulk density, dry density and moisture content are
shows below:

Mw wet soil − dry soil

m. c = =
Ms dry soil

Mass
ρb =
Volume
ρb
ρd =
1+w

Weight of Empty Mould (kg) =

Volume of Mould (m3) =

 Test num. 1 2 3 4 5
Mass of
empty mould,
M1 (kg)
Mass of
mould
+compacted
soil, M2 (kg)
Mass of
compacted
soil, M (kg)

TABLE 6.1 : Standard Compaction Test

Test num. 1 2 3 4 5
Mass of
empty mould,
M1 (kg)
Mass of
mould
+compacted
soil, M2 (kg)
Mass of
compacted
soil, M (kg)

TABLE 6.2 : Modified Compaction Test

7.1 Water Content

Tin num. 1 2 3 4 5
Empty tin,
M3 (g)
Empty
tin+wet soil,
M4 (g)
Empty
tin+dry soil,
M5 (g)
TABLE 7.3 : Water Content Test

Bulk density,
ρb=M/V
Dry density,
Ρd= ρb/(1+w)
TABLE 7.4 : Dry Density Table
7.0 QUESTIONS

1. Plot a graphs of Dry Density versus Moisture Content

2. Find the value of Maximum Dry Density, Optimum Water Content and determine the value
of Air-Voids Content at Maximum Dry Density and Optimum Water Content.